Tag: The Distinguished Gentleman’s Ride

New Record for Wollongong’s Distinguished Gentleman’s Ride

Four Cure Team at DGR Wollongong 2022
DGR Wollongong’s Four Cure Team. Image by Biz Sites

On Sunday May 22nd, local motorcyclists rode in the name of men’s health and raised a bumper $164,032 – impressively smashing the city’s previous record of $155,225.

In 2022, the world-wide event held in more than 100 countries amassed over $5.8M USD for charity partner, Movember. The local ride, hosted by Jane and Tim from City Coast Motorcycles, has become a fixture on the calendar of classic and vintage motorcycling enthusiasts.

For two years running, the South Coast city has placed in the the global ten. Efforts by Wollongong participants has not gone unnoticed, with some special guests joining them this year. A 225 strong crowd greeted DGR Founder Mark Hawwa with applause and plenty of selfies ahead of Wollongong’s scenic route. Mark responded:

“I want to say a massive thanks for everyone that’s here today. This is one of our first rides out of COVID. I know that we did have a ride last year, but globally most of the world had still been shut down. It has been incredible to see everyone connect with the concept – everyone dressed up so fine. There’s so many guys and girls here as well and it is really special to our team to have you guys here and to be here,” Mark said.

DGR Wollongong 2022
L to R: Movember Country Director Rachel Carr, DGR Founder Mark Hawwa, Ride Hosts Jane & Timothy Sim from City Coast Motorcycles. Image by Keogh’s Vision Photography

Since 2018, DGR Wollongong has featured one of the world’s most successful teams – Four Cure – of which Phill Critcher and Ermond Morelli placed second and third individually in 2021 and received new Triumph Motorcycles as prizes.

In 2022, the local ride has had three fundraisers feature in the global top 20 as well as five in Australia’s top 20; namely Phill Critcher (1st), Ermond Morelli (2nd), John Volcanovski (4th), Ray Tubman (7th) and David Critcher (19th). Wollongong’s Madylan Hannah also ranked as the world’s 6th highest pillion fundraiser.

Movember Country Director Rachel Carr was excited to experience the magic of Wollongong for the first time after two years of social distancing, restrictions and isolation:

“I think more than ever we all truly value the power of connection and community and that really is what Movember and DGR is all about and why this is so special.

“This small coastal town, this amazing event in Wollongong continues to blow our socks off every single year. You are always right up there with one of the highest fundraising events, globally – it’s just incredible!”

Madylan from Wollongong - pillion fundraiser 2022
Embraced by proud family and DGR Founder Mark Hawwa, Wollongong’s Madylan Hannah is one of the world’s highest pillion fundraisers for 2022. Image by Keogh’s Vision Photography

Rachel continued:

“The money that we raise this year is going to go towards directly funding projects that will help improve social connectiveness, life satisfaction, mental health and wellbeing for motorcycle riders, and that is just so special to me.

“I feel really proud that we have been able to cultivate something that will directly support members of your community – people that you would hopefully know over the years and I really look forward to celebrating the impact of that work with you,” enthused Rachel.

DGR Wollongong 2022
Ride Hosts Tim and Jane Sim lead #DGRWollongong 2022 on their Triumph Scrambler 1200 Steve McQueen Ltd Ed. Image by Keogh’s Vision Photography

Ride Host Jane Sim reflects on the success of Wollongong’s Distinguished Gentleman’s Ride:

“Every year, Tim and I are determined to create a special experience and we’re heartened by the support of the motorcycling community. We’ve seen families ride together, hope built and life-long mateships made. Above all, it is a great feeling to unite for such an important cause and help make a difference.

“This is a team effort. When Tim and I put the call out local riders, businesses and media care enough to get behind the event. We’d like to extend our gratitude to all volunteers, the Illawarra Mercury, ABC Illawarra, Wollongong City Council, Lake Illawarra Area Command and the generosity of our sponsors,” said Jane.

Thanks to:
Triumph Motorcycles Australia
Darcy & Emma at Biz Sites
Australian Motorlife Museum 
Andrew & Julieanne at Dapto Self Storage
 
Chi, Vinh & Lee at Clutch Moto
David Sirc & The Star Sydney
John & Belinda at Keogh’s Vision Photography
Tesh and Jess at Dapper Man London
Club Windang
Connor Pearce & Sylvia Liber at Illawarra Mercury
Mark Matthews & Natasha Hopman at ABC Illawarra
Lord Mayor Councillor Gordon Bradbery AM & Wollongong City Council

DGR Wollongong 2022 Snaps

Take a look at some of our own snaps from The Distinguished Gentleman’s Ride – Wollongong.
Were you there? Feel free to share; please remember to tag your proud ride host, City Coast Motorcycles.

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Triumph Motorcycle Prizes Awarded in Wollongong for DGR

Distinguished Gentleman’s Ride (DGR) hosts Tim and Jane Sim from City Coast Motorcycles were privileged to award a pair of new Triumphs to global top fundraisers, Phill Critcher and Ermond Morelli.

2021 DGR Prizewinners Phill Critcher and Ermond Morelli
Congratulations to 2021 DGR top global fundraisers Phill Critcher and Ermond Morelli (2nd & 3rd place)

Given the event took place in over nine hundred cities and two of the three prize winners hailed from the same location – Wollongong, Australia – it was a double celebration, marked by the presence of Founder Mark Hawwa along with Ramsey Sayed and Mikey Stojcevski from DGR HQ.

