The Inaugural Perilous Motorbike Competition in Cuba

For motorcycle racers seeking new racing adventures, they should consider joining the Extreme Bike Tours. This is a historic event as it marks the first motorcycle race organized by Extreme Bike Tours outside of Asia and took place in Cuba in 2016.

This race signifies an important milestone for Extreme Bike Tours, a company founded by passionate motorcycle enthusiast Zander Combe in 2011. It has been their first venture outside of Asia, showcasing their commitment to expanding their racing events worldwide.

The race, which ran until March 6, 2016, brought together approximately 10 skilled racers and featured a diverse range of “two-wheeled warriors” such as Harley-Davidson, Suzuki V-Strom, and BMW 800.

Following the normalization of relations between Cuba and the United States, this race presented a unique opportunity for racers to not only engage in thrilling races but also immerse themselves in the rich Cuban culture. Participants had the chance to explore and appreciate colonial buildings, visit cigar factories, experience vibrant salsa music clubs, and witness classic motorcycles from the 1950s.

Zander, the director of Extreme Bike Tours, expressed his excitement about choosing Cuba as the race location, stating, “It’s a race against time to experience the authentic Cuba before it undergoes major changes due to increased tourism. In about 5 years, this place will become like Disneyland, so I wanted to seize this opportunity while it’s still untouched.”

During the race, the Extreme Bike Tours groups ventured into suburban villages, visited the Bay of Pigs Museum, explored the Mausoleum of Marx, and offered participants the option to drive to Guantanamo.

The journey started in the vibrant city of Havana, which is not only a popular tourist destination but also provided a picturesque backdrop for the race. Racers and tourists alike marveled at the vivid colors of Cuba, admired Spanish colonial architecture, and had the chance to visit iconic sites such as writer Ernest Hemingway’s residence and the Revolution Square.

The racing route led participants along the coast, passing through the stunning National Park in Las Terazzas, before making their way back to Havana. From there, racers continued their journey to Trinidad, a city renowned for its cultural heritage. The race then proceeded to Santiago de Cuba and Santa Clara before returning to Havana, completing a thrilling and exhilarating circuit.

Spanning across 13 days, the race demanded racers to push their limits, spending an average of 4 to 6 hours on their motorcycles each day. Only licensed racers and their support teams were eligible to participate in the race.

Each racer should expect to spend approximately 132 million VND, while accompanying fans would need to budget around 94 million VND for the trip. The fees cover accommodation, 6 dinners, 3 lunches, fuel costs, and vehicle rental.

Extreme Bike Tours has carved a name for itself by organizing numerous prestigious races in challenging terrains, including the Himalayas, Tibet, Bhutan, Rajasthan, South India, and Mongolia. Zander revealed plans to organize a race in Sri Lanka in July and August 2016, further expanding their global racing footprint.

An avid motorcycle collector and proud member of the organization expressed, “We named our program Extreme Bike Tours not because of how we ride but because of the extraordinary destinations we go to. Any skilled racer with a valid license can participate. It’s about conquering the race points, not putting your life on the line unnecessarily.”