Reviews

Most Inspirational Moment

Reaching the top of some of the hills on our day in the Sierra Maestra. Visiting the mausoleum to Che.

Thoughts on Group Leader

Alex was excellent. A great organiser and some memorable anecdotes on Cuba and its history. There was clearly an obligation placed on him by his government to tell a particular story but he balanced the dogma with personal observations.

Advice for Potential Travellers

Go without any preconceptions. Cuba may surprise you. If you go in April, be prepared for crabs!

Most Inspirational Moment

The music - you hear and see it everywhere. The cycling - all sections were interesting and well chosen. The bus transfers worked well and were an opportunity to relax. The people - we found people very friendly and open. The touts in the larger cities responded to a polite 'no thank you'. The accommodation was above expectation overall- and perhaps you could say one hotel was inspirational (in Gibara) - due to its architecture and service standard. The group - we were pleased to be cycling with a group of friends on this private tour. The culture - it was interesting to see Cuba at closer quarters and what had been achieved in their relative isolation over the last 50 years.

Thoughts on Group Leader

The group leader was outstanding. He was keen to do that bit extra to make the trip safe and enjoyable for everyone. His knowledge of his country was excellent and he was very prepared to share it with the group. His organisation and trip briefings were excellent, and he was able to accommodate any particular needs of the any member. Riders of different abilities were well supported by the team. His sense of humour was outstanding (and also members of his support team). We have been on 2 Exodus cycle tours now, and both had group leaders who were of a very high calibre.

Advice for Potential Travellers

It became noticably hotter during the three weeks we were in Cuba (8th to 25th April). The morning cycling was ok, with 8.00am starts, but after lunch there were days when we found the heat difficult. The head winds cooled things a little but made cycling more challenging. So I'd recommend going a little earlier in the year, February/March, although this enters into the peak season. Finances: we used ATMs and with the help of the group leader, planned our withdrawals for Trinidad, Santiago and Havana. The airport exchange rates were very poor, so suggest you use them for just enough cash to get to the hotel in Havana.

Most Inspirational Moment

Havana, Trinidad and the climb up Sierra Maestra.

Thoughts on Group Leader

Laz, was an excellent leader. One of the best. Very professional and his knowledge, social skills and English was superb.

Advice for Potential Travellers

Pleased I took by gel seat cover, bottle for bike and cash in Sterling. Don't rely on credit cards and check before you travel if you plan to take another currency as very few are accepted.

Most Inspirational Moment

Speeding downhill! Seeing the countryside and Cuban life (and cars) from the saddle.

Advice for Potential Travellers

My biggest concern, as an irregular cyclist, before the trip was 'what to wear?'. I can now say, after two weeks in the saddle, that you do NOT need to invest in expensive clothing or lycra. I was very happy in loose cotton T-shirts and shorts, old cotton or silk caftans are cool and protect against the intense sun, 'pedal-pushers' do just that. Thick-soled walking sandals proved to be most comfortable. A gel saddle cover, and padded under-shorts were necessary (though hot), and good cycling gloves are a wise investment. Maybe I would have been faster in lycra?

Most Inspirational Moment

Too many to select. Almost all the sunrises and sunsets, the town of (and hotel in) Gibara. The "Lodge" in the Sierra Maestre. The overwhelming friendliness of almost all the Cubans I spent time with (and I didn't speak any Spanish when I arrived!). Oh yes, and the Cuba Libres !!!!

Thoughts on Group Leader

Inspirational. Highly-intelligent, very well-versed in all aspects of Cuban history and culture. Fluent English, sometimes obscured by Spanish accent and poor PA system on coach. An archetypal "gentleman" of the best kind. Must also give mention to coach drivers, Eduardo and Manuel ("Johnny Hips") - great guys, even if they did beat me on the pool table!

Advice for Potential Travellers

Don't believe much of what you read about Cuba in the guidebooks - perhaps they are a few years out-of-date. Everything is of a higher standard than I was expecting. Don't go mad on the sun-screen - I am fair-skinned but didn't finish one bottle (and temperature most days was around 34 degrees!). Don't go mad on the mosquito repellent either - it was only necessary on one evening out of fifteen. Make sure you have above-average cardio-vascular fitness - 70-80km most days is pretty demanding. Most of all, engage with the Cubans as much as you can - they are a lovely people. It's a real waste if you go just for the cycling and the nice weather (though I suspect quite a few of the others in my Group would disagree with that assertion!) Get some basic conversational Spanish before you go - I had to "speed-learn" from the day I arrived!

