Thread for discussion solely germane to Distinguished Gentleman's Ride riders

[bettythebear]

Fellow members, this year I will be participating in the Austin, TX ride. This happens the week before the GRiT rally up in Lindale. If any of you take the time to look/donate at my page, I am eternally grateful for your support. Further, I'd like to set a challenge of $100 in total donations. If there are $100 in donations that result from members of the flock (you can donate anonymously and still leave a note about WildGuzzi), I will don my red suspenders, won at last year's rally, as part of my dapper apparel for the ride on my v7.

https://www.gentlemansride.com/rider/Guzziv7Classic
 

Moderators, if not allowed, please let me know where/how I should've posted it.

[bettythebear]

I'd like to send a huge thank you to the amazing board member who who left a whopping donation on my fundraising page. Because of that donation I am now halfway to donning my red suspenders for the ride.

As a side note, I have never participated in the ride myself before, although I have made past donations to other riders. The reason I changed my mind this year is because the Movember Foundation has made what I think is a fantastic change in their outlook. Instead of just promoting concern about prostate and testicular cancer, they are now also pushing to make men's mental health a more talked about issue. I believe that through lots of societal conditioning that men are told to just "deal with it". I think we, as a society, are finally on the cusp of truly understanding that mental health issues are just as important as actual physical health issues. We are finally underastanding and realizing the benefits of proactive healthcare versus reactive healthcare, and that goes for mental health issues also.

Again, Thank you!

[lrutt]

I tried it last year in Orlando. Lot of Hipster types that had no concept of how to ride safely in a group. I left early from the ride. Good luck and ride safe.

[bettythebear]

I've got no problems hanging back and being wary of the hipster types that can't ride well, as long as they have done their due diligence to fund raise. I know that my local route is a nice slow speed affair, almost a hipster parade, if you will.

[chuck peterson]

"I'd like to send a huge thank you to the amazing board member who who left a whopping donation on my fundraising page. Because of that donation I am now halfway to donning my red suspenders for the ride..."

lol

class act around here

[kidsmoke]

The Indianapolis ride was a pretty lightly attended affair, and for the most part had very experienced riders. This is my 3rd year. Last year I raised funds and didn't ride (Kentucky Rally pulled rank) . Attempting to do both this year. It's a bit gimmicky for sure, but they are trying hard to keep it from becoming another "toys for tots" with a parade of Harleys. It does bring a lot of attention due to the presentation of riders, and as the OP stated, it's a worthy cause.

It was a VERY short ride, and in my experience, pilots were on point.

 

[Psychopasta]

Thanks for this. I have now signed up for the Seattle ride 

- Pasta

[bettythebear]

Post your links if you're participating, so I can toss a few bucks your way!

[kidsmoke]

Thanks for this. I have now signed up for the Seattle ride 

- Pasta

maybe have a thread for those of us riding, for those who wish to donate. Just drop a link and later, gratitude.

[kidsmoke]

Post your links if you're participating, so I can toss a few bucks your way!

great minds. Gracious of you, bear.

https://www.gentlemansride.com/fundraiser/kidsmoke

[thepittsburghguzzi]

Super excited to say, this will be my first year participating. Why turn down the opportunity to don my finest tweed and enjoy the ride for such a cause? 

https://www.gentlemansride.com/fundraiser/thepittsburghguzzi

[bettythebear]

I had already created a "team" for Guzzi Riders in Texas, perhaps I should change it to WildGuzzi, and we can have a team goal.

[bettythebear]

Ha!

I think it's important to remember that the Movember Foundation is who benefits here. The DGR was just something a like minded group of people started as their own way to support the foundation. It's no different than any other small group who choose to band together and support a charity.

[V7Record]

I've participated a couple times now and it's been fun.
With the bike "restrictions" it's a little like a rolling bike show.  I've never seen them enforced, just encouraged.
I'm also a prostate cancer survivor, 2.5 years now, and willing to talk to any who find themselves in the same boat.
https://www.gentlemansride.com/fundraiser/v7record

Brian

[bettythebear]

Everyone is clear in the differences between the DGR and the Movember Foundation, right? One is a year round full time charity organization, and the other is a separate entity who runs a single annual event that  gives the proceeds to the primary organization.

[kidsmoke]

A large organization comprised of humans who need money to live is gonna have an element of suck. No exceptions.

Beyond that ya'll need to research a bit. The organization does hundreds of micro events 365 days a year and underwrites several long established cancer research organisations. This is their single international highly marketed push, which EVERY charity has. Jerry Lewis passed this week, how many times a year was his telethon? But that wasn't the entirety of that organizations fund raising.

My Folks celebrate their 60 anniversary next weekend. I mention that because my Dad is alive, albeit suffering mightily with Alzheimer's, he's alive largely due to a experimental study he was placed into 13 years ago when he was diagnosed. 13 years with Alzheimer's. Glen Campbell, with his millions and the Mayo Clinic on board managed 6 years.  That study was underwritten by Alzheimer's Association, who do a single annual fund raising walk.

There's nothing unusual about DGR, except that we're talking about it on a motorcycle forum, and they're succesfully getting THOUSANDS of people to dress funny and ride their motorcycles for a few hours, in community, not carrying torches and beating each other, but raising money for cancer research.

