The Wild One, Easy Rider, The Wild Angels were movies from the 50’s and 60’s that pointed to rebellious youth and their motorcycle. The bad boy stereotype also played well for the Fonz in Happy Days in the 70’s. Just seeing the motorcycle or that certain black jacket was enough to judge the character of the rider. Hollywood softened the image a bit with The World’s Fastest Indian and Mission Impossible put Tom Cruise on a BMW motorcycle in a chase scene that paints motorcycle riders as a very different light. The television show Law and Order had Jack, a lawyer no less, riding a BMW boxer. No matter what vision comes to mind, the sight or sound of hordes of motorcycles rumbling down the street doesn’t usually bring up warm fuzzy feelings.
Every year in May a group of men and women get together for a short motorcycle ride through communities around the world. The Distinguished Gentlemen’s Ride isn’t just a chance to set off car alarms and intimidate children throughout the land. It is a ride for a cause.
Distinguished: 1) successful, authoritative, and commanding great respect 2) showing dignity or authority in one’s appearance or manner.
Gentleman: 1) a chivalrous, courteous, or honorable man. 2) a polite or formal way of referring to a man.
I’m not so sure about the first definition of distinguished but the second surely applies as men and women got dressed up, added a helmet and gloves and paraded through San Jose on May 22, 2022. Sponsored by Spirit Motorcycles (Indian, Moto Guzzi, Royal Enfield and Triumph dealer), almost 200 bikers came together to raise money and awareness for Men’s health. You don’t need to be a classic or ride a classic motorcycle to participate in the event.
Of course, Spirit Motorcycles sell the very types of motors that we think of for a classic bike. Jay Leno says on his show Jay Leno’s Garage (NBC and YouTube) that a motorcycle should first and foremost show off the motor. Every marque at Spirit shares that characteristic. The rebirth of Triumph and Indian are all about the look, sound, and style of a motor with a frame and wheels. Royal Enfield, made in India from original English plans in the 50’s has recently been reintroduced to the US and Moto Guzzi, where motors haven’t gone out of style since 1921 round out the MOTORcycle retro style that seems to fit the Distinguished Gentleman’s ride.
As you will see in the photos, there were plenty of other marques also, Harley-Davidson, BMW, Honda, Yamaha, and Kawasaki. (https://youtu.be/uM96NtmaCM0) There is no restriction on the brand or style of the bike and anyone who wanted to come on a new race-inspired bike would certainly be welcome because this ride is all about getting dressed up to bring awareness to men and their physical and mental health.
To this end riders pay a small fee and fundraise to support awareness for prostate cancer research and men’s mental health. The organization was founded in Australia in 2012 and has raised $31.6 million US dollars in 115 countries around the world, according to the website www.gentlemensride.com.
Take a few moments and peruse the start of this year’s ride. Maybe you will see your favorite bike or event decide to buy one. I promise you don’t have to hide your kids or worry that the neighborhood is going downhill. (https://youtu.be/KlOdsIAyTos)
Talkin' about the past, photographing the present 