Robvolz 

Eriel!!

“After every spirited ride, I like a smoke” says Brocci.




I was right. Lack of re-bar

tmnguuyen 

Excellent job selling the venue, Rob. Eroica should add you to their promo team and make you a coordinator for the US Eroica. I wasn't going to bring up Eroica CC but you did elude to it on one of your earliest post in the thread and i felt Cuba topped CA by several miles.. Appreciate the 'reporting'. the local participation is key to success.

What's next for you? I'm entertaining approaching the organization for a venue in Vietnam when i retire in a couple of years.

Robvolz 

Not sure what’s next.

Eroica is in the planning stages of China.

it could have 2,000 people according to Brocci.

for those who don’t know, Brocci is the son of the founder. As far as I can tell, he is the one doing all of the organization and farming out for local help.

Yes, we had a very serious sit down regarding our California leader in I showed him the strengths and weaknesses.

bibliobob

Great ride report. Thanks for sharing!

seedsbelize2

We hosted a couple touring cyclists via Warm Showers, who had toured Cuba before flying to Cancun and counting the trip.

Fredo76

Totally cool.

Thanks.

Thalia949

Great narrative and pics Robvolz , thanks for sharing.

Was there any mention if they would repeat Cuba next year?

icemilkcoffee 

The Cubans were probably baffled. 'What's a classic bike? ...... oh you mean a bike!'

Robvolz 

I was told they had 100 registered, but a few couldn't make it (including my sweetie). I saw number placards up to 89. there may have been more.

The tour around Havana had probably 300??

Robvolz 

Indeed. I suspect once word gets out how inexpensive it is, coupled with how nice and welcoming the Cuban people were, it will probably explode.


Funny, someone commented, (OK, I don't know how to do multiple quotes) on "Vintage bikes?? Here we just call them "bikes""

Yup. The person I gave my PUCH to just needs a bike to get to/from work with an actual braking system and a seat with more than just bare springs (epilady? epiman??). He was baffled by the rules and regs of the Eroica rides.


If you go, don't bring your grail bike. Build a bike from a co-op or buy a cheap one on Next-door, Etc.

The Senator, a PUCH bike for Montgomery Wards served me well. For a couple days I happily peddled around Havana and would use nothing more than a small chain + pet lock to lock it outside where ever I was. Only once I was asked to pay to lock/park in a lot. It was 50 pesos or about a quarter in a very tight packed tourist area.

Lots of mopeds. Electric mopeds that silently sneak up on you and scare the crap out of you. Remember, communist Cuba = free electricity.
Most cars give a polite "toot" a half block away. The other traffic is pedal powered rickshaws. I rarely saw those in motion, usually just sitting around hawking rides.

I brought some jerseys, (Erickson) with matching socks, Some Castelli jerseys (local outfit, about 4 blocks from my house. They donate a lot), some inner tubes, chains, cables, tools and patch kits.

As I gave a jersey/socks kit to Eriel, he noted if not for himself, he knows who to give them to where they are needed. I also gave him my CO2 pump and 3 cartridges. My fear is that after he uses them, he won't have access to more.

I will say, one HUUUGE pleasure of being on a bike was the 100% avoidance of the bike taxi and taxicab hustlers. If I had a dime for every…."YOU WANT TAXI"

Post Sunday ride and after giving my bike away; conversations would go like this:

You want Taxi?

No, I'm walking.

Where are you going.

For a walk.

But where are you going?

I don't know. Just walking after dinner.

Oh, you want dinner? I know great place.

No, I ate. That's why I'm walking.

[couple moments of intense staring and deciphering]

You want taxi?

chain_whipped

Great report and pics.
What was physically the most challenging of the main ride?
Any ghost or mention of 'Il Pirata' Pantani?

Manny66 

Great vintage location for a Vintage Bike Ride.

The food , the weather , the atmosphere , the rugged terrain all makes for a fantastic ride. Im sure you had a Blast out there .

Robvolz 

since he was born in Italy, died in Italy, and even the death anniversary was Valentine’s Day, there was no mention.

the most difficult part?

well, my Spanish isn’t so great. And my Italian is the same as my Spanish but with more hand gesturing. So for me it was a communication barrier coupled with zero internet so google translate was not an option. But that’s on me.

as far as the ride….
the roads are as expected. Full off deep holes that take all your attention and riding in group made it the more difficult.

the dirt portions were nice hard pack. With occasional big-ass puddles.

water was an issue for me without a cage on the bike, I used my rear pockets. Again, on me.

the elevation was not bad. Lots of gentle roll which I prefer over flats. There was no wind amongst the sugar cane fields, but a nice side breeze cooled the last 30km.

Robvolz 

saw this today. If opened in google based CHROME, it automatically asks if you want to translate to English

https://www.ciclismo.it/eroica-cuba-2024-31391

BTW, I sabered the cider. I then drank something other than cider (water maybe?) I don't like cider.

Manny66 

Pretty cool article. Well now you can say you were Immortalized in Print at the very First Eroica Cuba.

Question... Considering Cuba is a very inexpensive destination choice . How much was the cost estimate on the entire Trip ? Is Lodging there at priced at Tourist level or is it somewhat cheaper due to its economy . You mentioned the food was very reasonable .

Robvolz 

Question... Considering Cuba is a very inexpensive destination choice . How much was the cost estimate on the entire Trip ? Is Lodging there at priced at Tourist level or is it somewhat cheaper due to its economy . You mentioned the food was very reasonable .[/QUOTE]

ok, I might have mentioned something about the currency.
Banks offer 240 pesos per $1
hotels offer 200
all over town are street $$changers. They offer anywhere between 280 and 380.

i changed $200 on the street at 380 per.
room: $20 a night
food: $20 a day is too much
beer/rum/mojitos: $15
Taxi ride hour away from Havana to Caimito: $25

i struggled to spend my money.

Manny66 

ok, I might have mentioned something about the currency.
Banks offer 240 pesos per $1
hotels offer 200
all over town are street $$changers. They offer anywhere between 280 and 380.

i changed $200 on the street at 380 per.
room: $20 a night
food: $20 a day is too much
beer/rum/mojitos: $15
Taxi ride hour away from Havana to Caimito: $25

i struggled to spend my money.[/QUOTE]

WOW.. Eroica Cuba seems like a fantastic Event at a very reasonable price.

non-fixie 

Looks like there is a business case for flying the whole Eroica California circus to Cuba for a weekend. Win-win!

Robvolz 

I will not say anything negative about daiquiri tours. We are talking about visiting a foreign country that has a lot of history between the US and them. Plus, there is a language barrier for many.

They provided luxurious accommodation for what I think was 300 a night. Plus very safe food cooked and inspected restaurants. 24 hour Wi-Fi. Etc.

Having been there before, I knew how to change money, find a place to stay, where to eat like a local and live without air-conditioned comfort, and 800 thread count sheets.

It is an extremely safe place, I never felt threatened and frankly, wish I could retire there.