Third annual motorcycle charity ride to be held in Fayetteville

FAYETTEVILLE, WV (WVNS) — The Distinguished Gentleman’s Ride (DGR), a global charity motorcycle ride, will be returning to the New River Gorge for the third year on May 19, 2024.

More than 50 riders are expected to participate in the charity event to bring awareness to the issues surrounding men’s mental health and raise funds for prostate cancer research. The owner of Utopeia Moto Company, Chris Tope, organized the event in Fayetteville after he was unable to find an event locally.

When I first learned about the Distinguished Gentleman’s Ride, I looked for a local event to join. There wasn’t one in the whole state of West Virginia, so I decided to host our own ride through the heart of the New River Gorge.

Chris Tope | Utopeia Moto Company

The charity, which started in 2012 in Sydney, Australia, has raised over $47.25 million since its inception. The DGR has inspired riders to combat negative stereotypes of motorcyclists and raise money for important causes.

West Virginia ranked one of the highest in the nation for the prevalence of poor physical and mental health for men. So, we’re getting together, riding together in style, making an absolute spectacle of ourselves, and starting really important conversations about taking care of yourself and those around you.

Chris Tope

The sponsors for the 2024 Distinguished Gentleman’s Ride include the Utopeia Moto Company, Canyon Rim Rotary Club of Fayette County, The Secret Sandwich Society, The Freefolk Brewery, and the Love Hope Center for the Arts. To participate in the charity ride, riders must be registered and dressed in their finest attire.

To register for the Dapper Gentleman’s Ride or to sponsor a rider, visit https://www.gentlemansride.com/rides/united+states/fayetteville .

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