The streets of Chester will be abuzz this Sunday (September 25) with finely dressed gentlefolk on their classic and vintage style motorcycles.
Riders will dig out their cravats, tweak their moustaches and press their tweed to get astride their classic motorcycles - all united in their support of men’s health.
They will be meeting at Bill Smith Motors for the annual Distinguished Gentleman’s Ride, a motorcycling charity event which shines a light upon the bikes, fashion and ideals of a bygone era.
MD of Bill Smith Motors, Mark Smith, said: “Dust off your most dapper suite and jump on your bike, it’s a fantastic event for dispelling some people’s negative associations with motorcyclists.
“All you need to take part is good manners, your best facial foliage and a sense of fun; think monocles, smoking pipes, jaunty trimmed moustaches, silk vests, tweeds on Café Racers, Modern Classics, Sidecar, Brat style Motorcycles etc.
“It’s free to enter with us via www.billsmithmotors.co.uk or call us on 01244 323845; all we ask is you make a small donation on the day for this worthy cause and dress to impress everyone cheering us on.
“With 50,000 bikers set to ride worldwide, the pressure is on to put Chester on the map so please help us make it one of the best.”
Riders taking part will be meeting at Bill Smith Motors in Tarvin Road, Chester from 10.15am, set to head off at 11am to Cheshire’s Ice Cream Farm for around 11.20am, heading to Smiths Honda for around 12.10pm then heading to Hickory’s Smokehouse by the river for 12.45pm before finishing at Chester Racecourse at around 1.20pm.
The Distinguished Gentleman’s Ride was founded in 2012 by Mark Hawwa in Sydney, Australia after being inspired by a photo of Mad Men’s Don Drapper astride a classic bike, wearing his finest suit.
It was decided a themed ride would be a great way to combat the often negative stereotype of men on motorcycles, while connecting niche motorcycle communities together.
The first ride brought together more than 2,500 riders across 64 cities, with the success of the event encouraging Mark to consider how it could be used to support a worthy cause.
2015 saw more than 37,000 participants in 410 cities in 79 countries raising over £2.3million for prostate cancer research.
The fundraising goal this year is five million globally to be invested in both local and global prostate cancer research and suicide prevention programmes by the official charity partner The Movember Foundation – the world’s largest men’s health organisation which is committed to helping men live happier, healthier, longer lives.
