Classic and vintage style motorcycles unite for men’s health
On Sunday, May 21, around the world the global Distinguished Gentleman’s Ride community came together and celebrated in dapper fashion.
The event featured classic and vintage style motorcycles, dressing dapper and riding to raise funds and awareness for men’s mental health and prostate cancer research.
This year 104,110 riders from 107 countries and 893 cities all came together dressed in dapper for the 12th annual ride to raise funds and awareness of men’s health. This year it raised $6.92 million.
The 12th annual Distinguished Gentleman’s Ride, is a worldwide event held in more than 893 cities participating in this year’s ride. Jason Hartje was this year’s top rider for the Ukiah ride. He raised $5,614 and was 51st in the world out of 104,110 riders.
The Ukiah ride started four years ago, hosted by David Bookout, supported by his wife, Martha. Over the four years, Ukiah has raised $45,687 for men’s health.
“There are so many good things that the Movember charity does for men’s health,” explained Bookout.
Clay Baker, from San Jose, and his wife, Lara, riding a 1972 Honda 750 Four, started the ride in their small town of Murphys, Calif., but decided to join Bookout in the Ukiah ride since it is bigger and can raise more funds. Clay began riding minibikes at age 8, then in 2014 took up motorcycle riding.
Bookout began riding a Honda minibike at 11 years old and for this fundraising ride mounted a 2016 Harley Sportster.
“The generosity shown by participants and donors is a tribute to our community,” said Bookout.
“I would like to take this opportunity to thank our global sponsors: Triumph Motorcycles, Elf Lubricants, Hedon Helmets and Quad Lock. Thanks also go to our local sponsors: Jason Hartje of Mendocino Roofing and Pat Thornton of Tele Com Services for hosting lunch; William Jewelers for providing coffee, juice and pastries; Peartree Shopping Center for allowing us to start the ride here; Savings Bank of Mendocino County, Slam Dunk Pizza, and the most important – all of you distinguished gentlefolk for all of your hard work fundraising and dressing dapper.”
“For a small community like ours to step up and provide this level of contribution is just amazing – it’s also just plain fun. Where else do you get a chance to dress dapper and ride in a beautiful place like our valley?”
The Movember Foundation is a nonprofit organization aimed at raising awareness of men’s health issues, such as prostate cancer, testicular cancer, and men’s suicide. Movember Foundation has been the official charity partner of The Distinguished Gentleman’s Ride since 2016. Both organizations share a simple goal: to bring people together and change the face of men’s health.
Funds raised by The Distinguished Gentleman’s Ride help to power Movember’s work across two of the most complex issues facing men around the globe: prostate cancer and mental health. According to the Movember website, globally, prostate cancer is the second most common cancer in men. Over 10 million men around the world are living with or beyond a prostate cancer diagnosis.
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