Day 1 - Hotel Villa Tropico to Matanzas City (62km)

Not a bad night's sleep in our little cabin that we were led to in the dark.  We have no idea what to expect this morning, but are up, as instructed, at 6 as we are in the first group to have our bikes fitted.  It is still dark as we head to reception where there is a pool of light created by the coach headlights.  There is a team of mechanics working their way through 82 bikes fitting seats, pedals and handlebars by the headlights!

We are both assigned Trek bikes with decent suspension and pretty chunky tyres compared to my road tyres in the UK (we would be glad of them later).  Once fitted we took a quick spin round the hotel grounds in the half light, and I decided straight away that this was going to be a good bike for me.

Then it was off to breakfast (no time to hang around) - freshly cooked omelette, fruit, yoghurt and bread - pretty good.

By now it was getting light and we could see the sun rising over the sea through the palm trees - a glorious caribbean sunrise.  It was going to be a hot day.  Unfortunately we could only look at the beach - a hot, sticky cycle lay ahead for us, not a cool swim in the Caribbean.  It was becoming clear that this was not a holiday!

Preparing for the off and getting a bit giddy

When everyone's bikes were ready, we gathered for a briefing in the shade of a large tree, as it was getting hotter and hotter.  We were introduced to our support team of doctors, mechanics, cyclists, drivers, and the snack and water team (my particular favourites).  Then once we had been taken through the route for the day, and where we would be stopping, we were ready to start.

Anne Frampton introduces our fantastic Cuban support team, headed up by the adorable Ennio

Gillian looking more and more worried as the briefing went on!

A hooter was sounded and we set off en masse along a winding country road at a gentle pace.  You can't rush things when you are a group of 82 cyclists.

We hadn't been going long when we were suddenly chased by a couple of dogs who were snapping at our heels as we cycled along.  We had to hit the gas for a couple of minutes to leave them behind.  Luckily no injuries, just mild panic!

After a short, sharp climb we turned into a rougher road which was riddled with potholes, so we had to pay more attention to our cycling.  We worked our way along this road, undulating through lush green forested hills on either side.  It felt like we were in the middle of nowhere - the only vehicles we saw were carts pulled by mules.

On the road - not sure what happened to the other 80 women!

After 35km we were directed off the road along a track, which we followed for about half a kilometre to arrive at a wonderful ranch in the middle of acres and acres of rolling green hills, which had a restaurant overlooking a small lake, where a buffet lunch was served along with ice cold lemonade (first really cold drink since arriving in Cuba).

Lunch at Rancho Gaviota

The afternoon's cycle was pretty straightforward up until the toughest climb of the day, which was (of course) at the end.  We worked our way up at a steady pace, thinking of Sally when we had to dig in, and ended up at the top of a beautiful valley.  We could see vast flocks of black turkey vultures soaring on the thermals in the valley.

At the top of the climb, overlooking the Yumuri Valley

Once everyone was at the top, we were joined by 2 rather dashing Cuban policemen on motor bikes who were join to escort us down through the town.  Marvellous!

Rain clouds had been gathering over the course of the afternoon, and the heavens opened as we descended into the town - it was so refreshing!  We were near the back of the group so could see the line of cyclists snaking down in a colourful procession - mostly pink - which looked fantastic.  We really felt like part of something bigger then - not just a team of 2.

As we passed through the town people waved from their doorsteps or shouted 'Hola' (amongst other unintelligible things in Spanish!).  We must have been quite a sight to the Cuban residents.

Our first day of cycling finished at a school in Matanzas, where we were welcomed by a group of children who had prepared a short performance for us.  We left our gifts which were received with huge smiles all round, and then it was on to the bus to transfer to our hotel.

Cuban Wheels hot and sweaty but still smiling after day 1