Classic Cuba CKU1703
25 Nov 2017
Riding day 9, Varadero - Havana
Today we started our engines for the last time and cruised back to Havana, but despite the short distance it was a very full day... and ended with a great surprise, a old car drive through Havana before dinner! My last tour for this 2017 season is over, and I could not have wished myself a better end, thank you everybody, ride safe and keep in touch. Ciao, hasta pronto!
Riding day 8, Remedios - Varadero
This morning we explored Remedios a little bit and then cruised on the "Circuito Norte", that slowly took us to Varadero, probably the most important resort town of the country. Just before reaching our destination, a tropical storm forced us to wear our rain gear for the first time... now our Cuban experience is complete! Enjoy the pictures!
Riding day 7, Cayo Santa Maria - Remedios
A very short ride today, so we could spend the whole morning in our resort and we left only after lunch. Reaching the mainland again, we could visit the museum dedicated to the sugar industry before reaching the centre of Remedios, where tonight we will sleep in "casas particulares", something that could be compared to our B&Bs, and get of course a different (and more authentic) taste of Cuba.
Riding day 6, Trinidad - Cayo Santa Maria
Coast to coast today, from the South to the North! We left Trinidad and rode through the Valle de los Ingenios, once a very important region for the production of sugar. After that, we reached Santa Clara where we could visit the mausoleum of Che Guevara and learn something more about his history. In Santa Clara we also had lunch and then we continued to Cayo Santa Maria, where we will have some time to relax because tomorrow it will be a very short ride.
Day 5, Rest day Trinidad
Rest day? Well not so much! A morning ride through the Sierra del Escambray, back to the hotel for lunch and then, after a refreshing bath, we went to the historic centre of Trinidad for a walk and we also had a great dinner there. What a beautiful day, enjoy the pictures!
Riding day 4, Cienfuegos - Trinidad
What a beautiful day, perfect weather and stunning landscapes! We left our hotel and visited the centre of Cienfuegos, the "pearl of the south", before heading to the mountains of the Sierra del Escambray, where we had lunch at the waterfall of "El Nicho". A beautiful scenic ride through the sierra, paying attention to some "uneven" pavement, took us to the beautiful viewpoint "mirador del caribe" from where we finally rode down to Trinidad. Tomorrow no packing, but we have a lot of things to do... stay tuned!
Riding Day 3, Las Terrazas - Cienfuegos
The longest ride of this tour today, around 350 km (220 miles) eastwards. We first stopped at San Antonio for a break and then used the highway to approach the Bay of the Pigs, famous for the attempt to invade Cuba in the 60', where we stopped at the Cueva de los Peces for lunch... and of course a refreshing swim! Then we visited the museum of Playa Giron dedicated to the battles of the Bay of the Pigs, before finally heading to Cienfuegos. Saturday evening, a lot of parties going on... but we are all quite tired after this long ride!
Riding Day 2, Viñales - Las Terrazas
Today we spent the whole morning in the beautiful valley of Viñales, surrounded by tobacco fields and mogotes, these beautiful mountains with vertical cliffs covered by lush vegetation. We visited a tobacco farm where we learned something about the cultivation and harvesting of this product that is so important for the economy of the whole country. Then, after a coffee break with a beautiful view over the valley and a visit at the "Mural de la Preistoria", we headed to Pinar del Rio for lunch. Finally, a easy ride on the highway took us to Soroa and we entered the mountains again to reach las Terrazas where we will spend the night. Now it's time for a good rest, because tomorrow the longest ride of the tour is awaiting us!
Riding day 1, Habana - Viñales
Another tour through this beautiful island has just started! After the morning briefing, we reached the deposit where our bikes were waiting for us and, after some "paperwork", we could finally start! We first headed to Mariel, the most important port of Cuba and then entered the area of "Las Terrazas" where we had lunch at the Banos del San Juan. Back on the road, on the "Circuito Norte" we could enjoy many bumps but the scenery approaching Viñales became more and more beautiful and we finally reached the hotel in time for a refreshing beer by the pool before dinner.