This year, on Sunday 24th of September, cities around the world took to the streets on classic styled motorcycles and the most dapper dress, all in the name of the Distinguished Gentleman’s ride.
The DGR is all about having fun on motorcycles whilst raising awareness and money for men’s health and prostate cancer research, riding a pre arranged route in a parade fashion whilst wearing their most “Dapper” attire.
The event has grown to spread over 90 countries with a count of around 56 thousand riders taking part this year! With a count of around 400 bikes in Birmingham alone it has become clear that Brum has elbowed its way into becoming one of the major cities in the UK to support the charity ride.
Supporting the great cause was just something we had to do, so we set about planning to host an Afterparty right here at Mutt HQ to support the ride organised by our neighbours Triumph Birmingham, and to give people an opportunity to have some fun and raise some extra cash for the DGR charity after the ride. And boy did we have a good time!
The DGR is all about vintage wear and vintage style rides. We had a fantastic parade of bikes arrive at Mutt HQ, everything from classic Triumphs, beautiful vintage BMW boxers, choppers and the occasional Mutt. There were bikes lined up and down the street in a beautiful display of chrome and custom paint gleaming in the (fortunately) nice Sunday weather. Part of the fun of the DGR is dressing up for the ride, in any direction you looked were tweed suits, bow ties, tweaked moustaches and smiles.
We had our friend Ethan Jones down for the day tattooing some awesome flash pieces with all the proceeds going to the DGR. Some dapper ladies and gents who were particularly brave took the “Tattoo Lucky Dip” by throwing a dart at tattoo flash on a dart board and getting whatever they hit! There was a none stop queue of people all day waiting to ink themselves all in the name of charity. Ethan also runs Birmingham based clothing company “The Stray Club” with his friend Ory, the guys were there selling some great pieces throughout the day.
The Black Market Barber Company came down to do the best hair cuts and beard trims in town all in the name of Charity. Setting up in our stylish lift at Mutt HQ with their vintage barber gear there was a none stop queue of dapper gentlemen all afternoon.
Brummy boys P & Co were selling off samples of their latest collection here at the DGR afterparty with 100% of the proceeds going to the DGR. Being huge fans of the motorcycle lifestyle and it influencing their collections, they were more than happy to get involved.
A huge thank you to all the sponsors who donated prizes for the raffle and helped make the day such a success. Modern Body Art, Digbeth Dining Club, The Dapper Cravat, F.T.H Just Ride, P&Co, Double Zero Cafe, Biltwell, Ethan Jones, The Stray Club, Black Market Barber Company.
Until next year, stay dapper Gents!
Photography by: Michael Evans, Adison Rudall (P&Co) and Sam John Jones.
