The Road to the Ride. Why I Keep Coming Back to the DGR

Every year, somewhere in mid-spring, something shifts. The jacket comes out. The bike gets a longer look than usual. And a date appears in the calendar that feels less like an event and more like a marker. A point on the year that matters.

That date is the 17th of May. The Distinguished Gentleman’s Ride.

For those who don’t know it: the DGR is a global motorcycle event held annually in cities across the world. Riders dress in classic or vintage style, suits, tweeds, leather, caps, and ride together through the streets. It started in 2012 in Sydney with a handful of riders and a good idea. It now takes place in over 100 countries, with tens of thousands of participants. The cause is men’s health, prostate cancer research and mental health awareness. Two things that don’t get enough attention, and two things worth riding for.

I’ve ridden it before. And every time, it reminds me why I started riding in the first place. Not for speed. Not for distance. But for the feeling of being present on a machine that asks something of you.

This year I’m riding again. And between now and the 17th of May, I’ll be writing about the preparation, the bike, the gear, the route, and everything in between.

If you’re riding too, or thinking about it, follow along.

The road starts here.