Chasing down the Black Dog all the way up the East Coast
They say to do the things you enjoy in life. And for me, every second on two wheels is time well spent.
I'm riding the East Coast of Australia. Whilst taking in some of the extraordinary beauty that this country has to offer, I'll be talking about my Mental Health Journey.
And by doing this, I'm hoping to raise awareness and some funds for those that help us in our darkest times of need.
Hence, I am standing up to join Team Black Dog to turn ground breaking research into life saving action.
Mental illness affects 1 in 5 Australians every year, with the most common being depression and anxiety. Mental illness doesn’t discriminate. It affects people from all walks of life — individuals, families, workplaces and communities.
My Updates



Day 18: Airlie Beach to Townsville
Tuesday 7th Jun
Day 17: Mackay to Airlie Beach
Tuesday 7th Jun
Day 16: Yeppon to Mackay
Tuesday 7th Jun

Day 15: Agnes Water to Yeppon
Saturday 4th Jun
Day 14: Hervey Bay to Agnes Waters
Thursday 2nd Jun

A Message Of Thanks
Tuesday 31st MayA Message of Thanks
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https://youtu.be/U2pMDnSYRys
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Back on the Road tomorrow and just wanted to say thank you to all the amazing people that have helped me on this journey and inspired bravery for this cause
.
A few extra pics of other things in life right now which have my gratitude
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@kenoath.clothing.co for their amazingly generous support
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@craigmyers1974 for a place to stay, warm company and service and clean of Casey Jones
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@pageytrain for his friendship
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@throttledownunder for his time and good nature
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@kurto26s for being a mad dog
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@aimee.c.b and @natty.burto for being just freaking beautiful humans
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@jimmy_b007 for being my boy!!!
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@brett_car035 for messages and support
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@diamondheadralph for having the best music taste
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my Children for their love
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my Mum, well for pretty much everything
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@neishanoofromkalamazoo for unwavering support for all my crazy ideas
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@biggaz327 for so so so so much
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Leigh Convey for always checking in to make sure I'm off the road at the end of the day, bike riders know, Callsign Mother Hen and so very much appreciated Brother
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Looking forward to this last leg, hoping to punch that $13k Mark!!!
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Big Love and Peace to everyone who has made this possible
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#kenoath #bennyscoastrun #blackdog #blackdoginstitute @kenoath #beach #beachside #beachfront #coast #ocean #highway #hd #harley #HarleyDavidson #sportster #sportster1200 #nightster #mentalhealth @blackdoginst #livetoride #dayforit @throttledownunder @blackdoginst #Australia #Australian #Oz #Ozzie #kenoathclothingco #motorcycle #motorcyclelife #motorbikes
#depression #anxiety #lockington

Battle on the Black Top
Wednesday 25th May I spend my days in battleI fuel a machine that makes 100 Horsepower and only weighs 230kg
I get on the road with only my kevlar and wits I contend with rain and trucks and P Plate drivers and Lorna Jane Zombies in Landcruisers
Super short pipes
Black Bike
Leathers and Cuban Healed boots
I ride aggressively
I protect my lane
I make it overtly obvious of where I am and what my intentions are
I force those sleepy drones in those cars to pay attention
I do this because my kids deserve a father
I move thru towns and marvel at the architecture
I move thru the country and mediate on trees so tall they touch the heavens
Gorgeous beaches
Bluest of waters
Greens of every shade
Smells filling my nostrils
Organic to my environment
Every 150kms, I dismount, assess and fuel
I absolutely wind the charm up to 11 with every service station attendant
I deliberately disarm misconceived preconceptions
I make them smile at least, sometimes a laugh
I do this because I have opened a doorway thru the Universe and my Karma builds from happy souls
After 6 - 8 hours of this routine, I am so graciously and warmly embraced by my people
Happy that I am safe and proud of my efforts
Food tastes like I haven't eaten for a year
Beer tastes like a lifetime in the desert
I fall asleep smiling and so very keen to do it all over again
And I would
The entire country tens of thousands of dollars to help those suffering
Just doing battle on that bike every day
A place of peace and purpose Share

A country boy with beach sand on his boots
Wednesday 25th May a country boy with beach sand on his boots2200 miles of Dirt and Blue Roads
3 States
14 days
Secret beaches and private coves
traffic
And rain, so much God damn rain
Fish and Chips
High Octane Fuel
Wet and Cold and Questioning
25 Weight Oil and Airports
Unpack, pack, unpack, pack
The same coffee made 28 different ways
Old friends and New
Loves and Kin
A Universe revealing herself
Exploration inner and outer
Meaning and peace at Furious speeds
Laughter and Tears
Outpouring of emotions by people from long ago
One last leg
One final push
One last inhalation for maximum effort
The only constant is change
A sunburnt, drowned country on two wheels Share

