Havana by bicycle during Cuba's 'special period,' (the period after the breakup of...

The Cuban government bought 70,000 bicycles from China to stave off a crisis because of the shortage of gasoline and other supplies formally obtained from the USSR. The bicycle culture of Cuba is discussed, and most comments are positive. A cycling tour description of Havana, Cuba is presented.

As a Latin Americanist geographer, I have an interest in visiting virtually all of the western hemisphere's countries. I must confess, however, to a particular fascination with Cuba that goes beyond the "forbidden fruit" aspect imposed by geopolitics, to a desire to see a truly differen