Cuba Bike Touring Going Great!
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| Cycling in Cuba brings you up close to Cuban life and culture |
As we prepare to leave our Canadian winter behind and head off for 2-months of warm sunshine in Cuba, we would like to share some photos from the recently completed and successful November 2023 bike tour of western Cuba led by Jim Michler with the able assistance of our Cuban Tour Guide Karel Pupo.
Despite what you may have heard, there is ample evidence that you can travel safely and in comfort in Cuba and have a great time while you are there. We are fortunate to have a solid team with Bicycle Breeze to make a cycling holiday in the warmth of Cuba this winter a reality.
Beth and I will be in Cuba in January and February 2023. Follow us on Facebook to see our progress and adventures in photos and videos.
November 2023 Fat Mary Tour Recap
Every new touring season in Cuba is an opportunity for a safe and relaxing adventure in the warmth of the Cuban weather and people.
Last year's tour guide Karel Pupo was new to us and we became great friends. Karel proved himself to be extremely well-organized and helpful to our tour groups. He has excellent knowledge of Cuban culture and was a great storyteller both describing the history of Cuba and sharing his perspective on how it is to be a young person in Cuba.
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| Karel Pupo our tour guide extraordinaire |
I asked Karel to share some personal information on his life in Cuba, and how he became interested in guiding bike tours in Cuba.
"I'm Karel Pupo, born and raised in Havana and a city boy.
Nevertheless, the first time I went to the countryside to visit family I discovered a passion for nature and travel. Since 2021, I've been working as a tourism guide in Cuba. When I turned 25 during
the pandemic I learned how to ride a bike and guess what, I fell in
love. Now I look for reasons to get
on my bike more often."
He has guided five bike tours for Bicycle Breeze in just the last 12 months, covering the entire country, cycling the Fat Mary tour of Western Cuba three times, and the Cayo Tour of Central Cuba's colonial cities twice. This winter he has already been back to the Fat Mary route on the tour led by Jim Michler in November 2023. Karel will be joining Beth and me for two tours in Eastern Cuba in early 2024 (more on those opportunities follows).
"Our November 2023 tour just wrapped up and was a total success. The clients enjoyed Cuban nature, Cuban culture and Cuban hospitality. There was only one problem, even with a lot of cycling on the program the clients came back with a couple of extra pounds."
Karel is available to help anyone who needs a guide in Cuba, he says, "I would be grateful to meet you here. A country that's not only Varadero, rum and salsa, but much more. You can reach him through his Instagram page Karel's Instagram Page Link
Here are some photos from the November 2023 Fat Mary Tour.
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| November 2023 Fat Mary group meets the Artemisa Youth Cycling Club at Angerona Coffee Plantation, Artemisa, Cuba |
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| A typically joyful cyclist in Cuba riding two up |
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| Breakfast at Mil Cumbres the most rustic place our tours go - it's special |
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| The cook making another delicious meal at Mil Cumbres |
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| A happy Bicycle Breeze tour group with the tour bus in the background |
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| Flats happen, but we will take care of them for you |
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| Our bike mechanic and saviour for those with tired legs |
You Still Have Time to Join Us
Beth and I have two tour offerings this year, both of which are proceeding and clients have booked their flights. Many are coming a few days prior or staying afterward.
We have more spaces available and would love to fill our buses to help support the Cuban people. Our tours provide jobs for Cubans, support provincial youth cycling clubs across Cuba with donations that our clients bring, and recently we have been encouraging people to bring medicine which is in short supply. Despite the hardship Cubans are experiencing, tourists can count on a great experience this winter.
The tour company Bicycle Breeze will support you from arrival to departure with a team including your tour leaders (Lee and Beth), a Cuban cultural tour guide, a bike mechanic, a bus driver, and a logistics team in Havana.
Beth and Lee will return in 2024 for two of their favourite tour routes in eastern Cuba, "Guantanamo Mango" and "Celia Sanchez." Details and links are below where we describe the tours.
First 2024 Tour - Guantánamo Mango
This tour will run from January 27 to February 10, 2024. The ride is through the part of Cuba called the Oriente, known for its rural towns, cocoa plantations, hidden beaches, pine forests and amazing scenery.
For more details or to book this tour head to the website with this link Guantanamo Mango Tour Website
Second 2024 Tour - Celia Sánchez
This tour will run from February 17 to March 2, 2024. This tour celebrates the life and accomplishments of Celia Sanchez who helped lay the foundation for the revolution and supported Fidel's troops throughout including living at the rebel base high in the Sierra Maestra mountains. We will travel in her footsteps and explore the area around the Sierra Maestra.For more details or to book this tour head to the website with this link Celia Sanchez Tour Website
My Latest Video - Cuba's Colonial Cities
If you cannot make it to Cuba this winter, check out this video that covers our February 2023 bike tour from start to finish - enjoy. You will come away with an appreciation of how much we fit into 15-days.
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| A video of our February 2023 bike tour of Central Cuba's Colonial Cities |
Final Words
Thanks for reading our blog! If you have any questions, reach out to us and we can review the options with you. We can also send you a brochure of any tour with daily itineraries and photos.
Best wishes,
Lee & Beth Orphan
Email: lee@bicyclebreeze.net
YouTube Video Channel: Lee's Cuba Cycling YouTube Channel
Facebook: Lee's Cuba Bike Tour FB Page
Bicycle Breeze company website: www.bicyclebreeze.net
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