Cuba Cycle 2021
Cuba
Description
12 – 20 November 2021
Explore the beauty and culture of Cuba on two wheels. Full of beautiful beaches, rolling hills and tropical forests, amongst cities that have life and energy like no other island; Cuba is a land of contrasts.
Itinerary
Day 1
Depart UK
This is when your adventure begins, meeting the group at the airport and flying to Havana before transferring to our hotel.
Day 2
Bay of Pigs
This morning we visit the cultural and historical heart of Havana before transferring to Playa Larga on the Bay of Pigs, with its beautiful beaches and relaxed atmosphere. We have a bike fitting and briefing on the challenge with the full team before sitting down to a welcome dinner and drinks overlooking the Caribbean.
Day 3
Cienfuegos
128km
We wake early to make the most of the cooler morning as we have a long tough ride on mostly flat roads for our first cycling day. We head south along the coast to Playa Giron before heading north through the towns of Horquitas and Navara and arriving for lunch in Rodas. This afternoon we head south past the Damuji Lake, through Ariza and El Salata and rolling farmland, as we drop into Cienfuegos for the end of the day. Our comfortable hotel is based in the centre of town.
Day 4
Trinidad
96km
Today we begin with a short stretch of hills. Once over this rollercoaster of a ride, the rest of the day is flat roads in rural settings with nature all around us. We ride into the World Heritage town of Trinidad, famous for its summer carnivals when the city explodes to the sound of salsa and meringue. Our ride ends on the coast at our hotel on Playa Ancon where we are once again cooled by the sea breeze and sit with our feet up after a good days ride.
Day 5
Escambray Mountains
60km
As we head out of Trinidad we soon head north into the cooler climates of the Escambray mountains. This area is covered in good tropical forest as we climb to the lookout point at 500m. We descend into the centre of the mountain range for lunch at Los Helechos and then continue north to arrive at our hotel on the shores of Lake Hanabanilla. This is a magical setting and a great place to relax after a tough cycling day.
Day 6
Santa Clara
52km
We have an easier day today with a great 280m descent out of the Escambray mountains, with the rest of the ride through rolling farmland. We should reach Santa Clara for lunch, a vibrant metropolis with lots of street life. Here we visit the mausoleum of Che Guevara before going to our hotel to relax.
Day 7
Santa Maria
110km
Our final day of cycling is quite special as is the destination, the island of Santa Maria off the north coast of Cuba. Our route there starts with 65km of good fast cycling to the town of Caibarien where we have lunch. This afternoon we have 40km of riding on the incredible road that has been built into the sea that will take us to the island of Santa Maria. Once at our hotel by mid-afternoon we have time to relax and take in the scenery on one of the most beautiful beaches of the island.
Day 8
Havana
This morning we have an early transfer back to Havana for free time to discover more of the city. This afternoon, we transfer to the airport for our overnight flight back to the UK
Day 9
Arrive UK