Discussion
Anyone else frustrated with the gatekeeping on the types of bikes allowed to participate?
https://www.gentlemansride.com/about/style-guide
I've never had a bike that is 'allowed', so never bothered to attend. I get that it's all for the tweed and beardy look on instagram, but it's also a fundraising event, gatekeeping who can participate seems odd to me.
https://www.gentlemansride.com/about/style-guide
I've never had a bike that is 'allowed', so never bothered to attend. I get that it's all for the tweed and beardy look on instagram, but it's also a fundraising event, gatekeeping who can participate seems odd to me.
Yes, I've always thought it a bit odd given that this is supposed to be a charity fundraising event that they try to specify what type of machine you're allowed to attend on - surely if they relaxed it a bit they'd get more attendance, which would be better for the cause. Ho hum.
That said, the ones I've been to have included an amount of "normal" stuff along with customs, classics and modern retros etc. so I don't think it's actually that closely policed - it more seems to be to do with how the riders are kitted up.
At the end of the day it's a bit of a peacocking thing in my opinion, anyone can go out and drum up money for a charity of their choice - you don't have to dress up in a particular way on a certain day to do that.
That said, the ones I've been to have included an amount of "normal" stuff along with customs, classics and modern retros etc. so I don't think it's actually that closely policed - it more seems to be to do with how the riders are kitted up.
At the end of the day it's a bit of a peacocking thing in my opinion, anyone can go out and drum up money for a charity of their choice - you don't have to dress up in a particular way on a certain day to do that.
I can absolutely understand enfocring a dress code but they definitely get a bit militant about the bikes. I understood when I had a GSXR streetfighter that it wasn't what they're looking for, but was told no for my Hornet. Having said that I think it does come down to the local organisers of each specific ride.
I'm surprised there are as many people with a tweed fetish.
I'm not surprised that there is a dress code and bike specification.
I mean the whole purpose is the retro aesthetic, for people who like that sort of thing. A power ranger on a sports bike is the opposite of what they are trying to do and would just be like any other charity bike meet/toy run that are already well catered for.
See also the Chap Olympiad!
I'm not surprised that there is a dress code and bike specification.
I mean the whole purpose is the retro aesthetic, for people who like that sort of thing. A power ranger on a sports bike is the opposite of what they are trying to do and would just be like any other charity bike meet/toy run that are already well catered for.
See also the Chap Olympiad!
FSEngineer said:
Yes, I've always thought it a bit odd given that this is supposed to be a charity fundraising event that they try to specify what type of machine you're allowed to attend on - surely if they relaxed it a bit they'd get more attendance, which would be better for the cause. Ho hum.
That said, the ones I've been to have included an amount of "normal" stuff along with customs, classics and modern retros etc. so I don't think it's actually that closely policed - it more seems to be to do with how the riders are kitted up.
At the end of the day it's a bit of a peacocking thing in my opinion, anyone can go out and drum up money for a charity of their choice - you don't have to dress up in a particular way on a certain day to do that.
True, but on the other hand, activities with a theme that get a large number of people together tend to raise an awful lot of money. Any one individual may not enjoy an event involving a bit of dressing up, but there are plenty who do - 94000 last year apparently.That said, the ones I've been to have included an amount of "normal" stuff along with customs, classics and modern retros etc. so I don't think it's actually that closely policed - it more seems to be to do with how the riders are kitted up.
At the end of the day it's a bit of a peacocking thing in my opinion, anyone can go out and drum up money for a charity of their choice - you don't have to dress up in a particular way on a certain day to do that.
At the end of the day it's just a bit of fun that also serves a very useful purpose - are there many other one-day events raising over $6m specifically for 'men's health' causes?
You could always set up an Undistinguished Mens Ride, where participants can wear what they want and ride anything street legal, and see how it fares in comparison.
Bob_Defly said:
Anyone else frustrated with the gatekeeping on the types of bikes allowed to participate?
https://www.gentlemansride.com/about/style-guide
I've never had a bike that is 'allowed', so never bothered to attend. I get that it's all for the tweed and beardy look on instagram, but it's also a fundraising event, gatekeeping who can participate seems odd to me.
