BIKER NEWS: Dapper biker gang rides into Blenheim

BN- Nine distinguished gentlemen and two dignified ladies were cruising around Blenheim on Sunday to raise awareness of prostate cancer.

People from Nelson and Blenheim vintage car and motorbike clubs got dressed up in "dapper" style for the Distinguished Gentleman's Ride, which left from the Argosy Cafe in Woodbourne.

Ulysses Club member Paul Knight said their route took in Rapaura Rd, Grove Rd and Redwood St before heading to the Omaka Aviation Heritage Centre.

The ride was part of a worldwide event on September 27 to raise awareness of the disease. This year, nearly 35,000 riders were involved, from 79 countries.

Marlborough biker Anthony Barnes said it was a "short circuit" but hopefully people would see the riders out and about and wonder what was happening.

His partner Beth Barnes was also in the ride, on a motor scooter.

"We really want to get some publicity so that next year we get a whole lot more people," Knight said.

The Ulysses Club was aimed at an "over-40 age group" who should be raising awareness of the disease "big time", he said.

"Men 50-plus are most prone to prostate cancer," he said. Data showed the disease killed 1300 men a day worldwide.

Awareness events for breast cancer and cancer in children had a "huge following" but drawing attention to prostate cancer was important too, he said.

According to the Prostate Cancer Foundation of New Zealand, one in 10 New Zealand men would develop the cancer and testing for the disease should begin at the age of 45 or earlier.

Knight's partner Rachel Rossetti followed the well-dressed biker gang in her vintage car, a 1939 Dodge D11 Luxury Liner.

She first came across the rally while in Christchurch, and said women often joined in, either in cars or on motorbikes. They usually dressed in "dapper" gentlemen's clothing to show support.

One rider, who did not dress up but was still keen to support the cause, said it was just too cold riding from Nelson to Blenheim in dapper clothes.

More: http://www.stuff.co.nz/marlborough-express/news/72452976/dapper-biker-gang-rides-into-blenheim