This year I decided to participate in the Distinguished Gentleman’s Ride (DGR – Riding Dapper for a Cause) by riding in the Woodstock, IL event instead of my previous years participation in the larger Chicago event. My reasons were simple… I prefer a smaller group and the longer country road type of ride over the more crowded urban one. Either way, I was raising money for worthy causes: Prostate cancer research and Men’s mental health. I am thankful to a handful of friends who supported me in raising $226 this year. Globally, there were over 56,000 riders who as of this date had raised $3.3M of a $5M goal for the year.
Ride to Windy City Triumph
I spent part of Saturday getting my custom 2008 Bonneville 1100 ready for the Sunday DGR ride.
My day started by dressing a bit more dapper than usual. For me this meant donning a white shirt and a tie, adding some Frye harness boots and a paid wool English style cap of my Dad’s. Also in my pocket was my Oxford City pipe and some good, aromatic tobacco! In addition I still wore my armored, Kevlar-lined Triumph riding jeans and my trusty old armored Triumph leather riding jacket. Leaving my garage shortly after 8 AM, I rode for about 45 minutes on mostly highways out to Windy City Triumph in St. Charles, IL. There I met “JB” Bussert, General Manager of Windy City Triumph, who had some good ol’ Dunkin Donuts and a box of Joe ready!
Ride to Woodstock
After catching up with JB while waiting for others to arrive, we headed out toward Woodstock Triumph, our hosts for the Woodstock DGR Ride. We had a little trouble finding the meeting location, but eventually found it in time to park and meet other riders outside of Ethereal Confections, for a little while before the ride began.
JB, General Manager of Windy City Triumph, getting ready to ride a Black 2012 Bonneville T100 in the DGR!
Downtown Woodstock town square gathering point for the DGR
Panoramic view of the quaint town square gathering point for the 2016 Woodstock DGR.
The DGR Ride
We left downtown Woodstock, IL shortly after 11 AM, taking a parade lap around the brick paved main town square once, then heading out of town on a country road. Many motorists stopped to let us pass as a group at stop signs and traffic lights, and usually waved or gave us the “thumbs up.” Matthew lead us through a nice mix of county and state roads, small towns and open farmland.
Host, Matthew Thrun leading our riders meeting, going over the route, and recognizing the larger fundraisers on our ride.
Starting the DGR by taking a parade lap around the beautiful Woodstock town square.
Crossing a railroad track and heading out of Woodstock on a country road.
Midride Stop – Creekside Country Store
Our ride took a breather at midpoint, pulling into the parking area of the Creekside Country Store in Wonder Lake, IL. Again we had a chance to visit with other riders, check out bikes and hydrate and/or use restrooms.
Creekside Country Store parking lot.
We had a great assortment of motorcycles and riders on our ride! Lot’s of Triumph Bonneville’s!
Ending the DGR at Woodstock Triumph
After another great excursion through county and state roads we ended up back at Woodstock Triumph, Woodstock, IL. Most of the group entered the dealership and enjoyed a pizza lunch together, provided by our hosts.
Passing a barn on a country road.
A beautiful red Thruxton 1200 R parked in the shade as we ended our DGR back at Woodstock Triumph.
Pizza lunch provided at Woodstock Triumph.
I guess we were hungry!
JB and I checked out the Woodstock Triumph showroom, chatted with other riders and then headed back to our homes.
Woodstock Triumph Showroom
I want to recognize and thank Triumph Motorcycles for being a co-sponsor of this global event every year since it started! It definitely adds credibility and loyalty to the brand for this owner/rider!
Triumph Motorcycles – branded hoody sweatshirt.