NYC Distinguished Gentleman's Ride Memories
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: The Wild Years
A safety talk from the 2017 DGR and the 2025 start at Grand Central Terminal, where coordination with the NYPD Highway Patrol has made the event much more polished. — Rahoul Ghose
Two memories - come to mind - both with Mikes mug front and center.
Back in the day we were running DGR by the seat of our pants (as opposed to now). No NYPD Highway Patrol escort - just Mike, me, a handful of volunteers and naive hope.
We roll into Columbus Circle with a few hundred motos behind us and take the loop. The plan is simple. The plan is always simple. But something was wrong … a bike peels off to follow a hot-headed photographer out of the Circle and down the wrong goddamn avenue. We watch as more follow. And then more. And then all of them.
Mike & I scramble off down a side street to cut them off. Suddenly its just us - wide-eyed, staring at each other. Two chumps in suits, puttering down a midtown block, the hum of engines echoing around in some glass canyon.
We found them eventually – but I never imagined I'd know the very special feeling of Little Bo Peeping 500 motorcycles.
***
Months of planning - permits and route maps and email chains and insurance paperwork and the kind of logistical drudgery that makes you question volunteering.
Then the ride starts. No cars. No more planning. No taxis. No delivery trucks. Just an empty New York City street. We’re sittig on our bikes behind a patrol car, on a street that has been emptied of everything except us and a mile long chain of bikes behind us.
And every year, without fail, we both get the same stupid-ass grin.
#allisterk #higgins #dgrmemories #newyorkcity #2026 #15thAnniversary
DGR: AROUND THE WORLD IN A DAY
NYC co-ride leaders Mike Higgins and Allister Klingensmith joined Mark Hawwa in Auckland, New Zealand for DGR 2023, adding a ride in Hawaii to their schedule that same year — photos contributed
It was a monumental task at conception, orchestrated in true DGR fashion, bringing the world a little closer: One day, two countries, three dashing gentlemen.
"What an unforgettable adventure with the amazing New York City hosts, Mike and Allister! We kicked off the day riding in the Distinguished Gentleman’s Ride in Auckland, New Zealand, surrounded by incredible people and an amazing atmosphere. But the day didn’t stop there. After the ride, we had dinner and headed straight to the airport. Our mission was to do two events in the one day. The only way that was possible was to go back in time! We boarded a flight to Hawaii, chasing the sun across the Pacific, using time zones to our favour by crossing the international date line. By achieving this we could take part in a second Distinguished Gentleman’s Ride on the very same day. Two countries, two rides, 3 mates and one cause. However we also created a memory that will last a life time!"
DGR NYC had the honor of hosting the DGR global founder, Mark Hawwa in 2018. — Taisiya Lazareva
#markhawwa #dgrfounder #dgrmemories #newyorkcity #2026 #15thAnniversary
CAPTURING THE DGR NYC VIBE
Dapper Smiley | DGR 2021 — Tempus Deficit | Rahoul Ghose
“I look forward to the Distinguished Gentleman’s Ride every year. It’s about more than the motorcycles; DGR is a celebration of style, community, and optimism. It’s a chance to gather with friends I rarely see, so it’s a joyful event for me, gathering together in this massive, shared moment of camaraderie. The playful elegance of DGR transforms the ride into something joyful and uplifting, showing that even serious causes can be approached with creativity and positivity.
"Facing serious issues with a playful attitude is a longstanding theme in my work. Back in 2016, I was playing with ideas for motorcycle themed artwork, and working on some 'Inktober' prompts to explore ideas. Using a photo I’d seen from the 2015 DGR as reference, I drew a rider fastening his helmet. I had recently painted a Triumph rider with a giant smiley face head, and liked it so much that I went back to that old sketch of the dapper gentleman in his three-quarter helmet, adding bright colors and a big smiley face. I like to think it represents how the Distinguished Gentleman's Ride demonstrates how positivity and joy can inspire meaningful action… and also, art.”
#tempusdeficit #dgrmemories #newyorkcity #2026 #15thAnniversary
DGR PHOTO DUAL: I SEE YOU
Zoltan Suhay shooting from the rear set of Clutch Moto's Fernando Castaneda during a solo Covid-19 version of the ride in 2021 — Rahoul Ghose
Before Zoltan Suhay became an invaluable member of the NYC DGR Photo Team, he was invited to the ride by a friend, Clutch Moto's Fernando Castaneda, to capture the day for the new defunct New Jersey moto cafe. Zoltan traded shots with the photo team on that day in 2021, making for a funny juxtiposition of on-ride and standing photography.
The New Jersey resident is now an essential part of the team, overseeing cinematography for the day, and shooting with mirrorless cameras and drones. Zoltan also took on editing duties for the 2025 wrap video.
The reverse shot of DGR Photo team members Rahoul Ghose, Hugh Miller and Ryan Handt, as well as co-ride leader Allister Klingensmith, taken at the Grand Central Termimal viaduct in midtown Manhattan. — Zoltan Suhay
#zmotophoto #pillionphotographer #dgrmemories #newyorkcity #2026 #15thAnniversary
PORTRAITS DURING THE COVID DGR YEARS
Two standout portraits of local legends Meatloaf Scalesa, aka Jeffrey Scales of Rockboy Chopper fame, and Vincent Nicolai, NYC's perennial top fundraiser. — Zoltan Suhay
"If I had to choose a memorable moment, I think it would the 2021 DGR. It was an eerie feeling, just after COVID, and we were fortunate to be able to host the event. Moreover, we were able to shoot portraits in front of the iconic Grand Central Terminal while the street was shut down."
"If you recall, it was a hot day and we had a long line of riders to photograph. I vividly remember taking portraits while laying on the ground to 'get the shot.' After roughly five hours of shooting, I was completely spent, but felt fantastic to have had the opportunity to provide so many participants with a memorable image following such a tumultuous time period.
#millermotography #dgrmemories #newyorkcity #2026 #15thAnniversary
DGR : Friendships for Life
A smile is the priceless sum of an experience one will never forget. Friends are blessings which make those experiences happen. — Hugh Miller, Zoltan Suhay, Rahoul Ghose, Arnaldo Vargas, Maxime Lemoine
I have been involved with DGR since 2013, different cities, different roles: participant, photographer, writer, editor, producer and a host in both Los Angeles and New York City.
And I can sum up my experiences over the past 14 years with the simple statement: you make friends for life doing positive work for a good cause. Wrap motorcycles into it and the DGR makes you always willing to go that extra mile. The New York moto community is as generous as it is boisterous. The shorter seasonal nature of the NYC riding calendar make it so.
While I have collected a host of memories over the years, all etched in my brain, I have to say being able to ride in the 2024 New York City DGR as a co-host with veterans Michael Higgins and Allister Klingensmith and all my close friends a year after moving back to LA put a smile on my face so big you could see it from Boston.
I am thankful to have photographer colleagues and friends who captured that moment and even more appreciative of that friend who lent me his bike for the day … Gotham Depot Moto’s own Stefon Davis.
It was a glorious day where I put my camera down for the actual ride and just took in the incredible route, the city – which I still consider my true spiritual home – and the overwhelmingly positive vibes set down by close to 1000 riders.
I hope to experience this again in May …
#Thruxton999 #RGPhotography #dgrmemories #newyorkcity #2026 #15thAnniversary
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