Tag Archives: Health

Motorcycle News, News

Black Dog 1 Dayer rides return

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Black Dog Ride Australia (BDRA) annual 1 Dayer charity rides for mental health issues are back in 2022, as well as last year’s popular “virtual” 1 Dayers.

The 1 Dayer 2022 will be held at various locations around Australian on Sunday 20 March to kickstart a national conversation about depression and suicide prevention. 

Over the past two years, Covid lockdowns have forced the cancellation of the annual Ride to the Red Centre.

So the BDRA conducted a survey to search for a new direction in 2022.

The return of 1 Dayers and the retention of the popular “virtual” 1 Dayers for those who can’t attend for health, distance or other reasons seems to be one of the results of the survey.

Registrations are now open for both events.

Participants will receive a rider’s kit including an embroidered 1 Dayer patch, a round 1 Dayer 2022 participation bike sticker and a new `Black Dog Rider’ small bike sticker.

Riders who do the “virtual” event can ride solo or with a group of friends.

BDRA has had a couple of “ruff” years due to changes in leadership and the pandemic.

BDRA was started by Steve Andrews after his solo ride around Australia in 2009 to raise awareness of depression and suicide prevention.

His shock retirement in 2017 was followed by a series of changes in leadership, board membership and administrative staff that the organisation admitted in 2019 had left them “in a state of flux”.

Over the past two years, Covid lockdowns have forced the cancellation of the annual Ride to the Red Centre.

Source: MotorbikeWriter.com

Motorcycle News, News

Is coronavirus a threat to riders?

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Our memes about the threat of coronavirus (above and below) have gone viral and been cited by several websites.

Virus meme pandemic coronavirus Covid-19

They may be humorous, but make no mistake; this pandemic is no laughing matter.

Virus threat

It has caused death and serious illness, the cancellation of major events, closing of borders and states of emergency in several countries. Click here for how it has affected motorcycling, in particular.

We’re no medical experts, so we reference the World Heath Organisation’s advice for avoiding the threat of coronavirus. Click here for details.

It basically says to wash your hands frequently and avoid crowded areas.

Obviously, if you have any of the symptoms, you should self-quarantine.

But if not, riding should be safe.

After all, riders wear a face mask of sorts and protective gloves, plus riding is a sort of isolation.

Riders also usually head out into the country where there is less chance of big group gatherings.

And we often stop for lunch at small coffee shops and restaurants. That means less chance of contracting the virus while also putting money in the pockets of small businesses.

We have not heard of any group rides being cancelled and planning is still ongoing for the Dubbo Rally in May.

Ride days

California Superbike School BMW K 1200 S track day - simpleRide day in Sydney

Motorcycling Events Group Australia which operates ride days at Sydney Motorsports Park and Phillip Island says they will go ahead, despite the virus.

They believe that the nature of their ride days makes for a “minimal risk of exposure”. They also supply hand sanitiser and follow WHO advice. 

Health tips

So, if you are out riding, here are a few tips to ensure your safety from the virus:

  • Wash hands thoroughly and frequently;
  • Use hand sanitiser frequently (put a small container in your jacket pocket);
  • Avoid touching your own eyes, nose and mouth (easy with a helmet on!);
  • Avoid physical touching of others, including shaking hands unless you have your gloves on;
  • Cover your nose and mouth if coughing or sneezing, and wash your hands immediately after;
  • Avoid others who are coughing and sneezing;
  • Wear breathing protection such as your helmet;
  • Avoid large groups;
  • Use your credit card instead of cash when buying fuel and food; and
  • Pack your own toilet paper!

Source: MotorbikeWriter.com

Motorcycle News, News

Jacket protects from bushfire smoke

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Italian motorcycle rider protection company SPIDI is working on a smog-proof jacket and mask that could protect riders from the current bushfire smoke spread across NSW and Queensland.

The Spidi Mission Beta is currently just a concept.

However, it seems to be an advancement on their Beta Pro which has a special waterproof membrane and face mask.

How it works

The Mission Beta mask features an air pollution sensor that provides the rider with visual warnings on air pollution via an OLED display on the jacket’s left arm or clutch side. It also vibrates to warn of rising levels.

spidi mission beta concept smoke acket
Warning level display

When the level rises above low, your magic consider using the mask. If it reaches “high” better gear that mask on now!

The sensor system turns on when the jacket is moved and off when it is still so you don’t waste battery.

The mask is designed to work with any motorcycle helmet.

Smoke dangers

Many riders are resorting to wearing face masks or neck socks to protect them from the current bushfire smoke.

Certainly they filter the big carbon particles which can worsen asthma and other respiratory conditions or penetra, cause coughing and shortness of breath and irritate your eyes, nose and throat.

However, they are useless against the finer particles that can penetrate deep into your lungs, causing inflammation that can exacerbate existing health conditions such as asthma, emphysema and heart problems.

