Resplendent in his finest threads and having just completed Wollongong’s first Distinguished Gentleman’s Ride, Rob Rossi was ready to enjoy an ale or two.
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Fellow dapper gent Michael Jobson was also in the mood to celebrate with the other 90 or so riders who had just helped raise more than $18,000 for the Movember Foundation.
On Sunday these riders joined the cavalcade of dapper men and women worldwide riding their vintage and custom motorcycles in procession to raise awareness about men’s health.
Timothy and Jane Sim from City Coast Motorcycles organised Wollongong’s first Distinguished Gentleman’s Ride to raise awareness and funds for prostate cancer and suicide prevention.
‘’We wanted to start conversations about these important issues,’’ Jane Sim said.
‘’I have a husband, father, son and brother and know how important it is to talk about these important men’s health issues.
‘’It was fantastic to take part in this spectacular ride which started from Bulli Beach and has helped raise vital funds for the Movember Foundation.’’
Sim said the inaugural Wollongong ride was a rousing success but the 2018 event will be bigger and better.
‘’We had to cap this year’s ride but that won’t be the case next year,’’ she said.
Jobson added the event also aims to break down the stigma of how guys who ride motorbikes look.
‘’Having a beard is a bonus but not a must,’’ he joked.
‘’But in all seriousness it’s great to be able to dress up a bit enjoy this fantastic spectacular.’’
The ride was was founded in 2012 by Mark Hawwa after the Sydney resident was inspired by an image of TV character Don Draper of Mad Men sitting upon a classic Matchless Motorcycle.
It’s focused on cafe racers, trackers, scramblers, classics, bobbers, vintage scooters, old school choppers, bratstyle, sider cars and modern classics.
The ride has raised more than $8 million for charity since 2013, with an aim to raise another $5 m for prostate cancer and mental health programs in 2017.
This year’s event had more than 70,000 registered riders in 600 cities across 95 countries.
