Motorcyclists from across the Clarence Valley and beyond are invited to join in an epic 7-day ride raising money for mental health through NSW and Victoria, that departs Coutts Crossing and culminates in the 2025 Word Superbikes races at Phillip Island.
The Black Dog Ride began in 2009 as a ride to raise awareness of depression, evolving into a national charity involving thousands of Australians who have raised millions for mental health programs and fostered mental health awareness around the nation.
Every year for the past six years up to 75 riders have joined the annual trek to the World Superbike event, with ticket proceeds to join the ride going directly back into the community for a crucial mental health initiative.
Currently 36 riders from all states of Australia have registered and there is room for more motorcyclists before ticket sales close on February 10.
With 1 in 5 Australians experiencing a mental health condition each year, 3 million Australians living with depression or anxiety, and 8 Australians taking their lives each day, equalling more than 3,000 lives lost to suicide each year, the Black Dog Ride has never been more important.
This tragic loss of loved ones to suicide drives the Black Dog Ride to build a community culture of awareness, inclusion, and acceptance.
The Black Dog Ride does this by breaking down the barrier of silence and encouraging our friends, family, and colleagues to seek help, because mental illness is just that, an illness.
Mental illness can be managed to lead a meaningful, fulfilling life, and the Black Dog Ride helps foster awareness, which is the catalyst for encouraging help seeking behaviour and preventing suicide.
The Black Dog Ride has been named the ‘Charity of Choice’ for the World Superbikes event in Australia for 2025, where there will be a three day Black Dog Ride stall in the Expo hall for people to pop by and speak to the team and learn more about the organisation, as well as a listening ear for those that need support for their own mental health.
The World Superbikes event runs from February 21 to 23 at the Phillip Island circuit, Victoria.
There will be two departure points and routes for the ride: Coutts Crossing, NSW, and Healesville, VIC, with the two rides joining together in Bright on February 16 for the final stretch to Phillip Island.
To register for the Black Dog Ride, visit https://www.blackdogride.org.au/view/ride-information/1-superbikes-2025