3/14 - day 5 (day 3 of BR)

3/14 - day 5 (day 3 of BR)

Today was billed as the most challenging day of the week and it did not disappoint. The ride was split into three segments: a first segment a second segment containing two significant climbs, and a third segment to a hotel with a pool (but not where we were staying for the night).

Here’s the route. The orange highlighting were the killer climbs.

We left Rancho San Vincente and rode the opposite direction from the day before. The first leg was tough but otherwise uneventful. The roads were still terrible and we focused on staying upright.

This segment was broken up with two quick stops. The first stop was at someone’s house, a common arrangement out in the country. They with drinks and fresh fruit and would open up their houses for us to look around. One of our group members had to leave to take care of a medical emergency. Bummer.

In the rural areas, it was common to see people getting a lift in the back of pickup trucks, heavy trucks, or cars. It is a national law that if you pass someone on the road who wants a ride and you have room, you have to stop for them and give them a lift. There was no short-distance public transportation in the countryside, so if you don't get a ride, you walk.

Unfortunately, I never got a picture of people on horseback or in carts pulled by horses or oxen.

The next part of this segment went through a small town and was a little tricky. Since GPS devices were prohibited in Cuba, and since we did not get advised to download the BR app before we arrived in Cuba, we were basically relying on on-the-road guidance. There were also no paper maps or BR signs along the way. Predictably, some of us got lost. We made the correct (right) turn when we entered the town, but there was no one telling us to take a left town a few blocks later. The road turned to dirt and started going through people’s back yards. One guy who had the app said we were still on the route and a couple of local guys who were watching us, pointed in the direction we were going as though other BR people had already been through that way. I think they were mostly amused. "What are these gringos doing on road bikes going up a dirt road to Carlos’ house?" When it turned into hike-a-bike, we turned around and back-tracked to get to the turn we missed. 

The second stop was not far, but it allowed us to visit with a local artist, Pedro Pintor, where he had paintings on display for sale. Ann bought one. (She and her husband Ben will be in Oneida this summer for a family event and we will do a ride together.)

As before, we were at a private home and he and his wife provided us with drinks and snacks and an outhouse. 

Here’s a picture of the inside. Notice the toilet paper.

When we arrived at the end of this segment, the bus was waiting. Most of us chose to skip this segment. It involved two long climbs with pitches over 10%. Those of us skipping this section hopped in the bus and got out at the top of the first climb. There we cheered the half dozen men and one woman as they rode up the final hill. 

While we were waiting, a couple of cars drove by. While there were some classic cars in the city that were lovingly restored, the cars in the countryside were just old.

The people riding got refills and an offer to skip the second climb. None did. But when we passed them in the bus, Pat threw in the towel. We gave him a huge congrats for making it that far and knowing when to quit.

Here's the section we didn't do: https://www.strava.com/activities/8716081231

We got back on our bikes and I don't seem to have a record of that. I must have been a little tired.

Our last stop was at a hotel where we actually would not be spending the night. The purpose of this stop was to give us an opportunity to get into a pool after a long hard ride. While we were informed that due to a water shortage, the pool was only half full, it turned out to have enough water for us to get in.

However, we got a report that the hotel where we would be proceeding to next had not had water in two days and there currently was no water. That meant no showers and no flushing toilets.

The pool had showers where you would normally rinse off before getting into the pool. While the men rinsed off one by one, the women worked as a collective.

I though I was going to get in trouble for taking this picture, but everyone wanted a copy.

Here's Mike with his recovery drink.

We ended the day on the grounds of an intentional community that was designated a nature preserve, Biosphere Reserve Sierra del Rosario. Many of the buildings were built to be in harmony with nature. This is the lobby of the hotel Moka.

And this is the view from our room.

Our bathroom had a bidet. Thanks to Walter for the demonstration.

Dinner at a restaurant on the grounds of the community. We were joined by four members of the Masters Cycling Club. In order to maximize our opportunity to interact with them, we had tables of six: four BR cyclists, one Masters, and one translator. Adria, our BR guide sat with us at our table.

More live music.

Here are my data for the day: https://www.strava.com/activities/8717572575

Still a respectable day even without the killer climbs.