Distinguished Gentleman's Ride

The Distinguished Gentleman's Ride is an amazing event where classic and vintage style motorcycle riders from all over the world raise funds and awareness for men’s mental health and prostate cancer research. There’s a dapper themed dress code for the event, so all riders are asked to wear their best suits for the ride – think tweed jackets, bow ties and neck scarves. 

Rich, our Head of Creative loves hitting the open road on biking adventures and earlier this year he took part in The Distinguished Gentleman's Ride.  

The Triumph is ticking over nicely in preparation for the journey ahead. This is a rare chance to combine something you love with a great cause - today is The Distinguished Gentleman’s Ride and we’re dressed for the occasion. Only the dapper will do; looking your best for a ride out through the streets of York with like-minded souls - all in aid of raising awareness of two great causes. 

Accompanied by a few gentle rays to warm the road, I set off on the short journey to the historic city of York. Country lanes give way to open roads and I’m soon making my way through the outer limits of the city and into the centre where I start to recognise a steady stream of bikers dressed for the day ahead. A1 Moto is the venue and the promise of a coffee in their onsite café takes me through the final set of city traffic lights and into the car park, where the sight of dapper looking folk and their vast array of bikes welcomes me into the fold. There are bikes of every shape and size and having previously felt slightly over dressed for the journey, I now feel part of something distinctly unique.

After a short briefing from the team at A1 (and a look at the new bikes on offer in their vastly stocked Triumph showroom) we make our way outside to warm the bikes and get ready for the road. Engines begin to spark and the sound of over 400 motors ticking over heightens the anticipation of the day ahead. With a wave from the steward, we are off. There’s no racing here and we form an orderly exit towards the city centre.

York feels like it has opened its gates to us today and the roads ahead unveil a welcoming crowd of spectators enjoying the spectacle. Horns sound and a generous clap of encouragement guides us over the river and on past the Minster – this is very special and a rare opportunity to take in the beauty of the city. It’s a warm day and the slow pace could have proven difficult for some of the more quirky bikes but no one is left behind as we wind our way past historic buildings, exit the central streets and make our way out toward the beautiful countryside surrounding the city. There’s still a throng of encouragement in each village we pass and it’s clear that the support for the cause remains strong. We are on the open road and enjoying the journey – just a little quicker than the city had previously allowed. A few miles pass and soon the distant site of yellow high vis jackets signals the last turn right towards our final destination. 

We have arrived but the vibe doesn’t end here. There’s a continued festival of culture as vintage cars and bikes are parked up in neat rows next to the canal and the true picture of the participants is celebrated with music and congratulatory conversation. With a few clicks from the camera to remember the day, I make my way past a truly unique selection of bikes and their owners and back to the bike to prepare for the journey home. It’s been a very memorable day and something special I will not forget in a while. The joy of the day fills my thoughts through the miles home and I begin to plan my next adventure accompanied by my friends of the road.

Special thanks to all at A1 Moto for organising such a great day and everyone at The Distinguished Gentleman’s Ride for all the awesome work you do worldwide to celebrate our passion and raise awareness of such great causes.