In 2019 we decided we wanted a long-ish self-supported bicycle tour. The criteria—it must be warm and must be off the beaten track. Cuba fit the bill. We had visited Cuba s all-inclusive tourists, but never felt we had seen the real Cuba, far away from the beach resorts. We wanted to see it our way—by bicycle. Randy had a route planned, but nothing more. Each night we would source out our accommodations as we rolled into town. We knew there would be challenges in this unique country so we anticipated the possible challenges—bike repairs, spare parts, and even food availability. We also knew we would be among local Cubans and in order to put a few smiles on faces we loaded up our panniers with little gifts and treasurers that we thought might be appreciated.
Day 10: Baracoa to Imias (Climbing La Farola)
The HILLS, the changing landscapes, pushy mountain people, and no hay ice cream. Again. We’d been dreading the La Farola mountain pass. Leaving Baracoa, we have to traverse these mountains to reach the Caribbean and every time we told people we were going through La Farola they delivered us a “crazy tourist” look. So, we... Continue reading→
Day 11: Imias to Guantanamo
There’s more to Cuba than meets the eye, and Cuba is complicated. Doing our time in Guantanamo. Let’s talk economy and perception. We’ve all heard how the average state salary equates to about $40-$80 a month. And, there are silly crazy price tags attached to everything other than food (and much of that too is... Continue reading→
Day 12: Guantanamo to Santiago de Cuba
Big puffy black smoke & trucks, highways with few cars, and a hidden gem of a Casa. We have arrived in Santiago de Cuba! Population of 431,500. 100km ride to get here today. We left Guantánamo early this morning because it gets so stinkin warm with the sun! After leaving our Casa (that we loved!)... Continue reading→
Day 13: rest day in Santiago de Cuba
The heat that threatens to defeat us, the final resting spots of Fidel, and Compay Segundo (Cuban guitarist) and the hustle and bustle of a big city. It was a well needed rest day so we spent it on foot in the city. The day heats up past 30 and with the sunshine and humidity... Continue reading→
Day 14: Santiago de Cuba to Chivirico
Plan B and A, Economic prosperity, goats everywhere and scenery waaaaayyy beyond the resorts. The road to Chivirico is beautiful! Last night we contemplated a Plan B, considered bailing out of the ride to Chivirico and beyond due to relentless dehydrating heat, and the remote terrain that will become increasingly so for the next two... Continue reading→
Day 15: Chivirico to La Mula
Fantastic, awesome route today and the Campismo experience. Wild, rugged, & beautiful. There are no more words for the stretch of the route we covered today. Stunning! We were mostly alone for hours on end. We saw probably five cars and a few horses. Occasionally a pedestrian out in the middle of nowhere. Curiously, despite... Continue reading→