HOG 046 (Sept. 2018)

HOG ® Magazine Canada | September 2018

HOG ® Magazine Canada | September 2018

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HOG.COM

Canadian Edition

THE NEW SOFTAIL® FXDR 114 • FLAT-TRACKING ON A HARLEY-DAVIDSON® MOTORCYCLE • THE LEATHER QUEEN: B.C. UPHOLSTERY MAKER APPLIES HER GIFT TO CUSTOM BIKE SEATS • THE LONELIEST ROAD IN AMERICA • HOG® HIDDEN GEMS

CREATED TO MEET THE NEEDS OF

EXPERIENCED HARLEY-DAVIDSON

®

MOTORCYCLE RIDERS

GET A QUOTE AT 1-844-432-1455 OR VISIT H-DINSURANCE.CA/HOG CURRENTLY ONLY AVAILABLE TO RESIDENTS IN ONTARIO, QUEBEC AND ALBERTA

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2018-08-15 3:32 PM

Welcome

HOG® MAGAZINE CANADA IS PRODUCED FOR HOG® CANADA BY Archant Dialogue, Prospect House, Rouen Road, Norwich NR1 1RE, United Kingdom Tel: +44 (0) 1603 664242 www.archantdialogue.co.uk AND Fresh Air Productions 375 Water St., Suite 200 Vancouver, BC, Canada V6B 5C6 www.freshairpublishing.ca info@freshairpublishing.ca

P R O D U C T I O N S

Copyeditors Amy Reid, Christina Newberry and Matt Colley Production Editor Rosie Pearce Production Designers Sian Osborne and Lucy Perkins Production Manager Kay Brown Account Manager Katherine Berryman Studio Manager Nicky Wright Art Director Richard Berry Content & Brand Director Ryan Battles Agency Director Zoë Francis-Cox Editorial & Sales (Canada) Dustin Woods Editorial Director Gordie Bowles

We care about you. Ride safely, respectfully, and within the limits of the law and your abilities. Always wear an approved helmet, proper eyewear, and protective clothing and insist your passenger does too. Never ride while under the influence of alcohol or drugs. Know your Harley® motorcycle, and read and understand your owner’s manual from cover to cover.

HOG ® Magazine Canada is published by Harley-Davidson Canada LP and the Harley Owners Group™, the official riding club of Harley-Davidson.

We reserve the right to edit all submissions for publication in HOG ® Magazine Canada.

All submissions become property of Harley-Davidson Motor Co. and Harley-Davidson Canada LP. If you’d like your photo returned, please send a self-addressed stamped envelope with your submission.

All H-D® product illustrations, photographs, and specifications mentioned in the publication are based on the latest product information at the time of publication. The right is reserved to make changes at any time in prices, colors, materials, equipment, specifications, and models and also to discontinue models. Some vehicles in this publication are shown with available equipment.

HOG® Magazine Canada will not intentionally publish fraudulent or misleading advertising. HOG® Magazine Canada does not endorse any advertiser or its products, and cannot be responsible for advertisers’ claims.

To advertise in HOG ® Magazine Canada, email info@freshairpublishing.ca.

No part of HOG ® Magazine Canada may be reproduced for any purpose in entirety or part without the express written consent of Harley-Davidson.

Harley-Davidson, Harley, H-D, HOG, and the Bar & Shield logo are among the trademarks of H-D U.S.A., LLC. Copyright 2018 Publication Mail Agreement No. 400337386 CANADA POST Publication Mail: 4161505 Return undeliverable Canadian addresses to: HARLEY OWNERS GROUP™ 100 New Park Place,

A YEAR TO HIGHLIGHT WHAT IT’S ALL ABOUT THIS HAS BEEN A YEAR of headline proportions here at Harley-Davidson Motor Company. In case you live under a rock or otherwise somehow missed the big news released by CEO Matt Levatich at the end of July, H-D is soon to embark on more roads less travelled in the spirit of engaging and expanding the Harley-Davidson community alongside our existing loyal riders. New products (sincerely, if you missed the news, turn immediately to page 8), broader access offering greater multi-channel shopping experiences, and stronger dealers delivering world-class customer service will blow your pipes right off.

