Bear Buster!

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Black Dog Ride 2011

So it's on again and I am really looking forward to seeing some old mates from last years ride. Work commitments mean I am unable to go all the way this time which is a bummer but I am really excited to be presenting one of the community sessions on behalf of the Black Dog Institute.

I will be presenting at 6.30pm August 21st at the Empire Hotel in Young, in Western NSW. All the Sydney riders will be there and it is the first night of the ride so we will be pumped!

Cant wait!

U 9 Soccer Buster

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Arrival at Mudgee Mens Shed

Nathan Gyaneshwar from mobile.

Arrival at Mudgee Mens Shed

Micha makes coffee!

Black Dog Ride 2010 draft of Documentary

Here is a preview of the Documentary being made of the Black Dog Ride 2010. It features yours truly in several scenes and gives you a great idea of the feel of the ride as well as tackling some of the more difficult elements surrounding depression. Some parts are a little heavy but very impactful and necessary to get the full picture. Enjoy.

Black Dog Ride to the Red Centre documentary

Giant Novelty Cheques are Cool!

We were invited over to the Black Dog Institute for afternoon tea with the Black Dog team and Professor Parker to officially present the proceeds from the Black Dog Ride 2010. It was great to see some of the guys again. Black Dog Ride organiser, Steve Andrews came over from Perth for the event and trooper Glen came up from Melbourne.

Rob, Raz, Andrew, James (aka Numbnuts), Tony and I

Other than being happy to see each other, we were all pretty proud to have contributed to providing the Black dog Institute (BDI) with nearly $80 thousand bucks toward their great community work and all important research. Hearing about the various programs they run certainly made it well worth the effort. I have no doubt alot of people benefit from the work of the BDI.

Afterwards there was drinks and an evening donor update where there were presentations by the Black Dog team on the work they do and the benefits of that work. Inspirational stuff with many hard working people, many of whom are volunteers. This place saves lives. It was great to see swimming legend and an absolute inspiration Geoff (Skip) Huegill there as the newest Black Dog Ambassador.

BDI Executive Director Prof Gordon Parker and Chairman Peter Joseph presented awards to many supporters of the BDI's work. I was honored to be presented with a plaque for being the largest individual fundraiser on the ride. I was truly humbled. Another huge thanks to all those people who supported me and the BDI with your generous donations. It all went to a very worthy cause, I can assure you.

Turkey Talk

On a walk this morning and saw this guy walking beside me for a couple of blocks. Apparently they were wiped out during the great depression ad sydneysiders used them as a free foodsource.

Far more sightings in suburban areas now but this is the first I have seen in our area.

Anyone have a decent Turkey recipe?

Namesake

Here is another way to keep the black dog at bay. Even the ball says so!

Disco bowling with the family.

A stroll through Art Deco Napier NZ

Sometimes a solo stroll in town when it is essentially deserted is so nice. No hustle or bustle. You notice things more as the distraction of the shops is far less. Makes a nice change.

Buster is back!

After a week in the back of a truck covering 3,500km, Buster is home! Catching the train to work was nice for the first couple of days but then I missed riding. Its something about a few minutes each day with 100% focus on riding without an artificial environment in the shell of a car or train.

The sights, sounds and smells I experience while riding really refresh me each day. The problem is getting to my destination still wanting to ride further!

Buster was very dirty from the last couple of legs out to Glen Helen from Alice Springs. Poor Buster.

I gave buster a bath and washed away the red dust. At first it was a little distressing as with several wipes of the wash cloth uncovered a scratch, chip or other flaw inflicted on the trip. After a while I realised that these little scars were simply a lasting reminder of the wonderful experience that was The Black Dog Ride for 2010.They add character to Buster and I hope that in the future I will look at these little marks and reminisce on the ride and all the experiences I shared with my new friends.

It was also a little emotional stripping off the Black Dog Ride stickers I had on the bike. It really marked the end of this Journey. Happy memories and I cant wait for the next one!

Moving into the future with a clean and shiny Buster to take to the road and get the "mood cacoon" when I stick my helmet on back into my daily routine. Thanks to my trusty steed Buster for taking me on  such a wonderful ride and bringing me home safely. I look forward to many more trips together.

Done

The Black Dog Ride 2010 is over and I am home. It was so great to see P and H at the airport. I missed them alot. I cant possibly put into words what the ride was like and what it meant to me. Hopefully you have a feel for it from the posts I made from my phone as I went.

On the surface the ride was a great success and I think the original premise of raising awareness of Depression and Bi-Polar has well and truly been achieved at many different levels. While modest, it is certainly the start of something bigger and the Black Dog Institute I am sure is happy with the outcome both financially and PR wise. The ride has raised over $60k in cash.