I'm not sure I understand why you're frustrated. The event is what the organisers want it to be. If you want to join in then you know exactly how to do that. If you don't follow the rules then you can't join in. If enough people are happy to follow the rules then the organisers will have archived their aim. If enough people don't attend then either the rules will be relaxed or a new event (with more relaxed rules) will happen. https://www.gentlemansride.com/about/style-guide
I've never had a bike that is 'allowed', so never bothered to attend. I get that it's all for the tweed and beardy look on instagram, but it's also a fundraising event, gatekeeping who can participate seems odd to me.
I feel frustrated
that F1 cars 
are not allowed into MotoGP due to restricted gate keeping. 
AKjr said:
Perhaps I'm being a miserable fogey but riding around on a motorbike whilst wearing a tweed suit for protection sounds like a bloody stupid idea to me.
If protection is your top priority then, statistically, riding around on a motorbike is a pretty stupid idea. It's all about where you draw the line and, in that, we're all different.
AKjr said:
Perhaps I'm being a miserable fogey but riding around on a motorbike whilst wearing a tweed suit for protection sounds like a bloody stupid idea to me.
A load of people having harmless fun and raising money for a good cause while raising the profile of motorcycling seems anything but a bloody stupid idea to me.AKjr said:
Perhaps I'm being a miserable fogey but riding around on a motorbike whilst wearing a tweed suit for protection sounds like a bloody stupid idea to me.
I have a Tiger and don't own any tweed, so haven't been on one. But I suspect the DGR has many fewer a
holes participating than something like the May Day run from SE London to Hastings, and consequently drastically fewer accidents amongst participants.srob said:
AKjr said:
Perhaps I'm being a miserable fogey but riding around on a motorbike whilst wearing a tweed suit for protection sounds like a bloody stupid idea to me.
A load of people having harmless fun and raising money for a good cause while raising the profile of motorcycling seems anything but a bloody stupid idea to me.AKjr said:
srob said:
AKjr said:
Perhaps I'm being a miserable fogey but riding around on a motorbike whilst wearing a tweed suit for protection sounds like a bloody stupid idea to me.
A load of people having harmless fun and raising money for a good cause while raising the profile of motorcycling seems anything but a bloody stupid idea to me.Load of people riding round on classics and customs in high-viz, Polite vests and airbag suits wouldn't really have the same photogenic appeal.
I dont have a suitable bike or any tweed in the wardrobe, but good luck to them raising money for mens health.
They dont go on a fast ride through the countryside ...do they ? From what Ive seen its a 20-30mph procession through towns and cities ? ...barely above cycling pace so the tweed jacket and jeans will save any grazed knees from low speed drops
They dont go on a fast ride through the countryside ...do they ? From what Ive seen its a 20-30mph procession through towns and cities ? ...barely above cycling pace so the tweed jacket and jeans will save any grazed knees from low speed drops
This is a fantastic event, and would be ruined by the likes of power rangers bouncing off the limiter.
I ended up in the last London one by accident - but was on my R9T so it worked. I have no idea how the proper classics managed not to overheat more - there were a few that had to stop but overall you are doing walking speed all over London. Its a parade and nothing more.
I ended up in the last London one by accident - but was on my R9T so it worked. I have no idea how the proper classics managed not to overheat more - there were a few that had to stop but overall you are doing walking speed all over London. Its a parade and nothing more.
Ive done two DGR events in 2018 & 19 at Coventry and Northampton.
Rode both on Suzuki two strokes, my GT380 and RGV250 and no-one said anything about them "not qualifying" ,in fact both were a lot older than many other bikes that turned up.
As for dress code, I just bought an old 3 piece grey suit and tie.
Maybe depends how pedantic your particular jobsworth on the gate wants to be?
Rode both on Suzuki two strokes, my GT380 and RGV250 and no-one said anything about them "not qualifying" ,in fact both were a lot older than many other bikes that turned up.
As for dress code, I just bought an old 3 piece grey suit and tie.
Maybe depends how pedantic your particular jobsworth on the gate wants to be?
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