Distinguished Gentleman's Ride Chiang Mai, Thailand

The Distinguished Gentleman’s Ride 2019 – Chiang Mai

Suits, Sound, and a Shared Cause

Event

30 Min

The Distinguished Gentleman’s Ride 2019

Chiang Mai | September | Motorcycle Charity Event

The sound hits you first.

A deep, rolling rumble of engines. Hundreds of them. Building into something you don’t just hear, but feel. By the time the Distinguished Gentleman’s Ride 2019 set off in Chiang Mai, it was clear this had grown into something far bigger than just a local ride.

The Distinguished Gentleman’s Ride 2019

Around 340 riders turned out for this years Distinguished Gentleman’s Ride 2019, -Chiang Mai Ride, making it one of the strongest showings yet for the city.

The Distinguished Gentleman’s Ride 2019

About DGR Founded by Mark Hawwa and inspired by Don Draper, the Distinguished Gentleman’s Ride brings together riders in classic and themed attire to raise awareness for men’s health, particularly prostate cancer and mental health—through the Movember Foundation. What started in 2012 with just 2,500 riders has grown into a global movement, raising millions worldwide.

Table of Contents (Click)
Guide for Joining Thailand DGR

The Core Point

Health is at the core of the ride. Specifically prostate cancer and men’s mental health. 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

Distinguished Gentleman's Ride Chiang Mai, Thailand

The Sunday Gathering: The Good View Village

The meeting point this year shifted to The Good View Village Restaurant, with a later start time of around 4 pm.

Distinguished Gentleman's Ride Chiang Mai, Thailand
Distinguished Gentleman's Ride Chiang Mai, Thailand

As riders arrived, the space quickly filled with a mix of classic bikes, modern retros, and themed outfits. There was a fantastic setup, including a DGR backdrop, refreshments, and plenty of time to take photos and soak in the atmosphere.

The military theme added a different visual twist this year, less tweed and tailoring, more variation, but the spirit of the event remained unchanged.

Distinguished Gentleman's Ride Chiang Mai, Thailand

The Bike: Kawasaki Dtracker 250

This year, things were a little more relaxed in terms of bike restrictions, and with the theme leaning towards “Military,” I rode my Kawasaki D-Tracker 250.

Distinguished Gentleman's Ride Chiang Mai, Thailand

The Ride – City Procession

Once everyone had gathered, the procession rolled out under police escort, heading through the outer areas of Chiang Mai, including the Royal Flora zone.

Distinguished Gentleman's Ride Chiang Mai, Thailand

With over 300 bikes on the road, the scale of it was genuinely impressive.

Distinguished Gentleman's Ride Chiang Mai, Thailand

At times, especially riding through the underpasses of the superhighway, the experience felt surreal.

Distinguished Gentleman's Ride Chiang Mai, Thailand

The sound echoed, the line of bikes seemed endless, and for a moment it really hit: how incredible it is to see so many people, from different backgrounds and nationalities, coming together for the same reason.

Distinguished Gentleman's Ride Chiang Mai, Thailand

You could feel the vibrations rumbling through your chest!

Distinguished Gentleman's Ride Chiang Mai, Thailand

DGR Afterparty – Tha Chang Café

The ride eventually made its way to Tha Chang Café, where the evening event kicked off.

Distinguished Gentleman's Ride Chiang Mai, Thailand

Food, drinks, live music, and a lively crowd carried the energy forward into the night. There was also a charity auction, along with stalls, a barber setup, and plenty of conversation flowing between riders.

Distinguished Gentleman's Ride Chiang Mai, Thailand

It felt like a proper celebration, not just of the ride, but of the community behind it.

Ka-ching!Fundraising Efforts

Chiang Mai raised an impressive $6,989.16 USD this year for the Movember Foundation.

Distinguished Gentleman's Ride Chiang Mai, Thailand

A strong result, and a reflection of how much the event continues to grow locally.

Distinguished Gentleman's Ride Chiang Mai, Thailand

It’s also worth noting that the event includes an entry fee (1,000 baht this year), which helps cover organisation costs while contributing to the overall fundraising effort.

This Years Video(s) of the Ride

DGR 2019 – My Conclusion

Each year, the Distinguished Gentleman’s Ride in Chiang Mai grows, not just in numbers, but in presence.

Distinguished Gentleman's Ride Chiang Mai, Thailand

What stood out most this year wasn’t just the turnout, although 340 riders is something to be proud of. It was the feeling of being part of something bigger. Hundreds of bikes, a shared purpose, and a city briefly pausing to take it all in. Another unforgettable ride.

Distinguished Gentleman's Ride Chiang Mai, Thailand

Did you enjoy this story? Have you ever participated in the DGR? Leave a comment. I’d be interested to read your thoughts.

2 Comments

  1. Great report again Zed. I like your rich English maybe because English is not my native language. Anyway tha was a great day and thank you for sharing
    Kind regards
    Per

Leave a Reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *