NYC Distinguished Gentleman's Ride Memories : TWO
Lady Liberty joins the NYC Distinguished Gentleman's Ride this year shining her inspirational light on the 'city that never sleeps'. — Tempus Deficit
With the Distinguished Gentleman's Ride coming up quickly (Sunday, May 17), and the global fundraising event celebrating its 15th *Crystal* Anniversary this year, NYC Motorcyclist has decided to share some memories of years past from NYC organizers, volunteers and sponsors. And we are putting out a call to our New York dapper folk to share a tale and a photo of your special DGR moment here in the 'City that Never Sleeps'.
You can use our submission form at the bottom of this page or send us an email at rahoul@nycmotorcyclist.com. Remember to include a high quality image.
Who knows, we may give away a prize for the best, most meaningful memory submitted.
Conceived in Sydney, Australia in 2012, the DGR broadened its scope a year later tripling its global participation, and the event hasn't looked back; in the 13 years New York City has participated, the city has hosted 8251 riders and raised more than $1.7 million US. That first year NYC had 37 riders who contributed $3200. The city’s top fundraising year was 2023 ($238,711) and the largest registered group was in 2017, with a whopping 1017 riders. Proudly the Big Apple has topped the global leaderboard three times over the years, without relying on celebrity hosts or corporate benefactors. The city is and always has been generous beyond its means.
The DGR is an event that brings friends and moto family together to raise funds for and public awareness of prostate cancer research and men’s mental health resources. It’s an excuse to shine up those vintage rides, dress to the nines, and put smiles on those watching your group go by on ride day. And it’s a chance to raise the public profile of motorcyclists in general as a socially conscious, caring community.
We have many special things planned for 2026, starting with a quintessential NYC poster created by Douglas Thompson (@tempusdeficit), entreating Lady Liberty to join the cause and help us to achieve the city's most successful year to date.
We hope you’ll join us this year, and create more memories.
Don’t forget to sign up for the NYC ride at gentlemansride.com.
#shareyourmemory #dgrmemories #newyorkcity #2026 #15thAnniversary
DGR NYC: A Family Affair
Mike and Andee getting ready to pull out of Grand Central Terminal for another DGR event. — Rahoul Ghose
I have plenty of fond memories, with this being my 13th DGR NYC, and tenth as a co-host with Allister. But what I remember most warmly is being so involved with developing the ride into a family affair. My older sister is my Irish twin … she's 11 months older than me. She and I were pretty close as younger kids, but we kind of drifted apart as teenagers, as most teens do, kind of doing our own thing. But as we hit adulthood, we became closer again and bonded over two things: New York City, and motorcycles.
Andrea or Andee, as she's always been known, had come to New York City a few times and seen the DGR. She had helped me greatly as a volunteer, my feet on the ground. She ran the merchandise tent, oversaw volunteers and just helped to facilitate and set things up for two, if not three years.
But then she got herself a motorcycle.
Admittedly, I felt kind of responsible when Andee wanted to get a bike and I always thought: ‘Damn, I hope she doesn't hurt herself because I'll feel like I kind of led her down this path’.
Andee found herself a junker bike -- an old ‘86 Yamaha – which I told her not to buy.
But she had already bought it, and then quickly learned to ride. Once DGR rolled around again she wanted to join the ride, this time as a participant. And so, of course, I was like, ‘well, yeah’.
I've got the old CB450, the Black Bomber, which is my supermodel that gets out on DGR day and gets shined up.
That first year, I put Andee on my daily ride, a CB 1100 Honda cafe racer-style bike.
That's a pretty big bike. It's a little taller. Andee arrived a couple days early that year, and we got her used to the bike and being in New York City traffic. She handled it great, and just had an amazing ride, and a lot of fun.
It was kind of exciting to have her there, in the thick of it with us. I know she was a little nervous and slightly intimidated by it all. New York City, and a thousand riders, and she's on a new bike, etc.
