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

Mildura

Black Dog Ride arrives in Mildura. It was beautiful riding into town with the last 15ks tree lined and very pretty. It's also nice and warm for once. Awesome ride!

Balranald morning tea

Yummo !

Dinner in Hay

The Hay lions club put on a spectacular home cooked meal at the Services club. You can see from the pic below I tried it all.

Salad, meat balls, curried sausage, lamb stew, beef curry, bolognaise, and tuna mornay. We also had apple pie with peaches and ice-cream.

Thanks to the lovely ladies from the Hay Lions for the fantastic feed!!

Back to the caravan park for a good nights sleep with a very full belly!

Black Dog Down

Bit of a scare on the ride from Goolgowi to Hay. I had raced ahead of the pack and pulled up by the side of the road to take some photos of the guys riding by. Robbie on the big black Harley Vrod Nightster pulled over as well but hit a patch of mud. He fought his front wheel digging into the mud for about twenty meters before flopping down onto his left side flat in the mud! Doh!
Right in front of me. I ran over with my camera in hand and courageously managed to snap a shot even with a man down. I got to him and he was actually stuck. His left leg was jammed under 350 kg of Harley.
I didn't know it but with his iPod playing he couldn't actually hear what I was saying but I managed to workout he wanted the bike off his leg. He said something like " could you kindly remove the motorcycle from it's current position on my lower femur?". Well words that meant the same anyway.
I had to wait the 60 seconds it took another ruder to pull over as there was
No way I could lift the bike out of the mud on my own. I'm good but not that good!
We got the bike up and Robbie was freed, and understandably pissed off. He was actually quite cool and I got him to yell some profanities to help him feel better. Don't know if that helped? Anyway the best bit was that other than a bruised leg he was OK and the bike OK to ride.
We all agreed that that was the accident sorted out for the trip.
As an aside, Michael from the Black Dog Institute managed to lay his scooter down when we arrived in Hay. That is the picture in this post. The guys picking up the scooter. Michael has the red backpack on. Not sure why I bothered reporting a scooter incident? I must be getting soft!
I have the photo of Robbie under his Harley but will wait till he has cooled
Off before I post it. He seems to be a bit sensitive that I managed to take a photo before I helped with the bike!
Anyway hopefully that's it for incidents.

Addition to post now Robbie has cooled off:

Lunch at Goolgowi

Buster and his new mates. Quick lunch stop in Goolgowi before the run to Hay. We wanted to make Hay while the sun shines. Sorry!

West Wyalong

Pitt stop for a coffee. Colin from the mens shed had given me a couple of sweet mandarins which went down well!

Leaving Grenfell

Mens Shed 2

The Mens Shed club house in Grenfell

The Mens Shed

A couple of us visitors "the Mens Shed" this morning in Grenfell where Colin runs a set of workshops where men canncome and tinker away on the wood and metal working gear. An awesome initiative and I wish there was one in Pymble! Their smoko room cum club house is an old train carriage which is pretty cool.

Day 1

Well it's goodnight Grenfell. We had a great presentation from Michael from
The Black Dog Institute. The locals were vocal in participating and some points really drove home. The highlights:
- country community counts alot in the care for schoolchildren I.e teachers have a vested interest in making sure the kids in their community are looked after
- there is a real lack if funding for support, particularly for mens, and especially indiginous mens mental health
- mental illness is not contagious! You are not going to catch it by helping or asking someone if they are OK.

Anyway the ride is off to a great start and it was amazing to have my wife, son and dad wave me off in Sydney. The cruise in convoy up the pacific highway over the Blue Mountains was awesome if cold. I was warmed to the soul when I saw my mum, sister and aunty waving and cheering from the pedestrian bridge over the highway in Blaxland. Awesomeness.

Someone even put a sign on a bridge we passed under saying " Good luck boys on the black dog ride".

People have been friendly and the other riders are all on their own missions and journey for many different reasons. In all a great mob. Fun to ride with, with many different bikes.

The scenery over the mountains and in particular between Bathurst and Cowra was beautiful. Fields of yellow flowers (canola?) and even a couple of rainbows made for some pleasant viewing even though it was raining and quite cold. The recent rains meant everything was very green and rivers and creeks full. Nice to be in the country.

Finally the people of Grenfell were very hospitable at both the motel and the pub with the Lions Club.

Very tired and a little achy from the ride. Time to sleep, another big day tomorrow.