Right before the getaway

Hi, here I am again, sharing a few things that pushed me to write this post just before grabbing my bike and heading off to a fishing town in Havana. I think I only went there once before by bike, but it was amazing — I had a great time and brought back stories and photos.

Back then I rode my first bike here on Hive, a mountain bike. I really enjoyed it, but now, with my Bianchi road bike — aluminium frame, carbon fork and seatpost — I have to admit that old Kamaron was a real tank. Heavy as anything, it drained me on every ride. 🤣

Surely the experts would say that with a well‑developed and strong heart and legs, nothing feels heavy. Maybe I’m fitter now, though not perfect yet — still work to do.

The place I’m going to in a few hours is famous because the writer Ernest Hemingway left his mark there. I wonder if any reader can guess where I mean… I’m sure someone will, even telepathically. 😁

Of course, I’ll bring back more stories from there today.

But before that, let’s talk about bikes — that thing we all love when we start riding, and soon we start dreaming of those beautiful “spaceships” we see online, designed by the big brands for special occasions.

What really pushed me to write this post was a nightmare.

I woke up crying like a child, not just sobbing but full-on crying. It felt so real. I dreamt I was at a cool café, full of young people — some listening to music, some dancing, some in costume events, others watching videos. I was just sitting at the bar, watching people, which I love to do, and chatting now and then. I’d ordered an instant coffee to take home and some peanut bars, but it was taking ages, so I went to ask the manager.

I met a girl looking in a mirror who said everything was messy because that’s how he was. I told her not to worry, I hadn’t even noticed, I just came to ask about my order that had been delayed more than 40 minutes.

Then another man came, but he said he wasn’t the one in charge and pointed me to a room. Inside, people were rehearsing a play set in Paris. I mentioned my order and went back to the bar. That’s when I realised my bike was gone. I panicked. Another man asked if I was looking for my bike and pointed it out. I sighed with relief — but when I got there, my Bianchi had been stripped. Parts stolen, the rest broken. It was a disaster. I started crying, and that’s how I woke up — in tears, completely heartbroken.

😫

So, where am I going with all this? Well, later on, while I was making breakfast…

these pea fritters I’d soaked for about 12 hours and then mixed it up in a blender with two eggs, garlic, onion, pepper and a pinch of salt, I opened Instagram and saw a reel that really caught my eye.

(I also had an espresso with a splash of milk)

It was about the bike Pinarello designed just for Paris–Roubaix and the watch worn by the riders in Tom Pidcock’s team (Pinarello–Q36.5 Pro Cycling Team).

Dogma F
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And the watch made in collaboration with Tissot.

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For all the watch lovers… and the bike fans… go ahead and drool over this.

🚴 Pinarello Dogma F – Paris–Roubaix 2026

Model: Dogma F Tissot Special Edition
Frame: Torayca M40X carbon, with internal TICR™ cable routing
Tyres: Vittoria Corsa Pro 32 mm, fitted on Zipp 303 SW wheels
Groupset: SRAM Red AXS 12-speed
Design: Aerodynamic but tuned to absorb the brutal cobblestones of Roubaix
Collaboration: Special details created together with Swiss watchmaker Tissot

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Seeing all this made me stop thinking about my bad dream. But you can imagine that the very first thing I did when I got out of bed — before breakfast, Instagram and all that — was to check if my Bianchi was okay. I was grateful it had only been a dream, and I gave it a little pat. ;)

I also kept thinking about the whole debate around equipment and technological advances in sport — the pros and the cons. It’s not just a technical issue anymore, but also a philosophical and ethical one. This could be another post, or maybe part of next week’s initiative. What do you think?

As for the two bikes I’ve had since I started taking this more seriously, I can say both taught me a lot. I had to sell the first one for financial reasons. I made sure it went to someone who knows how to take care of it, and thanks to that sale I got the one I ride now. I’ve thought that if I ever leave Havana, I wouldn’t leave my Bianchi behind. Yes, it’s just an object, a material thing, but at the same time it’s a sentimental treasure for me.

Maybe I’d buy a more modern one. Not a Pinarello, but another Bianchi. But that’s another story, and you know me — dreaming is free. Oh, and here’s another fun fact: that special Pinarello × Tissot edition has only 101 bikes, each with a unique Carbon-Matt design and holographic purple and silver details. And apparently the price is around 17K euros. 🤣