Personally, the time on the road was a golden time. Time on my own, meeting people with so many things in common and riding and talking bikes. The people I met have been very sharing of their own very personal experiences and that was special. Hearing all these stories makes it more tangible as well as illustrated how important it is to talk to others about Depression. 

I have met met some great blokes I will defiantly keep in touch with and hopefully the odd ride will be involved!

For those who have supported me in so many ways and in particular those following my blog posts I will add photos and fill in some blanks over the next few weeks. The main lessons I learnt, I need to work out how best to share. I will add some posts on these lessons.

What ever happens this is an experience I shall never forget.

Give the Black Dog a Pat!

N

Part of the Eastern Crew

Sad to leave the team this morning at Glen Helen but very happy to have met them all, shared our stories and spent time with a top bunch of blokes.

 

 

Raz and James

hese 2 guys put in a big effort to make this ride happen.

Raz on the left is one of the founders of Riding4aCause and organised the Sydney riders. James (aka "Numnuts" for stacking it into the back of Buster) worked his butt off on Glens bike to keep it going. He pulled of the tyre and exaust, cleaned all the plugs and tightened up all the sump gaskets at various times. All while trying to keep his own ride going. He really did a great and selfless thing. Respect to Raz and James.

 

 

Glen Made It!

Man this guy is a champion. In the face of buckets of adversity, Glens mission to reach Glen Helen in tribute to his sons has become a reality. Bloody BRILLIANT!!!! Great moment.

 

 

Buster and I Made It!

Buster did not miss a beat the whole way even with a lack of his preferred tipple (98 RON). I love that bike and we are closer than ever.

The Convoy Arrives at Glen Helen

We finally arrived in full convoy at Glen Helen resort. It was an
amazing moment and a real buzz. I couldn't stop smiling!

Stunning

Final Leg

Half way to Glen Helen resort in the stunning Macdonnel ranges. The convoy of about 80 bikes is awesome. We left Alice in close formation and reached this rest stop to find the beautiful view of the ranges. We were all very excited and a bit emotional to be this close to our ultimate destination.

Angry Anderson

Impromtu and very open interview with Angry Anderson, the "Angry Ambasador for the Black Dog Ride". He was very supportive and gave a great talk at Glen Helen on the final night. The interview is a little confronting in its openess but is a good account of why he was involved. Thanks Angry!

Credit to Dazza B for taking this. You can also see his blog of the ride.

Breaky in Alice

Black Dog Rides out of Alice Springs

The Internet Shuts Down......

Paparazzi

Glen arrives at the last main stop 200 km before Alice. He us an absolute trooper.

His ribs were causing him alot of pain from his earlier accident but he rode the 700km from Coober Pedy to Alice Springs today.

Our Media Vehicle

Alice!

We made it

Marla

Harley stop

Underground

My bathroom is 3 meters underground. It's quiet!

Coober pedy hotel

We made it!

Glen made it.

Our oldest rider glen. He is fighting some rough arthritis pain be he's an absolute trooper. He fell over a couple of nights ago helping a local in Renmark push start his Royal Enfield and cracked his brow on the gutter. That's why he has a black eye. I can't wait to see him make it all the way.

Middle of nowhere

About 100ks from Coober Pedy. Absolutley beautiful country allthe way. Amazing.

Glendambo for lunch

Half way to Coober Pedy

With Dennis

BIG roadtrain

We passed this massive roadtrain on the road. It has now caught up with us at a roadhouse stop. We rode the last 100km into a pretty strong headwind which was tiring. The countywide is very sparse but beautiful. The recent rains have made it all green.

Woomera

Fuel stop in Woomera. The ride was beautiful.

East meets West

All the riders from all over Australia come together this morning ride out of Port Augusta. It was awesome riding out together and I admit once we were about 5 km out on the open road I had a tear of joy in my eye. A special moment I will always remember.

Long range tank

Extended tank on the Harley !

Breaky

Guess where we are....?

Met Steve Andrews in Port Augusta

We made it to Port Augusta and finally met Steve Andrews the founder of the Black Dog Ride. Awesome convoy into town and arrived safe and sound. Yay!

Crystal Brook

Harley stop here after many bike dramas for our oldest rider. Flat tyre.

Burra

BBQ with some Ulysses riders joining us in Burra South Australia

Ferry Crossing

On the way to Burra

The Waikerie Bakery

It rhymes. The Black Dog team with new member Samps after a shortish leg from Renmark which was beautiful. I love the Murray River.

Renmark

Just arrived in Renmark on the beautiful Murray River. My son H will be jealous! This is the fire in front of my cabin. Ah the serenity......

South Australia

At the SA boarder