Huge ride sets to leave bikie stereotypes in its dust

For most people, dapper gentleman donning their finest tweed jackets and crispest shirts aren't the first images to come to mind when thinking of bikers.

RIDE ALONG: A participant in a previous Distinguished Gentleman's Ride event. Picture: Vuri Matija

FOR most people, dapper gentleman donning their finest tweed jackets and crispest shirts aren't the first images to come to mind when thinking of bikers - it's maybe even the last.

Yet an event blazing towards the Coast has set out to redefine stereotypes, leaving the tattoo-covered, drug-dealing and criminal bikie perceptions in its dust.

The Distinguished Gentleman's Ride began in 2013, an event connecting niche bike enthusiasts while raising funds for the Movember Foundation.

Coast residents will have the chance to take part in the world's largest charitable motorcycle event on September 29, joining more than 120,000 well-dressed gentlefolk on the same day astride classic and vintage motorbikes.

Marketing and event coordinator Ramsey Sayed said their original goal was to change the "tough guy mentality” that's associated with motorbike riding.

However, Mr Sayed said the team's new mission was to raise $7 million USD for prostate cancer research.

"It was one of the biggest issues facing men specifically at the time and it still is, we lose half a million men a year from prostate cancer,” he said.

One perception of the disease Mr Ramsey is passionate about shifting was that of testing methods.

"Prostate cancer is uncomfortable to talk about because people aren't aware of how its tested” he said.

"It's as simple as just getting a blood test.

"People make jokes about it and still do, but even stopping the conversation around the old testing methods is important because people still continue to believe it.”

Registrations for the Coast's Distinguished Gentleman's Ride opens on August 1.

Head to www.gentlemansride.com for more.