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  Topic Name: Rum, Beer and Cigarettes - Cycling Castro's Cuba on: January 17, 2016, 08:36:46 AM
Farawayvisions


Posts: 77


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« on: January 17, 2016, 08:36:46 AM »

As 2015 came to a close, I took my bikepacking journal to Cuba and cycled the eastern provinces before economic changes transform this unique Caribbean island forever. This is a story about Bikepacking in Cuba.
http://www.farawayvisions.com/rum-beer-and-cigarettes-cycling-castros-cuba/
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  Topic Name: Rum, Beer and Cigarettes - Cycling Castro's Cuba Reply #1 on: January 25, 2016, 09:44:31 PM
jaymtb


Location: Central CO
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« Reply #1 on: January 25, 2016, 09:44:31 PM »

Hi,
Nice blog.
 (Under the site  Tab:  "Bikepacking – lists, tips, bikes"  There is more interesting general info on Cuba, including  data  on food  self sufficiency.)

With casas particulares, it looks like one can  travel with a minimum of gear.    How did that work out?
Were you happy with the mountain bikes and tires you used? 
Would a water filter be useful?
Have you used a GPS for navigating around Cuba?  I've heard that they were  not allowed, and may be confiscated by customs?  Is this true? - although phones can do the same things.

Do you think a bike bag like these would be useful for flying and transferring by bus in Cuba?:
http://www.groundeffect.co.nz/products/body-bag-compact-bike-bag?variant=1665822019

Thanks for posting up.  We look forward to more.
Cheers,
Jay

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  Topic Name: Rum, Beer and Cigarettes - Cycling Castro's Cuba Reply #2 on: January 26, 2016, 11:27:19 AM
Farawayvisions


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« Reply #2 on: January 26, 2016, 11:27:19 AM »

Hi Jay,
I've added a route and further useful information to the site today and will be updating over the next few weeks. I've added tyre details as well.
I used a GPS but took downloaded a pdf to a small tablet as backup.

Your question about a water filter - We used purification tablets for tap water until we discovered there had been an outbreak of Cholera. After that we decided to use bottled water as much as possible only using the purification when absolutely left with no choice. The rivers were brown because they were swollen from recent heavy rain and I didn't fancy spending days on the toilet. (Toilet paper was completely unavailable in one town) There wasn't even a napkin to be swiped as an emergency. But enough toilet talk.

The Viazul bus insisted on removing the seat post and the front wheel for transport, other companies may have different policies. Whether or not you could transport your bike in that bodybag remains to be seen. Airlines have their own policies on how they carry bikes and I've got a post about flying with your bike that you may find useful. I've included links to several airlines and their policy pages so it's always up to date. http://www.farawayvisions.com/flying-with-a-bicycle/

If you're going to Cuba, be prepared to be unprepared, as they say in Cuba, 'Cuba is Cuba' or to be more precise, 'Coo ah es Coo ah'. That's what makes it an adventure. There's always a surprise.  
Meraid
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