Challenge level: 4 out of 5
Need a hand? Get in touch...
5 May - 12 May 2023 | On Sale | |
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Duration | 8 days |
Live the Caribbean dream on this exquisite cycling challenge around its largest island. Together, we’ll explore every part of Cuba, from the turquoise coast to the lush Escambray Mountains.
Kicking off in Hershey, founded to produce chocolate for the US chocolate brand, our unbeatable route takes us up and down through time-warped towns and sugar plantations, citrus farms and forested mountains.
We’ll work up a sweat cycling through rolling countryside and share the road with the vintage traffic Cuba is renowned for. With stops in the old-fashioned town of Trinidad, Cienfuegos, widely known as the “Pearl of the South”, and at the stunning seaside resort of Varadero, we’ll get a feel for the culture and history, while experiencing the paradise we all dream about.
Don’t be fooled, the cycling will be tough, with steep climbs and undulating terrain, but every pedal will be beautiful with vibrant green hills, palm trees lining the roads and colourful colonial towns full of Cuba’s iconic Classic Cars. Finishing our epic challenge at the Che Mausoleum in Santa Clara, we’ll toast our success with a Cuba Libre and a fantastic Celebration Meal.
As if this adventure couldn’t get any better, we'll end with a guided tour of Havana and a free morning to explore the extraordinary city some more.
Pay your registration fee and your challenge costs yourself.
£1,995
Pay the balance.
Pay your registration fee and raise the minimum target for your chosen charity.
£3,990
Minimum sponsorship target
This cycle is not designed for Olympic athletes – it is designed for people looking for an amazing goal to train and get fit for. A number of the people who will take part in this challenge will have a low level of fitness when they sign up.
We will be tackling a lot of steep climbs and long cycling days on this challenge, so we strongly recommend you train. Once you sign up, we'll send you a fantastic training plan, which builds up over time and will set you up for success. Remember, the more you train, the more you'll enjoy the real deal!
This adventure in one of the world's most incredible places is the perfect motivation to get fit, while raising vital funds for the heart charity or cardiac ward that means the most to you.
Please don't be! The majority of people will sign up on their own and our Dream Challenges are renowned for the amazing camaraderie and lifelong friendships made as our groups take on these incredible feats together.
Once you've signed up for the challenge, we'll send you a link to a private Facebook group for everyone registered for Cycle Cuba 2023. Please feel free to use this space to swap questions, advice and updates with your fellow cyclists on your training and fundraising.
You may also want to reach out to the other participants in this group to see if there's anyone in your local area you can meet up to train and fundraise with.
You need to be 18 years old or over to take part in Cycle Cuba 2023. There's no maximum age limit. One of the amazing things about this challenge is that it brings adults of all ages and from all cycles of life together for one amazing event.
16 and 17-year olds may participate if given permission by Dream Challenges. Please get in touch with us to discuss this. Simply email events@dream-challenges.com and we'll be happy to help.
Your non-refundable registration fee of £399 per person is used to secure your seats with the airline and secure rooms at the top-rated, luxury hotels we stay in throughout.
Your challenge costs of £1,995 cover:
*Accommodation is included on a twin-sharing basis. If you would rather pay for a single supplement and have a room to yourself, please get in touch with us at events@dream-challenges.com or on 01590 646410 (Mon - Fri, 9am - 5pm) at least 14 weeks before the challenge and we can arrange this for you for an additional cost.
**All participants will need a Cuban Tourist Card to enter Cuba and this is included in your challenge costs, provided you are a British or European passport holder. If you aren't, please get in touch at events@dream-challenges.com or by calling us on 01590 646410 (Monday - Friday, 9am - 5pm) and we can discuss this.
A cycle helmet is essential and must be worn at all times. Cycling shorts are also recommended and everyone will need their own water bottles or a camel back-type hydration system.
Apart from that, no specialist equipment is required. We will supply you with a list of everything you will need to take before you go.
Cyclists will have the use of 18 or 21-gear bikes and we suggest you bring the saddle or gel cover you are used to riding on.
In addition to paying your registration fee (£399) and either self funding your challenge costs (£1,995) or fundraising the minimum sponsorship target (£3,990), you'll need to budget for your:
The Dream Challenges team is here to help you achieve your challenge and will support you all the way.
We are on hand from the minute you sign up to answer any questions that you may have about your training or the challenge itself.
Once you have registered, we will send you a realistic training programme to help you get fit for the challenge. The programme builds up gradually as the event gets closer.
During the cycle, we'll have a UK doctor with expedition medicine training accompanying the group from the get-go and at all times throughout the challenge, along with a team of experienced, outdoor remote, first aid trained challenge guides.
We will stay in comfortable hotels throughout the challenge.
Accommodation is included on a twin-sharing basis. However, if you would rather have a room to yourself, please get in touch with us at least 14 weeks before departure and we can arrange a single supplement for you at an additional price.
We will cycle mostly on road throughout this challenge and encounter well-surfaced roads through towns, mountains and the countryside to rougher roads with some potholes and rural lanes.
We will tackle quite a few hills on this challenge, including some steep sections, so please take this into account when training for the challenge. Don't let this deter you, though - the breathtaking views across the island will be more than worth the climbs!
There will be around 30-35 participants in our group on this challenge. You will no doubt make a group of fab new friends.
Travel Insurance
You will need to take out your own personal travel insurance covering health, accident, loss and repatriation.
Dream Challenges has a policy that provides appropriate cover for this type of activity and also covers you for cancellation due to medically diagnosed COVID-19. We will send you the details once you have registered.
Please ask the insurer about the nature of the cover. It is your responsibility to ensure you have adequate cover for your challenge.
You can, however, take out your own insurance providing it covers you for a charity cycle ride in Cuba.
Visas
All participants will need a Cuban Tourist Card to enter Cuba and this is included in your challenge costs, provided you are a British or European passport holder. We will send you all the details closer to the challenge.
If you are not a British or European passport holder, please get in touch at events@dream-challenges.com or by calling us on 01590 646410 (Monday - Friday, 9am - 5pm) and we can discuss your travel card arrangements.
We’ll have an event leader, plus a UK doctor with expedition medicine training, who will be with you the whole time. We'll also have a team of outdoor remote first aid trained challenge guides.
No, your main luggage will be transported each day by our support team. We advise you to pack light.
You will need a bag to go on your bike or a waist bag for things like your water bottle (ideally at least two litres) and phone/camera, along with any other personal items you want to have on hand.
Any extra items you may need during the day can be carried on the support vehicle, which you will have access to at the snack stops and lunch.
Yes of course! If you wish to extend your stay, please let us know at least 14 weeks before our departure date and we can arrange this for you.
The easiest way to get in touch is by emailing us at events@dream-challenges.com or calling us on 01590 646410 (9am - 5pm Monday - Friday)
As we're not medically trained, we're afraid we can't offer you advice on this. We recommend you contact your GP or your local travel clinic, who will have the latest travel health advice.
We also recommend you visit the NHS Fit for Travel website here, to keep up to date with current travel health news and advice on staying healthy abroad.
NHS Fit for Travel website: https://www.fitfortravel.nhs.uk/home