The Distinguished Gentleman’s Ride (DGR) is celebrating 10 years of dapper rides, fashionable fundraising, and essential support for mens’ mental health – and they’ve come a long way from year one.
According to a report by the Jersey Evening Post, the DGR originally began in 2012 and was founded in Sydney, Australia, by Mark Hawwa – a man dedicated to connecting motorcycle enthusiasts and communities for a cause.
The first ride was hosted in 64 cities and saw 3,000 riders hitting the pavement to support cancer research.
By 2019, that number had shot up to 116,000 riders across 678 cities and 104 countries, raising a total of $12,450,000 to date – and continuing with the ageless theme (taken from Don Draper in “Mad Men”) of suits and scramblers.
2020 was a rough year, landing only 3,000 riders due to riding restrictions – but the DGR also used this limitation to their advantage, hosting the Ride Solo Together Event.
Today, this option remains if your town or city cannot comply with the features of a full DGR ride.
Applicable rides include anything considered classic or vintage style; that includes brat-style bikes, choppers, scooters, trackers, bobbers, and cafe racers – and make sure to dress like a debonair!
For this year, the main DGR for 2021 was moved from the fall to the week of May 23, with hopes to raise an extra $2.55 million by Movember, the single largest fundraiser for men’s health.
While Distinguished Gentlemen Rides are currently still happening worldwide, the DGR reminds members that all ride dates present and hereafter may be subject to change with unprecedented restrictions.
Head over to the website of the DGR to register for a ride in your area, make sure to post all relevant media under the hashtags #GentlemansRide #DGR2021 #DecadeOfDGR – and be the gentleman (or woman) that contributes to the resurge of motorcycle elegance for a cause.
For more archived articles on the Distinguished Gentleman’s Ride, head over to WebBikeWorld.