Day 13: Sunny Coast to Hervey Bay
Wednesday 25th May

Day 12: Brisbane to Sunny Coast
Wednesday 25th May
Day 11: Gold Coast to Brisbane
Monday 23rd May
Day 10: Evans Head to Gold Coast
Saturday 21st May
Day 9: Port Macquarie to Evans Head
Saturday 21st May
Day 8: Newcastle to Port Macquarie
Saturday 21st May
Day 7: Sydney to Newcastle
Wednesday 11th May
Day 6: Sydney
Tuesday 10th May
Day 5: Batemans Bay to Wollongong
Monday 9th May
Day 4: Eden to Batemans Bay
Saturday 7th May
Day 3: Lakes Entrance to Eden
Friday 6th May
Day 2: Phillip Island to Lakes Entrance
Thursday 5th May
Day 1 Bamawm to Phillip Island
Thursday 5th May Running late to get out the gate, standard practise on any trip to be honest. Cool day in the country, rugged up and hit the black top. Broke a strap on a saddle bag just as I was about to leave. Dammit. Couple of zip ties to sort that and off we go. Rochester for a quick fuel stop. Push on down to Heathcote, it's a road I know all to well, weaving around the known potholes, bumps and fresh road kill. Mornos sponsored by Jimmy Baker, one of my old apprentices. Great to see a familiar face. Only there for 30 min and back on the road. Weather turns bitter coming into Kilmore. I fuel up and change to the warmest gloves I have. I take the city link coming into Melbourne, spewing that I didn't have the gopro on for the tunnel run. Accident southbound brings us all to a walk, I use this time to stretch and warm my body up. It's funny where you find comfort. I finally arrive at Street Machine Carnage HQ in Dandenong. The Lads are in great form. I'm there to say G'day to friends. They turn it into a fundraiser and before I can laugh, cry or comment, $1000 is added to my total. Just in awe. 3pm, I leave Dandenong and cannot stop looking at the rain clouds coming in over the bay. No escaping this, I'll end up soaked. I push on as the rain comes in. It finds a finds cracks in my armour. I deliberate the 15 min I need to stop and adjust to be dry, I decline and hang on hard for 20 more minutes. Motorists are giving me the "you're a muppet" look. Little black harley with a drowned tiprat steaming into The coastal haven of Phillip Island. As miserable as the weather is, I stay focused and head the beach for footage. People wanna see details of the trip, they have donated, I Javelin an obligation. It's always amazing for a country lad to stand in front of the raw power of the ocean. The original lava lamp. I take some shots and head to see Pat and Laura. Such amazing people, the kids keep us entertained. Later Pat and I walk down the street and have a beer with his brother Luke and his Dad Mike. It's great to be around good people and I find myself laughing hard often. Bed is a welcome leisure that evening. I lay for a minute and reflect. And just like that, it's Day 2 ShareThank you to my Sponsors

$1.5k
Northern Mechanical Services

$1.02k
Floyd Legg
This looks like an absolute blast, look forward to watching it unfold. Enjoy!!

$1,000
Ben Hewlett
The Amazing Airlie Beach Crew

$880
Mates Of Kenoath Clothing Co.
ON THE BEHALF OF ALL THE KENOATH FAMILY WE ARE SO GRATEFUL FOR YOUR LOVE AND SUPPORT.

$620
Kenoath Clothing Co.
On the behalf of the Kenoath family and all our new supporters, we wish to thank you for being stupendous in articulating an outlet for releasing mental health anguish.

$515
Paul Beckwith & Associates
What a great cause, sometimes you have to give back. Hope this helps you achieve your goals

$515
Scott Taylor
Good luck on the trip mate

$500
Lizard Man
Another on of the Maddest Airlie Beach Crew!!!!

$500
Telfo
Good on you mate, have a blast!

$500
Dylan Hams
Airlie Beach Crew

$350
Matt Reekie
🖤

$265.65
Gaz
Stay safe brother

$262.50
Clive Polidano
Best of luck enjoy and stay safe 😁👌👍

$262.50
Bluestreak Performance
Good job Rooster

$262.50
Lachlan Swain
Keep up the good work mate! Safe travels!

$260.40
Tom Gadsby
Well done mate, so proud of you. Great effort

$250
Ryan Mackintosh
Much love bro! Have a great time!

$210
John Bradley
Go for it Ben, these are matters that deserve so much more light of day discussions, good on you

$210
Lee-ann Dale
Go you good human Thriving So impressed 👏

$210
Outback Outlaw
Mate just saw your interview on Rob’s channel. Appreciate what you are doing.

