Biking In Cuba
Cuba is difficult to understand. A half century of isolation, the overwhelming influence of Fidel Castro, and U.S. demonization of the country all conspire to make Cuba a puzzle wrapped in obscurity and tied with misinformation. Even after biking in Cuba for five weeks, we came home better informed yet freshly perplexed.
If you're contemplating biking in Cuba, you must have a genuine interest in Cubanos and their culture. Otherwise, like most visitors, you'd just book a package deal at a beachfront hotel and ignore all but the sand, surf, and mojitos.* Because the truth is, many countries are more consistently beautiful than Cuba and have more extensive road networks in much better repair. France, Spain, Holland... the list is long.
The reason to go biking in Cuba is to embrace Cuba. Because you'll find it embraces you back, with startling enthusiasm and sincerity. Pedaling out of Havana, into the countryside, is an act of trust that Cubanos recognize, appreciate and reward. When biking in France, Spain and Holland we felt welcome. When biking in Cuba we felt appreciated.
To learn more about biking in Cuba, go to http://www.hikingcamping.com/free-cycling-cuba.php, where you can read an insightful travel article written by Kathy & Craig Copeland, initially published in the Calgary Herald.
For a glimpse of biking in Cuba, go to http://www.hikingcamping.com/photos-cuba.php, where you can see photos from Kathy & Craig Copeland's five-week journey on the island.
*A traditional Cuban drink made of white rum, sugar cane juice, lime, sparkling water, and either spearmint or a lighter mint called yerba buena. Mojitos are not confined to foreigner-ghetto beachfront hotels. Independent travelers biking in Cuba will have plenty of opportunities to quaff mojitos.