No 'swim up bars' for local man's trip to Cuba

TRURO – Bicycling across Cuba is a feat even many young adults would consider daunting. To 65-year-old Bob Williams of Truro however, it’s just another challenge.
A recent retiree, Williams spent 16 days this past February, traversing the scenic landscape of Cuba’s beaches and mountains.
Covering close to 800 to 900 km over on the trip, Williams said it was his love for adventure that drove him.
“I enjoyed the challenge of it,” said Williams of his ride that took him through the western province of Pinar Del Rio and the cities of Cienfuegos, Santa Clara, Sancti Spiritus and Trinidad.
Having heard great things of the Cubans hospitality, Williams said he wasn’t at all scared of going alone.
“If I waited for someone to join me, I’d still be sitting on the couch.”
Williams found accommodation at “casa particulares”; small establishments that provide paid lodging.
“It’s Cuba’s answer to B&B’s,” said Williams. “You get a good place to stay, a shower, breakfast, supper and you get to meet the Cuban people.”
Williams said two books played a part in his decision to go to Cuba: “Bicycling Cuba” by Wally and Barbara Smith and Lonely Planet’s “Cuba”.
In fact, Williams even visited Wally and Barbara Smith at their home in Vermont while planning his trip.
“They couldn’t say enough about how nice it was biking in Cuba,” said Williams. “There is all kinds of different landscapes and the roads in general are paved and in good shape. I was never on a dirt road.”
The biggest challenge for Williams was communicating with the Cubans. Williams doesn’t speak Spanish and had to rely on phrase books.
“It was a challenge,” said Williams. “But when you have to communicate you communicate. It worked out fine and once in a while there would be a person around who could speak English.”
While Williams spent much of his trip cycling in rural areas, he said when he stopped in the city of Cienfuegos he found it to be quite cosmopolitan.
“It’s known as the Paris of Cuba,” said Williams.
Cuba was a first for Williams, however he is no stranger to taking his bike on the road. He’s toured in Colorado, France, as well as a trip across Canada in 2006.
Next on the cycling list for Williams is a ride up the eastern coast of the U.S. this spring, as well as a two-week trip to France in August, where he will ride many of the same climbs as the Tour de France racers with his wife Glenda.
Having enjoyed himself so much in Cuba, Williams is now teaching himself Spanish and says he plans to return next winter with his wife.
“I want to see the parts of the island I didn’t get a chance to see this year.”