CUBA CYCLING Hello, Downhome! Your December issue traveled in my bicycle pannier on a 3-week cycling trip in Cuba. It’s been on my bucket list to do a cycling trip (beyond Codroy Valley), and this was a good choice. The photo is near the Cuevo Santo Tomas. There is a network of 45 kilometers of caves in this formation. With head lamps we explored the sixth and part of seventh level. Catherine Veitch, originally from Holyrood, and I had cycled from Havana on the North Road to Pinar del Rio province, through Mariel, Bahia de Honda then down to the delightful Vinales, home of Mogotes (limestone formations) and farming valley. From Vinales, we cycled side trips to a local swimming hole at base of waterfalls, visited the caves, then to the beaches. Snorkeling was nice change from the bike! The surprise of our life came at one of the Casa Particularas. The lady of the house brought us a treat! Pork scrunchions- wow! It was lovely country with easy to difficult hills. We enjoyed the orchid gardens in Soroa as well as birds. In Terrazas, the San Juan River, with its five waterfalls, made for refreshing swims and relaxation. Downhome finished its adventure in the pannier, on its last 3 days, leisurely along the beaches from Matanzas to Havana. We donated our bikes to two who needed them. Bikes, walking and horse and cart are main sources of transport in most of Cuba. The people are friendly, warm-hearted and generous. I sense that Downhome was delighted to be where scrunchions were served! Next time we’ll take the Newfoundland and Labrador flags.   Submitted By: NULL