I've received this from Sean, the organiser. Is anyone here planning on going? So a brief history. The Distinguished Gentleman's Ride (<About The Gentlemans Ride>) was founded in 2012. Inspired by a photo of Mad Men’s Don Draper astride a classic bike and wearing his finest suit, It was decided a themed ride would be a great way to combat the often-negative stereotype of men on motorcycles. That first ride brought together over 2,500 riders across 64 cities. The success of the event encouraged the organisers to consider how it could be used to support a worthy cause. And the rest, as they say, is stylishly-attired history. In 2013, over 11,000 participants in 145 cities around the world raised over $277,000 for prostate cancer research. In 2014, all funds raised will go to the Prostate Cancer Foundation in the UK, USA and Australia, with a relevant men’s health charity for Asia to be advised. This year we are hoping for over 50,000 smartly-dressed gentlefolk in over 230 cities to straddle the saddle in the name of men’s health. The Distinguished Gentleman’s Ride has teamed up with that most iconic and dapper of motorcycle companies, Triumph, to help add some highbrow horsepower to the event and twist the throttle towards the end of prostate cancer - with the combined chance of winning your very own Thruxton (<http://www.gentlemansride.com/about/win>). Our goal this year is to raise $1 million. Together, we can release the hounds on the dreaded spectre of prostate cancer. For all of you familiar with our Bristol Italian AutoMoto Festival the format should be familiar. We are all looking to meet up at Gordano Service at Junction 19 of the M5 at 1000hrs on Sunday the 27th September this time in our best, smartest, dapper attire. Here you have a chance to enjoy a breakfast, a lovely cup of earl grey, straighten your bow tie and braces and prepare for the ride at 1100hrs. The ride takes a similar route as the BAIMF but when we will also include the suspension bridge and park street and then down to Colston Avenue and head straight on and up to the M32. We will then come off the M32 at Junction 1 roundabout heading right. Then at very next roundabout (A420) we go left signed towards Chippenham. 200m up here on the right hand side is The Packhorse (166-168 Lawrence Hill, Bristol BS5 0DN). Parking is Directly outside the pub for the bikes (cars can park at the local Ducie Road car park around the back). The pub will kindly be open with Music, cheap food (again all proceeds going to Prostate Cancer), a cake sale stand (any people not able to ride in can always help bake,set up, and run this). And a Raffle with prizes kindly donated by Hells Angels MC Bristol, Pins & Needles Tattoo Parlour, Avon County Choppers, RIDERS Harley & Ducati dealership Bristol, & Fowlers (tickets are on sale now at the Packhorse. So please pull out your best dinner jacket or ball gown and join us for Bristol's first DGR for a very worthwhile cause.
If I had a bike on the road at the moment I would definitely be up for it. I may well pop along anyway.
Actually on closer inspection it looks like a bit of a Hipsternazi do - if you ain't got the right style of bike then it seems you aren't welcome. What a bunch of tossers The 2015 Distinguished Gentlemans Ride : Style Guide I'm almost tempted to boycott it on principle but I like the charity thing and the idea of a ride-out. They can keep their Gentlemen's bits though. I reckon my 888 is more of a "modern classic" than their definition so I think I'll ride that ... I bet I won't be the only person there on a sports bike.
Just as a matter of course, Eton the ultra-posh upper class school is a charity. That is how screwed this society is now-a-days in that a 30-40million pound 'school' can avoid paying tax, allows its 'clients' too off-set there monetary funding of their young-adults education. By also denoting ones privileged status as non taxable donations against the yearly tax bill. Whilst getting the highest government grants too help keep abreast of the most modern facilities & security systems. I'm sure this ride-out means well but charities are almost a dirty-word in my proverbial book. Is charity a dirty word? | Third Sector Guest Bloggers | Third Sector blogs ps: The Prostate Cancer Charity has changed its name to Prostate Cancer UK as part of a £190,000 rebrand.
Many charities actually help people too, plus to keep the donations coming in they do have to occasionally re brand and advertise. Not rocket science really...
@GunZenBomZ - Please don't hijack this thread with your politics - keep it to the looney-lounge where it belongs. Thanks