If that news doesn’t electrify you, then maybe the newest addition to our Softail® model family will get your heartbeat racing. Meet the FXDR 114 model on page 34. It’s not sorry for its drag-race stylings or its powerful performance. With 114 cubic inches (1923 cc) of Milwaukee-Eight™ power and H-D’s liberal use of weight-saving aluminum and composite components, you can’t help but be impressed by the agile handling and performance of this brand-new model. It’s fairly easy on the eyes as well.

Harley-Davidson has certainly seen its fair share of change (and parties!) over the past 115 years, and the two epic anniversary celebration events this summer in Prague and Milwaukee showcased much of the history along with some pretty phenomenal festivities throughout the multi-day events.

Thousands of enthusiasts travelled from near and far and were not disappointed with the bikes, the music or the new friends discovered on both continents. If you weren’t one of the global adventurers at either of this year’s 115th Anniversary celebrations, you can instead read all about them on pages 18 through 23.

For those looking to adventure a little closer to home, Canada’s East Coast region is well represented in this issue. See some ride recommendations from Atlantic Regional Director Keith Richard in Dustin Woods’ article “HOG® Hidden Gems.” If your travel aspirations extend to adventures across the ocean, though, read on to discover some unique destinations that you may not have already considered in “Welcome to Your Bucket List” – a great synopsis of the beauty and amazement that is the Middle East and North Africa region.

With the new 2019 models now out, there is still much riding yet to fit in before summer is in the rear view. Join us at a Test Our Metal demo ride event to try out the new bikes – including FXDR 114 – or get online at H-D.com to book a test ride at your local dealer.

Or just go ride your own Harley® motorcycle.

I’ve had the time of my life this year, getting to ride some unbelievable roads alongside some truly amazing people in beautiful places where I never would have guessed I’d be “working.”

This is what it’s all about.

Suite 330, Vaughan, Ontario, L4K 0H9 Tel: 1.800.CLUBHOG

Contributors: Jacob Black, Brad Chaney, Luis da Silva, Becky Goebel, Sergey Kamenev, Josh Kurplus, Larry Niehues, Jeremy Pick, Charles Plueddeman, Evgeny Ryazhev, John Sandberg, Dustin Woods

Karen Mayberry Consumer Experience and Public Relations Harley-Davidson Canada

HOG ® MAGAZINE CANADA

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CONTENTS

Contents

THISISSUE 03 WELCOME

A year to highlight what it’s all about

06 THE WORD Notes from the world of Harley

10 INTAKE 12 INTAKE GALLERY Readers and riders share pictures and stories

18 BIG PICTURE Dirt racing took centre stage at the 115th Anniversary Celebration in Harley’s hometown of Milwaukee

FEATURES 20 PRAGUE 115 Check out the big European event of the year: the Harley-Davidson® 115th Anniversary party in Prague

24 OLD BIKE FEVER Dan Auerbach of The Black Keys on his impressive custom Harley motorcycle collection

28 THE BIG FREEZE When Lake Baikal in Russia froze over, some intrepid adventurers started up their engines…

32 EURO BIKE FESTIVAL HOG® heaven on the French Riviera

34 PERFORMANCE: AMPLIFIED The new Softail® FXDR 114 is a bold and sporty power cruiser with performance to match its eye-catching aesthetics

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38 FLAT-TRACKING ON A HARLEYDAVIDSON® MOTORCYCLE A recent resurgence in flat-track’s popularity means Harley-Davidson is once again on the motorsport map

44 HOG® HIDDEN GEMS Regional Directors from across the country share their secret go-to riding roads

46 FREEDOM MACHINE How a team from the Harley-Davidson Museum™ created replicas of an early H-D® bicycle

50 THE LEATHER QUEEN Upholstery maker and H-D® enthusiast Randi Obenauer applies her gift to custom motorcycle seats

53 WELCOME TO YOUR BUCKET LIST The low-down on riding in the exotic climes of the Middle East and North Africa

56 THE LONELIEST ROAD IN AMERICA An Alberta rider conquers the legendary Highway 50

EXHAUST 62 BETWEEN THE LINES Rally like a pro

64 150 DOLLAR RIDES A day ride to the Palm Springs Aerial Tramway in California

66 LAST STOP A long-time Kamloops rider reflects on the benefits of a raising a young enthusiast

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The Word

PINS AND PATCHES or PLAIN AND SIMPLE? Do you like to display your chapter allegiance – as well as pins and patches from events, rallies, or HOG® Mileage Recognition – on your riding jacket? Or do you prefer your outer layer to remain unadorned and free from personalization?

