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Features
Cannondale’s Scalpel-Si Carbon 2 at the Titan Tropic Cuba

Cannondale’s Scalpel-Si Carbon 2 at the Titan Tropic Cuba

Pace lines, sugar cane and friendly people

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By Russell Eich

December 19, 2016 at 2:35 pm

My race steed, a Scalpel-Si Carbon 2 from Cannondale, before five days of dust, dirt and stream crossings — My race steed, a Scalpel-Si Carbon 2 from Cannondale, before five days of dust, dirt and stream crossings
Russell Eich / Immediate Media

The prologue was cancelled due to Commander-in-Chief Castro's passing so a group of us took a bike tour of Havana. Here's Tinker Juarez in the middle of Old Havana — The prologue was cancelled due to Commander-in-Chief Castro’s passing so a group of us took a bike tour of Havana. Here’s Tinker Juarez in the middle of Old Havana
Russell Eich / Immediate Media

We found Ruta Bikes, which is a small bike shop / tour company — We found Ruta Bikes, which is a small bike shop / tour company
Russell Eich / Immediate Media

In Havana, like Cuba in general, seemingly anything goes including welding your car in the street — In Havana, like Cuba in general, seemingly anything goes including welding your car in the street
Russell Eich / Immediate Media

Our group in front of El Capitolio, which now houses the Cuban Academy of Sciences — Our group in front of El Capitolio, which now houses the Cuban Academy of Sciences
Russell Eich / Immediate Media

Riders wait for their wave at the start of the Titan Tropic — Riders wait for their wave at the start of the Titan Tropic
Russell Eich / Immediate Media

Racing consisted of a lot of this and farm tracks through endless sugar cane fields — Racing consisted of a lot of this and farm tracks through endless sugar cane fields
Russell Eich / Immediate Media

Russell on the rivet. We got extremely lucky with no rain for the entire race — Russell on the rivet. We got extremely lucky with no rain for the entire race
Laraine Hines

Stream crossings provided a technical and cooling reprieve from the hot dirt road pace lines — Stream crossings provided a technical and cooling reprieve from the hot dirt road pace lines
Russell Eich / Immediate Media

Camp looked like this, rows and rows of tents — Camp looked like this, rows and rows of tents
Russell Eich / Immediate Media

Every stage started at 8.00AM sharp with a neutral lead out of camp — Every stage started at 8.00AM sharp with a neutral lead out of camp
Russell Eich / Immediate Media

Stage 2 was the first timed stage. It was brutally fast, dusty and left me reeling afterwards — Stage 2 was the first timed stage. It was brutally fast, dusty and left me reeling afterwards
Russell Eich / Immediate Media

Even though I took my turns on the front, dirt road pace lines mean you're literally racing in a dust cloud — Even though I took my turns on the front, dirt road pace lines mean you’re literally racing in a dust cloud
Russell Eich / Immediate Media

The showers were a welcome sight. The lack of hot water made zero difference since the weather was so hot — The showers were a welcome sight. The lack of hot water made zero difference since the weather was so hot
Russell Eich / Immediate Media

Tent city number two was in Vinales — Tent city number two was in Vinales
Russell Eich / Immediate Media

It doesn't matter what nationality you are, cyclists are basically all the same — It doesn’t matter what nationality you are, cyclists are basically all the same
Russell Eich / Immediate Media

Tbelles fielded a ton of racers and provided full bike cleaning and maintenance after every stage, if you paid for that package in advance — Tbelles fielded a ton of racers and provided full bike cleaning and maintenance after every stage, if you paid for that package in advance
Russell Eich / Immediate Media

The other half of the bike maintenance package included full massages each day. My bike and my body could only wish to be so lucky — The other half of the bike maintenance package included full massages each day. My bike and my body could only wish to be so lucky
Russell Eich / Immediate Media

Bed times got earlier as the race progressed. Wake up was at 6.00AM whether you liked it or not — Bed times got earlier as the race progressed. Wake up was at 6.00AM whether you liked it or not
Russell Eich / Immediate Media

The humidity was thick, and sadly this abandoned pool did not have a curved bottom — The humidity was thick, and sadly this abandoned pool did not have a curved bottom
Russell Eich / Immediate Media

The finish on the white sand beaches of Cayo Jutias was stunning — The finish on the white sand beaches of Cayo Jutias was stunning
Russell Eich / Immediate Media

A dip in the ocean was certainly a part of every rider's post race celebration — A dip in the ocean was certainly a part of every rider’s post race celebration
Russell Eich / Immediate Media

While I rarely saw him in the actual race, I did manage to get a pic of overall winner, Diego Tamayo from Colombia — While I rarely saw him in the actual race, I did manage to get a pic of overall winner, Diego Tamayo from Colombia
Russell Eich / Immediate Media

Stage 1 — Stage 1
Titan Tropic

Stage 2 — Stage 2
Titan Tropic