The annual international charity event, The Distinguished Gentleman’s Ride, is revving up to set off from Penrith later this month.
The global event, held on Sunday, May 19, will see just under 100,000 riders dressed in their most dapper clothes and riding vintage motorcycles all to raise money for Movember and prostate cancer research.
Organiser of the Penrith event, Frank Tidswell, said the ride started a decade ago under the Sydney Harbour Bridge.
“The Distinguished Gentleman’s Ride is a charity event that started about 10 or 12 years ago with 10 riders in Sydney who went from under the [Sydney] Harbour Bridge at Hickson Park, up through the Domain over to North Sydney and back again,” Tidswell said.
“They raised a couple of thousand dollars for men’s mental health and for prostate cancer research.
“That has grown now, to be a global event in over 120 countries and raised nearly $50 million USD in the process.
“This year, I think we are up around 50,000 riders [that] have registered globally so far which is fantastic, and it’ll grow from there.”
The Penrith event will start at 10.30am on Sunday, May 19 from Excite Motorcycles.
“We are starting here at Excite Motorcycles in Penrith on Henry Street and ending up at the Springwood Sports Club via Yarramundi,” Tidswell said.
“So, if anyone wants to come along and join us, please go ahead and register.”
Tidswell said that the large number of riders registered are getting excited for the event and the ride.
“We are looking forward to it,” Tidswell said.
“All of a sudden now we are getting down to the wire. We are looking at having between 50-70 riders leaving here (Excite Motorcycles) on Sunday, May 19.
“So, it’s all developing nicely.”
The 2024 event is expected to have over 900,000 riders across 900 cities in 105 countries across the world.
Plans are already in place to begin the 2025 ride preparations once this year’s ride is done and dusted.
The Penrith event is sponsored by Officeworks, Blue Mountains Coffee, Excite Motorsports, and Alpine Hearing Protection.
All riders will be treated to a coffee van on the morning of the ride as well as a much-needed pair of earplugs.
All are encouraged to join or donate, or come along to see the ride leave. Visit http://www.gentlemansride.com.
Emily Chate
Emily Chate joined The Western Weekender in 2024, and covers local news - primarily courts and politics. A graduate of the University of Wollongong, Emily has contributed to The Daily Telegraph and worked as a freelance journalist.