The Distinguished Gentleman’s Ride 2015 – Chiang Mai
Chiang Mai | September | Motorcycle Charity Event
There’s something slightly surreal about seeing a crowd of motorcyclists dressed like they’re heading to a wedding. Suits, ties, polished shoes… and rows of classic motorcycles idling in the morning heat of Chiang Mai.
That was the scene at this year’s Distinguished Gentleman’s Ride, a global event that took place simultaneously in cities all over the world, including here in Thailand.
Click to Close
Contents
Thailand DGR
The Distinguished Gentleman’s Ride in Thailand
DGR – Important Note
Men’s Health
Prostate cancer and men’s mental health aren’t topics that always get talked about openly, but events like this help change that. Awareness is a big part of it, understanding the signs, talking about it, and encouraging others to do the same. I urge you to take the time to inform yourself and your loved ones about prostate cancer and to read up on the signs and symptoms. Cancer Research UK has a list of symptoms
Sunday 27th September 2015
The Sunday Gathering: Tha Phae Gate
The meeting point at Tha Phae Gate filled quickly. Riders arrived steadily, parking up in neat rows, greeting each other, and taking photos. There was a relaxed atmosphere, no rush, no pressure, just people enjoying the moment before the ride.
Chiang Mai has seen a growing number of big bikes in recent years, but seeing them all gathered like this, dressed up for a cause, felt different. It wasn’t just a meet. It had purpose.
My DGR 2015 Bike
The Bike: Kawasaki Dtracker 250
I’ll be honest, I felt out of place.
Most riders turned up on beautiful classic or retro-styled machines. Café racers, Triumphs, vintage bikes… all perfectly suited to the theme. And then there was me, on a Kawasaki D-Tracker.
Somehow it made it through registration, and in an attempt to make it feel a little more “appropriate,” I stripped off some of the original stickers and gave it a quick makeover.
It didn’t exactly transform it into a classic, but it was enough to make me feel like I could take part without completely standing out, for the wrong reasons.
The Ride
DGR 2015 Ride – Through The City Streets
Once the group set off, escorted through the city by local police, the experience changed completely.
Riding as part of a large group like that is something else. The sound, the movement, the shared pace, it’s hard to describe if you haven’t experienced it.
People stopped to watch. Some smiled, some took photos, others just looked slightly confused at the sight of suited riders rolling past.
And that’s exactly what makes it work. It gets attention, and with that attention comes curiosity, and awareness.
Lunch Stop
Lunch – The Good View Village
After looping through the city, the ride ended at The Good View Village Restaurant. There were games, food, and a charity auction. One T-shirt alone raised over 10,000 baht, which says a lot about the spirit of the people there.
Somehow, I even ended up winning one of the games myself, an unexpected but fun moment in the middle of it all.
The Afterparty
DGR Afterparty – Tha Chang Café
Later in the evening, riders all met again at Tha Chang Café. By this point, the formal look had relaxed.
Many had changed into DGR shirts, drinks were flowing, and the day’s ride footage was playing on screens.
It felt like a proper wind-down. Less about the spectacle, more about the shared experience.
DGR 2015 Video
This Years Video of the Ride
Final Thoughts
DGR 2015 – My Conclusion
Looking back on the day, what stands out most isn’t just the bikes or the suits. It’s the atmosphere. There was no ego, no competition, just a group of people coming together, making an effort, and supporting something that actually matters.
Oh, I also sat on the same bike I was on for a Triumph Bike shoot a few years previously. It was great to see the bike again. A beautiful Triumph Scrambler!
Additional DGR Rides
Did you enjoy this story? Have you ever participated in the DGR? Leave a comment. I’d be interested to read your thoughts.
Thanks for posting the DGR videos from CNX. Great footage 🙂 Looks like there is a classic bike culture there I have not yet seen.
I rode in the Sydney DGR last year and plan to do same again 2016.. Wish I was in Chiang Mai but will not be back there until November.
Hi Michael, thanks for the comment!
It was really great fun. I was surprised myself at the amount of classic bikes.
Very nice atmosphere and great looking bikes.
Good luck with your next DGR in Sydney 😀