I have signed up to take part in this years 2017 Distinguished Gentlemans Ride in support of men's metal health and prostate cancer. Triumph are one of the major partners and sponsors of this annual event and there are rides in cities all over the world including several cities in the UK. I have opted to do the London ride rather than my local Nottingham ride mainly because there will be so many more cool bikes to look at and ride with! More information can be found at; https://www.gentlemansride.com/about This is the link to my donation page and if anyone on here feels able to donate to this worthy cause I would very much appreciate any support, no matter how small. https://www.gentlemansride.com/rider/NickMason139724 I shall be riding down to London on the Saturday and have booked myself into a hotel. I didn't fancy riding to London then doing the ride and riding home in the same day. Thank you taking the time to read this. Any help from the forum team to advertise and support the DGR would be a welcome bonus.
I think you'll find many of us are doing DGR as always. Having seen the London one on youtube I'm not so sure negotiating the heavy traffic is outweighed by the large number of bikes. I did the hastily arranged Northampton one last year, which was a nice friendly bunch. Kevin from Pure Triumph Wellingborough will be arranging it again this year. We at Woburn will be encouraging our customers to support them and expect a much larger turn out.
I've done the Bournemouth one for the last three years but am now registered for the Solent ride for this year.
I've signed up for the Birmingham one, over a hundred riders so far. Not done one before, really looking forward to it and in a good cause, just need to get some donations...
If you've not done one before you are going to love it. I think most rides now get over 100 bikes of all styles and ages. People make a big effort with the dressing up (I've seen kilts worn). Tweed is popular rather than full on suits or DJ's and military uniforms are creeping in. I wore plus fours two years ago (£1.99 off ebay). Charity shops also worth looking at.
Well folks today is the day, the panniers are packed with my finest tweed jacket, waistcoat, cravat, brogues and toothbrush etc. and they are loaded on the Bonneville ready to ride. Fortunately I managed to get everything I need for the journey and overnight stay in the panniers. I didn't want to turn up with bike hidden under a tail pack and tank bag as well as the panniers I'm going to have a leisurely breakfast before setting off for London and my hotel for the night, the actual ride is tomorrow. We all meet up between 09.00 and 10.00 at the Olympic park. According to the DGR website the London ride is full so there will be 1000 bikes. I can't wait to see the rides people will be using. I just hope I have the presence of mind to take some pictures, I have been know to get so engrossed in things or places that I forget to get the camera out!! Once again a huge thank you to those people who sponsored me. Raising money for Prostate cancer awareness and research is a worthy cause. There's still time to sponsor me, if you feel able to do so, as the donation pages will remain open for some time after the event. https://www.gentlemansride.com/fundraiser/NickMason139724
Let us know how you get on and try and remember a few snaps, I'm the same always get home and think why did I not take some photos. 1000 bikes will keep you happy I'm sure. We've got over 300 in Birmingham and I've raised just over £200 which I'm happy with. Weather looks good. Can't wait tbh
Weather looking dry here too. Maybe a bit of sun around midday. Looking forward to a good run across the Solent and along the coast with two pub stops and finishing up in a Victorian coastal fort. Striped blazer at the ready!
Going to Orange County, California DGR . Triumph is shined up and I will be as well. You don't have to go, anyone can donate to the cause.
Hi Mr Toad, I got my Thruxton on this Saturday last year and did the London ride. I loved it. I really enjoyed the time before the start at the Olympic park so would suggest getting there as early as you can. I am going tomorrow and will take my lovely wife this year. Really looking forward to it. Have fun and keep an eye for me, I'll do likewise, Steve
Hi I rode with the Chester DGR from Bill Smith's. Around 120 bikes from Triumph, HD's, Royal Enfield, AJS, Honda and an AA combination with the rider in full AA unifrom. The ride through the centre of Chester was awesome......... Here is my Street Twin at the local ice cream factory where we stopped for a break. and some dapper bikes and riders.... Wessa
Did the Solent Ride starting in Southampton part on the bonneville and partly on the Gladstone - my God that clutch is heavy in traffic! Some old skool goodies and probably the most new Triumphs I've seen at a DGR. Almost a complete row of Thruxton Rs. Plus some classic stuff Ended up in an old fort overlooking Portsmouth
Northampton 2016 = 12 bikes and a Morgan three wheeler. Northampton 2017 - well over 100 bikes. Most met at Pure Triumph Wellingborough for 9.30am bimble over some fantastic Northants roads to Highgate House, Creaton, to join the official start. Bacon butties and a brew before 11.00am depart across similarly lovely roads into and out of Northampton. Met by a couple of HMPlod on dirt bikes who held traffic so we could ride the last 6 miles or so as a complete group (kudos to Northants Constabulary Traffic Unit). Finished at the Sywell Aerodrome Piston & Props event where DGR riders got in for a fiver rather than £22. My phone camera is rubbish, but here's some shots. Mostly Triumphs as you'd expect, but lots of Enfields, a noisy Triton, a Norton or two and a few others. I want one, shame he's lost the side stand though. Anyone for Tennis. Got to admire the effort. Dom left, and Kev right, Pure Triumph lads from Wellingborough who did a terrific job organising the ride, the breakfast at Highgate House, Piston and Props, Northants Plod etc. Hats off to Kevin and his team. I rode alongside this pillion rider for a while. Nice stockings under that skirt, I must say. Apparently his pillion perches on a little seat they plonk on the back of this low rider. Mine's the Bonnie. I was so embarrassed by how whiny and weedy mine sounded riding beside even an old Lambretta I popped the baffle out here and stuck it in my tool bag. Been meaning to do it for yonks, but been too lazy till now. Sounds better now. That's not pikies in the background, but Sean and figwold keeping an eye on our bikes, Scruffy so-and-so's. Figwold and I didn't stop at Piston & Props but went for a pleasant afternoon ride round some delightful back roads over to Banbury, stopping on the way for a cracking Sunday Roast at the Red Lion in East Haddon. Proper good it were too chums. Highly recommended.
Ive been looking thru the pics on Facebook. I guess ive been oblivious to this event the last few years when I owned my Gixxer. Might look into it for next year, although I'd probably feel like a right dick turning up with my Tiger 1050 Sport along side all these retro looking machines. Not sure my attire would fit in and I can't grow a beard very well despite being a 40+ year old Good effort across the globe
Beard is definitely optional although a moustache wouldn't go amiss! Yeah the Tiger Sport won' t fit the bike style guide criteria but these rides always need volunteer marshals so that's a way to join the ride if you like.