Just back from the week of cycling in Cuba.
My wife and I thought it was awesome! Already talking about going back next year! We had a great time, but I can tell you most assuredly, it is NOT for everyone. We even had people in our group that were "disappointed" - but their expectations of a whole bunch of things about this trip were way out-of-line with reality. Everything you said in your post was dead-on. I've also spent a fair amount of time in 3rd world and developing countries so, knew what I was getting into with this.
The guy organizing the trip has great relations with a number of the local top road-racers in the Varadero area, so we road with them as leaders every day. Got in a moderately hard 100K +/- every day for 5 days. We bailed on a ride on the one day it did rain after about 30k - as you had mentioned, with all the oil on the roads - they are like skating rinks when wet. Not worth it. This was real road riding - spirited sessions with extended jams at 45km/h and other times it's all "piano"/"tranquillo" catching the breath and chatting. They ride with spirit and passion in the Latin Countries!
Highlight was the 150k ride with a strong tail wind from our Hotel in Varedero to Havana - with organized sag & transportation for bikes and ourselves (12 of us) back to the hotel, after a hearty meal and a few beers at a restaurant in old Havana that's a favorite of one of the local riders!
Despite what you may see as mayhem and chaos on the part of drivers in Cuba, EVERY vehicle/driver, was extraordinarily respectful of cyclists. Would always WAIT to make a truly safe pass. Then give the friendly little toot of the horn when coming by, and even a wave and a friendly "Hola". (Why can't it be this way in North America?). At the end of the week - we concluded, we felt safer riding on the roads in Cuba than at home!!
For payment to the Cubans we stripped a bunch of stuff off our bikes (tires, tubes, chains, water-bottles, patch kits etc as well as some clothing and apparel) and left it all for them - most of them really have nothing.
Picture below - passing through Cardenas - heading out to the country (This was the day after the rain - so standing water in a few places).
Getting up close with Che!
Steve Fleck @stevefleck | Blog
My wife and I thought it was awesome! Already talking about going back next year! We had a great time, but I can tell you most assuredly, it is NOT for everyone. We even had people in our group that were "disappointed" - but their expectations of a whole bunch of things about this trip were way out-of-line with reality. Everything you said in your post was dead-on. I've also spent a fair amount of time in 3rd world and developing countries so, knew what I was getting into with this.
The guy organizing the trip has great relations with a number of the local top road-racers in the Varadero area, so we road with them as leaders every day. Got in a moderately hard 100K +/- every day for 5 days. We bailed on a ride on the one day it did rain after about 30k - as you had mentioned, with all the oil on the roads - they are like skating rinks when wet. Not worth it. This was real road riding - spirited sessions with extended jams at 45km/h and other times it's all "piano"/"tranquillo" catching the breath and chatting. They ride with spirit and passion in the Latin Countries!
Highlight was the 150k ride with a strong tail wind from our Hotel in Varedero to Havana - with organized sag & transportation for bikes and ourselves (12 of us) back to the hotel, after a hearty meal and a few beers at a restaurant in old Havana that's a favorite of one of the local riders!
Despite what you may see as mayhem and chaos on the part of drivers in Cuba, EVERY vehicle/driver, was extraordinarily respectful of cyclists. Would always WAIT to make a truly safe pass. Then give the friendly little toot of the horn when coming by, and even a wave and a friendly "Hola". (Why can't it be this way in North America?). At the end of the week - we concluded, we felt safer riding on the roads in Cuba than at home!!
For payment to the Cubans we stripped a bunch of stuff off our bikes (tires, tubes, chains, water-bottles, patch kits etc as well as some clothing and apparel) and left it all for them - most of them really have nothing.
Picture below - passing through Cardenas - heading out to the country (This was the day after the rain - so standing water in a few places).
Getting up close with Che!
Steve Fleck @stevefleck | Blog