But she was incredible. And I will say, she blows us all away with her outfits. She brings a lot of kitschy style and a fun spirit. She's always color coordinated, right down to the flag matching her outfit, sailing out behind her as we cross the Brooklyn Bridge.
Andee brings passion and the fashion for sure. I know she looks forward to DGR every year.
So, it’s a family affair now. That’s a memory that stands out.
#higgins #dgrmemories #newyorkcity #2026 #15thAnniversary
DGR NYC: Building Belief
GDM co-owners Stefon Davis and Ronnie Pichson looking suave during DGR NYC 2019 festivities at South Street Seaport. And later, in 2021, the couple were captured at gdm during DGR NYC portrait sessions with Arnaldo Vargas. — Rahoul Ghose | Arnaldo Vargas
O ur first memory of the Distinguished Gentleman’s Ride takes us back to the night before, in September 2019, if I remember correctly. We spent the entire evening trying to figure out what to wear, modeling different looks and honestly not knowing what to expect the next morning. We knew the cause was important -- to raise funds and awareness -- but that year it truly felt like advocacy had real meaning for us.
We were up early, heading out from Brooklyn to South Street Seaport in New York City, where motorcycles and style were on full display. Jazz music, cigar smoke, and the smell of engine fuel filled the air. It was intoxicating. A different kind of moto community revealed itself to us that day, and it was an experience not to be missed.
The amount of support shown was overwhelming. Listening to heartfelt speeches about lives affected by cancer and mental health struggles made the purpose of the ride even more powerful. Knowing that DGR has continued to grow awareness and participation over the past 15 years is truly incredible.
That morning, KSU, taking over Manhattan on motorcycles with 300 of your newest friends, plus a police escort, all for an amazing cause and all in style, was unforgettable.
In the fall of 2020, Gotham Depot Moto opened, and we wanted to continue the same pledge of support for DGR. By May 2021, we were proud to step up as local supporters to help the cause by taking part in the first-ever DGR Passport Challenge.
We continued the celebration at g.d.m with an incredible after-party, where even more funds and awareness were raised. It remains a truly special memory for us.
Fast forward to today, where we now host ‘the official after-party’ for the Distinguished Gentleman’s Ride here at Gotham Depot Moto. On May 17, we will once again gather with old friends and new, not only from New York City, but from all over the world, continuing to celebrate a pledge we all share in support of men’s health.
Join us in carrying this mission forward through style, motorcycles, music, and fellowship.
Help us continue our pledge by joining our team and raising funds and awareness for prostate cancer research and men’s mental health resources, especially in the communities that need it most.
#stefondavis #ronniepichson #gothamdepotmoto #gdm #dgrmemories #newyorkcity #2026 #15thAnniversary
The NYC 'Happy Mistake' Wedding
A first dance after the now famed NYC DGR nuptials of Mark and Maxine McNicholas from Llanrwst, Wales, to the jazzy sounds of Michael Arenella & His Dreamland Orchestra. — Rahoul Ghose
The 2018 DGR was what I like to call a "very happy mistake." Usually, I’d ride my local event and head off on holiday shortly after. But a calendar mix-up meant our holiday was booked for the exact same time as the ride.
To say I was disappointed is an understatement. I’d ridden previous events with a close friend who, tragically, became one of the very statistics we strive to reduce. Since losing him, every DGR has carried a special weight; missing one felt like letting a teammate down.
When I told my fiancée, Maxine, about the double-booking, she didn't just offer a solution—she set a challenge: "Let’s see if we can get onto the NYC DGR. If you can and you can get a bike there, I’ll marry you at the finish line."
Challenge accepted.
After several secret emails with the NYC hosts, Mike Higgins and Allister Klingensmith, the plan was set. We were going to get married at the end of the world's most dapper ride. There was just one problem: I still didn't have a motorcycle in New York.
With time running out and rental firms going quiet, a chance conversation about the Isle of Man TT changed everything. A fellow marshal put me in touch with a friend in Manhattan. After a few emails and a phone call, I had a Triumph Bonneville waiting for me. To this day, I have never met the man who saved our wedding day, but I send him a Christmas card every year. I still get a kick out of writing his name on the envelope: Mr. A. Capone. A true gentleman.
