Let ‘er rip!
On May 22, Squamish residents can expect to hear the roar of motorcycle engines as local riders take to the streets as part of the 11th annual Distinguished Gentleman’s Ride. A global fundraiser for men’s health, it will bring together 90,000 members of the motorcycle community from over 100 countries and 800 cities worldwide. All proceeds are going to Movember, the leading men’s health charity.
After two years of pandemic restrictions, the event will be back in full swing. Onlookers can expect to see riders in their most eye-catching dapper gear, as they sit atop vintage motorbikes. Participants are thrilled they’ll be allowed to ride together after two years of being forced to ride solo.
In Canada, 29 cities will take part. Besides Squamish, they include Bathhurst, Berwick, Calgary, Drummondville, Edmonton, Gibsons, Halifax, Hamilton, Kelowna, Kincardine, Ladysmith, London, Moncton, Montreal, Niagara Falls, Ottawa, Parksville, Pickering, Quebec City, Regina, Rimouski, Shediac, Sherbrooke, Toronto, Vancouver, Vernon, Victoria and Winnipeg.
Since its inception in 2012, the Distinguished Gentleman’s Ride has connected over 400,000 riders of classic and vintage style motorcycles and have raised more than $40 million for men's health, specifically prostate cancer and men's mental health. Since 2016, the event has partnered with Movember, which has played a significant role in funding programs that have supported men worldwide.
Over $2.5 million has been raised for Movember by Canadian riders since the organization first came on board as the official charity partner in 2016.
According to the event’s founder, Mark Hawwa, it’s having a real impact on men’s lives.
"Over the last ten years and 11 Distinguished Gentleman’s Rides later, we have raised a tremendous amount for men's health, developing strong community connections and cause-related programs that have helped thousands of men around the world,” he said, in a news release.
“This year, we have continued to fund our DGR Social Connections Challenge and the Veterans and First Responders Grant, in partnership with Movember. These programs have supported the motorcycling communities within various cities around the world and have shown support in-kind to the veterans, police, fire, and emergency services who have sacrificed for their communities and countries. We are proud to be able to support them in return."
Movember CEO, Michelle Terry, is thrilled the Distinguished Gentleman’s Ride will bring so many people together.
"The Distinguished Gentleman’s Ride community has always instinctively understood the importance of having strong social connections as a key way of maintaining mental well-being. Over the last decade, the rides have come to symbolize the desire of the community to stand together and support each other through tough times. After two years of having to ride solo due to pandemic restrictions, we are delighted to see the community able to ride together again, shoulder to shoulder, raising vital funds for men's health projects."
Prize competitions for the 2022 campaign are still open for you to be involved in.
To donate or find out more, go to gentlemansride.com.
