Black Dog Riders at the 90 mile straight sign. Photos: Craig Goodman
The Black Dog Riders visited Esperance this week as part of their annual national tour.
They were invited to The Rotary Club of Esperance’s weekly meeting where ride founder Steve Andrews and South Australia ride coordinator Craig Goodman shared some insight into the purpose of the project.
Mr Andrews, who blinked back tears through the whole talk, said the idea for the Black Dog Ride was inspired by the people he lost to suicide.
“I had a very overwhelming feeling that we weren’t really dealing with this problem of depression and talking about it like we should,” he said.
“I decided – with emotions running very high – that I needed to do something.”
Mr Andrews said he had a life-long dream to ride around Australia on his motorbike and decided to combine this goal with his new mission and started his first Black Dog Ride solo in 2009.
“The ride just gathered momentum everywhere I went,” Mr Andrews said.
“They heard what I was doing, and they would come out to meet me on the way.
“It was like I was giving people permission to talk about it by me driving around with my little black dog on the back.
“By the end of the ride; I knew I had finished the ride, but the mission had just begun.”
Now members of the Black Dog Ride come from all over Australia to ride together in the annual national tour.
Many riders such as Craig Goodman, who said joining the ride marked a turning point in his mental health journey.
“Black Dog has given me such a focus,” he said.
Mr Goodman said that in sharing his own story of mental illness with others “it’s amazing how much easier it is for people to broach the subject.”
“They open up themselves,” he said.
The Black Dog Riders spent one day in Esperance riding along the coastal scenic roads before they continued their journey around Australia.
Steve Andrews said he hoped the Black Dog Riders would encourage people to continue talking about how they feel.
“We just have to talk about it,” he said.
“We just have to reach out for help when we need help. Keep an eye on your mates.”
