I have been given the opportunity to take part in this years Openwork Foundation charity cycle ride. The gruelling 'Cycle Challenge' takes place over 5 days in Cuba this November and will cover nearly 400 kilometres!
I hope (with your help) to make a worthwhile difference to the lives of the disadvantaged children that our charity partners are trying so hard to help.
The money raised will go towards The Openwork Foundation 'Cares 4 Kid's '. The foundation supports voluntary organisations across the UK helping socially, mentally or physically disadvantaged children.
The foundation works closely with three partners.
The Children’s Hospices UK - Currently, Children's Hospices UK represents 35 children’s hospices across the UK (with another six children’s hospices being planned or built) and benefits children with life limiting conditions
Winstons Wish – a charity providing support and practical and emotional help to young people and their families following a bereavement in their immediate family.
The Philippine Community Fund (PCF) which works in the most depressed areas of the Philippines. Here young children live and work amongst the stinking rubbish dumps looking for any waste materials that can be exchanged for a few pence to buy food for their families. Their key route to escape this poverty is through education and to this end, the Openwork Grant is helping to build and fund a new school made totally from recycled shipping containers.
You can read more about the trip below and if you would like to sponsor me please make a donation by clicking here. Donating through justgiving is simple, fast and totally secure. It is also the most efficient way to sponsor me: The Foundation will receive your money faster and, if you are a UK taxpayer, an extra 28% in tax will be added to your gift at no cost to you.
Thank you so much!
Richard Hitchell
Copyright of Classic Tours
Cycling Day 1: Transfer Havana - Bay of Pigs, Bay of Pigs - Yaguaramos (45km approx).
After breakfast, we transfer (3 hours) to the Playa Giron located on the eastern side of the famous Bay of Pigs in the province of Matanzas. On arrival we have a bike fitting followed by lunch. The Bay of Pigs is important in Cuba's history; it was the location of the 1962 invasion when a CIA backed attempt to topple Fidel Castro's revolutionary government met with strong resistance and was ultimately unsuccessful for the invading force. It remains a key event in the continuing bad relations between Cuba and the USA.
After an early lunch we set off on the first day of our challenge. Today's ride is mainly off-road through Zapata Peninsula National Park and small country villages. The surrounding foliage is lush and fertile and we start to get a feel for rural Cuban life. The route follows the coast and gently undulates all the way to the province of Cienfuegos. Cienfuegos is best known as the site of the historic battle between Fulgencio Batista and Che Guevara's guerrillas. On arrival at Yaguaramos we finish today's ride.
Terrain: Mainly flat off-road with some undulations towards Cienfuegos
Day 2: Cienfuegos - Trinidad (89km approx)
We set off along an undulating coastal road followed by some short sharp hills through beautiful pasture lands. After around 20km we enjoy stunning views of the Escambray mountains across a valley of sugar cane. The road then sweeps up and over gentle hills and we meet the coast just beyond Guajimico. We stop for lunch after 50km at La Vega farm restaurant.
The final 30km is on a flat road which clings to the shimmering Caribbean coastline all the way to Trinidad. There are some hillier sections just before Trinidad.
Terrain: Hilly start and end, gentle undulations for most of the day.
Day 3: Trinidad (48km approx)
Today is a circular route, making the most of being in the area around Trinidad. From the hotel we cycle along a gently undulating road towards the outskirts of Trinidad, straight through town and along the coast. We cycle through the picturesque fishing village of La Boca and stop at the beachside bar for a short break. Our route continues along the Caribbean coast before turning inland towards Trinidad, taking in small villages along the way. Time permitting we visit La Torre de Manaca Iznaga, an old colonial sugar plantation.
We cycle back to our hotel in Trinidad for lunch followed by a tour of Trinidad, a 'museum town' brimming with colonial architecture which was declared a World Heritage Site by UNESCO in 1988.
Terrain: Gentle hills.
Day 4: Topes de Collantes - Santa Clara (86km approx)
After a transfer this morning we start with a tough 10km uphill section over mountainous peaks through pine trees and eucalyptus before beginning the descent to Santa Clara. Today is the most spectacular in terms of scenery as we cycle through the national park. Palm trees and other tropical plants slowly replace pine forests.
We cycle along the valley floor between impressive mountains before reaching the foothills and pastures around Santa Clara. Santa Clara is a vibrant city, busy with street life. It was the first major place to be liberated from Batista's army in December 1958. Today a number of monuments commemorate this important period of Cuba's history, including a statue to the legendary Che Guevara.
Terrain: First 10km is steep uphill, then sweeping downhill to Santa Clara and gentle hills towards the end of the day.
Day 5: Santa Clara - Cienfuegos (80km approx)
We're unlikely to encounter much traffic this morning. The terrain is flat with the occasional gentle undulation. We cycle through field after field of sugar cane with traditional houses dotted here and there. We enter the Province of Cienfuegos after 33km.
The final stretch takes us straight through the colonial heart of this beautiful Caribbean town and onto the Malecon (sea front). From there we travel around the bay of Cienfuegos, our final destination!
Charity details
The Openwork Foundation comes under the umbrella of the Zurich Community Trust (UK) Limited which is the registered charity. The Trust absorbs all the running costs of the Openwork Foundation, so all money raised by staff and advisers goes directly to charity.
The Openwork Foundation is run and managed by a Foundation Committee, made up from members of the Openwork sales force and staff.
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