What started with one man in Sydney deciding it would be amusing to dress up as Don Draper from Mad Men has turned into the Distinguished Gentleman's Ride, one of the world's largest fundraisers for men's health.

The charity motorcycle ride will take place in Canberra this Sunday, with more than 100 men donning suits, tweed and ties and riding through the city on classic and vintage motorcycles.

Canberra is in the top 40 rides globally for fundraising, having raised $250,000 over the past nine years to boost awareness of the need for regular prostate check-ups and taking care of your mental health.

John Aust is one of the event's major fundraisers, who's been participating since the first event.

"This year we're a bit down on numbers because it's too close to post-Covid, but we'll have between 100 and 120 motorcycles. All the guys are riding the classic, retro-style bikes and getting dressed up," Mr Aust said.

As for what happened to motorcyclists' usual leather garb? "In tweed you look dapper, so it's a better look to the public," Mr Aust said.

"There's half a million men globally committing suicide, and prostate cancer is the second-biggest killer of men, so it's well worth getting behind."

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Along with Mr Aust, Simon Whittaker is one of Australia's top fundraisers, having raised almost $60,000 through the ride over the past decade.

After witnessing friends be diagnosed with prostate cancer, Mr Whittaker knew he had to do the gentlemanly thing and help out.

"I'm averaging around $5500 a year, just from asking friends to donate and from doing barbecues, fundraising events and seeing what kinds of things get donations," Mr Whittaker said.

Previously held in the last week of September, the event was changed to May 23 worldwide to accommodate overseas rides taking place in different climates.

Funds raised through the rides are distributed through Movember to various men's health initiatives around the world, including research laboratories and the formation of groups like beyondblue.

Canberrans who want to get involved can see the motorcyclists dressed up as they ride down Bunda Street at 12pm, followed by an afternoon of fundraising, raffles and guest speakers at the QT Hotel, the ride's partner, from 1pm.

The charity ride's global organisation, DGR, has raised more than $US30 million across the globe.