The day itself was magic. 1,000 riders, a flawless NYPD Highway Patrol escort, and an officiant — the legendary Reverend D — who dropped just enough F-bombs during the nuptials to keep the crowd laughing. To have DGR founder Mark Hawwa in attendance and livestreaming our vows was the icing on the cake. We even walked away with the 'Best Dressed' title and a pair of Hedon helmets.
People still ask us about that day, and honestly, the story never gets old. We owe a massive thank you to Mike, Allister, our 'mobster' benefactor Andrew Capone, and Reverend D. Without them, this 'happy mistake' would never have become the best day of our lives.
#MarkandMaxine #DGRNYCNuptials #DapperWedding #dgrmemories #newyorkcity #2026 #15thAnniversary
DGR NYC : The Ride of a Lifetime
Riding backwards on a Triumph classic while shooting ... not easy at the best of times. John Saponara signed on for the task even while recovering from a serious knee injury. — Mark Squitieri | John Saponara | Rahoul Ghose
Through my DGR experiences I have met some of the best people I know in the moto community. I’ve been a part of DGR many times: as a rider and as a portrait photographer during an after party at Gotham Depot Moto. Yet my most memorable experience was a day I didn’t even get the chance to pilot my own bike.
In September of 2018 I’d suffered a bad fall from my Triumph and had six stitches in my knee, so my participation in the ride was in doubt. My good friend Kirsten Midura was going to be a leader in the Sept. 30 DGR, so I hitched a ride with her as her pillion - a woman at the lead with a guy on the back (facing backward at that and photographing the event with a unique perspective), leading 2,000 people through NYC for men’s health.
What a day!!
#JohnSaponara #dgrmemories #newyorkcity #2026 #15thAnniversary
2018 DGR NYC images from the back of a Triumph Thruxton. — John Saponara
DGR NYC: Class is Timeless
Val Figarella showing some enthusiasm during the 2018 DGR in New York City. — Geoff Barrenger
The roar of the engines is usually a sound associated with grit and grease, but once a year, New York City experiences a sonic transformation that is as much about elegance as it is about exhaust. This is the day of the Distinguished Gentleman's Ride, a global movement that trades typical biker leather for the dapper refinement of the 1920s. Watching hundreds of riders cruise through the concrete canyons in tweed suits and silk cravats, you can’t help but love the throwback vibe — it’s a reminder that class is timeless.
While the cafe racer has always held a 'cool' factor in NYC's motorcycle culture, this gathering is fundamentally different: it’s classier. Beyond the aesthetics, the movement serves a profound purpose. By swapping 'tough guy' tropes for tailored waistcoats, the DGR breaks stereotypes, proving that the biker community is a force for good. In partnership with the Movember Foundation, these riders raise millions for prostate cancer research and men’s mental health, turning a group ride into a lifesaver.
The scale of the event in NYC is breathtaking. Seeing hundreds of bikers moving in unison through the city streets makes you wonder how so many people can find common ground so quickly. This is where that famous New York community spirit kicks in. Between the traffic lights and bridge crossings, the 'tough' exterior of the city melts away. You find yourself meeting new 'peeps' and sharing stories with strangers who feel like old friends by the next block. That sense of connection — the shared human experience behind the handlebar — is easily the best part of the day.
The event wraps up with professional precision, offering every rider a 'hero shot' with their machine. It’s a well-organized salute to the individuals who make up this mass movement. It leaves you with more than just a photo; it leaves you with the realization that when you dress for the occasion and ride for a cause, the roar of an engine can sound a lot like a heartbeat.
#motorgrrl #valfigarella #dgrmemories #newyorkcity #2026 #15thAnniversary
DGR: Ace on the Bass
DGR Icons: The Miss-Fires, Meatloaf Scalesa, aka Jeffrey Scales of Rockboy Chopper, and The Suited Racer at South Seaport, circa 2017. — submitted
Oh man, so many memories in the 12 years I've been involved in the DGR ... where to even start?! I've been a rider, an organizer, a leader, a Global Ambassador, and the first woman to be a global top fundraiser — this event means so much to me, truly.
