The true revolutionary is guided by a great feeling of love. It is impossible to think of a genuine revolutionary lacking this quality. – Che Guevara
On 11 June 2023, Lachlan Hurse and Ian Curr participated in the annual Brissie to Bay cycle ride to raise consciousness about the predicament of the Cuban people struggling against a hostile blockade by the United States.
For the second year running, From Australia to Cuba with Love poses this challenge to help campaign to end the US Blockade of Cuba: Join our collective challenge – 14,886 km from 3 June – 30 July 2023. We’ll also be raising funds for vital medical equipment for the people of Cuba.
If you wish to join friends of Cuba in this ride/walk for Cuba please sign up here
Today Lachlan and Ian participated in the Brizzie to bay event for the second time held to assist people suffering for from multiple sclerosis. The organisation behind this ride raises about $1.2 million each year. The annual event has been going for 30 years and seems to be the main financial backbone of medical research into multiple sclerosis in Queensland. The good thing about this ride is that it is grassroots, about 6,500 riders participate. There are no politicians involved. Participation by the state is limited and the government is probably thankful that someone has taken up the challenge against this disease.
I saw people suffering from MS on various types of bikes ranging from low riding recumbents to upright three wheel bikes driven by electric motors. I am told MS people are getting into e-bikes funded by NDIS. The electric bike is a boon to people suffering from this disease and an aid to someone like myself who is 73 this year. Along the way we encountered some very fast riders who kept shooting past us. It was good to be able to stand at the finish line and clap the riders as they came through, men and women, young people, old people, riders of all shapes and sizes.
People along the route clapped us enthusiastically sitting out in their driveways drinking their morning tea or coffee.
Like last year it was great to sit down and have a coffee with local songwriters Sue Monk and Lachlan Hurse (Jumping Fences) and listen to the Baker Boys, a funky band singing some great covers. What a great bass player, good vocalist and drummer. We spoke about two great songwriters, Cynthia Weil and Barry Mann, who worked in the Brille building in New York. Songs like We gotta get out of here.
Here are some photos of our ride today.
Viva Cuba, viva la revolution!
Ian Curr
12 June 2023
From Australia to Cuba with Love: Day 4. ‘The Brisbane River Just Keeps Rolling Along’
Much of my cycling has been centred on the Brisbane River valley, and particularly ‘The River Loop’ which is a designated bikeway, sometimes separated from traffic and other times shared. The option of including a ride around the landmark of Mt Coot-tha creates a very satisfying ride, with climbing, forests, birdlife, scenery and a great view over the city to Moreton Bay and the nearby islands. There is plenty of time for contemplation about the state of the world, global politics, the struggle for a more just world, free from inequality, environmental degradation and the threat of war.
The Brisbane River, (like the Mississippi) is indifferent to all this, as Paul Robeson sings in ‘Ol’ Man River’ ‘it just keeps rolling along’.
Nevertheless his variation to the lyrics of the song also say,
‘But I keep laughing, instead of crying, I must keep fighting till I’m dying…’
And that seems to sum up the spirit of the Cuban people in their struggle for sovereignty, against the US Blockade and for the principles of the Cuban Revolution.
You can still join or sponsor the campaign: https://from-australia-to-cuba-with-love-2023.raisely.com/
#fromaus2cubawithlove
#unblockcuba