Triumph and the Distinguished Gentlemen’s Ride

By Réhann Coetzee

 

Triumph will again be supporting the Distinguished Gentleman’s ride (DGR) for the fifth year running as the main motorcycle sponsor.

“On Sunday 30 September, over 120 000 distinguished gentlefolk in over 650 cities worldwide will don their cravats, straighten their ties, press their tweed and sit astride their favourite classic-styled motorcycle to raise funds and awareness for men’s health, specifically prostate cancer and men's mental health,” says Ashleigh James, sales and marketing manager of Triumph motorcycles in South Africa.

The Distinguished Gentleman’s Ride was founded in Sydney, Australia by Mark Hawwa. It was inspired by a photo of Mad Men’s Don Draper astride a classic bike and wearing his finest suit. Mark decided a themed ride would be a great way to combat the often-negative stereotype of men on motorcycles, while connecting the global motorcycling community.

That first ride in 2012 brought together more than 2 500 riders across 64 cities. The success of the event encouraged the founder to consider how it could be used to support a worthy cause, leading to the biggest global ride outs to date last year with more than 94 000 riders in 92 countries raising $4,85m for charitable causes.

“As a key sponsor since 2014, Triumph decided that the Distinguished Gentleman’s Ride captures everything to be celebrated about motorcycling and has supported the event directly and with the help of our global network of over 700 dealers and hundreds of thousands of passionate riders, seeing DGR grow to a global phenomenon in the process,” says Ashleigh.

“Our shared focus is on gentlemen who have been dealt a tough hand in life. In particular, harnessing the passionate support of our riders to raise funds for research into prostate cancer, and mental health and suicide prevention programs, as part of the DGR’s mission to support men’s health globally. These funds are invested by the Movember Foundation, the world’s largest men’s health organisation.”

She says Triumph provide the main prizes for the leading fundraisers with the top three choosing from one of Triumphs iconic Bonneville line-up. In addition to this, riders can sign-up to join the Triumph DGR riders group or the Bonneville Spirit of ’59 riders group on the DGR website, where the top five in each will win a full dapper riding outfit, including a Digby Tweed Jacket and leather weekend bag.

Aside from supporting the ride through engaging with the global community of Triumph modern classic fans and riders, a series of ambassadors including Triumph’s very own adventurer Charley Boorman, helping DGR to grow even more.

The and a special edition T-Shirt and sticker kit are also available from Triumph dealers, where every item purchased results in a donation being made to the Distinguished Gentleman’s Ride, adding to the momentum of gentlemanly giving.

If you want to put on your best tweed plus fours and take part in this years Distinguished Gentleman’s Ride, you can get more information or sign up by visiting the DGR website

Updates and images of Triumph riders taking part across the globe will be available via the official Triumph social media channels: www.facebook.com/OfficialTriumphUK and www.instagram.com/officialtriumph.