The Distinguished Gentleman's Ride - A Style Guide...
On Sunday 30th September 2018, over 120,000 riders in over 650 cities worldwide will dress in their finest and ride their vintage and classically styled motorcycles to raise funds and awareness for men's health, specifically prostate cancer and men's mental health.
The Distinguished Gentleman's Ride originated in Sydney, Australia. It was reportedly inspired by a photo of Mad Men's Don Draper astride a classic bike and wearing his finest suit. Its founder, Mark Hawwa, decided a themed ride would be a good way to dispel the often-negative stereotype of men on motorcycles.
The first ride in 2012 brought together over 2,500 riders across 64 cities. Last year, 94,000 riders from 581 cities in 92 countries got involved.
The website www.gentlemansride.com describes the event as:
"The Distinguished Gentleman's Ride is a celebration of the art of being dapper and classic custom motorcycles."
This translates loosely into the attire and rides suggested by the organisers:
Dress: Tailored suits, silk waistcoats, crisp shirts, stylish caps and polished brogues.
Ride: Café Racer, Bobber, Classic, Tracker, Scrambler, Old School Chopper, Modern Classic, Sidecar, Classic Scooter, Brat Style motorcycles.
So we thought we had better put our own 'guide' out there – featuring photos taken from the Manchester rides over the last three years. We hope you enjoy it.
Colin, Team Meccanica
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The Meccanica Guide to Dapper Manchester Elegance
The Manchester ride now sets off from Youles Triumph on Bury New Road and winds through the city centre always ending up at Dukes 92 at Castlefields. If you're not riding, it's always worth turning up for the sights and sounds at Alberts Square then Dukes. This is our tongue in cheek look at the sartorial elegance of some of our Manchester riders.
It all starts rather well in tweed and silk - flat cap optional Northern accessory.
Even the hue of his tweed matches the triumph.
Very suave if sensible look - is that a Centurion X helmet? Crikey.
Goggles, check. Davida open face, check. Tweed, check. Cravat, check. Triumph, check. Glorious moustache, check.
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Triumphs in abundance with a stylish chapette.
A stylish lady of means aboard Ducati in Alberts Square.
Style from head to toe. Gorgeous triumph cafe racer with matching handbag.
Riders of all ages welcome... just not on the road son. Nice BSA!
Style on the move - they can't have seen the guy above with the directions.
Great BMW.
All classic styles are here, and this is Classic, from the sharp suits to the Lambrettas.
Another sharp suit ...
On a different note, one can always compete with one's mount...
Biggles never thought he'd see the day...
It's a helmet Jim, but not as we know it...
Waistcoats + cobbles = Grim North.
A lumberjack's top-knot protects just as well as a helmet.
Stripes can be in too.
Never saw pipe smokers as anarchists in the parking department.
The beard, the attitude, the mean Harley, the sky blue gloves..?
In case you were in any doubt... He's riding an Indian
Someone wanders in from The Goodwood Revival.
The Style Mafia drops in.
Pink jeans and a natty bow tie proving anything works on a Harley.
There's always one... or three. Introducing The Flying Fuchs.
Arriving at Dukes 92 in style for the after party.
Dress the part. Every Meccanica piece is made in Britain — built to last as long as your riding bikes, and then some Shop British Made →
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