Havana Motor Club

April 20, 2016

This month, HAVANA MOTOR CLUB was released nationally in theaters across the US. This movie is a character-driven story that follows Reynaldo "Rey" López García, Carlos Alvarez Sanchez, Armando "Piti" Munnet Rodriguez, Jose "Jote" Antonio Madera, Reinaldo "Tito" López Fernández, Saul Garcia, and Milton Díaz Cánter. At its core, HMC showcases the change that is racing down the streets of Havana. Cuba's premier underground drag racers struggle to prepare their classic cars for the first official car race since the 1959 Revolution.

During the 84 minutes of this documentary, recent reforms are presented including: the owning of property, allowance of small businesses, and greater exchange between Cubans, Cuban Americans, tourists, and other foreigners. These changes affect the lives of these racers and their families. One racer enlists the help of a Cuban American patron in Miami to bring in parts for his modern Porsche. His main competitor is a renowned mechanic who uses ingenuity rather than resources to create a racing machine out of his father’s 1955 Chevy Bel Air. Another racer ponders whether he will participate in the race or sell his motor — one that he recovered on the ocean floor from a ship used to smuggle Cubans off the island — in order to flee Cuba on a raft headed to Florida.

Meanwhile, the race itself is in jeopardy of coming to fruition due to factors ranging from its status as an elitist sport to the arrival of the Pope in Cuba. Through the experiences of these racers and their community, HAVANA MOTOR CLUB explores how Cuba is changing today and what its future holds in light of the Obama Administration’s recent move to normalize relations with the island nation.

With the success of this movie that debuted at last year's Tribeca Film Festival and a recent

screening that we attended, we wanted to find out more about how this movie came together and chatted with the film's director and producer, Bent-Jorgen Perlmutt.

ATHLEISURE MAG: We enjoyed the film and learning about these four characters juxtaposed against the changes that are taking place in Cuba - how did you decide to present the story in this manner?

BENT-JORGEN PERLMUTT: It was a process in getting this film created as there were a number of delays. As you saw in the film, there were a number of times when we were told that the race was happening and then last minute, it would be postponed or canceled - such as the Pope's visit. We spent about 4 months there, but there were months of delays. Even on the day that we filmed the race which was covered in the film, I wasn't really sure until we were there that it was actually going to happen!

When we looked at the amount of footage that we had amassed, 300 hours - a decision had to be made about how we tell the story. We decided that although we had followed a number of the drag racers that the best was was to bring these 4 men forward as they reflected distinct stories of where Cubans are. We have the man who wishes to leave Cuba for opportunities in the US, another who rejects the changes, a man who embraces what is happening and the one that embodies the everyday life of a Cuban who comes from a family of car fixers and is not affected by what is going on around him.

AM: We got to see a number of first hand accounts of the drag racing world, were there edits that were requested by the drivers and in filming this, did you feel safe during production?

BJP: We felt very safe during filming and we also took steps towards ensuring that, such as filming the races that took place during the day as opposed to at night. Many of the scenes where you see racing from inside the car, were due to our sponsor GoPro, which had their cameras from inside as opposed to having our teams in them during races.

Some racers did have concerns with filming how they received their parts for their cars; therefore these parts were taken out. In addition, scenes involving gambling were also taken out. In Cuba, if you are caught gambling, you will serve 3 - 4 years in jail. We have shown this film at a number of festivals including the Havana Film Festival last December and it was met with a warm reception.

AM: Since filming of HAVANA MOTOR CLUB has taken place, are there thoughts of following up with them?

BJP: We were so fortunate to come to Cuba when we did 4 years ago to film this movie as now there are many productions looking to film in the area. Unlike Cuban athletes that have been covered in films, this movie allowed the everyday Cuban to be portrayed as well as to present popular topics that are relevant right now. There have been talks to do a spinoff documentary series on the racers as a way to know their stories a bit more. Interestingly enough, the guys are being filmed for Fast and the Furious 8 which is taping in Cuba. Anthony Bourdain has also filmed with them as well.

AM: Since the film's production and with the current changes taking place in this country, has the state of racing changed there?

BJP: Racing hasn't changed in Cuba, but the amount of money coming into the sport has. There are racers that are now sneaking in Maserattis and BMWs!

Havana Above the Handlebars, Cuba

April 19, 2016

Late last summer, we attended an intimate roundtable that included a number of individuals within the travel industry on the topic of Cuba. At that time, we all discussed the ability to travel to Cuba without the restrictions that have existed for the past few decades. There was so much excitement and buzz in the room and we remember thinking about all the possibilities that would emerge by having this access as a traveler, for commerce and more.

Last month, as our President, delegates and businessmen entered the country, the reality of the having an open exchange became an even bigger possibility.

Since the President's visit, we're pleased to share two stories in this month's issue that focuses on Cuba. Above the Handlebars, Cuba - highlights the journey that Ben and Brian, of Sole Bicycles, took days before President Obama's entry into the country as they experience Cuba from 12 - 15 hour rides on each day of their trip. They rode through the pulse and culture of this country that has been self-contained.

Next, we are pleased to share Havana Motor Club, a movie that debuted at last year's Tribeca Film Festival and is available nationwide in theaters. The film looks at racing and how a dedicated group of local enthusiasts worked to bring this national sport back after it had been banned in the 50's.

