This year the Orange County Distinguished Gentlemen’s Ride proved that the worldwide movement that is the DGR is continuing to grow at an exponential rate. With over 500 riders registered the crowd that gathered at Ducati Newport was at the very least impressive, but what was truly astonishing was the overwhelming support and goodwill that emanated from the hundreds of beaming faces dressed to the nines.
Photography by Peter Pham / pphamphotography.com
Motorcyclists have always been partial to gathering for good causes. All across this great nation and around the world, Toy rides, rides for breast cancer awareness, rides for autism and rides to support fellow riders are commonplace, but what sets this ride apart is how it presents motorcyclists to the public at large. There's no doubting the fact that 500 or more motorcyclists mobbing through suburban orange county can cause a few raised eyebrows, but when you put those motorcyclists in their finest tweed you immediately disarm them. Instead of middle fingers from fellow motorists, you get thumbs up. Instead of furrowed brows, you get smiles for miles, and when you couple what this ride is doing for motorcycling around the world with the money and awareness the DGR raises for Men’s health, you get a real winning combination.
A small group of riders from around the Long Beach and Los Al area met up at RSD around 7:30am to ride down the PCH to Ducati of Newport Beach, the rally point for this year’s OC DGR. When we got there, the parking lot was already packed with bikes of every make and model, but the steady stream of decked out riders pouring in didn’t stop and eventually poured out onto the adjacent street. After some caffeinated refreshments and a few announcements, the ride was off and running, led by grand marshall Steve Caballero atop his RSD customized Indian Scout Bobber.
Snaking through Newport Beach the long train of nearly 500 riders made their way along the normally quiet back bay and eventually stopping at the Vans headquarters for a quick break before motoring on to the final destination, the Monarch Beach Resort. As the riders filed into the posh Dana Point resort the feeling that we had entered a land not entirely familiar washed over the crowd. Perfectly manicured landscaping, white-jacketed staff and $10 beers are not something a crowd of motorcyclists are used to, but with everyone dressed in their Sunday best, the Monarch could not have provided a better backdrop for this event.
After a couple hours of socializing, a few beers and an award ceremony, it was time to saddle up and head home. Overall the OC Distinguished Gentlemen’s ride was a smashing success, bringing out hundreds of riders on all kinds of two-wheeled machines and raising thousands of dollars for the Movember foundation. With another successful DGR in the books, we look forward to next years ride and an even bigger turn out to support this worth cause.