Jack Thrams

Riding with Purpose: My 2nd Annual Distinguished Gentleman’s Ride

This May, I’m proud to take part in my second Distinguished Gentleman’s Ride — a global event that brings motorcyclists together to raise awareness and funds for men’s health, specifically prostate cancer research and mental health initiatives. It’s more than just a ride; for me, it’s deeply personal.

Motorcycles didn’t enter my life until recently, but when they did, it was with perfect timing and emotional significance. On March 30th of last year — my daughter Jayda’s birthday — I bought my very first bike. I was 50. My dad used to affectionately call Jayda the “wild child,” and something about that nickname resonated with me that day. Maybe it was a quiet rebellion, a way to reconnect with something youthful and free, or maybe it was just time to take a chance on something new. Either way, it felt right.

This year, the Distinguished Gentleman’s Ride falls on another meaningful date: May 18th — my daughter Jordynn’s birthday. It's hard to explain how full-circle that feels. As someone who has been estranged from all 3 of my daughters in recent years, riding on my youngest's  birthday hits me right in the heart. I think about them often, and I miss them more than words can express. Taking part in this ride is one way I channel those emotions into something constructive — something hopeful.

The cause itself speaks directly to me. Mental health challenges, especially among men, are so often hidden, unspoken, and untreated. This ride is about changing that. It’s about showing up, suited up and on two wheels, to say: we’re here, we care, and we’re not alone.

If you’d like to support this cause and be part of something meaningful, I invite you to donate through my fundraising page. Every contribution helps fund critical research and mental health programs that save lives and bring people — fathers, sons, brothers — back to themselves and their families.

Thanks for reading, and even more, thank you for your support. I’ll be riding with purpose, with pride, and with love for Jayda, Jordynn and Jaclyn in my heart.

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Dapper ride. Deeper cause.

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