Riders dressed in their Sunday best came out in force in Timaru with a strong men's health message.
The Distinguished Gentleman's Ride saw 47 riders from Mid and South Canterbury participate on Sunday, riding on a loop around the town from the Piazza and finishing up at Speight's Ale House.
Organiser Richard Brown said this year's event raised more than $6000 towards prostate cancer research and the men's mental health programme. Last year about $4500 was raised.
Clive Gosling, on a 1954 BSA Bantam, leads the Distinguished Gentleman's Ride in Timaru.
"This is the third time it's been hosted in Timaru, and it's getting bigger each year.
"There's a really strong visual appeal to the event, and it's great seeing people dressed up ride down the main streets."
The ride coincides with similar events held all over the globe. Across New Zealand, there were more than 1420 riders raising $274,000, while globally there were more than 109,000 riders raising about $5.1 million.
"It's the biggest single motorcycle rally in the world, we're just a very small cog in the machine.
Getting ready for the Distinguished Gentleman's Ride in Timaru are, from left, Tom Nichol on a 1979 Honda, Jonty Penney on a 1974 CB500/4 and Clive Gosling on a 1954 BSA.
"People are becoming more aware about mental health issues, so it's no surprise the event is growing.
"But it's also an opportunity to bring those bikes out of the garage that don't get much in the way of use. There were a few quirky ones, including some scooters."
Two South Canterbury riders, Shane Skinner and Ashley Buchan, raised more than $1000.
Brown said as the event grew, there would need to be more traffic management in place to accommodate the riders.
In Timaru, the Distinguished Gentleman's Ride is the first of a number of events raising money for Movember, which includes the TiMOru soapbox derby on November 10.