Sole Bicycles was founded by a group of friends who loved playing an array of sports. They believed in creating a great bike that had an accessible price point and was supported by a company whose brand was built on an active lifestyle. In addition to creating a great product that served a needed function, it was essential to reflect a culture around it.

This created a school of thought where people could purchase a bike and visit the website. This serves as a hub of content and community, which is not only about being active but giving back. They have built their following by organic growth, bootstrapped and no outside help! Yet in the midst of building this brand over the past few years, they truly

believe in a "work hard, play hard" system. Those who work within the company have enjoyed participating in group retreats that serve as inspiration for new models and styles. This could include spending a month in Bali or a week in Mexico.

This wanderlust mindset mixed in with the need to give back creates a backdrop of organic serendipity which would bring members of Sole Bicycles team to an iconic visit to Cuba.

A friend that SB works with had been quite successful creating international bike tours which allow riders to enjoy destinations by peddling through them. Due to the success

of these groups, he wanted to do the same monthly in Cuba and needed a fleet of bikes that could host 10 people. He asked SB to supply the bikes.

In addition to providing their bikes, the team at SB decided that it would be a great idea for them to come along (a team of 9) to experience it for themselves.

SB is based in Venice, CA and the team flew from there to Miami to connect to their flight to land into Havana which is 45 miles from Miami. To arrive into the city, they checked in 2 hours prior to the flight and flew into Havana and upon arrival, it took them 3 hours to get through customs in order to finally reach their destination. Interestingly enough, for the total travel time to get to Havana, they could have flown into Tokyo or a number of other destinations.

This trip was not only about seeing Cuba, but to experience it first hand. The SB team decided that they would find a place to stay via Casa Particular (like Air BNB) with a Cuban family. This way they could enjoy traditional meals and have an experience that was akin to those who were locals.

During their trip, they had a schedule that was intense; however, gave the best chance to cover the area as they immersed themselves into the trip. The team woke up at 9:30am to enjoy a traditional breakfast cooked by their host family and hopped on their bikes to move from neighborhood to neighborhood where they rode 30 - 40 miles a day. They would have dinner later in the evening, and then at 8-9pm they would get back to the tour and finish their day at 3-4am - to do it all again the next day.

These 12-15 tours on wheels allowed them to see people going about their day and the shifts from one community to the next. Ultimately, they covered a total of 100 miles and most of Havana. For some, touring the city by bike was a first; however, everyone experienced a significant difference in this city.

The SB team found that they were able to focus on their experiences even more due to the lack of being connected to the internet and the phone. Less than 3% have the internet and those who may be visiting would need to go to a WiFi park for outside access or to purchase a card/phone. It was the longest that many have been disconnected. But at the same time, it allowed them to bond even more to one another as well as their guide without the distraction of making sure to update friends, followers, fans and more in real time.

As a country that has been self contained, it has been untouched by a number of popular and consumer culture aesthetics from style of dress, cars etc that point to the 50's. As the team was out and about, they felt safe as the crime rates are low and carrying guns are illegal.

In general, as they rode through the community, they realized that it was busy, but not too crowded. From an economic standpoint, many are employed by the government sector and additional jobs are trade oriented Currently, there are a not a lot of private businesses.

As a matter of fact, as the team biked throughout the city, they were surprised that it was difficult to obtain a bottle of water from corner stores, carts - something that is readily available here in a number of cities whether you live in large cities or go to small towns. The ability to stop and get something when you wanted it really made the guys realize the cultural difference between where they were and how they grew up.

This trip took place as they traveled under a "People for People" status with missionary purposes for a church group. At the conclusion of the trip, they gave their bikes to a church which would allow their missionaries to pick flowers to sell to raise funds.

During this trip, as they rode through Cuba, they had the benefit of seeing the government getting ready for Obama's visit as workers paved miles of streets in Old Town Ha

vana, painting fences and fixing other elements in a mad dash as this was a few days prior to the official visit.

In the beginning, members of the group looked at this trip as one that would be a fun vacation that would include partying, taking pictures and more. But the impact of seeing one of the few nations that have not had open access for 60-70 years was eye opening! One noted that everywhere they went, people loved seeing their bikes that were new (as opposed to the Schwin models they noticed from the 50's). At one point in the trip, they happened to go to a cigar factory which sold Cohebas. They traded one of their bikes for a box of the luxury cigars (yet the value of the box of cigars was much higher than the bike). The universal need of having something modern and new was not lost on the team. They experienced this upgraded area as well as a number of authentic places that residents have enjoyed.

Cuba is going through a change and it is not one that will be overnight. A lot of questions remain: What do open policies mean for those that are Cuban residents? How will corporations begin to be introduced into the ecosystem (a number of properties such as Starwood Hotels has begun to create a strategy for expansion in the area)? How will Cuba balance between maintaining their heritage while integrating into a modern culture? More importantly for those who live in Cuba, what opportunities will they have to start their own businesses?

The idea that there is a "magic switch" where overnight there is an idealized setting where people will people will be able to come to Cuba, enjoy a daquiri as they sit in an outdoor cafe Instagramming their current status, is one that will take time with a lot of growing pains as they get to where they want to be as a nation, but the world will be watching.

March Madness

March 15, 2016

It's that time of year again with the arrival of NCAA March Madness which runs from March 15th through April 4th. We've put together a roundup of a number of bars and lounges to catch these NCAA games in the host cities.

1st 4 Games | DAYTON, OH The Century |

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