“What a fantastic day down here in Wollongong with City Coast Motorcycles giving away two new Triumphs – a Bobber and a Bonneville T120 – to Phill and Ermond for being the two highest fundraisers in Australia and two of the three highest fundraisers, globally,” said Mark.

“It shows just how well Wollongong punches above its weight in regard to the riding community, the Distinguished Gentleman’s Ride and people helping other men in need.”

Distinguished Gentleman's Ride Prizewinners
(L to R): ) DGR Operations Manager Ramsey Sayed, 2nd global prize winner Phill Critcher, Team FC’s Ken Smith, DGR Founder & Director Mark Hawwa, 3rd global prize winner Ermond Morelli, Team FC’s Colin Carr, DGR General Manager Mikey Stojcevski and DGR – Wollongong Ride Host Jane Sim

The Distinguished Gentleman’s Ride is a niche event uniting classic and vintage style motorcycle riders all over the world. Participants raise funds and awareness for prostate cancer, and mental health and suicide prevention programs on behalf of charity partner, The Movember Foundation.

Phill and Ermond have participated since 2018 when they established their team of four, The FC’s (Four Cure). It has grown to seven-strong and in 2021 it ranked the third highest fundraising team worldwide.

DGR Fundraising Team "Four Cure"
Distinguished Fundraising Team “The FC’s”

2021 marked the fifth year our family-owned Triumph dealership has presented DGR – Wollongong. In that time the local ride has amassed some $350,000 (AUD) for men’s health. Dealer Principal Tim is humbled by the result:

“It’s been an honour having Mark, Ramsey and Mikey from DGR join us in delivering these magnificent Triumphs, today,” said Tim.

“Jane and I couldn’t be prouder of our local event which gets so much love and support from the Wollongong region.”

Tim and Jane Sim - DGR Wollongong 2021
Tim and Jane lead the 2021 Distinguished Gentleman’s Ride – Wollongong. Image courtesy of Jay Dubbs for Keogh’s Vision

Phill Critcher who placed second globally said DGR 2021 was a terrific day for all:

“This time we started at Stanwall Park and finishing at the Mt Kembla hotel really topped it off. The venue and afternoon of good music, drinks and plenty of conversation with fellow riders was great. All I spoke to were impressed with the day.

“Firstly, thank you to our hosts Tim and Jane from City Coast Motorcycles and congratulations on the successful effort they put in to organising this day.

“A big congratulations to the Wollongong participants that put in, yet again, a great fundraising effort.

DGR 2017
The inaugural DGR – Wollongong held in 2017. Since then Ride presented by City Coast Motorcycles has gone on to raise $350,000 (AUD) for men’s health.

“To Mark and his team at Basecamp DGR, congratulations! I hope you guys are proud of the team you have, and the continual growing success of this fundraising event. The international attention this has created is phenomenal. An idea created by a ‘few guys in Sydney’, well done fellas!

“To all the sponsors that support this event, thank you. You are a big part of the success of this totally admiral charity event that I’m sure touches most in society today in some way.

Triumph DGR Partner
Triumph is the Global Sponsor of the Distinguished Gentleman’s Ride and has now committed to another five years.

“Finally, to our team “Four Cure” – warm up your engine boys for 2022; we’re off again. I would like to thank the members that didn’t turn up to the presentation at City Coast Motorcycles last Thursday. Our team donation to start the fundraiser, commences at $4,000. Your generosity should be acknowledged.

“Anyone that would like to have a great little ride in good company with some vintage and classic bikes to look at, come and join us all on the 22nd of May and support prostate cancer research and men’s mental health.

Phill Critcher riding Bonneville Bobber
DGR Global Prize winner Phill rides his new Bonneville Bobber

Phill could not wait to take in our beautiful coastal scenery on his new Bobber and reported back within the hour:

“Just got to Kiama and it honestly feels great,” said Phill.

“The only road bikes I’ve ever ridden are the Z900 and Harleys. This is beautiful, I really am so happy with the bike!

The Distinguished Gentleman’s Ride 2022 will be held on Sunday May 22nd. Registrations will open on March 28th at gentlemansride.com

Save the Date for DGR 22 May 2022

DGR Wollongong 2021 reaches $150K for Men’s Health

With fundraising due to close on Sunday June 6th, The Distinguished Gentleman’s Ride – Wollongong has passed the incredible milestone of $150,000! Meanwhile, it has been in a tight contest with London for 2nd position out of over 700 cities worldwide.

DGR Wollongong 2021

Participants Phill Critcher and Ermond Morelli are on track to come 2nd and 3rd globally out of over 65,000 riders, while their team – The FC’s – is also ranking 3rd. Since City Coast Motorcycles introduced the ride to Wollongong in 2017, almost $350K has been raised to support Movember. This is an outstanding achievement and we could not be prouder of our riding community who have wholeheartedly embraced this niche event for classic and vintage motorcycles.

Below are some images we captured on the day – click on the thumbnail to open the gallery. We are happy for you to share them on social media; please give ride hosts City Coast Motorcycles a nod if you do so.

Professional photographs are available for sale from Keogh’s Vision Photography and The Illawarra Mercury

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