Unsolicited Advice:Teach your children how to ride a bike from a young age.
This way, they won’t struggle as much when they grow up. Join me as I share the first bike ride with my sister.
During the Bicycle Festival in 2024, my sister learned to ride a bike thanks to the Citykleta method.
The year was quite hectic for her, and she couldn’t get back on a bike (or maybe she didn’t want to; honestly, it wasn’t clear to me).
March 2025 marked the return of the Bicycle Festival. Read about it here
@nanixxx
My sister was determined to overcome her own limitations and break free from a closed circuit to the street, aiming to go as far as her body would allow.
Let’s see how it went...
We set off from Estudio 50, very close to one of the busiest avenues in Havana: Carlos III. It took us forever to get going.
For anyone who stops riding a bike, getting back into the rhythm isn’t easy :(. She would pedal and stop, losing her rhythm and balance. Everything pointed to us not being able to make much progress.
After a few meters, you could see her frustration, but she was determined to push through, and she did.
According to her, one street felt extremely long; it seemed like an eternity, and she even had to get off the bike, but she gradually found her rhythm.
Street after street, without her realizing it, she started to get off the bike less and felt more comfortable, and that’s when it clicked.
We started at Estudio 50.
We decided to take the famous: Avenue of Presidents for a quick stop at our house.
Then we continued toward the Malecon until La Punta.
The plan was to go as far as possible, but we had the limitation of the bike rental time and the pace my sister could maintain.
We continued along the Malecón this time without much hurry. A highly recommended route.
The sea breeze, the blue sky and ocean, watching the Morro approach. An experience highly recommended, and if it’s your first time, it’s unmatched.
Once at La Punta, we took a break and had some snacks.
My sister couldn’t get off the bike. She had merged with it; she didn’t want to stop because she didn’t know how to get back into the rhythm. But she had to take a break. I needed one too; the Caribbean weather wasn’t helping either.
Do you remember those aches from your first time (or when you haven’t ridden in a long time)? Well, those aches would be part of the journey.
Our watches marked 6 kilometers. Quite little, honestly, but it was my sister’s first six, and I was very proud of her.
We had rested enough, so it was time to continue.
After reaching La Punta, also known as the best place to photograph the Morro, we headed toward Prado in search of the Capitolio and then back to Quinta de los Molinos to return the bikes.
An error, I couldn’t document with the Strava app, but I was too busy keeping my sister safe.
The return was even more challenging.
We couldn’t ride side by side; she got nervous seeing me and could fall.
I had to look after her from behind.
In Prado, it was uphill, requiring more effort and encountering more people and vehicles. It was the most difficult part of the route.
Until we reached the Capitolio, where my sister hit a pothole and almost fell off the bike. Luckily, she knew how to react and just had to brake to regain her balance.
Still, I think the most "dangerous" moment happened on the Avenue of Presidents (G Street). This street has one of the steepest inclines in the city, and on a bike, you can reach great speeds.
My sister got scared when she realized she didn’t have to pedal. She had to focus on mastering the brakes (not an easy task with rented bikes, as they aren’t the best quality)
Back at Estudio 50, after finally getting off the bike, she jumped for joy. She had done it—her first TEN kilometers on a bike.
All this after a year without riding for even a minute. Proud of her.
The next day, she slept for more than 16 hours and was sore all over, but even today, she says it was worth it.
Fortunately, there were no major incidents—just a few sudden stops, but nothing to regret. We survived!!!
A highly recommended experience if you come to Havana or everywhere.
In a future posts, I’ll tell you about the rental experience.
If you can do it in your city, it’s a great plan to enjoy with friends, a partner, or family (as was our case). Going at your own pace, with your own direction, and with someone important is priceless.
But now it’s your turn ...
How was your last bike ride? Do you remember the first time you went out on the street? How did it feel?
Tell me a bit about your experience riding a bike. I’d love to read your comments.
Read you soon!
[dahpilot]
All images in the post are my own (just one was sourced)