Most Inspirational Moment

Cycling along back roads (dirt tracks) through villages and through the mountains, seeing the wilder side of Cuba.

Thoughts on Group Leader

Jose was great. When the bus broke down, he was very versatile and made sure we didn't loose a day's riding which could easily have happened. Wicked sense of humour and a dirty laugh to go with it..

Advice for Potential Travellers

You're advised to take your own snacks on several trips. For this one, you really need them. And if you're a tea addict like me, take some tea bags as well (the coffee's not too good either).

Most Inspirational Moment

I found eating the local food provided at a private house, sitting in the garden and using his actual home a humbling experience that made me feel good contact with the locals. I experienced a culture shock seeing the economic state of the Cuban population.

Thoughts on Group Leader

He was well informed and was able to answer all our questions in a thorough manner. He even dealt with unforseen problems well, like the bus getting a pucture and the mechanic needing to sort out bike problems. His enthusiasm, cheerful manner and unfailing dedication to creating a good holiday for us made it all work out so well.

Advice for Potential Travellers

Be aware that snacks for the daytime rides are not available at the roadside, the guides provide fruit, but if you like cereal bars bring 12 days cycling worth with you. Please be ready when the guides seem to be giving you a HUGE ammount of water to drink cycling in a windy 30 C in not too good but it is necessary, also please do take some of the hydration salt tablets as you loose a lot of potessium an manganese in sweat. Also bring lots of tea bags and be prepared to ask for "agua calente" or have a great guide who asks for "hot water" when they don't do tea.

Most Inspirational Moment

The local kids shouting encouragement as I tried to get up the hills.

Thoughts on Group Leader

Great. full of anecdotes of Cuban life, always with both sides of each story.

Advice for Potential Travellers

Take your own (soft) saddle, bike water bottle and just go (even if, like me, you haven't done much/any cycling before).

Most Inspirational Moment

We had the chance to stay 2 nights with a local family in Trinidad, and although they did not speak English well and my Spanish was limited I spent a wonderful hour showing photos of my family and explaining about life in the UK. They have very few material possessions and were fascinated by the photos. 3 generations live in the one house. The rooms we had were surprisingly good. Bring small gifts like biscuits or chocolate. You are staying in a private house

Thoughts on Group Leader

Laz was brilliant and kept us amused with his stories anecdotes and general enthusiasm. He has a vast knowledge of the country and its history, and explained everything about the day beforehand. From teaching us dancing moves to problems in the hotel, he never tired and I can cannot recommend him highly enough. Tuna and Manuel the 2 drivers were also excellent and great fun on the dance floor.

Advice for Potential Travellers

Forget internet, and WiFi, unless you really have to. Most hotels do have a terminal but it was mostly down or so slow it wasn't worth the effort. WiFi did not exist even in the Melia in Santiago. Cell phones work for messaging, but not data. Food was better than expected but some meals can be a bit bland. Definitely bring snacks. Soy sauce for the endless rice. The cycling was generally flat and easier than other trips like Vietnam/Kerala. Day 9 the challenging day was actually quite easy, although very hot.

Most Inspirational Moment

I would say admiration for the strengths of Cuba's social ideals (there are of course great weaknesses in it too) & the friendliness and apparent contentment of the Cuban people. Also you can't also fail to be inspired by the beauty of the country and the Spanish colonial architecture.

Thoughts on Group Leader

Laz was fantastic. A trained teacher who loved his job as a tour leader. He was enthusiastic, knowledgeable, competent and amusing. He told us amusing personal stories and talked openly about his country. With regard to the cycling before each section he carefully described the terrain and any potential hazards. It probably explains why not one of the 18 of us got lost, fell off or had any sort of accident. He took us to some wonderful restaurants -my favourites the lobster and also the garlic shrimps.

Advice for Potential Travellers

Do go there soon. MAKE IT YOUR NEXT HOLIDAY. January was a good month to go. Cycling is a great way to see a country but if cycling is not your thing go to Cuba anyway.