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The current weather in Culebra

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Bicycling in Culebra - trip report (Long)
Culebra, Puerto Rico
Author: Arroz (---.direcpc.com)
Date:   05-07-07 20:42

Two months in Culebra on a bike: Or, how I learned to hate Walmart bicycles.

Two months in Culebra, what’s the best/least expensive way to get around? Cars and scooters are too expensive, even with a monthly rate. Bicycles seemed the ideal solution, get around without polluting the environment, save on gasoline, exercise the cardiovascular system - who could ask for anything more? A bit of background, I am an avid biker at home in Nova Scotia, put in at least an hour every other day on woods roads and off trail - lots of hills, up and down. My wife is a somewhat less avid biker but still enjoys biking. Point being we are both in reasonable shape and not biking novices.

So, on the advice of some old-timers we checked with the two people on the island who rent out bikes and the consensus was that over a two month period they could not beat the Walmart rate for a new bike. Next step, ferry to the big island to the Fajardo Walmart. Picked up two soft-tailed bikes (front and rear shock for you non-bikers)

We get the bikes on the ferry and to our abode with minimal problem except for being ripped off by a taxi driver to get them from Walmart to the ferry. We couldn’t ride the bikes from Walmart for two several reasons, a) we didn’t know our way around Fajardo and the traffic was awful, b) the bikes weren’t ready to ride, tires flat and brakes dragging (which should have been a clue). Next morning, bright and early I start to work on the bike brakes. Oops, the little brake piece broke off just as I was getting it adjusted. Crazy glue to the rescue Do I want to trust my life to crazy glue when going downhill in Culebra? No choice. Called the 800 number tattooed on the bottom of the bike and they will send the part by UPS in 7 to 10 business days - only problem is that UPS will only ship to a stree address - not something we have a surfeit of in Culebra. Luckily I discover that Excetera will accept UPS parcels. Call back and make arrangements to have it shipped. Meanwhile the same little brake part for the front brake breaks. Crazy glue and a phone call once again. While riding around on my bike which now seems to be held together by crazy glue, I start hearing a knocking somewhere in the pedals. Gets louder and louder each day but I’m holding my breath and praying that it lasts our one remaining month. (It did.)

Even with the bikes running, however, there are other problems - mine is not quite big enough so I cannot get the seat high enough to get full power as I peddle. My wife’s bike brakes wear out within a week. Luckily one of the bike renters will sell pads so I get a set which is close enough to the ones I need to do the job. Almost forgot the acacia thorns, two flat tires later we realize that there are thorns in the lawn surrounding our abode and we need to walk the bikes to the road. Oh yes, we should have got rear fenders too, after a ride after a rain we had nice stripes up our backs.

Where did we go? Out to the Wildlife Service for the early morning bird tours, out to Flamenco, out to Tamarindo Bay , Playa Soldado, over to Colmado del Sol, Colmado Genesis, Joe’s Pinchas . . . We did have to walk up a couple of hills but hey, that was weight bearing exercise, good for the bones. (An unanticipated side benefit was that I lost 10 pounds.)

Would I recommend bikes for getting around Culebra? Yyes, yes, yes. If you’re there for a short time and are experienced cyclists, rent a bike. The rented ones looked fine. If you’re not experienced cyclists, the hills can be daunting going both up and down. (My wife walked her bike down one hill because she didn’t trust the brakes.) You might want to bring your own helmet if you are as keen as we are on maintaining our brains in reasonable shape. No one else seemed to wear a helmet so we felt a bit weird but that’s the price you pay for valuing your head.

Glad to answer any questions (about this topic)

Abe Ross

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Re: Bicycling in Culebra - trip report (Long)
Culebra, Puerto Rico
Author: Michael (---.nycmny.east.verizon.net)
Date:   05-07-07 23:06

I ruined a folding Dahon in Culebra :)

Enjoy Culebra!

