Gents get revved up for retro bike ride in aid of charities
THE boss of a North Wales delivery firm is getting on his bike to raise funds for men’s health charities.
Tony Parry, co-managing director of parcels and pallets company Delsol, will be taking to the road for the Distinguished Gentleman’s Ride.
The retro-themed ride on Sunday, September 25, involves thousands of bike fans around the world donning their cravats, tweaking their moustaches, tucking in a monocle, and slipping on their tweed jackets to raise funds and awareness for men’s health, specifically prostate cancer research and suicide prevention.
The North Wales leg will see North Wales bike enthusiasts heading off from Rhyl’s Prom at 11am to tour around Denbighshire and Conwy, collecting donations at stops en route.
Tony who runs Delsol, which has bases in Caernarfon and Sandycroft, with business partner and fellow biking fan Simon Walker, said: “I’ve been riding motorbikes since I was 17. The motorbike that I will be riding for the Distinguished Gentleman’s Ride is a 800cc Ducati scrambler, described as a modern-retro bike. It came from Woods Motorcycles of Abergele, who are organising the Rhyl leg of the event.
“I’ve never ridden in the event before, so this will be my first time donning my dinner suit, riding with the group and asking people to sponsor me.
He added “The event is an excellent idea. I have friends and colleagues in the business who have been treated for prostate cancer.
“However, men are not good at going to their GP when there’s a health problem and I’d hope that events such as this ride will raise awareness of the condition
“In addition, men’s mental health is an issue that affects so many families. Men do find it hard to talk about their feelings and problems - suicide is now the single biggest cause of male death in the 20 to 45 age group.”
The Distinguished Gentleman’s Ride began in 2012 in Sydney by Australian Mark Hawwa, inspired by a photo of Don Draper from hit TV show Mad Men, astride a classic bike and wearing his finest suit.
Last year more than 37,000 riders in 410 cities in 79 countries took part and raised more than £1.7 million for prostate cancer research.
This year’s event will also raise funds for mental health, following the death of a previous participant due to depression.
Dave Ellender from Woods Motorcycles in Abergele said: “Last year 48 riders took part in the North Wales run, but this year we are expecting around 60 riders, all dressed very smartly.
“I’ll be riding my Triumph Bonneville in my cravat and cords, and after we set off from Rhyl we will go through Pensarn and onto Llandudno and probably around the Great Orme.
Dave added “The event isn’t about covering lots of miles very fast, but rather a sedate run with lots of stops on the way.”