Ride I.T
2021 was the first year that I took the plunge, taking part in the Distinguished Gentlemans Ride. I’ve looked at this event a number of times over the past 5 years and thought I want to do that, but I’ve never felt like I was a good fit for the event…until now.
Art, design and style are all very personal. What one person loves another hates and I have no problem with that. I’ve been developing brands for years and I’m very aware that you can’t please everyone, and sometimes you have to go against the grain for the greater good.
And that was part of my approach to DGR in 2021. I love the idea of the event and the great work that it supports. I’m also rather partial to rides out on my motorcycle, so this is the perfect combination for me, especially given my strong interest in fashion. However I’m not permitted to be a part of the DGR because my bike doesn’t meet the criteria. This is what has stopped me taking part in the past, but this year, with the event being more virtual, I have decided to play an active part in the event and will do so my way.
The look
I’ll be making the effort to be as dapper as possible, I have nothing but respect for the event and want my contribution to add something new. I’ve spent some time and put together ‘my look’. Something that I believe is in-keeping with the style of the event but with a little twist (I did say that I was going against the grain).
I’m going to wear my favourite dark grey jacket, it has a lovely fine, houndstooth pattern and a bright polka dot trim. I’m going for contrast with burgundy cords and waist coat over my DressCode Pixel shirt. There’s a lot of thinking behind the look, not least as a nod to my bike. Not that my bike is packed with technology or covered in pixels, no my ride is a current, contemporary model. The pixel design felt like the right thing to bridge that gap between DGR style and my bike.
Colour coded
My clothes will match my bike, grey, black and red and I hope to honour the great style and look of the DGR with a slight twist. I’m hoping that the Cambridge biking community will prove itself to be as open and accepting as the rest of this great city, when I role out for my ride.
Supporting a good cause
On Sunday the 23rd of May 2021, people around the world rode in The Distinguished Gentleman's Ride to raise funds and awareness for prostate cancer and men's mental health on behalf of Movember.
Men die on average 6 years earlier than women from largely preventable reasons. I believe that we need to do something about this. Before I press my jacket and polish my boots, I'm asking you to join me in raising funds and awareness for these causes by donating what you can , helping the men we love, live happier and healthier lives.
I’ve been lucky, my Dad has recovered from Prostate cancer because he acted quickly, swallowed his pride (not easy for anyone, especially for a Yorkshireman) and got great care from the NHS. He’s now enjoying life because he didn’t brush it aside, hoping it would go away. I’m very proud of my Dad and I’m looking forward to riding with pride.
Distinguished Gentleman's Ride 2022
In '22 I got involved with marshalling as well as riding in the event itself. Once again I rode in the Cambridge event, attended by over 250 motorcycles! Which was visually, and audibly, pretty incredible. Though it did bring the city centre to a complete standstill, which was certainly not intentional, but it did increase the awareness and why we were there.
It was also a very warm day (little did we know at the time what was to come at this time). The heat of over 250 motorcycles moving slowly in heavy traffic was just too much for several of the riders who had issues with over-heating. This in-turn led to a huge temporary bike carpark in the middle of Cambridge, as everyone parked up and cooled down. Again, another opportunity to share why we were doing the event with people as they passed by.
The end point of the Cambridge event was Madingley Hall. The perfect place to park up the bikes, take in the scenery and enjoy the beautiful weather.
Distinguished Gentleman's Ride 2023
This year the event is off to a flying start, as I write this, we have just under a week to go and we have already raised over £16,000 from the Cambridge ride alone! Which is amazing, and I am very grateful to be a small part of that process.
A combination of last years overheating and traffic issues, plus scheduled roadworks in the city centre on Sunday has meant a slight change of plan to the regular route. We will still be riding through the city, and along the world famous 'backs', but this years event finishes in Ely, about 12 miles north of the city.
Recoding a Distinguished Gentleman's Ride shirt
Over the years we have produced several shirts for riders of the Distinguished Gentleman's Ride. This year we've taken it to a new level, with a Recoded shirt made from upcycled pocket squares and material. Like every ReCode project the shirt is totally bespoke, with a few personal touches.
Useful links
Tell me about the Recode service
Explore our Made-on-demand shirts
Check out our tech inspired shirts
Show your stripes - the Climate Code shirt