Hogs Back Brewery has hosted its now traditional finish of the Distinguished Gentleman’s Ride (DGR), bringing a record-breaking weekend to a close.
Nigel Gower on the Hogs Back Brewery’s custom-built Battistini Beer Engine motorbike, with pillion passenger Lisa Rixon. Photograph: Dave Pullinger
More than 1,400 riders registered for the 35-mile Surrey Hills ride, making it the largest in the UK, Europe, and North America, and tying equal second globally with Hyderabad, behind leader Buenos Aires.
The ride has raised £107,000 to date, propelling it up the global fundraising leaderboard to its current third place just behind Bournemouth and Poole, and New York. With money still coming in, the final total is expected to exceed £120,000.
The customary array of dapper dressing and tweed was on display, alongside classic and vintage-style motorcycles, with many riders sporting striking moustaches as a nod to Movember, the leading global charity focused on changing the face of men’s health, for which the DGR raises funds.
Leading the cavalcade was ride host Nigel Gower, on the Hogs Back Brewery’s custom-built Battistini Beer Engine motorbike, complete with beer barrel sidecar and pillion passengers Lisa Rixon and Boston terrier, Darcy. The machine, commissioned in 2006, marked its return to the road at last year’s event, having been restored by Nigel.
Spectators lined the streets to see the spectacle from its Guildford High Street start, before congregating at the brewery. There, 2,500 riders and guests were able to enjoy live music and a glass of Hogs Back’s Little Swine alcohol-free pale ale.
Representatives from Movember came along to see the event first hand. Meanwhile, local Guildford charity, the Prostate Project, was offering on-the-spot PSA blood tests, to screen for prostate cancer, with Hogs Back Brewery’s executive chairman, and patron of Prostate Project, Rupert Thompson, one of the first to be tested.
The DGR marked the finale of the Revival Weekend, with more than 950 guests enjoying a classic rock double bill on Friday’s Tribute Band Night. Saturday saw more than 1,300 visitors to the Surrey Hills Artisan Market.
“We are immensely proud of hosting the Revival Weekend,” said Hogs Back Brewery managing director, Miles Chesterman. “It is testament to all the hard work of the team and support from our partners — Farnborough International, The British Motor Show, and Kingsfield Academy.
“For a ride of this size to have helped raise over £107,000 and counting for Movember just shows how the local community can come together for the force of good. We still have our eye on that number one global fundraising spot next year, so watch out New York!”
The Revival Weekend will return to the brewery from 14th to 16th May 2027.
