We’ll start by borrowing words from the official Distinguished Gentleman’s Ride (DGR) website:
“The Distinguished Gentleman’s Ride, a globally recognized motorcycle event, serves as a platform to raise funds and awareness for prostate cancer research and men’s mental health programs through the Movember Foundation. Originating in 2012 by Mark Hawwa in Sydney, Australia, this inclusive event embraces all genders, focusing on classic and vintage motorcycles.”
Considering the shared mission of preserving historical technical heritage, particularly in the world of historic motor vehicles, by FIVA (Fédération Internationale des Véhicules Anciens), and its organization of the prestigious International Motorcycle Week, parallels between the two entities and their events are evident. In the spirit of synergistic goals, members of the FIVA Motorcycle Commission enthusiastically participated in this year’s global DGR 2024 events, held on Sunday, May 19, 2024.
Our involvement stems from a dual commitment: to endorse men’s health initiatives and to celebrate our shared passion for classic motorcycles, a sentiment warmly embraced by the DGR organizers. In alignment with our FIVA objectives to promote the active usage of historic motorcycles in contemporary traffic settings, we deliberately engaged participants riding classic motorcycles across various event locations.
In Ljubljana, the capital of Slovenia, specifically in the neighbouring town of Domžale, serving as the central hub for DGR 2024 Slovenia, our attention gravitated towards Maja, a spirited young woman moto-rider. Maja embarked on a challenging 50-kilometer journey amidst rugged road conditions and bustling traffic astride her vintage TOMOS AUTOMATIC moped, resplendent in an elegant white summer ensemble. Capturing the essence of camaraderie and shared passion, we commemorated the moment with a photograph and bestowed upon her the coveted red FIVA Motorcycle Week pin, which shone brightly on her white jacket.
To our delight, Maja revealed herself as the proud custodian of two meticulously maintained TOMOS mopeds, both dutifully serving during the DGR festivities. She also divulged her fervent affinity for Ducati Monster, often embarking on exhilarating voyages along the Adriatic coast. In recognition of her enthusiasm, we extended a cordial invitation for her participation in future endeavours and encouraged her exploration of our initiatives through the FIVA website. We remain hopeful for her attendance at our forthcoming Motorcycle Week or the imminent FIVA Classic Motorcycle World Day, currently underway in the planning stages.
Regarding the prospect of orchestrating our own FIVA Classic Motorcycle Day or similar global events, we must stress that the FIVA Motorcycle Commission remains ardently committed to its preparatory efforts. Diligently scrutinizing and advancing this ambitious undertaking over recent years, and notably the past five, we’ve observed a growing receptiveness among the public, particularly among motorcycle enthusiasts. While a detailed exposition of the rationale behind such endeavours is beyond the purview of this article, an explanation will be furnished in due course. For now, it’s imperative to underscore that such initiatives are not only desirable but eagerly embraced by the populace at large.
In a nutshell, the Distinguished Gentleman’s Ride (DGR) 2024 event is a celebration of motorcycle culture, uniting riders of different genders, races, ages, nationalities, and social statuses. While modern bikes dominate the scene, participants pay homage to the past with vintage-inspired attire, reflecting a global yearning for authenticity in an increasingly digital world. Against a backdrop of negativity, DGR champions the belief that ‘life is good and worth living’, fostering camaraderie and joy among its riders.
In Slovenia, we witnessed a notable presence of female moto-riders, particularly on classic Slovenian mopeds like Maja’s TOMOS, alongside various other motorcycle styles and brands. Among them, Ana stood out with her enduring companion, a Harley-Davidson Fat Boy, boasting a remarkable 120,000 kilometres journey spanning over three decades. Her attire, a stylish Scottish mini skirt and tie, perfectly complemented her pearl-white Fat Boy, a choice not only for fashion but also for her evening plans attending a Rod Stewart concert in Ljubljana’s Arena following the DGR event.
Recognizing the growing presence of women in the historic classic motorcycle movement, FIVA MC honoured Maja with a pin, symbolically acknowledging all female moto-riders. This gesture, acknowledging women’s innate appreciation for beauty and meaningful pursuits, was a fitting tribute to their contributions to the community.
Text and photos DEJAN BREZNIK