Mountain Bike Christmas
Tour Leader
Cost
N/A. Should you register looking to share with an another and we are not able to find an acceptable companion, you will need to pay the Single Supplement charge.
N/A.
Tour Details
- Destination: Cuba, Western Cuba.
- Duration: 10 days.
- Arrives: 12/19/2024
- Departs: 12/28/2024
- Days of cycling: 8
- Usual daily distances: The average daily distance is 30k.
- Terrain: Cuban back roads. There is one day of city cycling but this is rather short. Surfaces are from OK to bad. Old broken roads and some dirt trails.
- Best Bike to Use: MTB, Hybrid, Gravel, or Touring .
- Support vehicle: 100%
- Tour staff: 1 cycle guide, 1 driver, 1 mechanic.
“Come to Cuba on cycling holiday over the Christmas holidays. A fully supported tour with guide, mechanic and a following bus. It is well known that planning is the key to success and the sooner we make plans, the better.
This is not about starting Christmas early. This is about planning to give ourselves the best possible start to a Magical Christmas. So let’s start making plans together, setting up a group of like-minded people looking for a relaxed Mountain Bike Adventure in the West of Cuba.
This is Cuba in the raw. We will bring you to Western Cuba: Pinar del Rio province, and the town of Viñales. We have strong ties to the local youth cycling club ( E.I.D.E.), which Bicycle Breeze and CanBiCuba have supported for many years. This tour is conducted mostly on dirt back roads and visits a number of out of the way beaches.
This is not extreme MTB cycling, only moderate off road skills are required. Old broken roads and some dirt trails are our preferred paths. Both Christmas Eve and Christmas Day will be spent in Viñales.”
TOUR GALLERY
DAY BY DAY SCHEDULE
1
2
3
4
5
6
7
8
9
10
1
Arrival Thursday December 19th
Fly to Havana and transfer to the Vedado area on the Malecon. Settle into local “casas particulares” and set up the bikes in front of the CAFE RUEDA. Our evening meal at a local restaurant will give us an opportunity chat and introduce ourselves.
Later, depart to visit the San Carlos Fort and experience the Cannon Ceremony, for closing the city gate at 9 pm.
Cycling: 0 km
Accommodation: Casas particulares.
Meals Included: Dinner /Breakfast
2
Friday December 20th.
This day starts in Mariel. We will ride to a town called Alquizar to meet a youth cycling club and leave our donations. From here we go on riding west through Artemisa and onto Charco Azul, a very small country hotel in the stables area, just west of Havana.
Cycling: 33km
Accommodation: Hotel Charco Azul
Meals Included: Dinner/Breakfast
3
Saturday December 21st
Ride to Las Terrazas, On the way, visit the ruins of a coffee plantation: “Ruinas del Cafetal Angerona”, located at 6 Km from Artemisa.
We will do a trail located in the Sierra del Rosario and we will enjoy the rest of the day by the river.
Cycling: 28km
Accommodation: Hotel Mokka
Meals Included: Dinner/Breakfast
4
Sunday December 22nd
A morning visit to the Botanical Garden in Soroa by bike, short ride but hilly, followed by a lunch in the resort.
After lunch, a trip through the mountains that finishes in the chalet where Fidel Castro used to go for relaxing. This is a hard ride, but the bus is always after you.
Cycling: 47km or 30k
Accommodation: Chalet in Milcumbres
Meals Included: Lunch/Dinner/Breakfast
5
Monday December 23rd
Today’s ride will get us to the Cueva De Los Portales, the place where Ernesto (Che) Guevara set up military headquarters during the “missile crisis” of October 1962, and then we will bus to quiet village of San Diego de los Baños and an old American hotel built before the revolution.
In this time forgotten village we will get a cigar rolling lesson from a retired old man who spent his life at this trade
All of today’s riding is done on the road, not great paving but we are on MTB’s so all will be well.
Cycling: 37km
Accommodation: Hotel Mirador de San Diego
Meals Included: Dinner/breakfast
6
Tuesday December 24th
A dirt road trip, through farms and hamlets, this is one of my favorite rides. A camera day of the highest order, with lots of time to stop and take it all in. We end our ride in the town of Viñales, beauty spot renowned for its fertile soil and magnificent MOGOTES.
Today is Christmas eve, “Noche Buena” a big celebration for Cuban families. Tonight we dine together with the Cuban families.
Cycling: 16km
Accommodation: Casa particular in Viñales
Meals Included: Dinner/breakfast
7
Wednesday December 25th
Christmas Day, a short visit to a tobacco plantation and then on for a picnic lunch in the Valle Ancon.
We will have in the evening a fancy Christmas dinner.
Cycling: 30km
Accommodation: Casa particular in Viñales
Meals Included: Dinner/breakfast
8
Thursday December 26th
Boxing Day Beach ride (weather permitting). Rough road for 25k, then out along a causeway to Cayo Jutias. Here is a wonderful beach with restaurant and dive centre. Spend the afternoon at the beach then bus back to town.
Should the weather be a little cool for the beach we will reschedule and ride the Valle Viñales out 17k to Gran Caverna Santo Tomas, one of the largest caves in the Americas.
Cycling: 35km or 17km
Accommodation: Casa particular in Viñales
Meals Included: Dinner/breakfast
9
Friday December 27th
Ride to Aguas Claras resort, the birth place of Canbicuba.
Then bus into Pinar del Rio city to visit the tobacco factory and a sit-down lunch in the Vueltabajo Hotel. From Pinar we will bus to Havana and a night out in the “Old City”
Cycling: 20km
Accommodation: Casa particular in Havana
Meals Included: Lunch/Dinner/breakfast
10
Saturday December 28th
It is time for home and going forward into the “New Year”.
During the past 10 days of holiday, you have experienced many things and met many people here on our island. You will need time for it all to sink in. Make sure you have taken lots of photos, they will help you realize just how Cuba is and how much different city and country life can be.
We are a nation of proud people going through a period of transition. We hope that you return to further explore and discover the beauties of this land we call home, CUBA.
Cycling: 0km
Meals Included: /breakfast
Cycle Rental
Bicycle Breeze has bike rentals at great prices. For this tour you will need either a gravel, hybrid or an MTB. Should you prefer to bring your own that is fine with us, you will get the same mechanical assistance as the renters.
Check your travel company for costs of shipping your bike. Depending on your country of embarkation you may be better to rent. Renting has other positive aspects. Your bike will not get lost in transit. It is far easier to travel without a bike box and spare bikes are on the bus for renters. The negative side is that this is not your favourite ride.
Customize This Tour
With a group of 10 or more riders, Bicycle Breeze can offer the ability to customize a tour to suit your needs. Contact us to start planning your next great adventure.