Distinguished Gent’s Ride 2013

The Distinguished Gentleman’s ride has returned and we are very chuffed to say that the BSMC are the official hosts of the London event for the second time. Dapper chaps (and ladies) riding tasteful timeless motorcycles, in their finest attire, will be riding through the cities of the world – all on the same day – in a coordinated event that shows that bikers can be Gentlefolk, with good manners and impeccable taste.

The bikes may be badass cafe racers, scramblers, street trackers, brat-style, classic, resto-mods (whatever the hell that actually means) and modern machines of the cafe/cool genre, but the riders will be polite and distinctly refined.

Last year the London event was one of the biggest (despite the late September date) with 70 riders parading through London from Kentish town (after breakfast of course) through the West End and into Wandsworth where we met at the Ship Inn on the banks of the Thames for more tiffin.

The start and finish venues are TBC (give us a chance) but they will both be Central London venues, meeting for late breakfast and then riding for an hour or so before an early lunch, somewhere appropriate.

THE BIKES:
Bikes can be old or new, custom or standard, …but they should fit in with the general BikeShed, Iron&Air, BikeEXIF, Pipeburn vibe, i.e cafe racers, scramblers, trackers, brat-style, bobbers, etc. From 1950s Panhead Harleys, 70′s Ducatis and Jap customs, to 2012 Guzzi V7s & Bonnies you’ll all be welcome, as long as it’s not a Race-rep, Supermoto, Deauville, CB500 Courier type bike etc…

…Having said that, we won’t be bike Nazi’s if you adhere strictly to the dress code, and dress to impress.

HELMETS:
Helmets must be open face. A gentleman (or a lady for that matter) does not wear a mask (not by day, anyway), …besides it may cover-up your waxed moustache.

DRESS:
Clothes should be smart/dapper; suits, tweeds, tuxedos, black tie. We appreciate it could rain, so a smart raincoat may be worn, but not your daily bike gear.

BEHAVIOUR:
The clue is in the word “gentleman”. No wheelies, burnouts or lewd biking please. We love all of this in the right place, but not at this event.

Please visit the facebook page and click GOING so we can design the venues around the numbers, and for regular updates on the meet times and routes.

Anyway, more details soon.

Here’s how it went down last year.

via The Bike Shed