Stage 2 — A Green Pause in Metepec: 2 km in Parque Ambiental Bicentenario & a Candid Talk with Alejo

Luis Gerardo Perez Ahued | 23. January 2026

After the city-postcard energy of CDMX, Stage 2 of our Mexico chapter took a different turn: quieter, greener, and a lot more personal.

We headed to Parque Ambiental Bicentenario in Metepec, State of Mexico — a wide-open space with dedicated paths (including a cycle path), a recreational lake, and areas designed for outdoor activity and environmental education. And it’s not just “a nice park”: it has been recognized locally as a protected natural area, which makes riding there feel like you’re borrowing the landscape for a moment — and returning it as you found it.

A cloudy, cold Friday — the kind that sets the tone

We did this stage on Friday, January 16th, and the weather matched the mood perfectly: low clouds, cold air, and that “quiet morning” feeling you only get when the sky stays closed. It was the kind of cold that makes you zip up your jacket and keep your hands moving — perfect for a ride that wasn’t about speed, but about presence.

The route: 2 km, protected green space, and room to breathe

This stage wasn’t about iconic monuments. It was about the ride itself — 2 km through a protected, open-air setting where the conversation could be just as important as the movement.

And that’s the magic of this stop: the park gives you enough space to let the story slow down. No rush. No traffic soundtrack. Just wheels, cold air, and time to reflect.

The interview — Alejandro Perez-Manrique, up close

We used this stage to sit down with Alejo for an interview that felt both candid and emotional — not a speech, not a “corporate answer,” but a real moment in the middle of the tour.

Here are some of the themes that stood out:

1) What Mexico teaches you (if you let it)

Alejo talked about learning something deeply Mexican: accepting what life throws at you with joy — and not taking yourself too seriously while you do it. He also joked about volume: coming from “the loud ones in Europe,” only to realize Mexico rewrites the definition of loud.

2) Showing up happy — every day

Another simple, powerful point: Mexico taught him to arrive at work with alegría. Not forced optimism — more like an attitude you practice until it becomes real.

3) The igus:bike as a symbol of “bold ideas made real”

For Alejo, the igus:bike represents the kind of company igus chooses to be: one that’s willing to say, “What if we build an entire bike out of plastic — and actually make it work?” The bike isn’t just traveling for the sake of travel; it’s a moving example of how innovation can be practical, durable, and conversation-starting.

4) Why Mexico matters in this journey

One of the most heartfelt moments was his take on what it means for the tour to come through Mexico: a celebration of growth, yes — but also a personal milestone. For him, the stop “certifies” the work being done locally: making igus Mexico an important part of igus globally.

5) Leadership, ambition, and building together

Alejo described the leader he’s choosing to be: bold and relentless about clear goals, but also committed to consensus, openness, and helping the team grow into what it deserves.

And when he talked about what makes him proud of igus Mexico, it wasn’t a single win — it was the atmosphere: a country and a team hungry to grow, people willing to jump into projects, contribute, and push forward. He even reframed the idea of “Mexicanadas,” usually said negatively, into something more hopeful: the courage to jump in, try, and build.

Closing

Stage 1 was Mexico City in motion. Stage 2 was the pause — the “why” behind the ride: a protected green route, a cold overcast sky, and a conversation that felt as real as the road beneath the wheels.

Now the igus:bike rolls on. Mexico hands the tour back to the world, and the next stop is Brazil — new streets, new stories, and the same bold idea traveling further than anyone expected.

The world tour continues…