Reviews

Most Inspirational Moment

The camaraderie amoungst the group, especially when the cycling got tough right at the very end (there was the option to get on the bus) but making it to the top with everyone's support felt great!

Thoughts on Group Leader

Couldn't have asked for more! He was helpful, friendly, supportive and so very knowledgeable. He organised us very efficiently but in a way that did not harass - he recognised we were on holiday!

Advice for Potential Travellers

Go with an open mind and be pleasantly surprised. It is a great country with lots to offer in terms of culture and vitality. Cycling is a great way to enjoy this and the free time experiences really fill in the gaps.

Suggestions

You don't have to be an avid cyclist for this trip but it is hot and sometimes hard work so you need to be reasonably fit. However, the effort is worth it and you are never pressured to do more than you are able to. I would highly recommend it to anyone.

Most Inspirational Moment

Cycling 103 km up some very steep hills! The personal approach made by our tour guide Freddy! What a hero!!

Thoughts on Group Leader

As above....hero! True legend. How he put up with us all the way he did and then went straight on to another group with the same enthusiasm is beyond me!!

Advice for Potential Travellers

Get cycling!! Although anyone can do it! Course varies and you can always get on the bus if you're tired!

Suggestions

Brilliant trip in every aspect!

Most Inspirational Moment

Mojitos...mutiple

Thoughts on Group Leader

Alex was a star . Gave us a real insight into life in Cuba....and he is not a bad cyclist.

Advice for Potential Travellers

Cuban hills may not be high but 30 degrees humidity makes them harder than you think . I appreciated my saddle cover.

Most Inspirational Moment

We loved the challenge of cycling up the hill on our last cycling day-great to finish with a sense of achievement. And the opportunity to see Che Guevara's Mausoleum was a very moving experience. It's well worth climbing the tower in the museum in Trinidad -the steep stairs lead to a stunning view. Trinidad really took our breath away-friendly people, cobbled streets, craft stalls and music on the steps in an afternoon with a mojhito-perfect!

Thoughts on Group Leader

Laz was very engaging -the group enjoyed his company, appreciated his extensive knowledge and valued his consideration

Advice for Potential Travellers

It was very hot-take plenty of sunscreen and plenty of snacks to eat whilst cycling. And don't leave Cuba without taking a ride in one of those stunning cars along the sea front

Most Inspirational Moment

Riding through the towns and hills of Cuba.

Most Inspirational Moment

Every moment was brilliant. Cycling, swimming, dancing and drinking with lovely new friends were fantastic moments. Woke up in the early morning before the sunrise and went to the sea where's no one else but me. Floating on the sea and seeing the beautiful sunrise was one of the inspirational moment.

Thoughts on Group Leader

The leader Freddy is perfect leader we can count on in this trip. His accurate knowledge of history, technical advice for riding, smart joking boosted our travel. Also his prompt action with warm consideration was really helpful when I had a trouble.

Advice for Potential Travellers

No worries about cycling. The support vehicle follows us every time, you don't have to have any equipments during cycling. A bandanna is useful to clean your face, to cover your mouth with it. You sometimes get a terrible vehicle emission when riding behind the cars.

Suggestions

To learn some steps of salsa before visiting Cuba makes your trip much fun.

Most Inspirational Moment

Too many to pick, but the gentle, patient encouragement of Ali, our mechanic and experienced competitive cyclist, who more or less dragged us up the last hill, and made us feel like champions for finishing. The dynamics of the group, much enhanced by our group leader, made every shared experience a highlight in some way or another. We came away, each with a dozen new friends from around the globe.

Thoughts on Group Leader

Freddy was excellent. His depth of knowledge was vast, and imparted with a humour that made the facts more memorable. His outlook on the exciting future of Cuba at present, was measured, sensible and very informative. He 'shepherded us' brilliantly, providing appropriate warnings of, and then encouragement through the tougher cycling, and added to everyone's sense of accomplishment at the end of each day.

Advice for Potential Travellers

Relax, and enjoy the ride. You will be well taken care of, all 'hitches' easily dealt with, and don't stress yourself about the speed or keeping up with the front riders. This is everyone's holiday to be enjoyed. Practically, some 'once daily' sunblock and some cool long sleeves if you can find them are useful. Also, give yourself a couple of extra days to see more of Havana if you can.

Suggestions

This was my first organised tour since schooldays. I was apprehensive, especially seeing fleets of buses disgorging lanyard wearing tourists in and out of our hotels. but the cycling made this so different. It was a fantastic way to get into the countryside and 'feel' Cuba, complemented by brief periods of bus travel with well presented information.

Most Inspirational Moment

I really enjoyed cycling through the country villages and seeing the pace of rural life. I preferred the habited areas to the coast as there was more variety of landscape. However, I also really enjoyed riding around Havana in an open-topped sixty year old Pontiac.

Thoughts on Group Leader

Alex was a very conscientious and thoughtful leader with a good sense of humour and a good manner with the group. He made every effort to ensure that we made the most of our holiday. He was also very informative about the history and politics and gave us a much greater understanding of the social issues in the country.

Advice for Potential Travellers

The holiday was graded leisurely/moderate, which I thought could be slightly misleading. I went on the Indo-China and Angkor Wat ride last year which was graded moderate. However, although the mileage in the Cuban trip was significantly less, I thought the cycling itself was harder with more hills and a regular headwind. If I had done the Cuban trip first, I might have been worried about the Indo-China trip being too hard for me. It is always difficult to judge these issues though, and sometimes it depends on the fitness and pace of the overall group.

Suggestions

This trip was an excellent way of getting a flavour of Cuba and enjoying some cycling in a short period of time

Most Inspirational Moment

The feeling on achievement after a good ride and seeing Cuba close up. Cycling means you can see details close up.

Thoughts on Group Leader

A great leader who kept us motivated and entertained.

Advice for Potential Travellers

Take lots of suncream ! Some basic cycling gear makes all the difference (good gloves, cycling tops and padded shorts or a gel saddle).

Suggestions

A couple of ideas for the future: get a good detailed map so the route can be shared with the group members each day so they can see the context for the ride: a couple of earlier starts would mean the group can finish before it gets too hot: and some evening cycling once it gets cooler would also have been a good variation.

Most Inspirational Moment

Pros First view cycling alongside the turquoise ocean...........Cycling into Trinidad........Old town Havana.......Fifties American cars Cons The Russian built hotel by the lake

Thoughts on Group Leader

Laz made the tour. He was helpful, happy and informative. His communication of the recent history of Cuba was first rate giving a fascinating insight to how it shaped the island into what we saw on this tour. Thanks.

Advice for Potential Travellers

It was a great trip these are just thing to bear in mind. Its difficult to generalise but due to the unseasonal heat (35C) and headwinds the cycling was not particularly leisurely! As Laz said the tour was a cycling tour not a 'gourmet' tour and he was right. Accommodation was perfectly good.

Suggestions

Havana airport immigration inadequacies nearly sparked a revolt as we waited to leave!