The annual Distinguished Gentleman’s Ride (DGR) isn’t just a ride; it’s a global initiative raising funds and awareness for men’s health. Despite challenges like unpredictable weather, the event thrived, highlighting the camaraderie of motorcycle enthusiasts and their dedication to a common cause.
Cruising for a Cause
The streets of Kuching came alive with the sound of vintage motorcycles and riders in smart attire as the city hosted the annual Distinguished Gentleman’s Ride (DGR) on May 19.
This event, part of a global initiative, drew a large turnout of motorcycle enthusiasts and supporters dressed in their finest suits and ties, united for a common cause: raising funds and awareness for men’s health issues, particularly prostate cancer and mental health.
Riders gathered early in the morning at Plaza Merdeka, the designated starting point, where the atmosphere buzzed with excitement.
Event organisers and familiar faces from the community welcomed hundreds of enthusiasts. Participants embarked on a scenic ride through the city, culminating at Oasis Garden Bistro at Pine Square.
The sight of riders in dapper outfits astride their classic motorcycles drew smiles and waves from onlookers, adding a touch of nostalgia and charm to the city’s atmosphere.
A conversation with Yen Dominick
At the heart of this event is Yen Dominick, a key member of the organising committee and owner of Oasis Garden Bistro. Yen has been instrumental in bringing the DGR to Kuching over the past eight years, driven by a personal commitment to men’s health issues.
“The inspiration comes from DGR International. We wanted to support and raise awareness about men’s health, particularly prostate cancer and mental health,” Yen explained.
“This event in Kuching began in 2012 with around 20 riders. Since then, the number of riders has grown exponentially to about 100 or 200 each year.
“This year saw approximately 100 officially registered riders, with possibly another 50 unregistered participants,” he said.
The group’s dedication to the cause is evident, with the main goal being to highlight the bikes, fashion, and ideals of a bygone era, all while raising funds and awareness for men’s health.
Challenges and triumphs
Organising such a large-scale event comes with its challenges, particularly unpredictable weather.
“Too dry and we sweat, too wet and the event will be delayed,” Yen shared
“Ensuring the safety of participants and the public is also paramount.
“There is no revving of engines, we ride slow and easy, and no breaking of traffic rules,” he said.
Despite these challenges, the ride has consistently aligned with the global mission of DGR.
“The safety of the participating riders and the public is a top priority,” Yen added.
Looking ahead
Looking to the future, Yen hopes to further grow the event by planning joint events or collaborations with other non-governmental organisations (NGOs), provided the time and date coincide.
His advice for those interested in participating or supporting the DGR is straightforward: “Register officially for next year, get a classic motorcycle, and dress dapper.”
Feedbacks
Feedback from participants and the community has been overwhelmingly positive, highlighting the friendly interactions among people from diverse backgrounds, ethnicities, races, and ages.
Freddy Au, the moderator of the Solo Riders Club (Sarawak Chapter), said that DGR is fantastic for raising awareness about prostate cancer and mental health.
“What’s even more impressive is that this event isn’t limited to Kuching; it’s a global phenomenon with participants from all over the world joining in,” Au added.
Meanwhile, Hens, another participant in the event, said, “I have been a long-time fan of DGR events, but this is my first year participating.
“Even though the event is short, I’m glad to see familiar faces, make new friends, and admire the beautiful bikes. I’m already looking forward to the next one, of course.”
My thoughts
Meanwhile, as I write this, I find myself reflecting on last year’s events. Plausibly dwelling in my own ‘limbo’, questioning the state of my sanity, I digressed. My mind was swimming, seeking an exit.
It was during this time that I restored an old Honda Cup 70, which I rode for the same event. Though the ‘apek’ bike was questionable at best — three gears, a busted contact magnet that gave me quite the cardio to kick start, and broke down quite a few times — I found myself smiling at each ‘junction’ of debacle and insanity.
One could easily have just gotten a new bike (which I did later on) and moved on, but mum didn’t raise a quitter. Eventually, with the help of a trusty mechanic in Matang, Alan mic motorsport workshop, I got the bike running and fully restored.
A few months later, I bought a Cafe Racer which took me on a further journey. My mind wasn’t foggy anymore, I made new friends, saw different places, and realised that Kuching wasn’t as small as it used to be. Finally, it brought me to the DGR.
The DGR, themed ‘Side By Side Worldwide’, in my opinion, proved that the biking community is a big pool of ‘healthy soul soup’, where everyone rides for various reasons, yet with the common goal of promoting mental health welfare.
The DGR was founded in Sydney, Australia, by Mark Hawwa. It was inspired by a photo of the TV show Mad Men’s Don Draper astride a classic motorcycle and wearing his finest suit. Mark decided that a themed ride would be a great way of connecting niche motorcycle enthusiasts and communities while raising funds to support the men in our lives.
As of this year’s event, 958 DGR events have been organised across 105 countries. Since its introduction in 2012, a total of USD 52.21 million has been raised for the cause.
