2019 Distinguished Gentleman's Ride

[snowymonkey]

We did the DGR in Ocala Florida. I rode down with a few buddies (Justin on a BMW r1150r wearing the green vest in the pics, and Fabio on a Heritage classic wearing the purple vest in the pics). Bruce and Jeff met us there with their Urals. So 3 Urals total. Bruce and I did the ride in kilts..... nice and breezy

Hot day but a lot of fun was had by all. I’ve got some GoPro footage to go through and condense into a shorter video. I’ll post it up when I get done.


Oh yeah... the net to last two pics. Right after the final awards they said “anyone want a free banner”, so I snagged it

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[zookster]

Birmingham AL DGR today. 92+ bikes, over $21,000 raised. Participants had the opportunity to take a few escorted laps at the Barber Motorsports Park for $15, which the Museum kindly donated back to the DGR ride. 3 Urals, my 2013, a 2014 T and a 2006 Patrol. Good ride, about 45 miles total, but very hot. Like Chad, my Ural ran a bit hot, dieseling at stops and generally being a bit cantankerous as the ride wore on. After a good cool down it was fine on the ride home. A big thank you to the SS members who donated to my ride!















My friend Chris rode his Kawasaki Z900RS





This nice HD sidecar outfit showed up at the ride end point.

[Obo Scribe]

So you know, the Lancashire DGR was postponed until next Sunday, 6th October due to persistent torrential rain and flooding in NW England. We will be there!

[Snakeoil]

Nice overall look Rob. Yours is the only OTHER FL that I've ever seen that sports those chrome ball on the springer/fork that mine had.

Nice boots!

Thanks Lew. They are all original to the bike. When people ask what they are, I smile and tell them that my bike as balls.

The helmet and the puttees are the real deal. The helmet is an AGV with some road rash on it. I like to think it might have gathered that rash at the IoM while riding with one of the Italian team from back in the 50's. The puttees (not boots) were a true find in that I have calves like Popeye and that was not the norm when these were in fashion. I've found dozens of pairs in flea markets and antique shops, but they were all made for Olive Oyl. Even these were a bit snug, but a little strategic stretching with alcohol and a hat stretcher did the trick.

There is something about an event like this that brings out the good in everyone. I was picking up some honey from a local couple in their 80's. Told them about the event that weekend and Stephen goes into the house and comes out with the bowtie you see me wearing in the photo. He hands it to me and says "Take pictures".

I'm currently torn between what I'll ride in next year's event. I'm thinking the Ural because the wife can go. But it's also the perfect venue for the Indian Four. The knucklehead gathered a crowd of well-dressed Sunday strollers at the Olde English Pub. I actually had an audience of non-riders gather to see the bike start and leave. I'm sure the Four will be a crowd pleaser too. But then again, we all know the Ural is a crowd magnet as well.

[Snakeoil]

Bruce and I did the ride in kilts..... nice and breezy

You would not have gotten away with kilts in our ride unless you like frozen berries.

That's a '48 Panhead. First year for the Panhead and last year for the springer fork. The lights on the sidecar tell me it is an earlier year, but it just might be the lights that are earlier. They made that hack up until 1966.

[bratmanxj]

So you know, the Lancashire DGR was postponed until next Sunday, 6th October due to persistent torrential rain and flooding in NW England. We will be there!

Same here, all the rides surrounding Lake Michigan were canceled. Chicago & Milwaukee pulled theirs Saturday nigh after a storm dumped 7"+ of rain Friday night into Saturday morning. South Bend pulled their ride at 9:00 am Sunday as I was on my way out there for the ride. Took a detour to the Studebaker Museum since we were already out there.

[sallen]

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Wilmington NC DGR2019

[DrFaulken]

The weather kept probably 1/3rd to a 1/2 of the riders away, but we still had a great time in the Minneapolis / St. Paul ride. The tone was *much* different than last year, possibly because the only folks who showed were really committed. There seemed to be more focus on people dealing with cancer and/or mental health issues, or remembering those who dealt with those issues.

189 registered riders raised just a touch under $34,000.

In thanks partly to you, we collected $3547.

Only 2 other Urals this year. Both are hardcore gentlemen, and it was nice to share time with them on Sunday.

We shot a bunch of footage and interviews with the attendees, and I'll post it here.

In the meantime, those who donated to us got to vote on what we wore, and this absurd jacket and bow tie combo won.

[tx2sturgis]

Dang....those rides look like a lot of fun....thanks to all for the pics...

[Snakeoil]

The rides are not fast as a general rule. I thought it was just our leader being cautious. But the website guide says that rides are slow on purpose, driven mostly by having folks where non-motorcycle clothing and hence no protective gear other than a helmet. I actually wished we'd at least done the speed limit. The ride home was normal, except for all the looks I got from the outfit I was wearing. Actually got some thumbs up on the ride home as well.

[snowymonkey]

As promised.

[Long Travel]

Last weekend we had a fantastic day for the DGR in Nowra, NSW, Australia. We had 75 riders and raised over $10,000 for the cause of Men's Health. Thanks so much to the Soviet Steed members that sponsored me. Thanks Dr Faulken, Joseph, James and Hal. Your contributions to the cause are greatly appreciated.

The bikes included a drum rear brake EFI Ranger, an old solo Ural and my Sahara. The ride finished at the Huskisson Hotel with the bikes parked on the grass overlooking the water. It was a superb sunny day.

Cheers, Steve

[DrFaulken]

Our roundup for the Minneapolis / St Paul ride:



It is impossible to try to distill all the riders, the bikes, and their stories into a video, but we tried.

Turnout was low due to weather, but the commitment of the folks who showed was high.

Chances are that at least one person in this video won't make it to next year's event.

Asking people to sign the inside of my faring, and hearing the stories behind those names, put a very real touch on this year's experience.

[snowymonkey]

Excellent video. Took forever for me to get a chance to watch. Great editing and filming..... not to mention that epic beard

[snowymonkey]

Also finally got a chance to put my shadow box together. The big pic is one the actual photographer at our ride caught of me ( ordered a print from his website). The other 3 are from my phone. And the patch is of course from the ride.

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