Social motorcycling group the Newcastle Cafe Racers is used to turning heads, and as they take to this year's COVID-safe Distinguished Gentleman's Ride it will be with their usual style and elegance.
Whether it is Doug Glendenning on his 1956 Vespa 125 Faro Basso "which is the low light model, headlight on the mud guard", or Stephen Meek's "XV Yamaha Bolt transformed into an XV Yamaha Scrambler", these riders like to stand out from the crowd.
"When they first see me, it's 'OK, a guy on a 1960s bike wearing a suit'," said Rodney "Champo" Champness, sporting a bowler hat alongside a modified Harley Davidson sportster.
Members of the Newcastle Cafe Racers were always going to be attracted to the idea of the Distinguished Gentleman's Ride.
The fundraiser for men's health encourages riders to dress and ride in large numbers in the name of fun.
In fact Newcastle riders were among the first 2,500 riders to take part in 2012, joining those across 64 cities and in 15 countries.
Tracy Lea, who is Newcastle DGR ride coordinator, said there were always "lots of waves and lots of support" from the public.
"It's an exciting feeling," Ms Lea said, bringing up the rear on her flashy red Royal Enfield Continental GT, while partner Champo leads the pack of 200.
"I like being at the back because you see it all, and the stream of bikes down the road."
682 friends around the world helping out
Internationally, the Distinguished Gentleman's Ride claims to have enlisted 316,000 riders worldwide, raising $33 million since 2012.
But with the COVID-19 global pandemic, the small team of organisers in Sydney had to quickly rejig the event — held internationally on the last Sunday in September — as a solo ride.
Founder Mark Hawwa said the DGR had "all the risk assessments and all the best practices" in place to enable local coordinators to meet a minimum standard of how to put the event on.
"They sign off on that, and that is what we work with them on," Mr Hawwa said.
"It's pretty detailed, and it's pretty intricate, but I guess that's how we're able to get something like this happening with such a small team.
"And literally, I have got 682 friends around the world that helped us put this event on."
While COVID-19 may hit the fundraising aspect of the ride hard in 2020, Mr Hawwa is confident the event will continue to raise awareness of the importance of prostate cancer and mental health.
"We still feel that we can have an outstanding event," he said, "and raise a lot of money for prostate cancer research and men's mental health by still being able to wear those suits and go for a ride on our own".
Camaraderie of riding with friends
As in other cities, Newcastle participants will ride separately come Sunday, September 27.
But riders may stop in small groups with appropriate physical distancing, to picnic or for photos depending — on what local health restrictions are in place.
"Whatever the restriction is at the time we should all be complied," Mr Champness said.
Newcastle Cafe Racer Doug Glendenning said he would be joining in for the camaraderie of riding with friends.
"You mightn't actually get to have conversations with them, but you know each other," he said.
"There is a certain camaraderie there, it's really good.
"I think motorcyclists in general, whether they scooterists or on a regular motorcycle, they're still part of the family."
Stephen Meek said he will definitely be riding, particularly to raise funds and awareness of the importance of annual checks for prostate cancer.
"I'm a very much get-it-checked at least yearly kind of a guy," Mr Meek said.
"Especially with the chrome hair, it means that you need to be doing that."