$210
Renee

$210
Micko Marshall

$210
Nathon And Aimee Burton
Doing gods work legend!!!

$202
Hazey
Absolutely stoked and proud of everything you’re doing to support this great cause. Ride hard and ride safe!

$195.30
Ben Azmi
Awesome man, ride safe.

$186
Bruce Howie
2 wheels journeys are some of the best journeys, enjoy every minute Ben.

$157.50
Jake Burch
Awesome effort son!

$157.50
Ben Dwyer
Great effort mate and safe travels enjoy

$157.50
Benny Cass
Bloody great effort mate! Rocking the road-trip and sharing your story! The PTSD post was awesome, we all need to take a leaf out of your book!

$147
Jennifer & Russell Fox
Fantastic Ben. Great to help keep connection with all different types of families.

$141.75
Brett Car035 Abraham
Well done mate - EVERYTHING about this is great. Just sit down, pat that black dog & be at ease brother.

$122.85
Bondy
You’re a legend Benny! Love ya mate and your work!

$113.40
Tom Gadsby
More Chilli!

$105
Scott Kenny
What a journey, done by an absolute legend. Love your work mate!

$105
Anonymous

$105
Steve Diven

$105
Rollyy

$105
Alex Burch

$105
Jesse Harrison
You always put yourself 100% into your efforts towards others dude. Ride safe brother!

$105
The Wilkos

$105
Simon Edwards
Take good care Benny, look forward to hearing your stories

$105
Rana Manns
Go Benny, ride like the wind, proud of you mate.

$105
Josh
Get after it mate!

$105
Kent Faulkner

$105
Wardey
Safe travels Benny

$105
Alan Ferguson

$105
Nathan
What you’re doing is amazing. Blacky is nothing short of a top bloke who deserves the best. It’s good to see good people assisting where they can. Keep going mate.

$105
Backyardbuilds
Good luck mate. Great cause and a great guy doing it !!

$105
Adam Danby
Legend.

$105
Brendan Cochrane
From a ThongSlapper’ing MOOT

$105
Liam Carey
Stay safe on your ride brother, soak up all those good memories 👌👌

$105
Mat & Kat Fergusson
Amazing work my friend. You are trully the best type of human. Priveleged to call you my mate. Artè et Martè

$105
Matt & Renee Dowd
Great cause and great bloke, ride safe mate and all the best on this epic journey

$105
Just Another Andrew Smith
Top effort pornstar!!

$105
Mel Haines
So proud of you and all you have done for mental health and awareness. You have shared your story and realised such a release in your own healing journey and have had the strength to be raw and show others this journey called life. Keep moving forward and may you always feel the wind in your hair and the sunshine on your face. Keep it real and keep kicking goals. So proud.

$105
Mootshed
Here’s a couple of dollars on behalf of all of us in the MootShed You’re doing a great thing brother, we all appreciate it

$105
Jacen Kenyon

$100
Michael Lehmann
Have a good ride

$100
Jenni Cleave
You are such an inspiration my friend

$100
Craig Rowlands
So proud of you Benny and honoured to host you on the last night of your journey!

$100
Mark Williams
Love your work mate!

$100
Nick Burke
Benny, love your work mate, Didn’t get to spend as much time as I’d liked in Cobar with you being from Melbourne You are a ripping bloke and what a great cause you are doing for mens mental health. 100% behind you, looking forward to following you on your journey and hearing your story, the more we speak up the better we will all be and feel Love ya brother Burkey 🍺

$100
John And Mona Hewlett

$100
Callum Dohnt
Keep up the great work Ben!

$84
Bec Devcic
You are a bloody superstar and should be so proud of what you are doing.

$78.75
Vonny
Well done Benny, safe travels.

$63
Glenn Archer
Keep fighting the good fight brother! Get the message out there, ya doing a bang up job and your brutal honesty has got me in the feels a few times now! I know your trip will helps more than a few soles out!!

$60
David Doolan
Great effort mate. Pity im not on the east cost id join you for a day. Stay safe. Stay positive.

$52.50
Bradley Smith
Good on ya mate

$52.50
Christine Neumann
You should be proud of yourself great thing you are doing. Ride safely. Keith and Chrissie.

$52.50
Jacob Fox

$52.50
Desmond Rose
Thanks Benny for being a great bloke

$52.50
Todd Manns
Keep it vertical brother your doing a awesome job

$52.50
Deon De Meyer
Safe travels mate rippin n a tearin up the coast

$52.50
Sheena P
Enjoy the beautiful Aussie Coastline!

