Kate Cycled across Cuba for Endometriosis UK (and yes, in pink pants)!
 Challenge date 14th - 22nd March 2010
350km in 5 days!
 My journey with endometriosis started in my teens, although at the time I did not know that was what it was or indeed that I was suffering with it. I was told it was ‘nothing’. After spending my late teens with unexplained pains so bad that all I could do was wait for them to pass I finally got some relief when I started on the Pill. When, after being on the Pill for 10 years I had to stop for health reasons, the pains returned and this time even worse. I was lucky to have a great GP at the time and they realised that something was wrong. Not long after I had my first laparoscopy in 2006. Since then I have battled to learn to live with endometriosis and had three more operations as well as trying to find the right medication.
It has not been an easy journey and it continues to challenge me, but however difficult it has been I have been able to find support from Endometriosis UK. Initially it was in the form of information, and later in the form of my local support group, the members of which have been there when I needed them over the last couple of years. |
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I had my last operation in May 2009 and while being off sick I decided I wanted to do something special to raise money for Endometriosis UK. A fitting way seemed to be on the 4th anniversary of my 1st operation and 25th birthday to cycle through Cuba; 350 km in five days to be exact.
Here's how I got on....
Sunday 14th March
The first day of the challenge – we are all meeting at the airport so we can travel to Cuba together. I’m a little apprehensive as I don’t know anyone from the group and I am one of only two women. Not to mention that I’m wearing rather Big PINK pants with my Endometriosis UK t-shirt.
Once on the flight we start with a rather long delay onboard the plane – but at least it gives us an opportunity to get to know each other and for me to tell some of the other passengers about Endometriosis UK.
We finally arrive at our hotel in Havana after battling our way through Cuban immigration and the luggage arrival hall, and have our first mojito at the bar.
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Monday 15th March
We set off from the Hotel towards the Bay of Pigs (Playa Giron) driving along the A1, which has room for 3 lanes of traffic each way but there is hardly any. You see people hitchhiking as public transport is limited.
We arrive at the first stop where we collect and set up our bikes, before visiting Museo Giron. Here our Cuban guide Manuel told us about the invasion of Cuba by CIA backed troops.
We have our first taste of Cuban food before we set off on the first leg of our journey along the bay on the only off road of our journey. |
As we cycle we see lots of crabs – and the occasional glimpse of the Caribbean. SPF 50 was the order of the day as the sun was really hot and there was no respite from it. We ride through little villages and the remnants of the production of charcoal.
47km later and my bottom is feeling the effects of a very bumpy road, but I made it!
When we arrive at our hotel for the night – we are told that it is of Russian design - it looks like a block of concrete painted in bright colors. We celebrate getting through the first day with a drink in the bar.
Tuesday 16th March
Today we set off on the longest ride of the week – 100 km. We are all apprehensive. We cycle along the coast from Cienfuegos to Trinidad. As we cycle we pass beautiful coves of sandy beaches as well as tackling hills both going up them but also how to stay on the bike as we go down them again.
We stop for a lunch of steak, rice & beans and mash. Beef is not something the Cubans get to eat often as it a luxury that they can’t afford.
As we arrive in Trinidad we pass the graveyard and head into town where we have to change route as we are not allowed to disturb a funeral.
We finally arrive at our hotel – rather hot and tired, but knowing that we can have a nice swim in the pool and a Cuba Libre (Rum and Cola) watching the sea. After dinner we are treated to a Cuban dance evening before heading to bed.
Wednesday 17th March
We stop at beautiful 'mirador' in the mountains overlooking sugar plantations. Everyone's legs are already feeling tired after a tough uphill section. From here we set off for a colonial house, where you can see how the landowner used to live. We also climb a very high watch tower - the legs are aching a little but the view is stunning when we get to the top so it’s worth it. We then head back the way came and end at lunchtime in Trinidad after doing 45km. We have lunch in a fantastic restaurant where we are treated to music by a great trumpeter. After lunch there is no rest for the legs as we go on a walking tour round Trinidad. We also visit the Museo Romantica, where we get an insight into the lives of the big landowners and their slaves. We also got to visit a ration shop where Cubans buy some of the groceries and had our guide explain how the system works. Then it is time to hit the market for a spot of shopping, before cooling off in a bar with a cold beer.
