It is important for everyone to pay attention to their bodies, but the stats show that men aren’t taking their health as seriously as women, but they should. Young men often feel invincible, like there is nothing to worry about.

It’s not that men are unconcerned about their health, it’s just that most men prefer keeping their health concerns to themselves. It can be challenging to get men to open up and think about their health. When it comes to preventative health or mental health, many men may not think it’s necessary or would rather remain avoidant. Sharing health concerns can make anyone feel vulnerable, a feeling most men would like to avoid.

Changing the face of men’s health
The Distinguished Gentleman’s Ride (DGR) is fighting to change the face of men’s health through discussion, education and community. They want to encourage men to talk openly about their health and take a proactive approach.

The DGR is a global motorcycle fund-raising event, raising funds and awareness for men’s health. Its theme is centered around classic dress and vintage motorcycles.  The event brings together riders (gentlefolk as they call it) who dress up in dapper clothing – silk vests, tweed suits—and ride their classic or vintage motorcycles through their city. Their aim is to raise funds, but even more importantly, to spark conversation and help men feel more socially connected around this issue.

Founder Mark Hawwa was inspired for the ‘dressing dapper’ theme when he saw a photo of Don Draper from the show Mad Men sitting on a classic bike while wearing a suit. His vision was to celebrate motorcycling and bring communities together in support of men’s health.

Where does it take place?
Since its inception in 2012, the DGR has spread globally, with over 50,000 gentlefolk in 171 countries. This year was a bit different. The theme: “Ride Solo Together - socially distanced, but globally connected”. The message: getting on your vintage or classic bike, dressing dapper and riding solo through the heart of your city. The focus was connecting on social media with the community worldwide.

A Fun Twist on a Serious Issue
The idea is to bring about change and give men the opportunity and confidence to learn and talk about their health and take action when needed. There is a lack of awareness and understanding of the health issues that men face. Men are not encouraged to openly discuss their health or how they are feeling. There are stigmas that surround mental health issues, especially when it comes to men. Men can often feel alone in their struggles. This is a global issue, with over 500,000 men dying from suicide each year. That is one every minute.

The DGR is shedding light on these issues and believe that it is time for a change. One of their main goals is improving men’s mental health conditions. For Stephane Fabbro, the DGR is a great way that he can show support to other men who may be struggling and feel alone in that struggle. “Riding motorcycles is something I love that also keeps me mentally healthy and to use that to raise awareness is very humbling to me.” 

Fabbro says the reason he does this ride event every year is to bring attention to men’s mental health issues and to fight against the negative stigma attached to it. “I think many men feel that if they come forward with something they are struggling with, they are perceived as weak”.

Renato De Cubellis first heard about the DGR through social media. The headline was ‘Riding Dapper for a Cause’. “I was instantly hooked,” he said. “I can dress up in a suit and tie and ride my classic bike around the city? I'm in!”

At the time, De Cubellis owned a Triumph motorcycle. It‘s considered a modern throwback to the historic café racers of the 60's and 70's. This was the perfect bike to ride for this fundraiser. For the first few years, he was more than happy to make a personal donation and enjoy the ride alongside fellow gentlefolk.

In 2017, a friend who is a cancer survivor, encouraged De Cubellis to create a profile page, saying that he shouldn't underestimate how many would be more than happy to make a donation as they've probably somehow been affected by men's health issues. In 2018, he registered and created a profile page where family, friends and colleagues could make a donation towards the cause.

De Cubellis says that he has participated every year since 2014. This year he received an anonymous donation with an interesting message. It said, "A small donation from a fellow Canadian in the Montreal ride who once owned an 850 Commando." He says that this is just another example of the fine gentlefolk who participate in this event and that he has been able to meet over the years.

Like many people, Roberto Sforza has been touched by the negative effects of cancer, losing many relatives, including both his father and father-in-law. He heard about the Distinguished Gentleman’s Ride through his friend Renato; both men thought that the DGR was a great way to get involved and promote men’s health.

Sforza explains that as a Montreal Police Officer and a member of the Canadian Armed Forces Reserve, he has seen firsthand the struggles that military and police members have with mental health issues. “This global event symbolizes the necessity to talk about, inform, educate and raise awareness of men’s cancer and mental health,” he says.

Sforza says that he has witnessed the DGR start from humble beginnings, with only a hundred or so bikes gathered to ride around the city unescorted, to an event that has gained in popularity to hundreds of motorcyclists being escorted by the Montreal Police Motorcycles Unit.

This year, in order to comply with social distancing restrictions, Sforza, De Cubellis and a few buddies got “dappered up” and enjoyed a ride under beautiful sunny skies. Along the way they saw other fellow enthusiasts, also riding dapper, who joined in for some of the ride.

How can I get involved?
Partnered with Movember (https://us.movember.com/get-involved/distinguished-gentlemans-ride), the largest funder of men’s health programs in the world and sponsored by Triumph Motorcycles, the DGR believes that together we can help change the face of men’s health and encourage men to live happier, healthier lives.

If you want to put on your Sunday best and take part in the next Distinguished Gentleman’s Ride, you can get more information by visiting the DGR website at gentlemansride.com. To see photos and hear more stories from the men and women who take part, check out their Facebook page at facebook.com/gentlemansride and The Gentlefolk Blog at gentlemansride.com/blog.