In 2017, French company R-PUR developed a face mask to protect against these fine pollutants which are present in urban commuting even when there aren’t bushfires.

smoke
R-PUR mask

Spidi says riders are exposed to air pollution around 100 times more than drivers and 10 times more than pedestrians or cyclists.

It’s worth noting that air pollution is the fourth biggest cause of death in the world with 5.5m fatalities a year.

It also apparently can take more than two years off your life expectancy if you are exposed to it on a daily basis.

Source: MotorbikeWriter.com

Motorcycle News, News

Motorcycle riding is good for your health

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Motorcycles are not only economical commuters and fun tourers, but they also have many health benefits.

If you want to keep yourself both mentally and physically fit, but don’t have time for the gym, try riding a motorbike.

The following are some of the main advantages of riding a bike:

1) Improves brain power:

Driving a car does not require much thought since most cars are automatic and have a host of driver aids, including adaptive cruise control, lane departure, etc. Riding a bike requires much more brain power to manage the clutch, gear shift and brakes for both the front and back.
A high level of concentration is required to keep yourself stable on the bike due activating various parts of the brain. It therefore increases your concentration and thinking power.

2) Relieves stress:

Are you feeling stressed? Riding a motorbike can reduce your stress level just as play mobile roulette – SmartphoneGambler.com not only passes the time, but also allows you the chance to win huge prizes.

According to Roadtrippers.com riding a motorbike is beneficial for mental health. A ride on a motorcycle can make you mentally strong enough to face daily life challenges. During a ride, you will be exposed to the sunlight which increases your body’s evils of serotonin which is referred to as the “happy chemical” as it improves your mood.

3) Muscle workout:

While moving in a car, your body remains at rest supported by a seat with almost no muscular activity. When riding a bike, your arms, legs, neck and core muscles remain active. They help you balance and prevent you falling back or forward under acceleration and braking.

According to riderplus.com, your heart becomes stronger, stress hormones drop and blood pressure is reduced.

Conclusion

Motorcycles are fun as well as practical. But they also affect your mental and physical health. It lowers stress, improves your mood and gives your body a mild workout.

Source: MotorbikeWriter.com

News

Combat medic plans ‘medicycle’ for indigenous

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A former elite soldier and combat medic is raising funds to buy and equip a “medicycle” to bring crucial medical relief to indigenous communities in far north Australia.

Rick Carey, 64, of the Snowy Mountains, recently completed a three-month, 25,000km fundraising trip through the Northern Territory on his Royal Enfield Classic 500 Pegasus.Combat medic plans 'medicycle' for indigenous Rick Carey Royal Enfield Classdicx 500 Pegasus limited edition

He raised more than $8000 for soldiers suffering from post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD).

Now he plans to return to far north indigenous communities each dry season on a specially equipped medical motorcycle to provide medical relief.

GofundmeCombat medic plans 'medicycle' for indigenous Rick Carey Royal Enfield Classdicx 500 Pegasus limited edition

He’s calling the project Muriel the Medicycle and has launched a Gofundme campaign.

Motorbike Writer supports a lot of charity riders who raise money for good causes. Some critics suggest these riders are just using charity and crowdfunding to pay for their holiday.

However, Rick points out that he sold one of his favourite motorcycles, an original 1998 R1, to fund the first ride.

“I put out over $20,000 to fund my first trip,” the pensioner says.

“I was not going to be accused of using donations to fund the trip.

“I only managed to raise $8000 but I also raised a lot of awareness of PTSD as I’m a former suffer myself.”

Rick has seen combat all over the world with the British Army and has worked with the Australian Special Forces.

Combat medicCombat medic plans 'medicycle' for indigenous Rick Carey Royal Enfield Classdicx 500 Pegasus limited edition

As a combat medic, he is now keen to provide medical relief to the indigenous communities he visited on his first trip.

“I never planned to do this but I left the Northern Territory in tears,” he says.

“I couldn’t believe the conditions they were living in.

“I was totally shocked by the disease and injuries these people were living with and even more saddened by the fact they are Australia’s forgotten people with little in the way of aid or medicines to improve their 1700s living conditions.”

Good SamaritanCombat medic plans 'medicycle' for indigenous Rick Carey Royal Enfield Classdicx 500 Pegasus limited edition

Rick says he is covered by the Good Samaritan laws.

“I’ll only be doing first aid, nothing radical. Just making people more comfortable.”

Rick hopes to raise $50,000 to buy a BMW F 850 GS and equip it with medical supplies.

“I need a decent off-road bike to handle the conditions that the Enfield couldn’t,” he says.

He plans to head north again in August 2019 and will document the trip to help educate the Australian public on the plight of remote indigenous communities.

“We can continue to ignore the fact Australian children are dying in our own country, or like me we can actually do something without being hamstrung by political agendas,” he says.

“It’s better to do a little good for a few people than nothing at all.”

Source: MotorbikeWriter.com