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12-02-2008, 18:23 Cadbury Joined on 07-22-2007 Rugby Posts 527 Re: WELL DONE ALL OF YOU!!! Tell us everything....please! Hi all, Have to agree with Nicky & Aly, fab time was had by all, the only thing I could add to that is try and get a few back to back days in and see if your saddle is really comfy, and check the position of your saddle everyday to see if its moved... I was one of the unfortunate ones who suffered on day 4. My saddle had moved, but only millimetres and it made such a difference... Take loads of photo's and just enjoy. Don't want to spoil your experience so won't go into detail about anything. Don't buy anything in liquid form from the duty free shop in Havana on the way out of the country. It'll be confiscated at Charles de Gaul before boarding the flight to England. Donna xx    Report

12-02-2008, 18:36 Sarah M Joined on 08-25-2007 Nr Winchester Hampshire Posts 382 Re: WELL DONE ALL OF YOU!!! Tell us everything....please! Hi Lesley Another thing I would add to the above is keep talking to each other on Justgiving it makes such a difference. If you can organise your own cycling weekend with those on the forum. There are about 18 of us that are very very good friends now. We cried when we finished the ride and we all cried when we had to say goodbye to each other. When things just got a tad hard there was always someone to give you a hug and make you feel better. They definately made a great experience fantastic, I LOVE YOU ALL. You also don't need to take towels as they have towels in all the hotels. As well as sweets for the children take soap. We put all our soap together and it was given out in the villages but I wish I had kept some for Havana, women are always asking for soap. One of the other things I didn't realise about Cuba is that they are all on rations. Most of the food is given to hotels to keep people visiting but Cubans can only have say 6 eggs a month, we were nearly having that a day. So please, remember not to complain when you get banana mixed with beef gravy, it does taste nice after about the 3rd mouthful. Hill training is a definate must if you really want to enjoy the ride, even if it's up and down the same hill. You will love it Lesley. If any of you March 09 ladies change your mind about going give me a call, I will happily take your place. Where have all my mates gone, you have all stopped chatting. I'm seriously thinking about doing Lands End to John O'Groats. Are you sure you don't want to all do that with me instead of Jordan or China, I'm sure the weather will be lovely. Aly will tell you all how lovely scotland is in September. It's only an extra 700 miles, lol. Sarah M xxx www.justgiving.com/sarahmarshallsay    Report

12-02-2008, 23:40 Elaine Joined on 09-13-2007 southampton Posts 190 Everything? Oh Sarah, you know your request for company on Lands end to John O'Groats will not land on deaf ears when we are so vunerable and in need of each others company. Yes, yes yes but I dont know? I just want to be a part again. Scotland is beautiful. (hang on i have just read the 700 mile extra). Good on you. Lesley, a few other items I found I wish I had taken. I took no where near enough light clothing to change into after that shower at the end of the day. I thought it would be cooler at night but actually it was too hot for joggers. Check the temps expected when you go. I did decide that I would forego some clothing to take out toiletries, sweets etc for locals though. thanks Donna for helping me with unload some excess weight with your luggage. Children are not able to get buy sweets in Cuba and again it is only tourists that can obtain them. Bon bons were very well received (I did add loads of kids tooth brushes and paste with my luggage) Also found that there was a lot of requests for local ladies for the mascots on my bike. I had planned to get rid of them at the end of the cycle but there was no needy locals then. So a few small mascots /cuddly toys to give out on route might be good. 3 times at different stops I had ladies wanting to exchange my little dragon for necklaces. There was little persiverence from locals if you said no and children were very well behaved when sweets were given out if just a bit excited. The people were lovely. If you want to bring back souveniers, the market in Havana had lots of lovely crafty items. There was stalls a plenty with jewelry crafted from cutlery. I personally thought they were wonderful and wish I had bought more (might add a shopping list with you) I too have numb fingers still although I wore gloves. I had originally bought ergonomically designed handlebars to take out with me as I have one on my own bike and it has proved to be great. I decided at the last minute not to pack them though as we were told we could purchase extras out there and again I was looking to reduce weight. There was no extras to buy out there. If you did choose the handle ends they were fitted to the bikes from their own stock at no cost. I must add that I lovede my bike out there. Still mourning it and wish I had taken a photo of it (if anyone knows the design of the black/grey specialised brand please let me know). Again on a personal note I absolutely would not travel without my shee wee. It is FANTASTIC. Sorry I get so excited to be able to wee standing up. No tugging to get the lycra down or back up. I would highly recommend it. Mine is the pink version with extention and carry case. Oh my goodness I could go on forever. XXXX Elaine    Report

