By Mikayla van Loon
A major motorcycle ride heading off from Lilydale and travelling to Seymour, all in support of mental health awareness and suicide prevention, is just under a week away.
The 2025 Black Dog Ride One Dayer, organised by Montrose local Joel Martin and Melbourne ride coordinator Chris Seabrook, will take off from Lilydale on Sunday 16 March.
It’s the first time the event will leave from Lilydale, with thanks to The CriBB Cafe electing to host the riders for breakfast before they set off for the day.
Joel said between 50 to 100 riders have signed up, making for not only a great day out but adding to the thousands of riders across the country aiming to promote good mental health.
“The Black Dog Rides are a huge amount of fun. There’s nothing like cruising down the highway with 50 of your mates,” he said.
“For some reason people tend to smile when they see a big group of motorcycles ride through their town. I certainly smile while I’m riding one.”
Funds raised from the 2025 One Dayer will go towards vital community-based mental health projects in regional Australia, so riders and non-riders alike are being encouraged to join the cause by attending the event or donating what they can.
“We all know someone who has been touched by mental health challenges, whether directly or through a loved one. This is our chance to stand together, start conversations, and show our community that support is always available,” Chris said.
“Whether you’re riding, cheering us on, or donating, your contribution matters. Let’s make this a day to remember and continue to take a step toward much needed change.”
Getting behind the cause was a strike of fate, with Joel connecting with The CriBB’s manager Kelly over social media.
As a Bridge Builder’s social enterprise, founder and chief executive officer Phil Stenhouse was all too pleased to jump on board, as both a mental health support and motorcycle enthusiast.
“The Black Dog ride, it’s all about awareness, and it’s all about having the conversation. It’s a really dark topic, especially for men, and so to have a chat about it and talk about it, rather than taking matters into their own hands,” he said.
“Depression and mental health is irrespective of age or gender, mental health doesn’t go after a particular person, it can go after anybody at any time in their lifespan.”
Phil said while Bridge Builder’s target is young people and redirecting them “into a healthier mindset or a healthier mental health space, and put support around them that helps them in their adult life”, the Black Dog Ride encompasses all people.
“The great part about supporting something like the Black Dog Ride is it’s not done by one group. It’s done by a whole lot of people, helping people in their mental health journey become healthier people,” he said.
“We’ve just got to get involved with things so that we can get around, see, meet other people, and laughter is a fantastic medicine for feeling sad and feeling alone and feeling dark. So getting around, having a bit of fun together and for common cause is a good thing.”
Putting it out to his network of Postie Bike Riders and the Yarra Valley Hog Chapter, Phil said they have been incredibly supportive of the cause. He expects a spontaneous show and shine to be out the front of The CriBB as riders pull up.
This section of the street will be closed on Sunday morning.
Choosing this ride for the eastern suburbs because of its scenic beauty and its route through the many country towns in the Yarra Valley, Joel said will make for a wonderful day.
“It’s amazing how events like these can promote good mental health. A group of bikes parked in a country town tends to attract people and that often leads to informal chats about how people are going,” he said.
“It will be a great day out and it gives us all an excuse to pull our motorbikes out from the shed and give them a run.”
The One Dayer will start at The CriBB Cafe at 222 Main Street Lilydale at 8am for breakfast. The ride will then get underway at 9.30am.
To register or find out more, go to blackdogride.org.au/view/ride-information/1-dayer-2025
If you are experiencing a mental health crisis, or with someone who is, call Lifeline Crisis Support on 13 11 14.
