EVENT

CLASS DISTINCTION THE 2015 DISTINGUISHED GENTLEMAN’S RIDE WORDS/PHOTOS THE BEAR

On Sunday the 27th of September, I donned my bow tie, dress shirt, sports coat, carefully ironed slacks and loafers and boarded the official Australian MOTORCYCLIST Magazine outfit. This fine conveyance took me to Sydney University, where thousands of other spiffily dressed gentlefolk were already displaying their own outstanding conveyances.

Ah! A gathering after my taste! The Sydney ride of The Distinguished Gentleman’s Ride (DGR) was about to set off on its way around the city, to North Sydney, Government House and then back to the University. So much style gathered together in one place – and all for a good cause (apart from also showing off our outfit to as many gentlefolk as possible).

I’ll start with DGR‘s own, somewhat truncated, description of the ride and its history:

For one day a year, thousands of distinguished gentlemen (and genteel ladyfolk) in hundreds of cities worldwide don their cravats, press their tweed and sit astride their classic-styled motorcycles to raise funds for prostate cancer research and awareness. It’s a day about spreading merriment whilst raising awareness of a pressing issue.

On Sunday September 27th 2015, more than 30,000 smartly-dressed gentlefolk in more than 400 cities straddled the saddles of their café racers, bobbers,scramblers and other marvellous custom motorcycles to raise awareness and help fund the cure for prostate cancer.

In grand style, dapper gents and elegant ladies rode their steeds spreading merriment and joy throughout their communities whilst raising awareness for men’s health.

The Distinguished Gentleman’s Ride was founded in 2012 in Sydney Australia,inspired by a photo of Mad Men’s Don Draper astride a classic bike and wearing his finest suit. It was decided a themed ride would be a great way to combat the often-negative stereotype of men on motorcycles, while connecting niche motorcycle communities. That first ride brought together over 2,500 riders across 64 cities. The success of the event encouraged the founder to consider how it could be used to support a worthy cause.

And the rest, as they say, is eloquently attired history.

The Distinguished Gentleman’s Ride is a celebration of the art of being dapper and the style of classic custom motorcycles.

What does that mean, you ask?

Think: Monocles, jaunty trimmed moustaches, silk vests, crisp shirts and tailored suits.

Ride: Café Racers, Bobbers, Classics, Flat Trackers, Scramblers and quirky, undefinable two-wheeled machines.

Do: Bring your finest manners, neatest beards and a sense of fun and adventure.

Pay: Nothing to ride (entry is free); but please consider helping our charities by getting your friends and family to sponsor your involvement.

There we go. How could I improve on that (but for a few judicious grammatical improvements, it’s true)? I had a wonderful time, saw some simply stunning sights and the motorcycles weren’t bad, either.

Indeed, you will be seeing more about them in these pages. Please allow me to encourage you to consider joining in the ride in 2016; I shall certainly be there and I am already working on an Australian Standards Approved deer stalker-style motorcycle helmet.

It rained, but nothing more than a perfunctory few drops and I am grateful to the young man who was struggling into his wet weather gear as I passed, and who almost certainly caused the rain to stop.

It’s a well-known fact, don’tcha know.

So please do keep an eye on www.gentlemansride.com and remember: ride Draper, ride dapper.

 The Ride

In keeping with the classic lines of Don Draper’s 1957 Matchless G3LS in a publicity photo from Mad Men, The Distinguished Gentleman’s Ride is a niche charity event held upon the last Sunday in September with gentlefolk riding their café racer, scrambler, tracker, bobber, classic vintage, classic scooter, classic chopper, sidecar, brat style, modern classic and undefinable motorcycles to raise awareness and funds for prostate cancer research.

And there was a Triumph Thruxton, surely the definitive Distinguished Gentleman’s bike, to be won. Repeat after me: aahh…

Series Navigation

<< USED & REVIEWEDPUB OF THE MONTH >>