Some distinguished gentlemen from St. Albert hope area motorcyclists will join them on a ride to help beat prostate cancer later this month.
Thousands of people around the world will ride classic motorcycles — and look great doing so — on May 19, as part of the 2024 Distinguished Gentleman’s Ride. The event encourages riders to raise funds and awareness for prostate cancer research and men’s mental health.
St. Albert resident John Carle and his friends will be taking part in the Edmonton edition of the ride later this month. He and his friends hoped to rally about 20 St. Albert residents to join the ride and support men’s mental health.
“So many of the social challenges we run into — domestic abuse, homelessness, drug addictions — a lot of that is amplified or stems directly from men’s mental health,” Carle said.
“The more that we can raise awareness, the more we can tell men it’s OK to talk about their feelings and emotions … the more likely we are to solve some of these problems.”
Stylish ride
The Distinguished Gentleman’s Ride was founded in 2012 in Australia by Mark Hawwa, who was inspired by a photo of the TV character Don Draper wearing a fancy suit whilst astride a classic motorcycle. Participants are asked to raise money for the charity Movember (which funds prostate cancer research and promotes men’s mental health) and to take part in a mass motorcycle ride. The ride has thus far seen some 500,000 riders in 121 nations raise US$45 million.
The official style guide for the ride asks participants to use bikes with a classic or vintage look, such as café racers, trackers, old-school choppers, and sidecars.
In practice, Carle said the Edmonton ride draws participants of all genders astride rides of all types, including classic Triumphs, off-road bikes, and his own Honda Saber 1300.
“There was one bike from the 1930s last year,” he said, as well as a tiny Honda Grom and other rarities.
Riders are also encouraged to dress “dapper,” which means tweed suits, trilbies, fancy timepieces, and open-faced helmets.
Carle said he and his fellow riders typically hit up discount stores prior to the ride to find vintage suits that fit over their protective riding gear.
“There was one guy dressed up as Batman last year,” he noted, and another in an orange leather jumpsuit astride an orange bike.
“The goal is just to draw attention.”
Serious cause
Prostate cancer is the most common form of cancer in Canadian men, with about 71 Canadians diagnosed with it every day, the Canadian Cancer Society reports. It is most commonly diagnosed in those over 60, with being Black, obese, tall, or having a family history of it all raising one’s risk of having it.
While urinary problems and lower back pains can be signs of it, early prostate cancer often has no noticeable symptoms, the Movember website notes. As early detection helps treatment, Movember encourages men 45 and up to get tested for prostate cancer. This typically involves a blood test but can involve sticking a gloved finger into your rectum to check your prostate for lumps. Once detected, prostate cancer can be treated with surgery, radiation, hormones, and other techniques.
Carle said the Edmonton ride typically draws about a hundred participants. He encouraged people to join or support the St. Albert team at this year’s ride by visiting gfolk.team/StAlbertRiders.
“Come join us and have some fun and make some new friends.”
Visit gentlemansride.com for details on the ride.