12-03-2008, 11:44 Lesley40 Joined on 03-24-2008 Posts 144 Re: Everything? Thank you so much ladies for all your information. It is so useful and makes me feel much better if I can be as prepared as I possibly can be. Sarah, I went on holiday to Cuba a couple of years ago and all the advice about taking stuff for the locals is absolutely right. I remember the maid in our hotel kissing and hugging me and my daughter when we left her loads of stuff, she was so thrilled when my daughter gave her shoes and Tampax ( It cost £13 for a box of 12 in the local shop!!) I am not too bad with food and will eat most things so I am not too worried about that. Donna you are so right about the saddle, mine tilted down a bit a while ago and I was so sore all of a sudden and couldn't figure out why until my hubby noticed and straighned it up again. I have a gel seat on the top of mine and combined with my padded shorts I hardly feel like I have been on a bike.  Jane and I have some 2 day rides planned soon, it is good to know we are doing the right sort of training. Thanks so much. Elaine you have made me feel much better about the bikes as I think we all fret as to what they will be like. I had not thought of a she wee as I did not anticipate any problems personally( I live in a rural location and as a teenager spent many a penny in the bushes on the way home from the pub!!) but I am now intrigued and will google it to see what I think. I have two rings made out of a spoon and a fork from the market in Havana and I love them, if you want me to get something in particular I will gladly bring it back for you, just let me know.  I am a little bit worried by you all mentioning the hills but, you know what, if I have to stop a bit and recover from time to time I can just use the time to take more piccies! Lesleyx    Report

12-03-2008, 16:29 suzi new Joined on 10-21-2007 essex Posts 145 Re: Everything? Hi Grils miss you all, I have been checking facebook and your all on here lol.  Hi Lesley, dont worry about the hills, you will do them they are different to the ones in the coltswold, longer if that makes sense, just dont look at the end, look at the pavements in front, this theory helped me.   Apart from the she wee which was fantastic, although it took my brain a little while to register that I could go standing up.  Rubber handle bar grips, because although the bikes are fine, there is no suspension and the roads are quite rough, after a few days my hands were really soar, and I think we have all said about the numbness, I dont know if the grips will help, but I wish I had taken them. Just enjoy every minute, and take lots and lots of pics. luv Suex     www.justgiving.com/suenewton1    Report

12-03-2008, 21:19 Suecycle Joined on 02-10-2008 Hook, Hampshire Posts 11 Re: WELL DONE ALL OF YOU!!! Tell us everything....please! Hi All I can't believe we've been back over a week. Been really rough with cold since we got back and had to revise for exam today...which was horrible! may just as well not have bothered revising. I had the most amazing, emotional, hard, moving, enjoyable(!) time. I am finding it hard to put into words what it was like when people ask how it went. I miss the whole 'being together' and supportive atmoshpere and am very jealous of all you lucky ladies with it all still to come. I am with some of the others posted here and don't want to spoil too much for you. Re the hills, all I would say is....I didn't think they were as bad as a i was expecting. If you do the Cotswold training weekend you will okay. Sarah - can't believe I am asking...but what is the deal with Lands End to John O'Groats...I think I'm interested!! Sue xx Sue Lowe    Report

12-04-2008, 12:51 nannygoat Joined on 05-13-2008 Posts 62 Re: WELL DONE ALL OF YOU!!! Tell us everything....please! Hi everyone I am missing you all so much. I was not too bad the first few days as there was plenty to do but I felt really low a few days later. Back at gym this week so feeling bit better. I am up for any cycle rides in 2009 which come up just so we can get together again. Cuba was an amazing experience and I have made some brill friends. We must keep in touch. Good luck to all of you who are doing the rides in March. Just enjoy it. Deena    Report

12-04-2008, 14:09 Lesley40 Joined on 03-24-2008 Posts 144 Re: WELL DONE ALL OF YOU!!! Tell us everything....please! Hi Sue Thankyou for your advice. The fact that you say if I can do the Cotswolds I will be fine in Cuba has made me feel loads better. I did the training weekend in October and although I had problems with my bike I felt OK. I have been training on lots of hills with Jane lately and feel fitter than I did then. We are on the training weekend in January so hopefully I will notice a difference. I know what you mean about making great friends as I have made loads already and cant wait to do Cuba with them. Lesleyx    Report

12-04-2008, 15:06 Sarah M Joined on 08-25-2007 Nr Winchester Hampshire Posts 382 Re: WELL DONE ALL OF YOU!!! Tell us everything....please! Hi Sue, I'm possibly going to do LEJOG in Sept 2010 for Naomi House Children's Hospice, this will give me plenty of time to raise money. I won't be doing China, can't do it all but, hopefully they won't mind me doing the training as I would hate not to keep intouch. Missing you all lots Sarah M xx www.justgiving.com/sarahmarshallsay    Report

12-04-2008, 21:56 Sarah M Joined on 08-25-2007 Nr Winchester Hampshire Posts 382 Re: WELL DONE ALL OF YOU!!! Tell us everything....please! What's happened to all the Cycle 2 cuba girls, we haven't heard from any of them. Have they stayed in Cuba? Come on girls, let us know how you got on please. Sarah M x www.justgiving.com/sarahmarshallsay    Report

