March 2, 2011 – Ride from Havana to the far west of Cuba on this great cycling trip. Mountain retreats, hotels, remote beaches, caves and swim holes, bicycle touring at the fun level Come join us in Cuba and get a great start to your cycling season. To check out this tour go to www.canbicuba.com and look under events. Just six spots left on the bus!

For more information, contact Peter Marshall at petermarshallcycles@yahoo.ca

From huts to hotels this ride has lots to offer:

– Day 1 – Arrive in Havana from either Montreal or Toronto via Air Canada. Bus to Hotel Park View. Set up bikes and then a walking visit of Old Havana. In the evening we dine away from the hotel, the restaurant is on the sea at the mouth of the Almandares River.
– Day 2 – Today we ride approximately 80k to a small hotel in the hills close to the city of Artemisa. We will hook up with the local cycling club and will finish the ride in their company.
– Day 3 – Today we ride to a more remote spot in the Sierra Rosario, with some climbing and rough roads for 73k.. The accommodation is a rustic hostel – it is clean and the food is good.
– Day 4 – After breakfast If you are up to it, there will be a mountain walk. This will entail a tractor ride in and out plus a 3k climb on foot. After the climb we will bus to Cueva de los Portales then ride to Vinales, a beautiful small town in the middle of the famous Valle Vinales. There are some wonderful rides and walks in this part of Cuba. Our hotel is perched on a hill overlooking the terrific valley. This is a photographer’s paradise. (6k on foot, 45k on the bike and bumpy tractor ride)
– Day 5 – Today is a beach ride to Cayo Jutia – a picturesque journey to an out-of-the-way beach. We can ride any distance we wish. The full distance to the beach is 80k and there is a big hill en route. We have a bypass route or you can bus to the top of the hill and ride the last 25k. It is sometimes difficult to get our riders to leave this place. There will be those who choose to ride back and they will leave earlier than the bus. Myself – I will be staying at the beach until the driver drags me away. Tonight we dine at a local private restaurant. Bring a flashlight just for this night.
– Day 6 – In the morning we have a hilly ride to a small river, emerging from a magote (Limestone Mountain). If that flashlight you brought will strap to your head, all the better today. We picnic by the river and then head out back through the Vinales Valle and on to the city of Pinar Del Rio for around 65k.
Day 7 – Today’s ride can be a long one (160k), but the route is very flat with a trade wind behind. This is a beach destination and some riders may want to cut the ride short for more beach time at the world famous dive beach Maria La Gorda.
Day 8 – This ride is 73k along the far western coast of Cuba. The ride is nice but the destination is to die for. This beach is so nice we will stay two nights just to get that special day here on this beach.
Day 9 – Back to Havana and the Hotel Park View. Visit quay-side market and Old Havana.
Day 10– Up early and bus to the airport. After breakfast that is.

The land cost of this tour is $995 Canadian. This includes all hotels,all breakfasts, most dinners (we dine out on the first and fith night), support bus and transport to and from Jose Marti Airport.

Some prefer to bring their own bike and we do have some for rent. Please contact Peter for availability.

What to bring:
– Light touring bike or hybrid or mountain bike with narrower tires (You can rent here if you wish)
– Flashlight
– Camera
– Bathing suit
– A supply of smiles
– Walking shoes
– Check FAQ’s page