THE weather was unkind, but just over 80 riders still took part in the Bathurst leg of the annual Black Dog Ride One Dayer last Sunday.
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It was one of more than 40 rides held simultaneously across Australia.
"This year the ride went from Bathurst to Hill End for morning tea, then on to Mudgee, where riders were encouraged to spend some time in the community talking to people about the Black Dog Ride and raising awareness of depression and suicide prevention," event co-ordinator Rose Hancock said.
"A main focus is on starting conversations."
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Ms Hancock said rain and the many other events in Bathurst on the same weekend combined to reduce the ride's online registrations.
"We ended up with 81 riders and 16 pillions," she said. "After including all the volunteers, we had about 130 people involved.
"We had a year of upheaval with needing to find a new starting point, having to find someone to do breakfast for us, and this being the first year we had encountered bad weather.
"But it all came together in the end, and as usual the volunteers came out of the woodwork when needed and made the day a success."
Ms Hancock said there were a couple of showers on the first leg between Bathurst and Hill End and at one point it looked like it was all going to clear up.
"When we hit Mudgee, it was dark and gloomy all around," she said. "Not long after we had finished up, the heavens opened and the rain became torrential at times.
"I was told there was about two inches of rainfall - and our riders had to go home through that.
"This shows the dedication of the people who are involved in Black Dog Ride - that they will brave the elements to get the message out there."
Apart from a few incidents, Ms Hancock said it was a successful day "with some very positive feedback from participants".
"We had some great raffle prizes donated and, combined with generous donations, raffle sales and dice run, we have raised approximately $3000," she said.
"These funds are held by Black Dog Ride Australia to be made available to any local mental health charity to support projects they wish to do."
