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All for a good cause: The Distinguished Gentleman’s Ride will see a 120 000 rider contingent support health issues

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<i>Image: Joe Fleming Bonafide</i>
<i>Image: Joe Fleming Bonafide</i>
Joe Fleming Bonafide

Sunday 30th September 2018 will see an estimated 120 000 riders in over 650 cities across the world participate in the latest annual Distinguished Gentleman’s Ride.

This event will provide the perfect opportunity for Johannesburg’s gentlefolk to participate in this global event and ride dapper for the cause of men’s health.

Calling all participants

The Distinguished Gentleman’s Ride aims to raise awareness and funds to support men living with prostate cancer and mental health issues. Participants can set up their own fundraising pages and actively seek sponsorship, with Movember being the official charity partner.

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"The Distinguished Gentleman’s Ride is a celebration of being dapper, uniting together on classic and custom motorcycles to create awareness for men’s health. Although we don’t mention them in the name of the event, we’d encourage ladies to join in too," explained Johannesburg event organiser, Marnitz Venter.

The founder of the Distinguished Gentleman’s ride, Mark Hawwa, was inspired to create an event that would unite niche motorcycle communities by a photo of Mad Men’s Don Draper astride a classic motorcycle.

Making their mark on the world

To keep Mark’s original vision alive, all gentlefolk are asked to stick to the (rather natty) dress code and the specified motorcycle categories (namely Café Racers, Bobbers, Classics, Trackers, Scramblers, Old School Choppers, Modern Classics, Sidecars, Classic Scooters and Brat-Styled motorcycles).

Distinguished Gentlemen female organisers

                                                                    Image: Joe Fleming Bonafide

Average speeds during the Distinguished Gentleman’s Ride are typically around 80km/h – giving passers-by more time to admire the unique styles and dapper demeanour on display. It’s an occasion that’s more about style than speed, and an opportunity to celebrate the rules that help gentlemen make their mark in the world.

"We’re excited to have registered a Motul team for this very worthwhile event. At Motul, we’re not just passionate about motorsports, but also about supporting the causes that matter to our customers," commented Mercia Jansen, Motul Area Manager for Southern and Eastern Africa.

Distinguised Gentlemen's Drive

                                                                          Image: Joe Fleming Bonafide

Motul will be helping gentlemen (and ladies) dapper up their rides, with a motorcycle care and helmet cleaning station at the start line. Riders will certainly want to take advantage of this facility, given that there will be prizes for the best-dressed rider/team (only those riders who have pre-registered can enter).

Riders wishing to participate in the Johannesburg leg of the Distinguished Gentleman’s Ride are requested to pre-register on the event website. This is also the only way to see the route map, which is not being publicly revealed as part of the event’s safety protocols – it’s important to ensure that all riders are accounted for.

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