Shirts buttoned, ties straightened, helmets strapped, and The Distinguished Gentleman’s (DGR) Ride starts, hitting the streets in towns and cities across the world to raise funds for the Movember Foundation. On Sunday 21 May, classic and vintage-styled motorbikes with dapper lads and ladies atop will be seen cruising Canberra streets.
DGR was born in Sydney in 2012 when founder Mark Hawwa was inspired by a photo of Jon Hamm dressed as his character from Mad Men, Don Draper, sitting on a classic bike. DGR invited bike enthusiasts to don their best vintage and retro gear and hop on a vintage or retro-styled motorcycle to positively represent communities across the globe, with 64 cities participating.
By the next year, the rides had more than doubled, with 145 cities participating, and were now also working towards a cause, cancer research. The riders fundraised to support the Prostate Cancer Foundation Australia; the next year, New Zealand, Canada, USA and UK branches were also being supported. In 2016, Movember became the official charity partner with funds continuing to go toward prostate cancer research as well as men’s mental health.
“The funds are shared globally; it was a bit tied up with funds staying in Australia originally. To make it fair to everyone else in the world, they found all these other projects to work with countries around the world,” says Canberra DGR co-host John Aust.
Jumping on a bike and joining the ride, John has been a part of the DGR for the past five years. Joining him as co-host is Simon Whittaker, who has been there since the first trip. Growing from just 20 riders around Black Mountain Peninsula, this year they are hoping to have around 160 well-dressed riders along for the journey.
“We do a bit of a tour around Canberra, taking in some of the sights … Show off our gentlemanly attire and our motorbikes, and then we stop somewhere halfway and have a break,” says Simon.
Combining outfits of times gone by, the bikes really steal the show. They can be old vintage bikes, modern retro classics, choppers and models that are different to normal sports bikes. While drawing attention to their bikes, they are hoping to draw attention to the causes DGR supports.
“The research can continue; the programs can be run. The mental health issues, there are a lot more these days and that’s why it’s so important to raise the funds,” says Simon.
Simon has loved motorbikes since jumping on a minibike when he was just seven years old. Now with a collection of nine, down from the 14 he owned previously, he still loves the way a ride can calm him.
“Just get on and go for a ride somewhere, you don’t have to think about anything else, it’s good to clear your head. You can go on short trips, long trips or just meet your mates and just ride around,” he says.
For John, it was a lost love reclaimed, first sparked when as a 12-year-old, he spotted a bike that shared his year of birth and knew he wanted it. A couple of lucky near-misses in accidents put him off riding until five years ago – and now he hasn’t looked back.
“My father was always a motorbike rider and so I was always fascinated with it. He bought three of these trail bikes for riding around up the bush and so every weekend three bikes on the trailer and off we go right as a family,” he smiles.
Since DGR’s inception, Canberra riders have raised USD $315,000 for the foundations, while the global tally is USD $37.5 million. Distinguished gentlemen and women can fundraise in various ways – asking friends on social media, hosting a barbecue or bake sale, or selling raffle tickets. Simon has consistently been of the top fundraisers through his events and efforts with a total nearing USD $65,000.
“Most people I know have been donating to mine for the past eight or nine years. I just do a couple of barbecues and a raffle or two and maybe get to $1,000,” says Simon, “whereas before, I would absolutely work my guts out and get to 9 or 10 thousand.”
“He’s been Canberra’s top fundraiser,” says John. “He’d be pretty much unbeatable. I don’t think anyone will top his efforts. Year in, year out, he’s either number one or he is sniffing around it very closely.”
For the third year, QT Canberra is offering some great prizes to fundraisers, with accommodation packages on offer. Shannons Insurance is another major sponsor of the Canberra ride.
While the ride takes place on 21 May, fundraising continues until 31 May. DGR also offers riders incentives for reaching fundraising goals, such as lapel pins and limited-edition helmets (Simon has quite a stash, securing one almost every year). Simon has even won a motorbike through the event.
From the 8,617 riders from America who have so far raised nearly USD $2 million to the one rider in Nigeria who has raised around USD $200, every rider counts. It’s about helping other men, encouraging them to speak up when struggling, and to ensure they get themselves checked.
“A lot of the support we get is from people who have had the experiences in their life where their man has had prostate cancer or mental health mental issues,” says John.
Kicking off at a location announced on the day, the Distinguished Gentleman’s Ride hits the Canberra streets on Sunday 21 May; gentlemansride.com
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