CHANGES TO DGR 2020
W
hile it seems many good events for
motorcyclists are still dropping like
flies, the worldwide Distinguished
Gentleman’s Ride is carrying on the good
fight for Men’s health issues with a few
changes to the usual format.
With the DGR taking place all over the world,
the organisers of the event have decided to
pivot away from the usual mass gathering ride
and change the format to participants riding
solo or with a pillion.
“This Year’s solo event took a lot of time to
decide on,” says DGR founder Mark Hawwa.
“As founder, I was personally going down the
path of cancelling this year’s event. Globally, the
struggle is real and as we operate in 682 cities
across 102 countries it is so important for the
longevity of the event that we take into account
all factors and feedback. We always want to
maintain our integrity and ensure the safety of
our participants. Running a full scale event
globally is insensitive, after so many have been
impacted and it was important to reduce the
pressure on all our volunteers and riders. Globally,
things haven’t returned to normal and dealing
with all correct authorities to permit rides was
looking to be near impossible,” he told Kiwi Rider.
“In times like this, riding motorcycles is more
important than ever before,” Hawwa says.
“These are tough times mentally for all of us and
as an escape and part of our mental well being, I
felt it was important to give those an opportunity
to have a sense of normality where suitable. So I
opted to run the event as a solo event. There are
no doubts that this will be a smaller event. It
won’t raise the US$6m we have before and that is
expected, the message is simple for us, be there
for your friends, support those next-door,
support those overseas and ride with us on the
same day, socially distanced but together in
spirit. The cause is so important so we need help
reminding those over 50 to get checked for
prostate cancer and hopefully we will be back
together next year riding as locally as one!”
“As a global event, we simply can’t push multiple
messages that conflict and we feel we need to
lead by example for those in areas that don’t
have Covid under control yet.”
The 2020 Distinguished Gentleman’s Ride is
officially set down to take place on September
27, and with the dapper folk of the DGR riding
solo this year chances are you’ll see them out
on two wheels in their best threads on a road
near you.
KIWI RIDER 79