Of mustaches and motorcycles
<p>DEVIN HEILMAN/Press</p><p>David Fairbairn straps on his gloves as he prepares to ride his 1971 BMW R60/5 in the Distinguished Gentlemans Ride on Sunday. About 50 riders put on their Sunday best and cruised through town to raise funds for prostate cancer and suicide prevention.</p>
<p>DEVIN HEILMAN/Press</p><p>A group of about 20 gentlemen and their motorcycles gather at Grumpy Monkey in Coeur d'Alene before the Distinguished Gentlemens Ride on Sunday morning. The bikes consisted of vintage and modern classics and included a Ural with a sidecar.</p>
COEUR d’ALENE — Dapper, dashing and some in derby hats, a host of distinguished gentlemen went for a leisurely ride on Sunday.
They put on their riding gloves and fastened their most fashionable helmets, tucked in their ties and coattails and rode through Coeur d'Alene and out to Fernan and back, the sounds of their classic and vintage-style motorcycles purring beneath them.
The fellows, and a few ladies, donned their indubitably sophisticated apparel and paraded through town as part of the Distinguished Gentleman’s Ride, an event that takes place around the world to raise awareness and funds for prostate cancer research and suicide prevention.
"We get some looks, mostly downtown,” said Don Walters, co-organizer of the Coeur d'Alene Distinguished Gentleman’s Ride. "We get some stares. It’s not something you normally see, somebody on a motorcycle in a bowtie on a Sunday morning."
This was the fourth year for the Coeur d'Alene DGR. It included about 50 riders and raised about $1,000 to support the Movember Foundation, a global nonprofit dedicated to men's health.
"It started as just dressing nice and riding motorcycles," said Walters, who rides a shamrock green 1978 Kawasaki KZ400. "Then the second year it exploded and it started to go worldwide, and they said, ‘Well, if we’re going to do this, let’s do something that’s good for the community also.’”
Walters said this year's DGR, which took place in more than 500 cities in 90 countries worldwide, raised about $9.5 million.
"It does feel nice to bring something local and fun to these people but know that it's happening globally at the same time," said co-organizer Travis Derrick. "Not a lot of stuff like that you get to say you participate in and help grow."
The riders, in suits, ties, vests, tuxes and other snappy garb, gathered at Grumpy Monkey in Coeur d'Alene before the ride to socialize, enjoy a cup of coffee and admire one another's motorcycles.
David Fairbairn rode his 1971 BMW R60/5 all the way from his hometown of Metaline Falls in northeastern Washington to participate in his first DGR.
"It seemed like a quirky little event that seemed like a good cause and a lot of fun," he said. "There’s a lot of guys that have benefit auctions and fundraiser drives. This is one that actually is unique, something fun and you’re guaranteed to meet some interesting people."
From his riding boots to his corduroy jacket and Scottish flat cap, Fairbairn's distinguished outfit made him seem to have been plucked directly from a 1920s automobile advertisement. He said he knew before he even got into the parking lot that he wanted to participate again next year.
"Especially after seeing all the bikes," he said. "I found my people."
Walters and Derrick said the Coeur d'Alene DGR will return the last Sunday in September next year.
Info: www.gentlemansride.com