WE ASKED:

16%

THE WORD

42%

BOTH

PINS AND PATCHES

42%

PLAIN AND SIMPLE

Pins and patches are part of the history and legacy of Harley-Davidson. I met a guy from Australia at the last national rally in Milwaukee. He saw my patches and just started sharing. –Tim P. … No patches or pins here; just an H-D® leather jacket with bugs splattered on the front.

–Paul J. … I display all of my pins and patches. Every one has a story. –Chuck H. … My pins and patches are framed and hang in my HOG den at home. I wear a single pin belonging to my late sister,

who loved Harley® bikes. –Emil D. …

Long after the T-shirts have gone, the pins and patches will be a reminder of the miles and smiles I have accumulated. –Lino. … I like both. It depends on where I’m going and the mood I’m in. –Edwin K. … For the last 15 years I’ve been having the adventure of a lifetime, and have four vests and two leather coats full of patches to prove it! – Michele M. … There has always been room and respect for the unadorned lone

wolf in the HOG family. –Karl H. … Both.

Rallies and major events are a perfect time to show off your collection, and other times only the ride matters. –Rich L. … I have my fair share of H-D swag, but never felt the desire to have them sewn or pinned on to my jacket. –Daniel L. … I adorn my vest with patches that carry meaning to me. My wife calls it my biker’s charm bracelet. –Scott B. … Have a beer with me, and I’ll tell you where I’ve been! –Randal F.

NEXT QUESTION:

DO IT YOURSELF or ASK THE EXPERT? Do you like to be hands-on, and change the oil and service your Harley-Davidson® motorcycle yourself?

Or do you prefer to leave it to the experts at the dealership?

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Send your thoughts to hogmagazine.ca@harley-davidson.com with “Divided Highways” in the subject line.

We’ll publish the best responses in the next issue.

HOG ® MAGAZINE CANADA

The Word

5 THINGS ABOUT

GREAT MOUNTAIN ROADS A reporter once asked George Mallory why he wanted to climb Mount Everest, and he famously replied, “Because it’s there.” Here are five peaks you can summit on two wheels – for reasons of your own.

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Pikes Peak, Colorado Pikes Peak is probably the most famous rideable summit road in the country – and one of the highest peaks in the Rockies that you can motor to. Elevation: 4,302 metres.

Kootenay Pass, B.C. Also known as the SalmoCreston in the Kootenays, this

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high mountain pass (elevation 1,777 metres) is one of the highest roads in the country. The Crowsnest Highway (Highway 3) can be tricky in the shoulder season, but the views are worth it.

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Lake Louise to Jasper, Alberta Running through the heart of the Rocky Mountains along the Icefields Parkway, this ride has stunning views of snow-capped peaks and wildlife within Jasper National Park.

Signal Mountain, Wyoming Set apart from the main range, the top of Signal Mountain provides stunning views of the

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rest of the Grand Tetons and the surrounding valleys after only an eight kilometre ride nearly to the top. Elevation: 2,350 metres.

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South Mountain, Arizona A more urban mountainclimbing experience, this ride starts in the heart of Phoenix and rises 600 metres through tight twisties. The top of the 710-metre peak is off-limits, but you can still enjoy some truly spectacular views of the city and surrounding areas from nearby Dobbins Lookout.

ADVERTORIAL

HARLEY-DAVIDSON AND AVIVA CANADA LAUNCH INNOVATIVE INSURANCE PROGRAM EXCLUSIVE PARTNERSHIP ROLLING OUT ACROSS CANADA Harley-Davidson Financial Services International and Aviva Canada have collaborated to offer experienced HarleyDavidson® motorcycle riders in Canada a unique insurance coverage program. The program is currently available to residents of Ontario, Alberta and Quebec, with a planned roll out to remaining provinces and territories.

Offered on Harley-Davidson® motorcycles of all ages and models, including customs, a variety of options are available based on rider experience, with up to $2 million in liability coverage as well as coverage for unexpected events such as collision and theft.i “We are very excited to bring this innovative insurance program to Canadian Harley-Davidson® motorcycle owners,” says Kevin Niederwimmer, Harley-Davidson Dealership Insurance Operations North America. “We’re confident that the comprehensive and customizable options

will bring them assurance and peace of mind.”

In Canada, basic insurance coverage is required to ride a motorcycle on the road.

