Celebrating "a decade of riding dapper", on May 23rd the Distinguished Gentleman's Ride (DGR) - a men's health charity motorcycling event - raised an incredible US$4.1m in 2021, taking the global total of funds raised since the event began to over US$31.5m. Some 65,000 classic and vintage motorcycle enthusiasts "came together" in 913 cities and 116 countries around the world. In 2021, the funds raised by the event have been donated directly to its global charity partner, Movember. Prizing for 2021 included four brand new motorcycles from Triumph Motorcycles. Additional supporting partners in 2021 included London based Hedon Helmets, Belstaff apparel and ELF (a France based brand of TOTAL - the world's 5th largest oil company). The DGR was founded in Sydney, Australia, in 2012 by Mark Hawwa; www.gentlemansride.com
Dunlop is claiming "exceptional mileage performance" for its new Sportmax Roadsmart IV sport-touring tyre - claiming +49% more performance than the Michelin Road 5 GT and up to a +26% increase in mileage over its own Roadsmart III. "The rear tyre uses MT Multi-Tread technology with a long-wearing compound in the centre of the tyre and special lateral compounds on the shoulders for outstanding grip. Front and rear tyre compounds contain Hi Silica X and Fine Carbon to increase wet grip and stopping performance. New sidewall construction improves wet and dry handling and comfort."
Airspeeder (based out of South Australia) is the world's first electric flying car racing series. Yes, you read that right. The brainchild of a certain Matt Pearson, who runs Alauda - "the world's first performance electric flying car manufacturer" - it is hoped that the planned global race series will eventually see a full grid of eVTOL (electric Vertical Take-Off and Landing) craft, manufactured by Alauda, managed by individual teams and operated by elite pilots, compete at heights of up to 40 m off the ground and at top speeds of 200 km/h. The air races will take place on electronically-created tracks and be streamed globally, minimising the environmental impact of more complex logistics and infrastructure. Alauda's Mk 3 is described as "the world's first fully functional electric flying racing car". Pod racing anyone? www.airspeeder.com
Pending "consultation", the UK has now confirmed 2035 as the end of the road for internal combustion engine PTW sales. It is acknowledged that PTWs only account for 0.4% of greenhouse gas emissions in the UK, but the deadline could be even sooner "if a faster transition appears feasible". There are presently 1.4 million PTWs licensed for road use in the UK, with an average age of just over 15 years.
MV Agusta has been turned into a comic featuring its latest range of iconic motorcycles, each matched to a character personifying its archetypal owner. Cesare, the leading character in the first episode, "Soul of the Mountain", recently launched on the official MV Agusta website, is a rescue helicopter pilot who, in his free time, loves to roam the scenic mountain roads around the air base on his Turismo Veloce.
Sources: AMD, IDN, FT, Reuters, PSB, MPN, BDN, MCN, AP, Bloomberg, MSNW, Electrek, electricmotorcycles.news, RideApart.com, Motor1.com, Cycle World, motorbikewriter.com
