Saturday 3 March 2012

Riding Harley-Davidsons in Cuba

I just got back from 10 days riding in Cuba.

I will post more on the trip later, but in the meantime, enjoy the video.....

23 comments:

Unknown said...

Gary:

I don't have to say that I am extremely envious of this trip, to go to a country that has not progressed much for the past 50 years. Are those all vintage Harleys ? Looks like you had a lot of fun, and I think you forgot to bring your shaver

bob
Riding the Wet Coast

SonjaM said...

Gary, what happened to your face? ;-)

I love Cuba for the vintage looks, the beautiful cars, and atmosphere. What Harleys did you ride?
Very much looking forward to reading more about your trip, and thanks for bringing some summer feeling into our grey and rainy lives.

Anonymous said...

Nicely done. We wanna hear about the food, the cigars, and the beaches too!

Trobairitz said...

Awesome teaser video. Great choice of music too. It looks like you had a great time. I can't wait to hear all about it.

redlegsrides said...

A brilliant video Gary! Very well shot and edited, loved the finish!

Thanks for including the shot of that old Ural as well.

P.S. Got into an accident, and also got a new rig....

dom

Redleg's Rides

Colorado Motorcycle Travel Examiner

Dar said...

Great video! Friends went to Cuba and loved it. Loved the music, makes me want to Salsa dance. I thnk that would be a great place to ride. My brother-in-law has been to Cuba many times and says the people are so friendly. Maybe one day, looking forward to more pictures.

Gary France said...

Bob – No, we were not on vintage Harleys. The Danish tour company we used ship new-ish Harleys in for 3 months each year to be used by their clients. They then have to ship them back out again, to ensure they don’t break the US / Cuban embargo.

Sonja – I was a strange growth! I decided to grow the beard a month before we left for Cuba, in honour of Che Guevara, but it had too much grey in it, so it has now already gone. Our group had a mixture of Harleys – I was on a 2011 Street Glide.

No Name – And the Mojito’s as well.....

Trobairitz – I will get the remainder written as soon as I can. Things are madly busy here. Somebody said I would be bored being retired – no chance!

Charlie6 / Dom – Thanks about the video. The more I make, the quicker they take to put together. Whoa, in an accident??? New rig??? See I go away for a while and look what happens! Okay. Going to your blog now to read all about it....

Gary France said...

Dar – Thanks. I am pleased you liked the video. Cuba is a great place to see, a good but not a great to ride. The Socialist Government system does many good things in Cuba, but maintaining the roads in a good condition is not one of them. Yes, the people are very friendly, happy, well fed, very healthy, but poor in financial terms. It is a very interesting place, full of culture and with a great spirit.

Eve said...

Incredible video Gary! LOVE the bikes...the cars...the bird nearly getting run over...Che,not so much!!!! Not a fan, but your beard fit right in! Looking forward to more. Great job, very entertaining.
PS great place to visit and ride...glad I don't live there!

Gary France said...

Eve – Thanks, I am glad you like the video. The bird was a Turkey Vulture, with a 4-5 foot wingspan. It flew right in front of my bike and I only just missed it. Heaven only knows what would have happened had I connected with it! The beard is now gone – it was just a temporary thing. I wouldn’t want to live there either.

Eve said...

Wow Gary!! I gotta go back and look at that again! I thught the bird was a crow! Yes, so glad you didn't hit a TV!!! They are big. But it sure made for a wild video!!! Glad you're home safe!

mq01 said...

love this gary, i cant wait to hear all about this trip! after watching your video, my uncle and i were daydreaming and devising a plan as to how to get there from the USA...maybe a trip to mexico then a visa onward from there?..hmmm ;) great stuff gary!

VStar Lady said...

Awesome adventure and most excellent video - well edited, it highlighted the story to come well I'm sure. Couldn't help but notice the Canadian flag - Cuba seems to have become the vacation go to spot these days for Canadians. Both of my sons have been (just not with their Mom) and half a dozen people I know are heading there next week for spring break.

Canajun said...

Great video Gary. Glad the trip went off without a hitch.

Motorhome Hire United States said...

Awesome Video. Thanks Gary…!

Road Captain said...

Awesome! Thanks for sharing.

Gary France said...

mq01 – Daydreaming is good for the soul. I do it a lot! I am not sure how you would get there, but I do know it couldn’t be direct from the USA. Like all visitors, I had to obtain a visa, but I am not sure if American citizens face bigger challenges than most.

VStar Lady – Thanks for your kind words. I met many Canadians in Cuba. I hope your sons had a great time. All I need do now is drag myself away from writing my book to find time to write about the Cuban trip.

Canajun – Thanks Canajun. I enjoyed making that video.

MHUS – Thanks!

Road Captain – Thanks!

Kofla Olivieri said...

Me encanto el video. Hablas Espanol?

Thank you for sharing your trip and recording it on video( I am guessing you used a GoPro HD Hero motorsports camera).

Born and raised in Puerto Rico, one of my dreams have always been to visit Cuba. Maybe I'll do it one of these days. Thanks for sharing and I'll look forward to read more!

ZX14R Moto Vlog

Gary France said...

Hi Kofla,

No I don’t speak Spanish. Yes, it was a GoPro Hero – a terrific little camera. I hope that you get to see Cuba one day. Thanks for reading my blog.

Basehor said...

Awesome teaser video. Great choice of music too. It looks like you had a great time. I can't wait to hear all about it.
Thanks for sharing with us.

Basehor

Gary France said...

Basehor - Thanks. I hope to find the time to write more about the trip soon!

Harley Brake Pads said...

Cuba is one of the best place for the bike riding. I watch your Cuba tour video. I think it is memorable tour for you and you got a lots of fun on this tour.

Gary France said...

Hey Harley Brake Pads - many thanks for watching my Cuba video and I am very pleased that you liked it.