With Harley-Davidson® Insurance, the basic mandatory insurance coverage is enhanced with feature options such as accidental, collision, comprehensive, accident benefits and family protection. In addition, specified perils that protect your investment from fire, theft or weather occurrences like hail or flooding are also offered by the program.

Perhaps most notably, the program promises to source genuine Harley-Davidson® replacement parts to be used in the event of a claim and allows you to select the repair shop. The policy is also backed by Aviva’s Claims Service Satisfaction Guarantee.ii Reimbursement for transportation, food and hotel costs incurred when a trip is interrupted due to an insured loss is also available.

Additional optional coverage includes repairs

[i] Terms and conditions will apply. [ii] For complete terms and conditions, visit aviva.ca/en/claim/claims-service-satisfaction-guarantee.

or replacement of MotorClothes® apparel as well as parts, accessories and compensation for loss of use. Optional comprehensive emergency roadside and rider assistance include towing, battery boost or fuel delivery services.

Further savings can be garnered through advanced rider training, installing an H-D® factory security system, insuring multiple bikes or securing additional policies.

Payments can be made easily online, by cheque, credit card, or alternatively through pre-authorized monthly payments.

Discounted home and auto insurance is available to Harley-Davidson® Insurance customers and Aviva Canada also offers coverage for boats, ATVs, snowmobiles, recreational trailers, motor homes, cottages and collector cars.

For more information or to get a quote, visit: www.h-dinsurance.ca/HOG.

The Word

HARLEY-DAVIDSON EYES THE FUTURE “More Roads to Harley-Davidson” demonstrates bold departure from tradition

By Dustin Woods

THE WORD

Acknowledging the many current challenges impacting short-term profitability and longer term sustainability, The Motor Company recently announced an ambitious plan, dubbed “More Roads to Harley-Davidson,” to strengthen its business and accelerate growth in international markets. Revealing a number of grand initiatives, not the least of which are some exciting future models in segments where the manufacturer has previously not dared to tread, the plan aims to attract a new generation of riders around the globe. Highlights include a more diverse portfolio with a wider range

of styles, displacements, power sources and price points to appeal to riders in different markets.

1. Pan America 1250 The company’s first adventure touring motorcycle in its 115-year history, the Harley-Davison® Pan America 1250 model is planned for launch in 2020.

2. Custom Boasting an aggressive stance, strippeddown styling and a 1250cc powerplant, the Custom model promises pure excitement when it is released in 2021.

3. Streetfighter The 975cc Streetfighter model is part of the new modular 500cc to 1250cc middleweight platform of motorcycles planned to launch in 2020.

4. Livewire™ The first to be unveiled in a broad “twist and go” portfolio of electric motorcycles and scooters, the Livewire model is planned to launch in 2019, followed by additional models through 2022 intended to establish the company as the leader in electrification.

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Production details may vary from prototypes shown, and all models may not be available in all markets.

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HOG ® MAGAZINE CANADA

The Word

READY TO RIDE? Packing for a long motorcycle trip? You can make it as simple or as complex as you want, but what do you really need?

Here are our essentials: • Travel light. Take only what you know you need and separate your gear into bags, including one bag with casual shoes, clean pants and a shirt for when you’re off the bike in the evening. Keep your waterproof gear easily accessible in a separate bag. Consider packing a spare pair of gloves too.

• Take an extra key (or key fob for proximity ignition) and keep it in your jacket – not on the bike!

• Keep your critical documents safe, accessible and weatherproof – items such

as drivers licence, HOG® Roadside Assistance card, insurance card, HOG membership card, emergency medical information and contacts, and any hotel bookings. If it’s a long trip, consider separating documents (hotels, ferries, route information) on a day-by-day basis in different envelopes, to keep things simple.

• If you wear glasses, take a spare pair, as well as sunglasses and clear/yellow lenses for night riding if you don’t have a windshield.

• GPS is great, but a map can be helpful, too, for the “big picture” or as a backup for navigation – pack your HOG Touring Handbook and keep it accessible.

HDTLC

• A motorcycle cover takes up little room and can help keep prying eyes off your bike at night, as well as protecting against overnight weather and local wildlife.

• A basic toolkit is necessary. Your H-D® dealer can advise on what you may need for your model. You should take at least a multi-tool, duct tape and the appropriate sockets and screwdrivers needed for basic tasks on your bike. Also take extra luggage straps, a basic first-aid kit, your phone and charger, and a water bottle to keep you hydrated between stops.

