Full disclosure: I lost a lifelong friend to prostate cancer in 2012. I myself am a two-time cancer survivor, so far. Recently an old classmate of my wife's committed suicide.
This is personal to me.
When I learned last year about the annual international Distinguished Gentleman's Ride, for men's cancer and mental health, held every late September, I knew I wanted to join in. So I went online, did my research, and signed up for the ride nearest to me in Greenville, South Carolina.
A great ride, among great people, for a great cause. It doesn't get much better than that.
A great ride, among great people, for a great cause. It doesn't get much better than that.
The Distinguished Gentlemen's Ride was started 6 years ago by Mark Hawwa and several mates in Sydney, Australia, who conceived the idea of conducting a benefit ride for male prostate cancer. They found a photo of "Mad Men" actor Don Draper, astride a vintage motorcycle in full coat and tie, and the theme of well-dressed, "dapper" riders on classic motorcycles was born. Supporting the Movember Foundation for Men's Health, this year's DGR encompassed over 92,900 registered riders in 581 cities and 95 countries across the globe, raising over $4.5M USD. With the support of sponsors Triumph Motorcycles and Zenith Watches, DGR 2017 surpassed all expectations.
My friends at Hourglass Cycles in Buford, Georgia sponsored me by providing a bike, owner Kyle Campbell's own 2016 Triumph Thruxton R. Sleek and crazy-powerful, the Thrux served me well among all the vintage, classic, and "modern classic" bikes in the ride. In only it's second year, the Greenville event grew from 50 registered riders in 2016 to over 180 this year, a quantum leap in participation. Our ride began and ended at Trailblazer Park in Travelers Rest, just north of Greenville. With control riders, lead and sweep riders, plus full police escort, the whole entourage navigated through Travelers Rest, looped down through Greenville proper, then took a break under the tall oaks of Furman University before returning to Trailblazer Park for awards, recognitions, music, prizes, food and drink. A "splendid affair".
In this age of division, animosity, growing intolerance, and even spreading violence, the DGR epitomized everything a society can and should be. Men and women, young and old, wealthy and working class, every ethnicity, every cultural and political persuasion, all riding together, sharing a common cause, focusing on our commonalities rather than our differences. We rode, we talked, we enjoyed the day together. It was a beautiful sight to behold.
For more information on how you can "support the gentry", check out the official DGR website-
