KUCHING: More than 200 bikers took to the streets here in a stylish display of support for the Distinguished Gentleman’s Ride (DGR) 2023.
The ride kicked off at 11 am from the Kuching South City Council (MBKS) compound, winding its way through various parts of the city before concluding at Bazz Club.
In a departure from the traditional leather jackets associated with bikers, the riders were adorned in blazers, suspenders, and bowties, exuding an air of sophistication.
President of the Rogue Squadron Motorcycle Crew (RSMC), Mike Chin, highlighted the event’s purpose of raising funds and promoting awareness for men’s mental health and prostate cancer research.
“We want to convey a message to people, whether in Sarawak or across the globe, about prostate cancer, which many young men today may not be aware of,” he said when met by reporters today alongside the crew’s advisor Ian Dominic.
Meanwhile, Richard Payng, vice-president of RSMC, noted that participants from the United States and Kalimantan, Indonesia, also joined the ride. He added that the inaugural ride in Kuching took place six years ago, with the same objective of supporting fundraising efforts.
“We hope to see an increase in donations and riders’ participation in the coming years to demonstrate unwavering support for this cause,” said Richard.
In Kuching alone, approximately US$323 was raised by the riders, while similar rides were held in other cities and towns, including Bintulu, Johor Bahru, Kota Kinabalu, Kuala Lumpur, Melaka, Penang, and Sibu.
On a global scale, this year’s DGR saw an astounding US$6.37 million raised, with a staggering 100,816 riders joining the cause.
Originating in Sydney, Australia, the DGR was founded by Mark Hawwa, who drew inspiration from a photo of Don Draper, a character from the TV show Mad Men, riding a classic bike in his finest suit. This led Hawwa to envision a themed ride that would connect motorcycle enthusiasts and communities while generating funds for men’s health support.
Since its inception in 2012, DGR has achieved remarkable milestones, raising US$37.5 million for men’s health initiatives and garnering participation from 340,000 classic and vintage riders across 121 countries.