I think a real highlight was the 2017 edition: I was already living in San Francisco at the time, though my heart was (and still is) in NYC. But I flew back east for the ride after some gentle arm twisting from the delightful evil genius @higginsnyc.
The lovely folks at @ducatinyc were kind enough to loan me a @scramblerducati for the weekend, and I was able to join Mike, Alistair, and over 1,000 other New Yorkers for the 2017 NYC DGR. We hit the city streets alongside several of my best babes from @themissfires, the always-dapper legend @meatloaf_cocky, international man of mystery @thesuitedracer, and the city's finest @nypd_highway_patrol for a spectacular jaunt, finishing at the historic South Street Seaport.
And we had a big surprise in store at the finish … I hopped off the bike and jumped on stage with my all-women, all-blonde honky tonk band, @yourexgirlfriendsband, to play the afterparty on the Seaport Stage! What a gift to have two of my greatest loves in one massive event. Great day, great cause, great memories. I MISS YOU NYC!!!!!
#KatThomsen #dgrmemories #newyorkcity #2026 #15thAnniversary
@ppuurrr
DGR NYC 2017: NYPD Highway Patrol and Your Ex-Girlfriends band at South Seaport. — submitted
RE-LIVE NYC DGR 2024
Distinguished Gentleman's Ride NYC 2024 Video — Matt Koffel, Nikolai Berger & Zoltan Suhay
The 2024 NYC Distinguished Gentleman's Ride brought together more than 1000 gentlefolk and 800-plus classic bikes May 19 to raise funds for prostate cancer research and men's mental health resources, with the 'Big Apple' raising a US-topping $206,470 through rider donations and local contributions.
This year's teaser -- courtesy of filmmakers Matt Koffel and Nikolai Berger -- covers the panoramic start at Grand Central Terminal in Manhattan, the ride up the Westside Highway, back down the FDR and and across the Manhattan and Brooklyn bridges before the dapper group finished at Peck Slip in the Seaport District.
Both the riders and the cityscape are key features in the piece which combines Sony a7 sIII camera footage shot on gimbals from a single Ural sidecars with Mavik Air 2s drone scenes shot above the Manhattan and Brooklyn bridges and down the FDR. Two cameras ... two drones, one operated by Zoltan Suhay (the other by Berger), and our lone Ural provided by Patricia Alonso.
Many thanks to all who participated this year: the enthusiastic riders, the generous sponsors, our dedicated volunteers, the NYPD Highway Patrol, and the spirited, untiring organizers for a hugely successful event.
NYC ride hosts Mike Higgins, Allister Klingensmith and Rahoul Ghose are honored to be a part of this great experience. Relive the day and don't forget to bookmark next year's DGR date: Sunday, May 18, 2025.
Stay dapper folks ... and keep the rubber side down.
Video credits:
Matt Koffel: co-director, cinematographer and editor (@matt.koffel)
Nikolai Berger: co-director, cinematographer (@_nikolaiberger)
Zoltan Suhay: cinematographer (@z_motophoto)
Music: We Trying to Stay Alive - Wyclef Jean
Check out the eight DGR NYC 2024 Photo Galleries. And if you have a New York City motorcycle-related video you'd like us to showcase on the site, contact us at rahoul@nycmotorcyclist.com or via IM @nyc_motorcyclist.
#gentlemansride #distinguishedgentlemansride #movember #dapper #vintage #classicmotorcycles #prostatecancer #mensmentalhealth #globalfundraiser #dgr2024 #dgrnyc2024 #dgrnyc #prostatecancerresearch #menshealth #dapper #passport #newyorkcity #triumph #ilovenyc❤️
@gentlemansride @markhawwa @higginsnyc @allisterk @thruxton999 @nypd_highway_patrol @gothamdepotmoto
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