Distinguished Gentleman’s Ride leg helps raise funds

Messy weather did not deter a group of well-dressed gentlemen from taking their motorcycles through Dunedin yesterday.

About two dozen riders participated in the Dunedin leg of the Distinguished Gentleman’s Ride, which is an international event to raise money for men’s health issues.

The Dunedin leg began at the railway station and went through the student quarter, looped back to the Octagon before eventually finishing near the Grange Retirement Village in Mosgiel.

Dunedin organiser Bruce Simpson said since it was introduced to the city about five years ago, it had raised more than $15,000 for men’s health issues, particularly mental health and prostate cancer.

"Just look around ... everybody’s looking very happy. It’s not often we actually see a whole bunch of people out, you know, dressed up for the occasion, and looking pretty resplendent.

"But we’re raising awareness for some pretty serious issues among men. It’s such an iconic ride."

The Distinguished Gentleman’s Ride was founded in Sydney, Australia, by Mark Hawwa in 2012, and quickly made its way around the world as thousands of men put on their best suits and took their vintage motorcycles for a ride.

Internationally, it has raised more than $59 million for men’s health initiatives.