'It started as a lark': Motorcyclists in suits inspired by Mad Men

The Advertiser

15-06-2025

The Distinguished Gentleman's Ride began with a publicity photo of Mad Men's Don Draper wearing a suit while perched on a classic motorcycle.
Mark Hawwa started the themed ride 13 years ago, after being inspired by the photo.
This year's event, which raises money for men's mental health support and prostate cancer research, involved about 127,000 riders in 1038 cities.
The event features classic and vintage motorcycles, with riders dressed in suits.
It aims to foster a different perception of riders to that of outlaw bikie gangs.
The Newcastle event, delayed by a month due to heavy rain, was held at The Station on Sunday.
Organiser Stephen Meek said it was "perfect weather, thank god".
"The ride went well. It's a bit of camaraderie and looking silly in our suits," Mr Meek said.
"Motorcyclists are always good for supporting a cause."
The ride went through town, alongside beaches, up to Fort Scratchley and through Darby Street, Parkway Avenue and Tudor Street.
About 120 people did the ride, which returned to The Station for lunch. The Newcastle event raised $21,000.
Maitland's Glenn Behnke, an event co-organiser, was among the riders.
His dad overcame prostate cancer after surgery.
"My grandfather had prostate cancer as well. He died with it, not from it. It's one of those things where I need to be aware.
"I'm 50 now but started getting checked early.
"I was sent for an ultrasound that was inconclusive, so I had a biopsy. That came back clear. It wasn't a pleasant process to go through."
As for the mental health side of the ride, he said "it's one of those age-old stigmas that guys tend to keep their feelings to themselves".
"I think now the younger generation is more open and vocal about it. Any light shone on that is a good thing."
The inaugural gentleman's ride was held in 2012.
Mr Meek - host of the Newcastle event - has been involved from the beginning.
"It's phenomenal how it's grown. It's raised a massive amount of money for Movember," Mr Meek said.
"It started out as a bit of a lark - dressing up in a suit inspired by the TV show Mad Men.
"The first year we went to Vinnies to buy a suit and pinned the receipts to our lapels. That was the charity side at that point. It took off from there.
"Sponsors who thought it was a nice idea came on board and away it went."
Worldwide, the event raised $12 million for Movember this year and almost $70 million since it began.
"Each year, we're blown away by the scale, generosity and heart behind this ride," said Mr Hawwa, the founder.
"We are building a movement that saves lives and reminds folks around the world that men's health matters everywhere."
Mr Hawwa, of Sydney, said men die on average six years earlier than women from "largely preventable reasons".
"The number of men who are suffering is growing. We need to do something about that."
The Distinguished Gentleman's Ride began with a publicity photo of Mad Men's Don Draper wearing a suit while perched on a classic motorcycle.
Mark Hawwa started the themed ride 13 years ago, after being inspired by the photo.
This year's event, which raises money for men's mental health support and prostate cancer research, involved about 127,000 riders in 1038 cities.
The event features classic and vintage motorcycles, with riders dressed in suits.
It aims to foster a different perception of riders to that of outlaw bikie gangs.
The Newcastle event, delayed by a month due to heavy rain, was held at The Station on Sunday.
Organiser Stephen Meek said it was "perfect weather, thank god".
"The ride went well. It's a bit of camaraderie and looking silly in our suits," Mr Meek said.
"Motorcyclists are always good for supporting a cause."
The ride went through town, alongside beaches, up to Fort Scratchley and through Darby Street, Parkway Avenue and Tudor Street.
About 120 people did the ride, which returned to The Station for lunch. The Newcastle event raised $21,000.
Maitland's Glenn Behnke, an event co-organiser, was among the riders.
His dad overcame prostate cancer after surgery.
"My grandfather had prostate cancer as well. He died with it, not from it. It's one of those things where I need to be aware.
"I'm 50 now but started getting checked early.
"I was sent for an ultrasound that was inconclusive, so I had a biopsy. That came back clear. It wasn't a pleasant process to go through."
As for the mental health side of the ride, he said "it's one of those age-old stigmas that guys tend to keep their feelings to themselves".
"I think now the younger generation is more open and vocal about it. Any light shone on that is a good thing."
The inaugural gentleman's ride was held in 2012.
Mr Meek - host of the Newcastle event - has been involved from the beginning.
"It's phenomenal how it's grown. It's raised a massive amount of money for Movember," Mr Meek said.
"It started out as a bit of a lark - dressing up in a suit inspired by the TV show Mad Men.
"The first year we went to Vinnies to buy a suit and pinned the receipts to our lapels. That was the charity side at that point. It took off from there.
"Sponsors who thought it was a nice idea came on board and away it went."
Worldwide, the event raised $12 million for Movember this year and almost $70 million since it began.
"Each year, we're blown away by the scale, generosity and heart behind this ride," said Mr Hawwa, the founder.
"We are building a movement that saves lives and reminds folks around the world that men's health matters everywhere."
Mr Hawwa, of Sydney, said men die on average six years earlier than women from "largely preventable reasons".
