Gentlemen (and ladies) in charity ride
Distinguished gentlemen and a few ladies were all dressed up in their finery and out on their motorbikes in New Plymouth to help charity.
The 2017 Distinguished Gentlemen’s Ride attracted about 40 riders, organiser Jason Corcoran said.
‘‘If it had been blue skies we’d have a few more bikes come out, but I’m really happy with it.’’
A similar ride was happening in 10 other cities in New Zealand yesterday, as well as around the world, to raise money for prostrate cancer and men’s mental health, he said.
‘‘We’re raising money for the Movember Foundation. They divvy it up.’’
Corcoran has a target to raise $7000 in Taranaki and they have collected $3000 so far, which was a good effort, he said.
Fundraising will continue until the end of October. Worldwide they’re aiming for $5 million.
Sunday’s riders travelled around New Plymouth and got a good reception wherever they went, Corcoran said.
‘‘You see it on people’s faces when they see them dressed up on all these different bikes. They get a laugh.‘‘
This is the third ride he has organised. The first attracted 21 riders and numbers have gone up.
‘‘It’s all ages. It’s called the gentlemen’s ride, but it’s for women as well.’’
Corcoran bought his first bike, a Suzuki GS450, and was modifying it when he first heard about the Distinguished Gentlemen’s Ride, he said.
‘‘I saw no one was doing it here, so I contacted the guys in Sydney and they said go for it.’’
Matt Perry, who helped organise the ride, collects Yamaha RD50s. ‘‘They’re old classics - late 70s. These ones are a cheap option and are classified as a moped, so I don’t have to worry about warrants.’’