A daydream in the Reporters’ office is to own a vintage motorbike – preferably a stylish Cafe Racer – so it was natural for us to live vicariously by visiting an annual Distinguished Gentleman’s Ride (DGR).

Strolling around Melaka in Malaysia on an overcast Sunday, we were seduced by the growl of powerful engines from a throng of more than 120 motorbikes outside a popular riverside cafe.

Local devotees were joined by riders from Penang, Kuala Lumpur, Petaling Jaya and beyond. From pre-teens to octogenarians, the riders’ eclectic regalia ran the gamut from pressed flannelette shirts to velvet smoking jackets; flat caps to bow ties; braces and leather gloves.

The mood was energetic. Bikes ranged from showroom gleamers to vintage projects … throbbing beasts with revs reverberating off nearby buildings. Incongruously a number of colourful Italian-style motor scooters were strutting their stuff.

The Distinguished Gentlemen were embracing an annual global event which began in Sydney in 2012. The Ride was the brainchild of businessman Mark Hawwa and was reportedly inspired by a photograph of the character Don Draper, from the television drama series Mad Men, dressed in a fine suit while riding a classic motorbike.

The annual event is now held in 121 countries and has raised more than US$50m for prostate cancer research and men’s mental health projects.

In 2025 the Distinguished Gentleman’s Ride will be held on Sunday, May 18 and includes rides in Perth and Bunbury, Western Australia.

To register for a ride or find out more go to this link: www.gentlemansride.com

Story © Danielle Berryman. Photographs © Danielle Berryman and Roger Garwood 2025