RECORDS will be broken, if all goes well, with more than 800 “distinguished gentlefolk” set to ride their motorcycles through the streets of Bournemouth, Christchurch and Poole for men’s mental health and prostate cancer.

At a launch event in Southbourne’s Brewhouse pub, preparations were made, thanks were given and riders recruited for the returning Distinguished Gentleman’s Ride which will roll through BCP on Sunday May 22.

The Gentleman’s Ride is a worldwide motorcycle ride themed event taking place on the same day across the world in around 900 cities, 110 countries and more than 120,000 riders.

It is hoped following two years of subdued affairs due to the pandemic, the 2022 iteration of the Gentleman’s Ride will be the biggest yet for those riding in Dorset – with an aim to overtake London in becoming the UK’s biggest representation.

Bournemouth Echo: Launch event for the 2022 Distinguished Gentleman’s Ride in BournemouthLaunch event for the 2022 Distinguished Gentleman’s Ride in Bournemouth

At the launch event on Sunday, April 3, ride host Ian McLennan told the Echo: “All the money raised by our riders goes to prostate cancer and mental health which is the core reason of why we’re here.

“Everyone is really looking forward to going back to the big ride and we’re expecting 700 to 800 bikes. On May 22 we’ll be riding slowly from Poole Quay to Bournemouth Pier and finishing at the Bournemouth School – causing chaos wherever we go with a smile and a wave.

“We’re a spectacle though, you won’t see anything like it. I think people will be blown away by the sheer numbers when we set off together.

Bournemouth Echo: Riders at the 2022 Distinguished Gentleman’s Ride launch event in BournemouthRiders at the 2022 Distinguished Gentleman’s Ride launch event in Bournemouth

“We’d like to become the biggest ride in the UK.”

The first Bournemouth ride was in 2014 and around £157,000 has been raised in total so far.

Of that, £2,349 was raised last year alone by rider Malcom Derrick, who was applauded and awarded at the launch event on Sunday by his fellow bikers for the impressive total.

Bournemouth Echo: (LtoR) Brewhouse chief executive Kris Gumbrell, rider Malcolm Derrick and ride host Ian McLennan (LtoR) Brewhouse chief executive Kris Gumbrell, rider Malcolm Derrick and ride host Ian McLennan

Also gearing up for the event was Brewhouse chief executive Kris Gumbrell who hosted the launch and will himself be riding in May. He said: “We’re trying to push the message that Bournemouth and Poole is a massive leader in this event.

“I’m a bit of a petrol head, I’ve got a Triumph, and we’d like to grow our relationship with the DGR because it’s getting bigger. I think the spectacle is the thing we’re all really looking forward to.”

All money raised will go to The Movember Foundation.