2018 Distinguished Gentleman's Ride

Tornado

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I'm doing my 4th & 5th straight DGR this weekend! Due to a quirk in the scheduling the Victoria Ride on Vancouver Island takes place on Saturday while the Vancouver (on mainland) ride is on Sunday. This will be the first & Second DGR on my Norton.
Last years Van DGR had well over 200 riders show up. Weather this W/E looking great.

Tally Ho!

Donations greatfully accepted here:

https://www.gentlemansride.com/fundraiser/tornado99
 
I tried this last year here in Copenhagen. Due to various reasons, I ended up on my Ducati bevel. I've very mixed feelings about the event - obviously is for a good cause, I found some places in the city I didn't know existed, but after a day of slow slow riding in a km long queue, breathing all the other bike's petrol and oil fumes, on a bike with high gearing, clipons and very limited steering lock, I am damned if I'm going to do it again. Plus I almost ran out of battery (the Ducati does not start charging until it's over 3500 rpm or so, which I never saw all day). I rather doubt my Norton would be much happier in the traffic jam either.

Not wanting to sound like a grumpy old man though, but I think it's an event best done on a watercooled bike. At least the way it's run here :)

Hope you have a great weekend though, may your traffic queues be small!
 
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Well SteveBorland I myself did the first Two runs on my Ducati Bevel and yes the clipons stiff clutch and lousy lock was a hardship, now I am doing my Fourth run on sunday with my Commando and enjoy the comfortable ride. Can't think of a water cooled oldy except the Water Buffalo or Kettle and mmmmm! Or you take a modern Cafe Racer!!!
Sorry I may sound Grumpy but at my age I have lost too many friends to Suicide and Cancer, it won't bring them back but it gives you the chance to help prevent and straighten your thoughts while doing so.
By the way I am in the Stuttgart run, maybe see one of you there.

Donations gratefully accepted also:

https://www.gentlemansride.com/fundraiser/JohnWoodward
 
Good for you Woody!
Does your DGR involve a nose to tail crawl through the city? I don't recall getting out of 2nd gear until I was on my way home. Perhaps other cities do things differently?
I think there's an advantage to smaller numbers in something like this though.
 
Well SteveBorland, it's not for everybody or every bike. But you can support the cause without taking part via making a donation to a rider ;-)

Cheers.
 
As much as I wanted to do the DGR it isn't going to happen. Had shoulder surgery and my doctor and wife said no.
So, I have donated money. Please post pictures, love to see them from all over the world.

Cheers
John in Texas
 
Good for you Woody!
Does your DGR involve a nose to tail crawl through the city? I don't recall getting out of 2nd gear until I was on my way home. Perhaps other cities do things differently?
I think there's an advantage to smaller numbers in something like this though.
Yes Steve I had the same issue here on last years DGR .I will be attending this year but will take another "classic"
not Norton.
 
I've just programmed my GPS for the ride.
2018 Distinguished Gentleman's Ride
And no i am not yet forgetful enough to need to write the route down but thought i might be a good conversation piece.
 
Having seen the local route to me in Hampshire, it seems that they have overlooked a few things. The M27 is shut in both direction on Saturday and Sunday at Ower, so Southampton, Ower and Romsey will be gridlocked, the route also passes by one of the biggest car boot sales in Hampshire and the traffic in the bendy country lane trying to get to it will be a challenge for 250 bikes in convoy. Will be an interesting ride in the lovely weather that is forecast.
 
Great ntst8! I like your scroll lever near the gas tap, you can synchronise it to your MPH :)
 
My bike was quite popular at the DGR in Victoria, BC. Only Norton there out of 50-odd bikes. Got some footage of the ride I'm in the process of editting and will pop a link to it here once uploaded. Had a bit of a fright at one point in the ride as I was following a Thrux R....one of his panniers self-jettisoned right in front of me.....
 
Madnorton
Did it on my Mk3 and my mates were on a Bonnie T140D and Zephyr 1100, early start so a little chilly from Farnham BP services getting colder near Winchester due to fog, but warmed up with hot coffee and chocolate.
Actual route went right through Southampton but apparently they do it to raise awareness of the event otherwise all good.
Route restrictions you mention were advised in earlier email and were not a problem, we rode right past the car boot sale with perfect timing and no holdups.
Our excellent return ride via Cadham, Romsey and Winchester was equally fuss free with 128 miles for the days run.
Interesting to see the Bonnie maintaining good open road speeds but no idea of the vibration levels compared to the Commando. Nice pair of black and gold Britbikes, also lots of (old) Nortons on this ride.
262 riders raised £26,788
 
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Did the DGR in Amsterdam,weather conditions were fine,and approx. 950 bikes showed up. The start and finish was in the Amsterdam docklands area, and police escort and road captains were present to guarantee a smooth flow trough the city, I normally avoid riding in Amsterdam, traffic situation can be messy. There were several British classic bikes, however, I did not see another Commando unlike in last years DGR. In total over 60.000 euros were raised for the good cause. here a few pics.

2018 Distinguished Gentleman's Ride



2018 Distinguished Gentleman's Ride



2018 Distinguished Gentleman's Ride
picture upload
 
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