Intake

SEND US YOUR STORIES

We welcome your letters, photos and riding stories. Please email yours to hogmagazine.ca@harley-davidson.com or mail them to HOG® Magazine Canada, 100 New Park Place, Suite 330, Vaughan, Ontario, L4K 0H9. Please include your name, address and telephone number and/or email address. All submissions become property of Harley-Davidson®. We reserve the right to edit submissions for length and content.

FORGET TIMMIES

INTAKE

Re: Divided Highways “City Slicker or Country Roller” I’m definitely not a “City Slicker” or, as I call them, one of the “Donut Shop Boys” who spend all their time shining it up to ride to either Tim Hortons, Starbucks or the Tastee Freez to show off their ride!

Living in Toronto, and travelling the back roads of southern Ontario.

I enjoy riding through the rural areas from Niagara on the Lake or to Port Dover. Sometimes I’ll head to the cabin in Muskoka or north to Collingwood or out the peninsula to Tobermory, and across to Wasaga and then Waubaushene, to cruise along the shores of Georgian Bay. Or, if I’m in the mood, I will ride up to McKellar or Parry Sound, and in the evenings in June on the long days from the cabin out to the three lakes of the Muskokas. It’s the single lane blacktop that calls!

I’ve been to so many spots and then there’s still so much more to discover just off each and every back road that they intersect. I suggest that you take the back roads home from the cottage, drive to the ski hill in the summer and see what it looks like on two wheels, jump off the highway and take the scenic route, whenever possible. You may find a whole other world of sounds, smells and tastes.

Just around the corner in a small town like Glen Huron, you can get the best apple and berry pies at Giffen’s Country Market. Just off 124 next door to Devil’s Glen Ski Club and Provincial Park, don’t forget Creemore, where they make Creemore Beer!

Just a couple of the many places off the beaten path waiting for riders like you and me to uncover. Make sure you get out and drive right by the donut shop!

Jamie Smith Toronto, Ontario 10

HOG ® MAGAZINE CANADA

Strap

Brewtown Throwdown bike build highlights Mama Tried Motorcycle Show.

Story by Dustin Woods Photos by Brett Smith and Jonathan Griffith

LEGENDARY H-D ® CUSTOMIZER

CHARLIE STOCKWELL HELPS HEAT UP MILWAUKEE

HOG ® MAGAZINE CANADA

KING OF CUSTOM Re: Charlie Stockwell heats up Milwaukee As much as I love Harley-Davidson® motorcycles, I can’t stand to see them left stock. It bugs me. Something has to change about the stock bike, no matter how good it might be, to make it “one of a kind.” It doesn’t have to take a pile of money, but it does take creativity and courage. Overcoming the fear of “blowing it” is real. I had to do it, though, because it had to become more personal and rideable.

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I traded in my well-loved 2016 Fat Boy® model for the 2018 version.

I like the new wider fenders and forks, and fatter tires, but I saw the “need” for new-school meets old-school aesthetic changes. In this case, it meant making it look like a cool, old Softail® bike. After several false starts and repaints, I guarantee that mine is the only one like it in the world, and that was my goal. I suppose one day it will belong to someone else who will renovate my creation and make

Intake it their own image of the perfect Harley® motorcycle, but right now it’s mine. The bike and I fly together.

It’s timeless.

Mick Birney San Jose, California

BUDDIES AND BIKES What a pleasant trip to Maggie Valley from Niagara, Ontario. Beautiful mountains, parks and roads throughout the states of North Carolina, West Virginia, South Carolina, Tennessee and Georgia. I have to mention the wonderful state highways getting there and back. The scenery was incredible, the people great and the best roads for riding sums it all up.

Our bikes for this trip were a 2004 Ultra® Classic that reached 100,000 kilometres, a 2007 CVO at 90,000 km, a 2017 limited (this is mine – and I love the Milwaukee-Eight® Performance), and a 2006 Classic.

Our spring ride is usually south because of warmer and dryer weather, but we experienced all the elements.

Despite the weather, we did manage some outstanding rides. Of course, the Dragon was one of them. All in all, we rode nine days and 4,100 kilometres. Next spring, we’ll be off to a new location.

in black. I then discovered that no dealership in Okinawa will rent out a bike to you unless you book in advance by phone or online. Luckily, one of the salesmen was willing to help with a phone call, and soon the contract was drawn up.

