2016 WINTER LAKES RIDE CHARITY

I thought I better tell the riders about this years charity we are supporting on the 2016 Winter Lakes Ride. As usual I put out the feelers for a suitable charity to support, in recent years we have supported men’s health, women’s health and children so I was at a loss as to where to head next. That is until some of the riders mentioned a charity run by an old school mate of theirs – Mitch McPherson.

Mitch lost his brother to suicide in 2013 which inspired him to spread the message in the community for people to speak up about their problems and that nothing is so bad that you cant talk about it. The man is an absolute dynamo when it comes to spreading that message. SPEAK UP! Stay ChatTY seemed like a good charity to me.

I contacted Mitch to find out a bit about the charity and his involvement with motorcycles to make the connection with 50 odd riders smashing through the snow, mud and ice on the central plateau of Tasmania in sub zero temperatures. The result? No motorcycle experience whatsoever. Nothing. So we decided to make some stuff up – his favourite brand of motorcycle is Husqvarna, he enjoys watching hard enduro and sinking Boags Premium at just above freezing temperature. I gave Mitch a quick questionnaire that reveals a bit about a persons character for the readers:

(From the Pilot set)

What is your favorite word?
-Unjud (Really, in Arabic)

What is your least favorite word?
-Commit

What turns you on creatively, spiritually or emotionally?
-Fresh air

What turns you off?
-confined spaces

What is your favorite curse word?
-Shit

What sound or noise do you love?
-RnB music

What sound or noise do you hate?
-knives and forks scratching plates

What profession other than your own would you like to attempt?
-Policeman

What profession would you not like to do?
-surgeon

If Heaven exists, what would you like to hear God say when you arrive at the Pearly Gates?
-“Mitch, come sit with your brother Ty”

Some of the answers reveal that maybe Mitch isnt so different from us after all. We love being out in the fresh air on our bikes and dread the surgeons knife after we’ve kartwheeled them. The other unfortunate thing is that all of us know someone who has been touched by suicide. So lets get behind him and the SPEAK UP! Stay ChatTY cause and help make a difference.

Shane Smith

Head Honcho
Tasmaniacs

Ph. 0409 508 247