Distinguished Gentlemen’s Ride

On September 28, 2014, the Distinguished Gentlemen's Ride will be held, a global phenomenon founded by a bunch of Australian friends in 2012 to offset the downbeat perception often linked to motorcyclists – as well as to raise money for prostate cancer research.

It's all about the scramblers, café racers, classic styled bikes and bobbers, and the dapper chaps that own them -- regardless of brand. What's important is having a great ride and raising awareness and as much money as possible to combat a disease that kills one man every hour somewhere in the world.

The concept of the Distinguished Gentlemen's Ride began with a picture of Don Draper from television's Mad Men. This picture inspired the café racer aficionado Mark Hawwa to thinking about a suit ride in Perth. The idea quickly took off, starting in just one city and then quickly growing into the global event we know today – this year sponsored by Triumph.

"I wanted to bring together the global café racer and customs scene with some important criteria -- dress like a gent, wear open-face lids so we can smile at each other politely and ride a bike with appropriate character,” Hawwa said. “Strict criteria apply. They had to be cafe racers, bobbers, classics, retro and old school charm, with clothes to match.

"Our first focus was on fun but we also wanted to break the stereotypes a lot of society associates with men on bikes while also raising funds for men's health issues. We believe fundraising and wanting to help one another comes from the heart, so we never force a rider to raise funds. It's a personal choice and we don't charge those wanting to ride on the event.”

The 2013 event raised $277,000, running in 145 cities in 38 countries.

For more information on the DGR, visit www.gentlemansride.com.