This Sunday if you see a horde of well-dressed gentleman riding vintage or classic motorbikes through Penrith, don’t be alarmed, it’s all for a good cause.
The annual Distinguished Gentleman’s Ride will set off across the globe on Sunday, May 18, bringing together over 120,000 riders from over 1,000 cities in 110 countries all to raise funds for prostate cancer research and men’s mental health programs through charity partner, Movember.
Organiser of the Penrith event, Frank Tidswell, said the charity ride first started over a decade ago in Sydney, organised by Mark Hawwa.
“The Distinguished Gentleman’s Ride, otherwise known as the DGR, is an event which started 13 years ago in Sydney with about a dozen riders, we raised about $500,” Tidswell said.
“It’s a charity fundraiser for men’s mental and physical health.”
On Sunday, May 18, nearly 100 dapperly dressed men will gather at Sydney Helicopters in Castlereagh where they will don their cravats, tweak their moustaches, press their tweed and sit astride their classic and vintage style motorcycles ready to begin their ride.
“The event here in Penrith starts at Sydney Helicopters, who have kindly sponsored a bit of our event, and we end up having lunch up at Springwood at the Sports Club,” Tidswell said.
“So far, we’ve got about 70 riders signed up, which is about the same as last year, but we’ve still got a few days to go!”
Tidswell is looking forward to setting off on his motorcycle on Sunday with his fellow dapper gentlemen, saying it is special to ride for a good cause.
“I enjoy offering my time and business sponsorship to a cause which I believe helps in an area of people’s health that is frequently forgotten and ignored particularly when it comes to mental health and suicide prevention,” Tidswell said.
“And I think it is a great way to get a whole lot of camaraderie happening between us dapper bike riders!”
To register to ride or to donate to the cause, 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.