12-05-2008, 14:35 novia Joined on 09-30-2007 Posts 24 Re: WELL DONE ALL OF YOU!!! Tell us everything....please! Hi ladies, I don't think there were many of the Cycle Cuba 2 ladies on here, only me! But wow....what an experience! I loved absolutely every minute of it. I just popped on here to have a sneaky look whilst at work, but I will promise that I will catch up on all the posts and get back to you. I just don't know where to begin! I just feel truly humble for being given the opportunity to take part in such an amazing event- the girls were all truly inspirational and the local ground team all stars! I miss them all! Speak soon, Helen xxx www.justgiving.com/helenandcarlacyclecuba    Report

12-07-2008, 11:26 novia Joined on 09-30-2007 Posts 24 Re: WELL DONE ALL OF YOU!!! Tell us everything....please! Hello again, Ok, so recommendations... definitely take plenty of diarolyte- Take one with water every day mid morning whilst cycling to help you keep hydrated. We found this a great tip by Dr Sarah! Sudocrem, small packs of tissues and hand sanitiser are all a must! Wet wipes were also useful, but just for hands and face...I didn't use it on the nevers as I think this may have caused chaffing...I didn't have any problems down there, thankfully! I also know some girls that had asos cream- which also was very good! If you're also going to use a camelbak, also take a water bottle with a cap...I ended up borrowing my sister in law's as they're useful to have on drink stops rather than constantly filling up your pak. And on the note of camelpaks, if you haven't already bought one- buy one with a lid on the outside. Mine had a pouch on the inside which was a bit harder to negotiate than the ones with the screw top outer- just a little observation! And lastly, the Cubans....are absolutelyl lovely. I speak Spanish which they seemed to really appreciate, so even the odd words will not go unnoticed. Please remember, that it is a very poor country, but they are also very proud people. I think it wasn't always appreciated by some, the efforts that they had had to go through to get us supplies of water and snacks etc. Even the water alone they had had to stock pile months in advance and travel great distances in order to have enough for us all. And lastly, ENJOY IT! You will, but just enjoy every minute, and take lots of photos. I didn't take that many when we were actually cycing and wish I had taken more "action" shots, but I wasn't confident enough to cycle and click! Maybe thats something you could practice!!!! I am missing it sooooo much at the moment. I really miss the girls, all the camaraderie, the music, the singing on our bikes, the laughter, salsa dancing, singing Guantanamera. Such fabulous memories! I wish I was doing it again with you!!!! Good Luck, and if you have any more questions please do ask xxxx Helen x www.justgiving.com/helenandcarlacyclecuba    Report

12-07-2008, 16:36 lynfid Joined on 10-11-2007 Posts 35 Re: WELL DONE ALL OF YOU!!! Tell us everything....please! Hi Lesley, Lynne the crocodile hunter here, monday episode, union jack shirt...... any more clues ?? lol ...... I am now famous at work for that appearance at the swamps on day one of the ride !! Think everyone has pretty much said everything about what to expect and what to take etc and I re-iterate what's been said about the hills. I was very pleased with the hotels we stayed at and expected a lot worse and the food was quite good on the whole. Also looking at some of the other's photos on facebook, those maids were very inventive with the towels and whatever else they could lay their hands on, lol !! You will enjoy Cuba, it was the best experience ever, made even better by the company and I wish I could do it all over again ! Maybe see you in China in 2010 ? Lynne xx p.s. helloooo to everyone !!    Report

12-08-2008, 9:36 Lesley40 Joined on 03-24-2008 Posts 144 Re: WELL DONE ALL OF YOU!!! Tell us everything....please! Hi Lynne and Helen I am so glad you had such a fantastic time in Cuba.Lynne I saw you on TV you look as if you had a really memorable time! I am so grateful for everyones advice. I am getting more and more excited every day and cant wait to go. The fact that you are all talking about another challenge so soon is great or mad!! Lesleyx    Report

12-11-2008, 12:07 Elaine Joined on 09-13-2007 southampton Posts 190 Sad Just realised how the star is diminishing as we head further down the list of the forum. We are all no doubt on track with our lives but a small part has been changed. Did this challenge change you? I think it did for me or maybe it is that end of one year approaching and the beginning of another. What has the future in store for us? Who knows? ...........sorry I am feeling deep today. Thinking ahead to next years Solent Coast Cycle as a small challenge / get together weekend. Anyone else want to tentively think ahead to it as a plan. June 21st. I will organise some where to stay. Or the Isle of Wight Randonee. There are lots of other options but the main reason for this note is to get you all thinking that we can have a nice get together in the summer. Its a while till 2010. Dont forget May 18th. Has one of you volunteered to take plans ahead for organising the weekend and taking on a show? Suzy? XXXXXXXXX miss you all Elaine    Report

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