cycling in Cuba

bicyclingcuba, is a good place to start, do an internet search and you will find much more

I would enthusiastically recommend "Cycling Cuba" a Lonely Planet publication co-authored by a frequent poster here "ttjpdo" or some such. (sorry, Rosa, that's not meant as a slight; I just do not recall everyone's moniker)/ The book views Cuba from the wheels up and has the perspective a cyclist needs to survive and thrive rather than what some promoter wants to tell you he thinks you need. Very practical advice. The drawings are essential information.

With luck she will notice this thread and add her own comment.

Thanks, Davfitz, and no, no reason for you to remember a string of letters that have meaning only to me.

OP, you definitely need a cycling guide. The two mentioned above (the only two that exist) both have the disadvantage of having been researched 6 or 7 years ago, and two things will have changed: the currency situation, and some of the casas recommended along the recommended routes have closed, while others will have opened. But the most essential information; namely, the routes themselves, the degree of difficulty, how much time you will need to do which loops, where you can find to stay and eat along those routes--all of this is essentially the same; I know, because I have since re-traveled most of those routes once or several times. So, for starters, get either BICYCLING CUBA, which has the best pictures, or Lonely Planet's CYCLING CUBA, which has the best maps (and altitude schematics, so you can see when you're faced with a major ascent). Although CYCLING CUBA is now out of print, I think you can still get it on amazon.com BICYCLING CUBA is available there, too.

CYCLING CUBA is set up in such a way that most rides are recommended to start at first light (6 AM), and pack it in by eleven a.m. or noon. Then have your first big meal of the day (this in Cuba often takes an hour or so to prepare), and spend the heat of the afternoon on the beach or in some shady place with a cool drink. And maybe the last hour of daylight, when it starts to cool off a little, checking out the local sights. The book lists what there is to do in each area, at the end of a day's ride.

Flying in/out of Varadero, my personal favorite ride from there is one which takes 4 days, south to Playa Giron on the opposite coast of the island, then east to Trinidad. Starts off dead flat and gradually becomes more hilly. Once in Trinidad, if you're in good shape, you can ride over the the Escambray Mountains to Santa Clara, or make a loop ride through the Escambrays, ending up back in Trinidad. From either Santa Clara or Trinidad you can then (should) catch the Viazul bus to Havana. And from Havana, make a 2-day ride back to Varadero. All this sounds easy, like you only need a map, but trust me, you need more than that.

Any type of bike will do. I took a mountain bike, but my partner along one segment rode an ordinary old ten-speed road bike, no problems. Do not expect to find any kind of spare parts. Also, although you can find tire repair guys (called poncheros), in every town and village far better to get kevlar liners for your tires. Cuban roads are lined with thorn bushes, and the liners will make the different in having zero flat tires to 3 or more per day!

from the post #3:'And from Havana, make a 2-day ride back to Varadero.' You should not ride back to Varadero because you will have face wind. To avoid if possible. The wind direction is Santiago toward Havana.
One good ride start from Varadero to Havana and from there to Vinales. You should do the way back on Viazul bus with a small extra. All the precautions are good, and you should have your tires inflated at around 80psi to avoid punctures by 'snake bites'

Hi all,

Thanks so much for your inputs. I have already ordered the books via amazon and will start researching the web now a bit more as well.

Rgds,
Jan

Before doing your web search which is a very good idea, make a search here by typing in advance search : Biking Cuba. You will have access to a wealth of infos of about 105 posts.

Poster #4: You're correct that the wind is against you if you ride from Havana to Varadero, but if you ride the other way, Varadero to Havana, then the ride from Havana to Vinales is the pits--hardly any nice bits at all until you get past Cienfuegos! I personally have ridden against the wind, Havana-Varadero, several times, and while I can't say that I liked it, one does have the blessing of that wonderful looooong glide down to Matanzas.

Poster#7. The good way would be Varadero-Havana. Havana-Vinales and Viazul back to Havana or Varadero. I strongly suggest to take the bus back, because it's a déja vu road, it's against the wind and it's a lost of time.
I recommended to a friend not to drive against the wind and he did that, few years ago. He battled all along a strong headwind From Havana to Varadero and he still remind it today. At Varadero he was half dead ( he is in his thirties and a strong man) and it took 2 days to be back on his feet.

Cycling Cuba has some decent info and links.
Also see the page at www.casaparticular.info</a><BR>