We leave Trinidad on an old Russian truck which takes us up into the Escambray Mountains, where we once again experience Russian architecture. We are spending the night close what used to be a sanatorium – but now functions as hospital.
After dinner we head to the local disco for a salsa lesson followed by dancing with the locals and being shown up by a 10 year old! Not sure my hips are made for salsa.
Thursday 18th March - My Birthday
I started the day by opening my cards at breakfast. After breakfast we did some warm up exercises in front of the hospital before setting off on a 10km climb through the forest, which took us to another mirador for the first rest and some breathtaking views over Rio Hannabilla. As we descended the mountains it was time to look out for potholes and try to stay on the bike.
Today we had ‘picnic lunch’ consisting of pasta. As the day’s ride got nearer to the end another long climb had to be tackled – this time it was only 9 km – but what a hill it was! Long slow start and then it just kept getting steeper and steeper, taking us through the town of Hannabilla and then a short and steep downhill before the short but very steep climb to our hotel for the night.
We arrived earlier than planned and had time to celebrate my birthday with mojitos by the pool while working on our tans and resting the legs.
Over dinner I was presented with a couple of presents from the group and we celebrated with more mojitos.
That evening also saw each person talking about why they were doing the bike ride and what charity they were raising money for.
Friday 19th March
The last day of the cycling was a relatively easy 57 km. And today the pink pants came out – they did cause a bit of stir along the way, but it was a great way to make people smile.
The hill we climbed yesterday now had to be tackled going down it, and from there we continued towards Santa Clara along some fairly busy roads (for Cuba that is) and stopping for a rest in the town of Macaragua where there was a very impressive painting of Che Guevara. The road was the best of the week but there were still several hills to be climbed before the end. As the last day’s ride drew to an end the group gathered to cross the finish line together at the memorial for Che Guevara. Here we were celebrated with more Cuba Libre and had our photos taken.
We then had the honor of visiting the memorial for Che Guevara and learn more about his life and death.
After lunch we had to say goodbye to the team doctor, the mechanic and one of the drivers, before heading back to Havana.
Saturday 20th March
Headed into Havana with our guide Manuel, we visited Revolution Square, which is surrounded by government buildings, some with some impressive decorations of Che and Fidel. Here we also learnt that you can get fined and get points on your license if you stop the bus. Luckily our driver managed to convince the police not to fine him. From there we visited a shop that sells Cuban cigars.
The highlight of the day was a guided walk round old Havana, which took us to the Hotel Ambos Mundos, where Ernest Hemmingway stayed for a while. The view from the roof terrace is amazing and the mojitos and music are not bad either.
Havana is full of old beautiful cars and we were collected by the bus at the sea front which is a great place to see them.
And then it was on to the art and crafts market – to buy souvenirs for everyone at home.
The group celebrated their success in the evening with a lovely dinner and a band playing salsa for us at the hotel, before heading into the old town of Havana again for music and dancing. We were lucky enough to see some of the Buena Vista Social Club play live as well as dancing with their dancers before heading back to the hotel.
Sunday 21st March
The last day in Cuba; I went off exploring in the local area where we were staying. I saw a beautiful Catholic Church, and then stumbled across a shopping centre – rather unusual for Cuba - before walking along the coast back to the hotel. The rest of the day was spent by the pool chilling out and resting, before heading to the airport for our flight back.
Monday 22nd March
I landed back in the UK and had to say goodbye to a great bunch of people. I had the most amazing trip – it was hard work both getting fit enough to go and taking part. The experience will be with me forever and I think it may have inspired me to do something else next year!
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Cycling through Cuba showed the country in a way I don’t think I would have experienced had I ‘just gone on holiday’. I feel privileged that I was able to raise money while doing something so amazing. I saw the beauty of the country; both the beaches and mountains. I learnt a lot about how the Cubans live and the struggles they have faced and are still facing; such as the invasion at the Bay of Pigs and their ongoing struggle to rebuild their country after years of financial problems while still remaining true to socialist idea. I will take their smiles and cheers home with me and the realisation that you can be happy even though you do not have a lot. And from now on a salsa track with make me smile with fond memories and a desire to do more.
Sponsor Kate here - you can continue to donate after the challenge has been completed
Do you want to do a challenge like Kate's? Contact Rachel at fundraising@endometriosis-uk.org for a registration pack
>> Read more fundraising stories |
