There are all kinds of communities that exist in the motorcycling world: from the café racers of ’60s London to the biker nod – an acknowledgement between two riders passing on the road – through to America’s early motorcycle clubs (formed not for trouble-makers but as a place for Vietnam vets to connect over their shared experiences).

Another example of this camaraderie is the Distinguished Gentleman’s Ride – a charity motorcycle ride held annually in May in more than 100 countries around the world to raise awareness and funds for men’s mental and physical health. It’s in partnership with the Movember foundation, and this year has raised more than $7 million for the cause. Brummell has joined the London ride in previous years, but in 2023, we did things a little differently, with managing director Peter Howarth breezing through Manhattan with a police escort alongside 600 other riders, while I enjoyed the English countryside around Bishop’s Stortford for this year’s edition.

Bikers take part in the Distinguished Gentleman’s Ride. Image: Goldtop England

This being a rural ride with plenty of sweeping turns and empty roads, there was no better opportunity to try out Triumph Motorcycles’ new Speedmaster Chrome Edition (2022). The Speedmaster has been around for decades and is the marque’s signature cruiser motorcycle. Built for long rides, it is equipped with forward foot controls and swept back handlebars for that quintessential cruiser feel. Over the years, Triumph has reduced the angle of the front rake and made the bike lighter, so riding it still feels like you’re in a road trip movie, but it’s much easier to handle than the two-wheelers of yore.

Riding through London on anything but a nimble small capacity bike can be challenging at the best of times, so I expected as much from the Speedmaster, but on the trip from my house to the starting point in Bishop’s Stortford, I was surprised just how easy it was to navigate East London’s uneven streets and heavy traffic. Granted, its width and weight (higher on the scale than most of Triumph’s range) certainly aren’t developed with lane-splitting in mind, and this bike is undoubtedly best suited to the UK’s array of leafy A-roads, but on Shoreditch High Street it did just fine.

Triumph Motorcycles’ new Speedmaster Chrome Edition (2022). Image: Goldtop England

What I love most about this bike is its ease and comfort – a 40-minute jaunt up the motorway doesn’t feel like you’re hanging on for dear life, and the physical fatigue you might expect from other motorcycles is notably absent after a whole day on the Speedmaster (although, as with most cruisers, the wind blast is a thing). The cushioned seat, which is designed with lumbar support, helps a lot in reducing fatigue, and I have no problem reaching the forward controls, which feels brilliant as a 5’1” rider with short legs.

This is the Chrome Edition, by the way – part of Triumph’s 2022 collection of super shiny, limited edition motorcycles designed with its in-house specialists in tribute to the classic chromed Triton bikes from years ago. The Speedmaster rightly gets loads of attention from bike enthusiasts on the DGR and on the road alike – its half chrome, half Diablo-Red tank is stylish, eye-catching and, for those as clumsy as me, slightly unnerving with the prospect of marking its gleaming surface. As a longtime Triumph rider, I might be a little biased in saying that it’s a pleasure to ride all of the marque’s bikes, but every trip on this one, in particular, feels special thanks to its beautiful design.

Triumph Motorcycles Bonneville Speedmaster Chrome Edition, from £13,795 

triumphmotorcycles.co.uk; gentlemansride.com