This years Distinguished Gentleman’s Ride kicked off from the W C Club [unfortunate name] at 3 Athol Oaklands in Johannesburg. I rode through with a bunch of distinguished gents from V-Custom Cycles in Centurion.
What an awesome event this is! Distinguished gentleman all over the world, firing up there classic bikes and riding in support of a worthy cause. [Raising funds for prostate cancer and mental health] Around 800 faithful gathered at the W C Club. As per usual there were some sights to behold. Many beautifully restored classics and wonderfully attired riders. The growing popularity of modern classics was also evident.
We then rode en masse to the Rand Club in the centre of old Jo’burg city. What a grand old building. Harking back to a bygone era, one could just imagine filthy rich mining magnates arriving in horse drawn carriages with ladies in ballroom finery on their arms. Both this venue and the type of bikes parked outside reminded us of a simpler and saner world. Some costumes were just so in keeping with the opulent surroundings.
A couple of us left before the main body of riders for the S A National Museum of Military History where a group photo was to be done. Riding east from the Rand Club past the once larney Carlton Centre, you cannot help not being saddened by the filthy cesspit that this part of the city has become. The deep piles of rubbish are a rat fest of note. Main street, once home to motorcycle shops like Rubes, Poultons and Continental Cycles, now makes downtown Lagos look pristine by comparison! How can we ever hope to build a prosperous nation when we are up to our armpits in our own filth? Oh well, enough of that.
The Military Museum is a fascinating place. The bikes lined up outside for a group photo and then, without further ado, proceeded to the final stop for the day at Melrose Arch. The distinguished gentleman’s ride is growing from strength to strength, and is one of those really fun events that should not be missed! See you there in 2018.
