MRA Toy Run charity and crash test dummy

Getting Christmas gifts to disadvantaged children and having a great day. That is what the Toy Run is all about. I hooked up with a few buddies for this huge ride.


Enzo and Alex, coffee before the big event
With such a huge turnout, there are always a variety of awesome bikes to see and old friends to bump into. I used to be an MRA Marshal for the Toy Run, so I know many of the organisers and officials.
Customised MV Augusta looking awesome. A lot of love has gone into this bike.

Alex Foreman and mad genius mate Steven Barrett, looking forward to a great day

Thousands of bikes, lined up to contribute to the Toy Run cause

Alex Foreman on a Suzuki M50 cruiser


My mate Andy offered me his cruiser for the day. Was fun to ride a different bike. The cruiser was no good at fast riding, but perfect for comfortably meandering up the road in a pack of bikes.


We made our way through the streets, throwing lollies to the spectating kids. Some of them were brave enough to reach and get HiFived by passing bikers. The M50 was good for this, with such a low torque engine I could idle passed an dish out HiFives to excited kids. Wish I had my daughter with me. She would love this.








Steven Barrett donating Christmas gifts for disadvantaged children
Donations are what this even is all about. I've always known the biker community to be a very generous lot. The Vinnies girls were very grateful for all the gifts.

Old school Z's on display

Crash test Dummy



Nothing like playing with the latest technology. I was "volunteered" to demonstrate the latest biker safety technology to a crowd. At $850 a set, these new biker airbags might save lives. The only thing is that you wear the airbag!

Lanyard activated Helite airbag vest
So the importer strapped me into this thing and laughed at me with a devilish grin. Then he pulled the safety lanyard and the airbags exploded around me, forming a kind of roll cage. I felt like I was being crushed and the bags felt like an instant steel chassis. My head was forced into an upright forward position and my neck was instantly braced. I couldn't move my head until the system deflated.

Alex Foreman in activated Helite airbag vest
I think this system would work well in some circumstances and protect the core of the body, but doesn't do anything for the limbs. The problem is that it only activates when thrown from the bike and the lanyard being pulled. A head on with a car wouldn't activate it.


From the past

Alex Foreman and beloved daughter Aurelia Foreman on a Kawasaki ER6n, preparing to marshal for the Adelaide Toy Run
I've done many Toy Runs. The above pic is from before my ex alienated me from my daughter. We would make a project out of decorating the bike and dressing up.

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