The annual Distinguished Gentleman’s Ride (DGR) is the world’s largest motorcycling charity event. The mission of DGR is to shine a light on the bikes, fashion, and ideals of a bygone era, all for a good cause. To show the world that motorcyclists are also well-respected members of society and not just the stereotypical gang members seen on TV or movies. This 2024 marks the 11th year Triumph Motorcycles is a global partner. Last year, there were a total of 1,883 registered riders in Manila. This year it’s expected that over 90,000 riders in over 900 cities across 100 countries will take part. In the Philippines, 19 cities are participating in DGR.
Distinguished Gentleman’s Ride was founded in Sydney, Australia, by Mark Hawwa. Inspired by a photo of TV Show Mad Men’s Don Draper astride a classic bike and wearing his finest suit, Mark decided a themed ride would be a great way of connecting niche motorcycle enthusiasts and communities while raising funds to support the men in our lives.
Dapper style involves (but is not limited to) formal suits, tailored vests or waistcoats, suspenders, bow ties, pocket squares, tweeds, leather shoes or boots, 50s-style dresses (for women), pantsuits, etc.
According to the DGR style guide for motorcycles and scooters, permissible in the parade are:
-
- Cafe Racers
- Classic and Modern Classic Bikes
- Choppers
- Brat-style Bikes
- Bobbers
- Metal-bodied Classic Scooters (built the old-fashioned way)
- Trackers and Scramblers
- Classic Bikes with Sidecards
- Classic Cruisers
- Modern Classic Electrics
The state of men’s health is in a crisis. Simply put, men are dying too young. Gender is one of the strongest and most consistent predictors of health. Globally, men die on average five years earlier than women and for largely preventable reasons. This has received little national, regional, or global acknowledgement or attention from health policymakers or health care providers. Movember is the leading charity changing the face of men’s health on a global scale. Since 2003, over 5 million people have joined the men’s health movement and have helped to fund over 1,200 men’s health projects that focus on mental health and suicide prevention, prostate cancer, and testicular cancer.
Funds raised through The Distinguished Gentleman’s Ride are having an impact on men around the world. For a breakdown of all funded projects to date with Movember and to explore the projects in more detail, you can download the Investment Report at https://www.gentlemansride.com/about/programs-we-fund.
On average, globally, we lost one many every minute to suicide – that’s half a million men every year. We’re working towards a world where men of all ages understand what mental health is, what they need to do to manage their wellbeing and feel comfortable asking for support when they need it. Funds raised by the DGR community are invested in building evidence for and scaling community-based men’s health programs. 
Interested riders are encouraged to sign-up at www.gentlemansride.com to ride in your city. Set-up a fundraising page at www.gentlemansride.com and donate. Follow @movember and @gentlemansride on social media and join the conversation.