Jason Michaels

Closing the Loop

Thanks to everyone that supported my ride - in every way - last May. I ended up being the top fundraiser in Sacramento, CA. There were 100-plus riders of all genders, ages, and backgrounds on the ride. The community element was strong, and I'm glad that I participated this year. I'll be back for DGR24 - hoping for a sub-100-degree ride. :-) 

T-minus 72 Hours

We're roughly 72 hours from The Distinguished Gentleman's Ride, when 130 Sacramento, CA, men and women will ride 22 miles in classic tweed to increase awareness of men's mental health and prostate cancer. Sacramento riders have raised more than $14,300 USD this year, and worldwide, tens of thousands of riders have raised more than $37.5 million USD since 2012.

I want to thank those that have supported my ride with donations and notes of support. Fundraising is still uncomfortable for me, but I'm looking forward to the ride and am pleased that the Movember Foundation receives all of the donations.

If you want to donate to my ride, see "Sponsor Me" to the right. No pressure whatsoever. My next post will include photos from the ride on Sunday.

1-1/2 Weeks Until We Ride

1-1/2 weeks until I join 97 other Sacramento Distinguished Gentleman's Ride participants on a ride in support of awareness for men's mental health and prostate cancer.

We've raised more than $10,500 for the Movember Foundation, but I'm $259 from my goal. If you'd like to support me, see "Sponsor Me" to the right.

Here's an image of my bike's first owner on his ride across the U.S. He's a neighbor, friend, and has been incredibly generous with artifacts related to the bike and his once-in-a-lifetime ride.

Connection and Mental Health

Thanks, Bill, for the donation and connnection. I appreciated the line, "Look forward to meeting you." Same here.

There's been a lot written about how human connection impacts mental (and physical) health. Here are a couple of recent articles about societal loneliness, and male friendships.

Why Americans Are Lonelier and Its Effects on Our Health

Laurie Santos, a cognitive scientist and psychology professor at Yale University, joins John Yang to discuss the health effects of loneliness and what can be done about it.

https://www.pbs.org/newshour/show/why-americans-are-lonelier-and-its-effects-on-our-health#:~:text=It's often talked about as,from a public health perspective.

Why Friendships Among Men Are So Important

Men have fewer friends these days, which can hurt their well-being. Here are expert tips for fostering those relationships.

https://greatergood.berkeley.edu/article/item/why_friendships_among_men_are_so_important

Three Weeks Until We Ride

Blazer and bowtie, check. Now three weeks from the DGR ride, 75 Sacramento participants have raised more than $8,025 for the Movember Foundation in support of awareness for men's mental health and prostate cancer. 

Updated Goal

Now five weeks before the ride, I decided to increase my goal amount to DGR's suggested $1,000.

My original fundraising goal was met (and exceeded) in total by Joe, who I'm incredibly grateful to, as well as to all who contributed.

Fundraising is still uncomfortable for me, but I'm looking forward to the ride and am pleased that the Movember Foundation receives the donations.

As of this morning, the Sacramento riders have raised more than $5,200. Thank you.  

Grateful

Thanks so much for the support. I rarely post about what I'm doing and the causes I support, but when I do, it opens up new conversations and deeper connections. I truly appreciate the notes and direct messages and the donations to DGR.

My automobilia hobby started in my mid-thirties. It was a great opportunity to bond with my Dad about old autos. We continue to source parts and work on the Studebakers together whenever we get the opportunity.

The 1975 Goldwing with Watsonian sidecar is a separate story. If my spouse had not chatted with a neighbor about his Goldwing and sidecar (parked in 1989), there would be no DGR in my future.

These connections make life more meaningful, and that's why I'm riding: to bring awareness to the importance of connections and relationships and their role in everyone's health - both mental and physical.

Image: the day we rolled the bike out of garage storage in 2018. Restoration would take nine months. 

Riding for Men's Health in The Distinguished Gentleman's Ride

On Sunday, May 21, 2023, I'm riding in The Distinguished Gentleman's Ride with men and women to raise funds and awareness for men's mental health and prostate cancer.

Globally, on average, we lose half a million men to suicide every year. The issue is incredibly complex. But we know this: improving overall mental health and helping men establish better social connections can reduce the risk of suicide.

Before I pull out my blazer and my boots, I'm asking you to join me in raising awareness and funds for these causes. No pressure -- your words of encouragement hold greater weight.