With the imprressive Triump Ride on the last day of British Week 2025, the exciting days of festivities organised by the Embassy of the United Kingdom in Paraguay came to an end on Saturday 13 September. Several events were held to foster relations between the UK and Paraguay. A fish & chips demonstration, a networking event with The Asunción Times, Chevening events, and many other activities were offered to Asuncenos.
The Triumph Ride, a motorcycle ride from Luque to Nueva Londres, a city in the Department of Caaguazú, was organised on the day that concluded British Week 2025. The Asunción Times went to have a look.
Getting ready for the journey
At the Triumph Motorcycle dealership in Luque, a dozen riders were getting ready for the journey. Nueva Londres is located 140 kilometres east of Luque and Asunción, and takes approximately two hours to reach. Alexia Arrellaga, the shop manager, was telling The Asunción Times that the bikers often ride their motorcycle on Saturday afternoons, or Sunday during the day. And so, everybody was excited to ride their bikes again, especially in this beautiful weather.
Triumph Motorcycle’s presence in Paraguay
Triumph Motorcycle was founded in 1885 in England by the German Siegfried Bettman. The company has been present in Paraguay for ten years, and its main shop is located near the Pettirossi Airport. There, you can look at different models in the showroom, but also drink coffee in a small lounge created to plan trips.
Apart from weekend trips and the Triumph Ride, Alexia said, the riders also plan longer trips in groups of 10 to 15. The next ride will be in October 2025, leaving Paraguay to Argentina and Chile, and then returning. Clients of Triumph Motorcycle and riders from the Triumph Ride also contribute to the community. They participate each year in The Distinguished Gentleman’s Ride (DGR), driving with around 300 other motorcyclists in Asunción. The goal is to raise awareness of men’s health, and prevent prostate cancer.
From Colonia Nueva Australia to Nueva Londres
In the late 19th century, the idea of creating a utopian socialist community took root far from the cities and political capitals of the world. One of the most ambitious experiments was New Australia, an Australian-backed colony founded by William Lane. Lane was a passionate journalist, socialist reformer, and advocate for cooperative living. Born in the UK, he lived in the United States, Canada, and Australia before considering a move to South America.
In 1893, Lane led a group of Australian settlers to Paraguay. He was inspired by his desire to create a new socialist society rooted in egalitarian principles. With the help of Richard Smith and John Kennedy, the colony, called New Australia (Colonia Nueva Australia), was established. Lane’s vision was to build a community where land, work, and decision-making were shared equally.
Despite lofty ideals, life in New Australia proved difficult. The settlers faced harsh environmental conditions, linguistic and cultural barriers, as well as internal disagreements. Over the years, the community struggled to thrive economically and socially, and Lane’s leadership was often challenged.
Following internal conflicts and economic hardships, the community gradually evolved. By the early 20th century, the colony was known as Nueva Londres to honour its roots, a symbol of its ties to Lane’s homeland.
Nueva Londres today
Today, the community has a population of around 3,594 people according to the government census. While the population now speaks in Spanish and Guaraní, there are still elements connecting Nueva Londres to its original settlers. Prior to Manuel Solís, the mayor of Nueva Londres was David Smith Kennedy, a descendant of those who helped establish the colony.
Agriculture and cattle raising are the two main elements of the Nueva Londres economy. They are also welcoming of everyone who wants to stop by, with or without a motorcycle.
For more information, follow Triumph Paraguay on Instagram.
