On Sunday September 30th 2018, over 120,000 distinguished gentlefolk in over 650 cities worldwide will don their cravats, straighten their ties, press their tweed, and sit astride their favourite classic styled motorcycle to raise funds and awareness for men’s health, specifically prostate cancer and men’s mental health.
The Distinguished Gentleman’s Ride was founded in Sydney, Australia by Mark Hawwa. It was inspired by a photo of Mad Men’s Don Draper astride a classic bike and wearing his finest suit. Mark decided a themed ride would be a great way to combat the often-negative stereotype of men on motorcycles, whilst connecting the global motorcycling community.
That first ride in 2012 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, leading to the biggest global ride outs to date last year with more than 94,000 riders in 92 countries raising $4.85m for charitable causes.
As a key sponsor since 2014 Triumph decided that the Distinguished Gentleman’s Ride captures everything to be celebrated about motorcycling, and has supported the event directly and with the help of our global network of over 700 dealers and 100’s of thousands of passionate riders, seeing DGR grow to a global phenomenon in the process.
Our shared focus is on gentlemen who have been dealt a tough hand in life. In particular, harnessing the passionate support of our riders to raise funds for research into prostate cancer, and mental health and suicide prevention programs, as part of the DGR’s mission to support men’s health globally.
These funds are invested by the Movember Foundation, who are the world’s largest men’s health organisation.
Triumph provide the main prizes for the leading fundraisers with the top 3 choosing from one of Triumphs iconic Bonneville line-up. In addition to this riders can sign-up to join the Triumph DGR riders group or the Bonneville Spirit of ’59 riders group on the DGR website, where the top 5 in each will win a full dapper riding outfit, including a Digby Tweed Jacket and leather weekend bag.
Aside from supporting the ride through engaging with the global community of Triumph modern classic fans and riders, a series of ambassadors including Triumph’s very own adventurer Charley Boorman, helping DGR to grow even more.
The DGR Digby Riding Jacket, and a special edition T-Shirt and Sticker kit are also available from Triumph dealers, where every item purchased results in a donation being made to the Distinguished Gentleman’s Ride, adding to the momentum of gentlemanly giving.
HOW DO FANS TAKE PART?
If you want to put on your best tweed plus fours and take part in this years Distinguished Gentleman’s Ride, you can get more information or sign up by visiting the DGR Website.
www.gentlemansride.com/
The Distinguished Gentleman’s Ride 2018 poster.