About this Book
This book is an account of my cycle ride through Cuba. There are numerous roads,
and the route described in this blog is not necessarily the best. If you intend to use
this book as a guide for your own cycle tour, please bear in mind the following points:
The distances
Please note that the daily distances recorded in this blog may not always be the
shortest route, as I occasionally deviate from the main path. However, the daily
kilometres recorded were accurate according to my odometer. The readings on myodometer sometimes varied from markers and maps and occasionally over or under-
read. At the end of each day, I always noted the kilometres travelled.
Time of year and date
This blog is an account of my visit to Cuba during October and November 2014. It’s
important to note that many things may have changed since then. The roads may
have been improved or fallen into disrepair, the places I stayed in might have been
upgraded or demolished, and the hills I climbed may or may not be as steep as I
described them. But one thing is for sure: they certainly felt like a challenge at the
time of my visit.
Insurance
A travel insurance policy is essential to cover loss, theft, and medical expenses.
However, some policies might not cover certain activities such as scuba diving,
motorcycling, and trekking. It’s important to carefully read the policy to make sure itcovers the activities you plan to do.
Clothing
We spent most days in the saddle, so make sure you have good quality, paddedcycling shorts. I cycle in ordinary sandals, but one can cycle in any type of footwear
that feels comfortable. I only have one pair of shoes. You are, however, free to pack
as many as you like. Cuba has a Caribbean sub-tropical climate with mild winters. I
doubt if you will ever need warm clothes, but if you feel the need to pack something
slightly warmer, please do. Personal toiletries should include insect repellent and anti-
chafe cream. I recommend the use of a cycling helmet even though I don’t use one.
The bicycle
When it comes to choosing a bicycle for your needs, the most important thing is
comfort. I use a mountain bike with a Merida frame equipped with Shimano Deore
parts, Alex wheel rims, and Schwalbe tires. To carry my belongings during the ride, Iuse Tubus bicycle racks and Ortlieb panniers, which can be a bit pricey, but are worth
it in the long run. It's essential to know how to fix a punctured tube, and it's also
convenient to have a phone holder on the handlebar for navigation purposes. I use
Organic Maps or Google Maps for this. A handlebar bag is also a must-have for
carrying a camera and other items you may need throughout the day.
Recommended further reading
Lonely Planet: The e-book is less expensive and a handy guide.