Dapper up and saddle up, boys!

On September 25 expect to see an unusual scene rolling along Tauranga's streets – and expect it to start a conversation that all of our boyfriends, husbands, fathers, uncles and grandfathers should be having, but are most likely not.

The Distinguished Gentleman's Ride is cruising through Tauranga for the second year – and it's not just about raising funds for men's health and men's mental health. It's about getting the blokes to talk about the issues.

The event sees streets worldwide abuzz with finely dressed gentlefolk upon their classic and vintage-style motorcycles, united in their support of men's health.

Tauranga organiser Wayne Cockburn says it's the world's greatest motorcycling charity event, shining a light upon the bikes, fashion and ideals of a bygone era, all for a good cause.

'Last year in Tauranga we had 85 bikes and we raised about $15,000 locally – it was really well supported. Globally, about US$2.6 million was raised.”

The ride was founded in 2012 by Mark Hawwa in Australia, after he was inspired by a photo of Mad Men's Don Draper astride a classic bike, wearing his finest suit.

That first ride drew 2500 riders across 64 cities. This year 50,000 riders in more than 500 cities in 90 countries will take part. The universal fundraising goal is US$5m.

Wayne expects about 150 riders at the Tauranga event on September 25, which starts in Papamoa about 10am.

'These aren't your ordinary blokes in leathers on fast bikes; these are your old-school classics, customs, and bobbers. All the bikes that get parked up in sheds for years until their owners have an excuse to get them out.”

'The men are dappered up and the ladies are dressed in their Sunday best – because of that it's a very distinguished ride.

'People stop and talk to us, wanting to know what the ride is about – the discussion on men's health starts here.”

Tauranga's Bayride Motorcycles is supporting the event, with owner Damian Fleming saying: 'We had a ball last year”.

'It's a community event we want to get behind because men don't really want to talk about prostate cancer and men's mental health.”

His shop shops sells Triumph bikes – and Triumph Motorcycles supports ride globally. The iconic British motorcycle manufacturer will award a modern classic motorcycle to the most outstanding fundraisers globally, as ‘thank you' for their support.

To find out more, register for the ride, or donate, see www.gentlemansride.com

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