1. Luck
It was one of those days when I go out trying to capture something unusual, funny or beautiful. I like to convey emotions with my photos, and in the case of means of transport, being inanimate objects, I usually find it a bit difficult; but something seductive always appears. After taking the photo, I asked the owner, “What fly with that flashy motorcycle? That’s how I found out that El Tiburón belongs to Club E-Racing. Tiburón is the name of the motorcycle whose owner, Carlitos, kindly invited me to a meeting in La Piragua, where all the members of the Club meet once a month.
2. Speed
The E-Racing Club was created four years ago and was the second group of electric motorcycles created in Cuba. Its structure consists of a president, a vice president, a treasurer and an activities manager. The membership democratically elects its leaders and each new member is put to the test for a month. If he is chosen, due to his interest and dedication, the rookie is given a number that identifies him. According to 03 De La Luz, president for three years, there are three lines of action: one sports, one social and one ecological. Within the Club there are many interests. Some are racers, others participate in the most colorful motorcycle competitions, others specialize in bowling skills. Thanks to Inder, bikers can run in Coco Mar and also do choreographic shows. In addition to the work that each one has, they meet to rehearse and train. They are proud of their Club. Cheers, applause and someone saying: “E-Racing at the forefront!” are heard in the meeting.
3. Women
One of the points of the meeting was to thank the women: the girlfriends, the friends, the wives and the lovers who accompany the electric motorists to the activities. They are also Racing. He set out, half seriously, half in mutt, that you make an identity pullover for them too. Someone said that they had a chat with each other. Since the group was founded, there have been three female bikers who, for reasons of life, no longer live in Cuba. 03 says that they were “the pretty girls”, that they were wonderful. Luckily, soon a woman will enter the Club again.
4. Diversity
When I got to the meeting, I was amazed to see so many people and, since the world is a small place, I found a friend with her boyfriend. I also saw a partner from Alamar and the colleague who was selling me things to eat on the left during the pandemic. In the E-Racing Club there are people from different origins. There are journalists, doctors, electricians, refrigeration technicians, artists, teachers, bricklayers, musicians, mechanics, engineers… All united by camaraderie and passion for motorcycles.
5. Family
When the Club was founded, the objective was to unite lovers of Racing model electric motorcycles, to exchange parts, go out, party and have fun. Over time it became a brotherhood. Activities are carefully planned to include the whole family, with priority given to children. It’s not uncommon to see scenes like this. If you look from behind, you will see a pretty woman from behind on a super bike. But when you notice her, there is a girl between her and the biker, which makes the image of her more relevant and beautiful. It is not for nothing that the motto of the E-Racing Cuba is: “More than a Club, a family”.
6. Passion
In the Club there is exceptionality for those who are not part of the daily dynamics, but are active followers. They are given a symbolic number: 00. With that identity there is a famous musician, a clown, a TV reporter and a DJ whose disability situation prevents him from driving. But Luis Ernesto is not a 00 like the others. He is The Mascot. He earned the nickname because of his perseverance and because they consider him a special member of the big family. Luisito does not have a motorbike and from the beginning he has participated in all the activities on skates or on a bicycle, and if they break, he goes by bus; but he is always He went to Matanzas by bicycle as part of the caravan. He has an E-Racing tattoo on his chest, on the heart side. He sometimes gets sentimental, because they ride a motorcycle and he doesn’t, but the president of the Club and his son are putting together a beautiful E-Racing for him to fulfill his dream of riding on it.
7. Solidarity
81 is new, he just got his number and he’s excited. He says that apart from motorcycles he feels good doing something for people. One day he was returning from leaving a home delivery and La Traductora (as his motorcycle is called) ran out of cargo. Another motorist saw him and helped him get home. This is how he found out about the Club and joined after passing the trial month. They say that the problems of one are of all. When a Racing car is in trouble, the brothers come together to get it out of the rut. Also in a literal sense given the state of the streets.
8. Brotherhood
It is common to see them parading with their beautiful motorcycles, but perhaps few know that they come from donating blood, that they go to the homes of children without filial protection, that they transport medicines and food for vulnerable people. In that eagerness to help themselves and others, they went to Pinar del Río after the cyclone ian and they have traveled the streets of Havana carrying and bringing joy and relief at great speed. When the La Piragua meeting was coming to an end, one of the most emotional moments occurred. Some brothers burned their workshop with their motorcycles inside; among all they have come together to help them recover. They were brought to the front one by one with parts, boxes and cables that I have no idea what they are for, but they are certainly important. They say that 40 has more things in the house for them and that they still have a surprise to give them. It was a moving moment for the members; watery eyes, hugs, kisses and applause.
9. Distance
Like so many Cuban families, people have also left the Club. Of the fifty-six members it has today, sixteen are outside of Cuba. But those who remain decided not to remove them from the Club or deprive them of their rights. They are brothers, even though they are filming in other lands. The 05, former vice president, left the country some time ago; but he came to visit Cuba and the first thing he did was meet with his brothers. He was in La Piragua, he met the new members and said that there he was able to create the E-Racing Miami chat, to connect all the brothers who are today on the other side of the Strait.
10. Alliance
When they caught fire Supertankers in Matanzas, the different electric motorcycle clubs came together in a large caravan to bring medical supplies and other aid. Despite the differences, the journey brought them together. The members of eight clubs slept together in a campsite, ate together, rode at the same time and arrived at the City of Bridges as a large family of electric motorists that they called “The Alliance”. The president tells me that the idea of founding the union was born organically, with the aim of supporting the people of Matanzas. The common goal is “that everyone loves each other, because we are living in difficult times.” Today they organize joint activities, and the bond of love and brotherhood that distinguishes them is strengthened.
