Gracias a la vida que me ha dado tanto
Me ha dado la marcha de mis pies cansados
Con ellos anduve ciudades y charcos
Playas y desiertos, montañas y llanos
Y la casa tuya, tu calle y tu patio – Jorge Drexler
Each year, Australia to Cuba with Love and the Big Ride for Palestine Australia bring people together in solidarity with two beleaguered countries under blockades by the United States (Cuba) and Israel (Palestine)— and this year, we rode to raise awareness of nearly 1,000 days of Israel’s genocide in Gaza and to end the United States blockade of Cuba.
Wearing From Australia to Cuba with Love and the Big Ride for Palestine Australia jerseys, Lachlan and Ian joined thousands of riders from 19 different countries in the UCI accredited race. They began the course near the Botanic Gardens and finished the 80 kilometres ride with a spectacular ride across the Story Bridge. Ian finished first in his age category on a pedal assist recumbent with a time of 02 hrs 24 mins 39 secs. Lachlan Hurse finished second in his age category, riding an unassisted road bike, clocking the same time as Ian.
We were treated warmly by other participants and had interesting discussions with members of the bike riding community afterwards.
Here are some images capturing Lachlan and Ian participating in this year’s event — moments of determination, international solidarity with the Cuban and Palestinian people, and joining in the spirit of the ride.
Viva Cuba libre!
From the river███████████████████ [Redacted under Queensland Government directive (2026).] Palestine will be free!
Ian Curr
14 April 2026
Hi,
Watch:
https://youtu.be/JzWMouhvDeM?si=yExlR1SJ0YRhhCDQ
Brilliant but so sad. I spent about a month in Cuba and loved the place. I am very familiar with its history and travelled widely on the island.
When Obama was in power, I was an optimist. Cuba would survive as Obama allowed US tourism there. Now, with Trump and Rubio, is it a matter of luck or US imperialism’s final triumph.
I found both Cubans and Brazilians so similar – so full of life and outgoing. Music and dance were everywhere all night long! Cuba and Brazil were the party town capitals of the world.
Contrary to Western media presentation of Cuba: Poor but optimistic and full of LIFE!
Love,
Jim
—
Jim Beatson, Journalist
https://jimbeatsonjournalist.blogspot.com/2009/
https://jimbeatsonjournalist.blogspot.com/2025/
109 Kandanga Creek Rd,
Kandanga
Qld 4570
Tel: m 0409 049 835
E: jimbeatson@gmail.com
The “From Australia to Cuba with Love” campaign, organized by the Australia-Cuba Friendship Society (ACFS), is a solidarity initiative designed to raise awareness about the US blockade of Cuba while raising funds for medical supplies and developmental projects. Running annually (often from June to July), participants walk, run, cycle, or swim to symbolically bridge the 14,886 km distance between the two nations.
Please support the upcoming From Australia to Cuba with Love campaign, now in its fourth year … it will involve a series of events in June in July, including bike rides, walks, and cultural events. ACFS is meeting in Canberra this weekend, nutting out the national campaign to end the US siege of Cuba 🇨🇺
Stay tuned to WBT!
in solidarity,
Ian Curr
16 April 2026