"The number of men who are suffering is growing. We need to do something about that."
The Distinguished Gentleman's Ride began with a publicity photo of Mad Men's Don Draper wearing a suit while perched on a classic motorcycle.
Mark Hawwa started the themed ride 13 years ago, after being inspired by the photo.
This year's event, which raises money for men's mental health support and prostate cancer research, involved about 127,000 riders in 1038 cities.
The event features classic and vintage motorcycles, with riders dressed in suits.
It aims to foster a different perception of riders to that of outlaw bikie gangs.
The Newcastle event, delayed by a month due to heavy rain, was held at The Station on Sunday.
Organiser Stephen Meek said it was "perfect weather, thank god".
"The ride went well. It's a bit of camaraderie and looking silly in our suits," Mr Meek said.
"Motorcyclists are always good for supporting a cause."
The ride went through town, alongside beaches, up to Fort Scratchley and through Darby Street, Parkway Avenue and Tudor Street.
About 120 people did the ride, which returned to The Station for lunch. The Newcastle event raised $21,000.
Maitland's Glenn Behnke, an event co-organiser, was among the riders.
His dad overcame prostate cancer after surgery.
"My grandfather had prostate cancer as well. He died with it, not from it. It's one of those things where I need to be aware.
"I'm 50 now but started getting checked early.
"I was sent for an ultrasound that was inconclusive, so I had a biopsy. That came back clear. It wasn't a pleasant process to go through."
As for the mental health side of the ride, he said "it's one of those age-old stigmas that guys tend to keep their feelings to themselves".
"I think now the younger generation is more open and vocal about it. Any light shone on that is a good thing."
The inaugural gentleman's ride was held in 2012.
Mr Meek - host of the Newcastle event - has been involved from the beginning.
"It's phenomenal how it's grown. It's raised a massive amount of money for Movember," Mr Meek said.
"It started out as a bit of a lark - dressing up in a suit inspired by the TV show Mad Men.
"The first year we went to Vinnies to buy a suit and pinned the receipts to our lapels. That was the charity side at that point. It took off from there.
"Sponsors who thought it was a nice idea came on board and away it went."
Worldwide, the event raised $12 million for Movember this year and almost $70 million since it began.
"Each year, we're blown away by the scale, generosity and heart behind this ride," said Mr Hawwa, the founder.
"We are building a movement that saves lives and reminds folks around the world that men's health matters everywhere."
Mr Hawwa, of Sydney, said men die on average six years earlier than women from "largely preventable reasons".
"The number of men who are suffering is growing. We need to do something about that."
The Distinguished Gentleman's Ride began with a publicity photo of Mad Men's Don Draper wearing a suit while perched on a classic motorcycle.
Mark Hawwa started the themed ride 13 years ago, after being inspired by the photo.
This year's event, which raises money for men's mental health support and prostate cancer research, involved about 127,000 riders in 1038 cities.
The event features classic and vintage motorcycles, with riders dressed in suits.
It aims to foster a different perception of riders to that of outlaw bikie gangs.
The Newcastle event, delayed by a month due to heavy rain, was held at The Station on Sunday.
Organiser Stephen Meek said it was "perfect weather, thank god".
"The ride went well. It's a bit of camaraderie and looking silly in our suits," Mr Meek said.
"Motorcyclists are always good for supporting a cause."
The ride went through town, alongside beaches, up to Fort Scratchley and through Darby Street, Parkway Avenue and Tudor Street.
About 120 people did the ride, which returned to The Station for lunch. The Newcastle event raised $21,000.
Maitland's Glenn Behnke, an event co-organiser, was among the riders.
His dad overcame prostate cancer after surgery.
"My grandfather had prostate cancer as well. He died with it, not from it. It's one of those things where I need to be aware.
"I'm 50 now but started getting checked early.
"I was sent for an ultrasound that was inconclusive, so I had a biopsy. That came back clear. It wasn't a pleasant process to go through."
As for the mental health side of the ride, he said "it's one of those age-old stigmas that guys tend to keep their feelings to themselves".
"I think now the younger generation is more open and vocal about it. Any light shone on that is a good thing."
The inaugural gentleman's ride was held in 2012.
Mr Meek - host of the Newcastle event - has been involved from the beginning.
"It's phenomenal how it's grown. It's raised a massive amount of money for Movember," Mr Meek said.
"It started out as a bit of a lark - dressing up in a suit inspired by the TV show Mad Men.
"The first year we went to Vinnies to buy a suit and pinned the receipts to our lapels. That was the charity side at that point. It took off from there.
"Sponsors who thought it was a nice idea came on board and away it went."
Worldwide, the event raised $12 million for Movember this year and almost $70 million since it began.
"Each year, we're blown away by the scale, generosity and heart behind this ride," said Mr Hawwa, the founder.
"We are building a movement that saves lives and reminds folks around the world that men's health matters everywhere."
Mr Hawwa, of Sydney, said men die on average six years earlier than women from "largely preventable reasons".
"The number of men who are suffering is growing. We need to do something about that."