Michael

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Re: Bicycling in Culebra - trip report (Long)
Culebra, Puerto Rico
Author: Michael (---.nycmny.east.verizon.net)
Date:   05-08-07 06:47

Abe I forgot to say: Thanks for such a detailed report!!

Enjoy Culebra!

Michael

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Re: Bicycling in Culebra - trip report (Long)
Culebra, Puerto Rico
Author: Debbie (---.asm.bellsouth.net)
Date:   05-08-07 21:53

Yikes! What did you do with the bikes when you left? We keep *saying* we're going to hoof and bike it while we're there, but we haven't done it yet.

How was the rest of your trip? I'm so sorry I didn't make the effort to call you. After the whole fam damily left, all I wanted to do was be underwater where it was quiet, or sit around and enjoy my own and Lewis' company. It was really fun having them all there, but I'm not sure I would do it again. This was my first vacation EVER where I only read ONE book. Never again!

Happy Diving!
Debbie

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Re: Bicycling in Culebra - trip report (Long)
Culebra, Puerto Rico
Author: Arroz (---.direcpc.com)
Date:   05-13-07 10:29

When we left the bikes were actually in usable shape (I had installed all of the various parts which the manufacturer sent us). We heard of a community group, run by a nun but which is non-sectarian, I can't remember the name, so we gave them the bikes and helmets to give to a child whose family could not afford bicycles. Actually we left them with Marsha who had contacted the committee and was holding the bikes for them.

Despite the bikes we had an excellent, lazy time. We snorkeled from Melones which was a 3 minute walk from where we were staying. We walked in to town occasionally to buy food. We only got out to Flamenco once in 2 months and never to Zoni. We veged out. I sat in the hammock and read, and read, and read (according to my wife I also dozed but I don't believe it). My wife sat on the beach (what there is of a beach in that area) in the beach chairs which came with the place and she just roasted in the sun. We found a small area off the beach which was like a plunge pool so when either of us got too hot we would just plunge in. Oh yeah, every few days we would wander in to Pan Deli, get an espresso, and check our e-mail (I brought our laptop with us).

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Re: Bicycling in Culebra - trip report (Long)
Culebra, Puerto Rico
Author: Michael (---.nycmny.east.verizon.net)
Date:   05-13-07 12:46

Abe, that's exactly what Culebra is all about :) - You need at least two weeks to get into 'Culebra mode' and then you get it! I cannot believe people are trying to come for one day - why?!

Another option in terms of bikes is also to presend them :)

Enjoy Culebra!

Michael

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Re: Bicycling in Culebra - trip report (Long)
Culebra, Puerto Rico
Author: richard (---.res.east.verizon.net)
Date:   05-13-07 13:46

one day = just enough to piss you off that more weren't planned and then you simply have to go back someday...

conversely, I can't imagine leaving after 2 months.

(criticism excludes those who leave near Fajardo and actually can hop over for the day at whim)

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Re: Bicycling in Culebra - trip report (Long)
Culebra, Puerto Rico
Author: richard (---.res.east.verizon.net)
Date:   05-13-07 17:19

sorry live, not leave (although I suppose it's still apt)

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Re: Bicycling in Culebra - trip report (Long)
Culebra, Puerto Rico
Author: Arroz (---.direcpc.com)
Date:   05-21-07 22:49

Michael,

How does one "presend" the bikes?

Abe

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Re: Bicycling in Culebra - trip report (Long)
Culebra, Puerto Rico
Author: Michael (---.nyc.res.rr.com)
Date:   05-22-07 07:24

I would use the USPS and send them 3 weeks or so in advance. UPS used to deliver on Flamenco, but that was 15 years ago ;)

Enjoy Culebra!

Michael

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Re: Bicycling in Culebra - trip report (Long)
Culebra, Puerto Rico
Author: Arroz (---.direcpc.com)
Date:   05-22-07 09:45

Well, the times they are achanging. Now UPS only delivers to an address, not to the beach. I checked UPS before we headed down last time and the cost, for an inflatable kayak weighing 60 lbs was going to be around $300! Needless to say, we didn't take the kayak.

Abe

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