More than 50 dapper gents and elegant ladies riding atop of their mighty steel steeds shall parade in the most glorious fashion through the streets of Tauranga today.

It's all part of the Distinguished Gentleman's Ride – a global fundraising event involving more than 30,000 smartly-dressed gentlefolk across the world, to raise money for prostate cancer research.

The first Tauranga Distinguished Gentleman's Ride is taking place today, September 27. Photo: Phillip Kite.

Founded in 2012, for the first time Tauranga will host its own ride and at the time of writing the 52 registered riders have so far raised $9371.

'That's absolutely fantastic,” says Tauranga rider organiser Wayne Cockburn. 'I'm bloody stoked because that put us in really good steed in comparison to other rides around the country.”

And it does indeed. Of the six rides taking place in New Zealand, the Tauranga ride has raised the second largest amount, with $21,145 being generated by Auckland's 128 registered riders.

Wayne can't wait for today's ride because when it comes to motorcycling it is definitely his highlight of the year.

He says the ride will cover most of Tauranga and expects it will take a little over three hours to complete.

'So if you see a bunch of good looking folk on motorbikes, give the riders a good wave and show your support for what they're doing.

'Because I can tell you from my own experience, the biggest thing for the riders is seeing the public turning around and smiling when they see us roaring past.”

The 2015 Tauranga Distinguished Gentleman's Ride takes place today. For more details and to take part, all riders must register at www.gentlemansride.com