It's got two wheels and a set of handlebars, but the unusual characteristic for world champion cyclist Eddie Dawkins is that it won't be his legs doing the work as he rides across the Bay of Plenty raising awareness for dementia.

Today and tomorrow, Dawkins and coach Anthony Peden - former trainer to Casey Stoner - are lending their support to Alzheimers New Zealand by suiting up for a charity motorcycle rally around the central North Island.

World Champion and Commonwealth Games medal winning cyclist Eddie Dawkins at The Strand for his Ride for Dementia. Photos: Bruce Barnard.

Beginning in Auckland this morning, the pair are passing through Tauranga and Whakatane today, before taking in Taupo and Rotorua tomorrow.

For the 25-year-old Southland sprint star, the illness is something close to his heart after his grandfather passed away from dementia and his grandmother has also become affected by the condition.

'It's been a huge part of my life this illness and it's affected those dearest to me,” says Eddie, speaking to SunLive during his Tauranga pit stop.

'The worst thing for me was seeing my grandparents forget who they are.”

Dawkins won silver at the 2010 Delhi Commonwealth Games in the men's sprint and bronze in the men's 1km time trial.

At this year's UCI Track World Championships in Paris, Dawkins clichéd silver in the Keirin final.

And with a desire to see alzheimers affect less people and their families in the future, he's getting on his bike to promote measures that reduce the risk of developing dementia, including keeping fit and healthy, being socially engaged and keeping your brain active.

Two days ago Eddie graduated on to his full motorcycle license, and before the charity ride, he hadn't ridden anything bigger than 650cc motorcycle.

Now he's comfortably straddling a 1650cc Harley Davidson on his quest to raise awareness.

'On a bike that loud it's pretty easy to turn heads,” he says. 'I was saying earlier we should put some donation buckets on the handle bars and idle through town.

'It's a great way for people to get involved.”

Alzheimers New Zealand executive director Catherine Hall says dementia is one of the nation's most significant health care challenges and is thankful of Eddie's support.

Nationwide, 50,000 people currently suffer from dementia and this number is expected to triple by 2050 with the growing population.

Eddie and the tour will be in Whakatane this afternoon, from 3.30-4.30pm, at 'The Gap' at The Strand.

Anyone wanting to support Eddie by making a donation to Alzheimers NZ can do so by clicking here.