We’re getting close to civilization again. More cars are passing us, which is a bit unnerving, considering the past three days have seen hardly any cars at all.
The ride would take us west and then south along Cuba’s coast toward Santiago de Cuba, along empty stretches of road adjacent to beautiful blue waters, and through quiet and unassuming villages.
The emergency foil blanket we carry with us wasn’t cutting it anymore as a rain shelter. It was a torrential downpour, and as we huddled under this thin piece of aluminium, we looked down to watch a flow of water cascading around our feet, like boulders in a river.
Even though it’s only 25 km to Soroa from Las Terrazas, it was the toughest ride for us. The hills were very steep, forcing us off our bikes to push for some of them, and it also rained a little on us.
Along the North Road, a highway that runs parallel to Cuba’s north coast, we would pass through the industrial town of Mariel. Entering it was abysmal; we were greeted with a huge cement factory. Mariel, though, is more famous for the Mariel boatlift.
