How did the DGR come about?
The Distinguished Gentleman’s Ride was founded in Sydney, Australia, by Mark Hawwa. He was inspired by a photo of Don Draper from the TV series Mad Men, sitting on his 1957 Matchless G3LS motorbike in his best suit. Mark wanted to combat the negative stereotype of men on motorcycles whilst also raising money for prostate cancer research and men’s mental health.
On Sunday, May 21st 2023 over 107,000 dedicated gentlefolk (men & women) from over 100 countries and 890+ cities around the world, united for their common goal to raise a record £5.8 million in funds for prostate cancer and men’s mental health.
Movember and the Distinguished Gentleman’s Ride are committed to helping men talk about their health and seek help when they need it. Donations raised at the Distinguished Gentleman’s Ride will help fund innovative projects to support men’s mental health.
The annual ride is open to all, regardless of gender or type of motorcycle. Whether it’s a café racer, bobber, classic, tracker, scrambler, old school chopper, modern classic, sidecar, classic scooter or brat style – it’s all about having fun riding a motorcycle and supporting a good cause.
Overall, the Distinguished Gentleman’s Ride is a great way to combine your passion for motorcycles with a good cause. You can be a part of a worldwide movement to improve men’s health and have a ton of fun in the process.
The 2024 DGR event
For this year’s event, which took place on Sunday 19th May 2024, approximately 165 motorcyclists congregated in the village of Sharnford for the start of the annual Distinguished Gentleman’s Ride, whose aim is to help raise awareness of both prostate cancer and men’s mental health problems, as well as raise funds to help tackle these particular male health concerns.
On a bright and sunny day in ideal riding conditions, men and women riders set off in a procession in single file on their 29 mile journey around rural villages towards Mallory Park. Throughout the ride, the riders received enthusiastic support from local residents, who gathered to watch and wave in support of the event.
At Mallory Park, there were stalls and an interesting selection of vehicles including American classic cars, and the riders could replenish their energy levels at Huggy’s Speed Shop motorcycle cafe.
To view a 15 minute video of this year’s event, please click on the following link:
https://youtu.be/raEmoyZ7x28 (or alternatively visit YouTube and search for the channel Dazmatron Motorcycle Trips)
What are the risk factors for prostate cancer?
Prostate cancer is particularly common in men over 50. If you’re 50 or over, it’s important to talk to your GP about keeping yourself healthy and learn about any ongoing tests that you may need as part of your health check-ups. If you have a family history of prostate cancer or are of sub-Saharan African ancestry, you need to start that conversation earlier at 40 to 45. Guidelines can be different, depending on where you live — so check with your doctor.
If you or someone you know are facing a prostate cancer diagnosis, visit True North. True North is a website developed by Movember to help men find advice on prostate cancer treatments, common changes to sex and intimacy, unexpected bathroom trips, and much more.
Men’s mental health and suicide prevention
Unfortunately, suicide is a major problem amongst men. Globally, on average, we lose one man to suicide every minute of every day. That’s half a million men every year. The issue of suicide is incredibly complex. But we know this: improving overall mental health and helping men establish better social connections can reduce the risk of suicide.
Simple steps to important conversations
A conversation can change, maybe even save, a life. Our friends at RUOK? have developed a simple four-step guide to help you navigate a conversation with someone who might be FINDING it tough.
Ask.
Start by asking how they’re feeling. It’s worth mentioning any changes you’ve picked up on – like spending more time at the bar or they’ve gone quiet in the group chat.
Listen.
Give them your full attention, no distractions. Let them know you’re hearing what they’re saying and you’re not judging.
Encourage action.
Help them focus on simple things that might improve how they feel. Are they getting enough sleep? Are they exercising and eating well? Have they got others in their life that they trust and can speak with? If they’ve felt low for more than two weeks, suggest that they chat to their doctor.
Check in.
Suggest you catch up soon – in person if you can. This helps to show that you care; plus, you’ll get a feel for whether they’re feeling any better.
Starting conversations with men who are struggling may seem daunting. But getting them to open up can be easier with practice. Movember has built an online conversation simulator called Movember Conversations to help give you the confidence to talk with men who may be struggling. You can try it out here https://conversations.movember.com
To donate, please click this link https://gfolk.me/DMT510604