So, where to? I checked the screen where I expected to find my GPS, only to find a simple compass instead!

I learned the hard way that Harleys imported into Okinawa have no GPS. However, this didn’t prove a serious hurdle, and it took me back to my younger days of navigating with a paper map, checking it at each red light! The best memory I took from my time in Japan was riding on the coastal roads. Long bridges allow you to cross from the main island to many other smaller ones, and the views were magnificent. Just the sound of the Japanese radio and the easy-to-handle bike as my companions for the ride – it was a dream!

Jean-Marc Schedel Switzerland

A WAY OF LIFE My neighbour’s son had a badass chopper in the 1970s, which started my love for Harley-Davidson. When I was a kid, he’d put me on the tank and take me around town, and I loved it. I had my first Harley motorcycle in the late ’80s: a 1975 Super Glide®, and I still kick myself for getting rid

of it. Since, I’ve had a 2007 Sportster® 1200 model; a 2001 Sportster 883, which I gave to my oldest son; a 2000 Road King®, which I sold to a buddy; and a 2006 Super Glide. After a while, I missed the Touring bike, so I got rid of the Glide and picked up a 2007 FLHTCU, and I love it.

Harley-Davidson to me is just everyday life, plain and simple.

Raymond Lutz Silvis, Illinois

MASTERING THE SWERVE I thoroughly enjoyed the “Observations of a Riding Coach” article (Between the Lines, June 2018), which reinforced everything I’ve learned in the HarleyDavidson® Riding Academy and in all of my riding experience. However, the wording in the “Master the Swerve” section can be confusing to those who haven’t mastered it yet. The article states: “If you want to initially swerve right, press the right side of the handlebar forward.” This baffled me in the Riding Academy, too. To initiate a swerve to the right, you need to press the right side of the handlebar “downward” (not forward) while initiating a lean to the right. It’s a minor point, but once you’ve performed this manoeuvre you’ll understand what “pressing downward” will do.

Rick Teresi Palm Bay, Florida

Gordon Bell Grimsby, Ontario

EXPLORING THE EAST There are lots of challenges to face when riding in Japan – street signs written only in Japanese script, heavy traffic and, of course, riding on the other side of the road! But I was keen to rent a Harley-Davidson® bike for my trip, and so I sought out the Okinawa H-D® dealership. I opted for a Touring model – a Street Glide® HOG ® MAGAZINE CANADA

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INTAKEGALLERY 1

GET IN TOUCH

We welcome your photos and riding stories. Email your submission with “Enthusiasts� as the subject line to hogmagazine.ca@ harley-davidson.com, and include your name, city, province and contact details.

Intake Gallery 1. PACIFIC PERFECTION My wife, Candace Granger, enjoying sunset on the coast, taken along the Pacific Coast Highway just south of Oceanside, California. We rented this bike from EagleRider, Palm Springs, in April 2018. We rode for a week exploring Southern California while we still had snow in Canada.

CHAD GRANGER Edmonton, Alberta

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Members of the York Region HOG® Chapter lived up to our chapter motto and “Enjoyed a Ride with Friends” on International Female Ride Day. We rode to beautiful downtown Creemore, Ontario, to celebrate our ladies in the chapter. May 5 was our chapter’s first ride of the 2018 riding season, and what a wonderful day it turned out to be! We look forward to many more exciting times with a new season upon us. Take care and ride safe.

MIKE GORMAN Sharon, Ontario

3. PATIENTLY WAITING

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While waiting for the 2018 riding season to begin, and with my Road Glide® shelved, HOG® Magazine Canada travelled with me to the Aiguille du Midi (Mont Blanc) in Chamonix, France.

MARCEL BONNEAU Saint-Hyacinthe, Quebec

4. ENDLESS SUMMER My wife, Sharon, and I returned home to Cape Breton, Nova Scotia, after a winter of riding in Arizona and northern New Mexico. Nearly 7,000 kilometres of riding while winter gripped everyone back home, with awesome scenery and spectacular people. Winter doesn’t suck – it’s just a reason to go ride, somewhere.

DARRELL LAFOSSE Dingwall, Nova Scotia

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Intake Gallery 5. MOTO ART Rider Jan Hejk on his Dyna® during a ride-out with the HOG® Prague Chapter.