$52.50
Trent Neindorf
Great cause, we’ll done Legend

$52.50
Will Barker

$52.50
Marc Hendrie

$52.50
Travis Owen
Enjoy the ride

$52.50
Lauren Toye
You’re a legend Ben! Thanks for doing this & bringing more awareness to such a worthy cause. Thank you!

$52.50
Jake Fieldus

$52.50
Gards
What a Legend Benny! And a brilliant cause mate. Safe travels

$52.50
Leigh Convey
Take care in your travels brother. Beers when you're back🍺

$52.50
Jillian Dunbar
Power to you Benny. Stay safe.

$52.50
Dale Daff
Good Luck mate, enjoy the ride

$52.50
Alex Read
You’re a titan Benny

$52.50
Redmond. Adam
Get a black dog up ya 😘

$52.50
Simon Clark
Legendary effort from and absolute legendary human being. Benny's you've done a wonderful thing and we are so proud of your champion effort

$52.50
Luke Harris

$52.50
Simon Major

$52.50
Sue Crossley
Well done Benny...you made it!! You are stronger than you think. xx

$52.50
Madison Scholes
Truely inspirational Ben! Xx

$52.50
Marks Gourmet Pies

$52.50
Trent Lovett
Can never get enough awareness for mental health! Awesome job. Something I need to add to my bucket list rides.

$52.50
Jack
Ripnin brother and enjoy the ride 🤘

$52.50
Luke Evo
You are a legend! Looking forward to catching up with you when you hit Brisvegas borther.

$52.50
Justin Roylance
Top stuff mate, stay safe 👌👌👌

$52.50
Linco

$52.50
Anonymous

$52.50
Sam Mcminn
Keep on Keeping on mate!!

$52.50
James Keegan
Good on ya mate, have a safe ride.

$52.50
Broads
You're a legend, Benny!

$52.50
Pete Millynn

$52.50
Eddie & Marg Smith

$52.50
Mark Evans
All the best bro

$52.50
Jason Ballard
Great work Benny, keep up all of your great work. Great cause 👍

$52.50
Jon Smoother
All the best you bloody legend! Thanks for giving back good sir.

$52.50
Brad Barnett
Good on you Benny. You are an absolute legend of a bloke hence the outpouring of support. Keep up the great work mate.

$52.50
Ali Torney
Stay safe ride strong

$52.50
Birdman

$52.50
Jakob Boulton
Good on ya Benny ! Your a legend mate

$52.50
Jim Donovan
Go you good thing

$52.50
Tim Watts
Great work mate

$50
Richard Howlett
Ride Safe Benny.

$42
Kate Kyne
Top Effort Mate, Stay Safe & Enjoy xx

$31.50
Isaac Trueman
God speed Benny! from the VTW boys

$31.50
Heath Dunbar
Well done mate ride safe

$31.50
Beck
Ride like the wind!!

$31.50
Janelle Crockford
Look forward to following your journey Benny. Safe riding. Xx

$31.50
Damien Lipshut
Thanks Benny, your voice on the thongslappers has always had me so interested. You are a great person

$31.50
Sheena Lambie

$31.31
No-redbeard
Keep it upright and the bugs outta the beard 🤘

$30
Britto
Benny for PM 😎

$30
Alan Dyche
Almost at 10k brother

$23.33
Tobyzomb1e
👍👍👍👍

$21
Karyn Voysey
Safe travels mate.

$21
Misty
All the best!

$21
Hachewie
Here from Throttle Downunder. Thanks mate.

$21
Wesley Archbell
Hi Benny! Great cause for a great ride. Have fun and ride safe.

$21
Barb Gear

$21
Anonymous

$21
Mattyobra Odonnell

$21
Tom Smider
Good luck Hewlett, ride safe

$21
Anonymous

$21
Mik Mech

$21
Mark Cregan
you got this hope it goes well

$21
Tom Holt
When you get to Townsville i would love to shout you a few beers and hear about your trip. Cheers

$21
Michael Anthony Avard

$21
Never Latw Podcast
Well done mate, AO & Moses

$21
Rei J
Safe travel

$21
Amanda Holland

$21
Rebecca Wright
What a beautiful human you are Ben. Gosh it’s been many years since I’ve seen you. Look after yourself. What amazing work you are doing to raise awareness of mental health.

$21
Gregg Matthews
Loving your great work brother! Keep it up. Ride Safe and have a good time 🤘

$20
Troy Buzza

$20
Patty Sedat-carey

$20
Jack Houlihan

$15.75
Hal

$10.50
Anonymous
Onya Benny. Thanks for raising awareness.

$10.50
Grant Carnage
Good onya Benny. I hope the Harley makes it, I know you'll make the bike make it!

$10
Mark Hanson
Good on ya Benny. Safe travels mate.

$10
Nice work