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My Black Dog 'Buster'
A journey with the Black Dog.
Friday, September 30, 2011
Wednesday, August 17, 2011
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!
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!
Monday, May 16, 2011
Monday, May 2, 2011
Saturday, April 30, 2011
Thursday, December 23, 2010
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
Black Dog Ride to the Red Centre documentary
Friday, November 12, 2010
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.
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.
Rob, Raz, Andrew, James (aka Numbnuts), Tony and I


Tuesday, October 12, 2010
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?
Saturday, October 9, 2010
Namesake
Here is another way to keep the black dog at bay. Even the ball says so!
Disco bowling with the family.
Sunday, September 26, 2010
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.
Saturday, September 18, 2010
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.
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.


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.
Monday, September 13, 2010
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
Sunday, September 12, 2010
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.
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!
amazing moment and a real buzz. I couldn't stop smiling!
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.
Saturday, September 11, 2010
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!
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.
Thursday, September 9, 2010
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.
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.
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.
Wednesday, September 8, 2010
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!
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.
Tuesday, September 7, 2010
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......
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