MICHAL KRŠKA (photographer) Czech Republic

6. GRAB THE TAIL Cruising on The Dragon during the Great Smoky Mountains HOG® Rally in May 2018.

INTAKE GALLERY

PAT AND TAMMY PINNOY St. Thomas, Ontario

7. INTO THIN AIR With my “pal” on top of the world on the Million Dollar Highway north of Durango, Colorado, in the Lizard Head Wilderness – surrounded by three mountains over 4,000 metres: Wilson Peak (4,272 m), El Diente (4,316 m) and Mount Wilson (4,342 m).

DIETER BAUMGARDT Rockwood, Ontario

8. START ’EM YOUNG This is the mini HarleyDavidson® kids motorcycle I got for my three-year-old grandson, Scott, last Christmas. I’m trying to get him started early. I also bought him a Harley® jacket to go with it. He loved it.

We got to take his first ride together around the block, and I don’t know who loved it more – him or me!

GREG CLARK Shelby, Ohio

9. SEAT WITH A VIEW My wife, Lauren, snapped me taking a break in the sunshine at the Talla Reservoir in the Scottish Borders.

KEVIN HEWBY-COPELAND Via e-mail

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Intake Gallery 6

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Intake Gallery

INTAKE GALLERY

10. AUSSIE RULES I had never ridden a motorcycle in my life when I went with my dad, who’s a massive Harley-Davidson fan (we have five Harley® bikes in our household), to the inaugural Harley Days in my hometown of Wollongong, Australia.

Within three months I had my “L” plates, and a few months later I purchased my first H-D® motorcycle: a Harley-Davidson Street® 500. I love it, but soon I’ll be looking to upgrade.

The first bike that I want to test ride is a Softail Slim® S. I love nothing more than an afternoon ride up to the national park and then back down along the Sea Cliff Bridge to back home. I’ve also joined the NSW South Coast HOG® Chapter and been on my first group ride – what a great feeling!

KARLA ERVEN Towradgi, New South Wales, Australia 11

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Intake Gallery 11. ONE TERRIFIC TEAM My wife, Judy, and I have ridden all over together, logging more than 160,000 kilometres, with Sturgis and Canada holding particularly special memories. We’re closer than ever, and there’s no one I would rather ride with than my amazing wife of 31 years.

Here we are at Monument Valley in May of this year. She lives to ride her 2013 Road King® CVO model and is one of the best riders I know.

BRIAN RABOIN Los Angeles, California

12. JUST LIKE GRANDPA

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While Adam Nevue was home on leave from the U.S. Air Force, he and his “Pepe,” Bob Lagrant, made the trip to the H-D dealership that Adam’s grandfather has shopped at for many years. There, Adam purchased his first new Harley-Davidson® motorcycle, a 2017 Dyna® Street Bob®.

TONY NEVUE Ware, Massachusetts

13. NEW BROTHER Proving there is no end to significant life-changing firsts, new rider Dwayne Lemiski took his Iron 883™ on his first open road ride near Leduc, Alberta, the site of the first oil discovery in Alberta.

Welcome to the Harley® family, Dwayne.

DARYL MAHONEY (photographer) Edmonton, Alberta

14. A WELCOME BREAK I was having a nerve-racking day at work.

My friend Rose called to chat, and it was the welcome break that I needed. I immediately exclaimed, “I need a road trip!” She replied, “Wanna go to Daytona?” After a glance at the calendar, I said, “Sure! I’m in!” We invited another friend, Pat, to join our girls’ trip to pre-Daytona Bike Week.

SANDY REECE Winston-Salem, North Carolina

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BRAWL ON BRADFORD BEACH There were no weaklings on Milwaukee’s Bradford Beach when race bikes hit the shores of Lake Michigan in early September during the H-D 115th Anniversary Celebration.

Photograph by Josh Kurpius

HARLEY-DAVIDSON ROARS INTO PRAGUE FOR ITS 115TH ANNIVERSARY BIRTHDAY PARTY

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Prague 115

Glorious weather. Amazing riding roads.

Welcoming people. The city of Prague formed the perfect stage for the 115th Anniversary celebrations of the world’s most storied motorcycle company when, over the weekend of July 4, more than 60,000 riders and 40,000 other visitors from 77 countries in Europe and across the world headed to the biggest Harley-Davidson birthday celebrations yet seen in Europe.

The 115th Anniversary was designed as a celebration of riders and riding, and to evoke the dream of freedom on two wheels for riders and non-riders alike.