This is only it's 6th year and it's gone from an idea to being a simultaneous global event in (last year) over 90 countries 505 cities and 56,000 riders, raising over 7 million dollars.

If you could hire a dude to take your idea and have that reach in 5 years, from a marketing standpoint, what dya s'pose his salary is worth. Think relative to Wall St and Silicon Valley. 250K is chump change.

Participate or donate if you like, or don't. It's cool.

[bettythebear]

Well, due to some massive generosity of a board member (who had already given one massive donation to the cause), I have surpassed my goal of raising $100 from the flock here, and will now be wearing my red suspenders for the ride.

Thank you!!!!

[Psychopasta]

Post your links if you're participating, so I can toss a few bucks your way!

I'm https://www.gentlemansride.com/fundraiser/MarkNicholson153916

- P

[kidsmoke]

Super excited to say, this will be my first year participating. Why turn down the opportunity to don my finest tweed and enjoy the ride for such a cause? 

https://www.gentlemansride.com/fundraiser/thepittsburghguzzi

My finest tweed houses a 5F1 circuit and a 10" Weber....not safe to take on the bike. But I feel ya.

[mtiberio]

I have been asked to lead the DC area DGR by the DC-Triumph group every year since the inception. I for one am not a charitable organization type of guy, and I was quite disappointed when what was a beautiful thing all by itself (distinguished motorcycle riders showing folks, 'we are not dirbags') had been co-opted into a money for charity grab. Off my soapbox now, the DGR remains a fun event, and one that still fulfills what I view as the original purpose. I'll do it again this year. Maybe I'll lead if they ask again.

377183_362038713870417_1551800125_n by mtiberio, on Flickr

[drbone641]

Not trying to dump on the ride. I have always been very conscious of where the money really goes, when donating to charity. 93% is our cutoff before I feel too many well intentioned dollars, are going to too many [greedy] observers. We had a guy on a sportbike board, who got married and their life plan was to "start a charity". "Something with kids"...This event looks pretty cool and I am sure it's a hoot.

[decotriumph]

I, too, will be riding in the DGR in Chattanooga. I rode last year on my '77 CB750K and had a good time, met some nice folks, and raised a little bit o' money for a great cause. This year, I'll be riding my V9 Bobber.

Last year's Chattanooga riders. I'm the guy in front in the 2-tone blue shirt.


I ride in memory of my brother who died three years ago of prostate cancer. His was detected late because he never had an exam to test for it. By the time the docs found it, it had spread throughout his body. He was only 61 years old. I also have two friends who are prostate cancer survivors (early detection) and I ride in their honor as well.

Here's my page link if anyone would be so kind as to help sponsor me. Thanks
https://www.gentlemansride.com/rider/decotriumph

[kidsmoke]

aww come on Dusty...I was waiting to see if we could get a "charity fundraiser with motorcycles" thread to get locked! Then you come along as the voice of reason....

In keeping with the original topic, seems a good time to remind ya'll, as some guzzisti once said, (and Chuck co-opted)

"all a man can ask is to have good friends and to pee with velocity"

Here's to both!

So to the participants...vest or jacket? Bow tie or other? wingtips or riding boots? There are important issues afoot!

[kidsmoke]

"all a man can ask is to have good friends and to pee with velocity"

hey betty, if you do assemble a "wild guzzi team", make sure this is our page header or something. Heck, DGR outta adopt it as a slogan!

[bettythebear]

Doc Martens, bow tie, and red suspenders for me. I'm trying to convince my pillion to go with red suspenders also.

[oldbike54]

 OK fellas , I've asked twice now that we chill out , now I am telling you , CHILL OUT ! Get it ?

 Oh , the PM system is sacrosanct , what happens there stays there .

 Dusty

[Billy]

This will be my first time participating (on a v7r): https://www.gentlemansride.com/rider/BrentCoker139422

Melbourne, Australia.

[hidn45]

Looking forward to my second DGR in the Steel City....   

I've walked, driven, & been driven through downtown Pittsburgh hundreds of times, but roaring down those beautiful streets with dozens of like-minded riders to raise money for a charity that's very personal to me - still makes my heart skip a beat just thinking about it.....

https://www.gentlemansride.com/fundraisers/hidn45


Randy

[decotriumph]

I, too, will be riding in the DGR in Chattanooga. I rode last year on my '77 CB750K and had a good time, met some nice folks, and raised a little bit o' money for a great cause. This year, I'll be riding my V9 Bobber.

Last year's Chattanooga riders. I'm the guy in front in the 2-tone blue shirt.


I ride in memory of my brother who died three years ago of prostate cancer. His was detected late because he never had an exam to test for it. By the time the docs found it, it had spread throughout his body. He was only 61 years old. I also have two friends who are prostate cancer survivors (early detection) and I ride in their honor as well.

Here's my page link if anyone would be so kind as to help sponsor me. Thanks
https://www.gentlemansride.com/rider/decotriumph

I believe this thread needs a well-deserved bumporama to the top!

[bad Chad]

You know I really wanted to hate this whole distinctioninal rider thing.  It seemed very gay and contrived.     But I keep being drawn back to The pics of people having fun with life,  and I realized why the he'll not !?
 Life is more fun when you're having fun. 
 I don't have anything old and rideable anymore but if I did I'd be taking part.   And if the rules are a little loose and there's one near me I'll take part anyway !   It's cool when you finally "get" something !