The event was not only the 115th Anniversary of Harley-Davidson itself, but also the 100th birthday of the Czech Republic, the 90th birthday of the host Harley-Davidson Club Praha – the world’s

oldest H-D club – and the 35th birthday of the Harley Owners Group™. The city of Prague rose to the challenge of hosting an event on this epic scale.

Following a concert by the Rolling Stones, the celebrations were kick-started with a spectacular opening ceremony hosted by none other than Bill and Karen Davidson, direct descendants of the Motor Company’s original founders.

That emotive opening set the stage for four days of epic celebrations.

The historic Holešovice exhibition grounds were the centre of the party, hosting a vast range of exhibitions, entertainment and tributes to Harley history – and the riders who have supported it for well over a century.

The spectacular Harley-Davidson Expo took visitors on a journey from the birth of Harley-Davidson to the present day; expert curators spent months gathering the largest display of Harley-Davidson history ever seen in Europe, set against a theatrical backdrop including full cobbled streets evoking the timeless appeal of the machinery on display. Key motorcycles from the company’s history, dedicated displays and video projections, historical photographs, advertisements, artifacts, accessories and even an area dedicated to the controversial era of AMF and Aermacchi showed the 115-year legacy of Harley-Davidson in a setting perfectly suited both to the exhibits and the host city.

The world’s best contemporary custom Harley-Davidson® motorcycles from the best builders across the world were on display in the Prague Custom Gallery. A jury of motorcycle builders and designers

MANY THANKS! Successful events of this scale are impossible without teamwork by everyone involved, and huge thanks go to all our partners for their tremendous support and professional co-operation. The authorities of Central Bohemia, the H-D Club Praha; the Czech Republic Land of Stories; the authorities of the city of Prague; the main sponsors – Mastercard, Jeep® and Staropramen; the people of Prague and the Czech Republic; and many more deserve our thanks and respect for being the perfect hosts and supporters for such an epic event.

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Prague 115 spent the year choosing the greatest 50 custom bikes in the world for display – a jaw-dropping selection of artistry in iron. The builders competed with each other for the prestigious Anniversary awards, with the top prize taken by the two-litre trellis-framed masterpiece “Pressure Drop” from the UK’s Rocket Bobs Cycle Works.

Harley-Davidson’s undisputed ownership of the custom space was also on display in the ride-in Custom Bike Show on Friday, with riders and builders showcasing their own incredible custom bikes for the chance to win awards across a range of categories. After fierce competition, the Best In Show award was finally taken by an exquisite Ironhead Sportster® creation: “The Skinny,” built by Italy’s Fabrizio Caoduro.

The Dark Custom Arena, meanwhile, showcased the company’s edgier side, with an FMX show featuring the Czech freestyle motocross Petr Pilát, skate and freestyle competitions, a radical and innovative stunt show, and music from DJs and live bands. Visitors could try their hand at slackline, or play darts and football while the DJs and bands kept the music turned up for a real party atmosphere.

The crowds of visitors also demonstrated humanity and respect for others through an auction of helmets, with the proceeds benefiting Pramen, a charity helping disabled women, and to support Czech army veterans’ families. Painted and customized by well-known musicians, athletes, travellers or actors – including a helmet by Karen Davidson – the auction raised more than €20,000 ($30,400) in total.

The Czechoslovak Island was

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themed around the 90th birthday of the H-D Club Praha and the 100th anniversary of the Czech Republic itself with displays by Czech and Slovak federation clubs, the Federation of Harley-Davidson Clubs Europe and the Route 66 Association, alongside delicious Czech food specialties, great local music and the famous Czech beer.

The HOG® Village formed the meeting point for all members of the Harley Owners Group, celebrating 35 years since its formation. Friends from across the world met up here to rock out to music and enjoy hospitality from Hard Rock Cafe Praha and the Jack Daniel’s stand, supporting the world’s largest motorcycle owners club.

The best cuisine was available at the Food & Drink Zone including traditional Czech cuisine, Thai, Tex-Mex, steaks, sushi and more, with non-riders able to

wash it all down with an ice-cold Czech beer from the Staropramen stand – and a special non-alcoholic beer for riders too.

Harley-Davidson partner and sponsor Jeep® was present in force at the Jeep Touring Zone with displays of its most iconic models, a zip line directed to the Jeep® Lounge, and an off-road course to test one’s driving skills and demonstrate the capability of the company’s models.

A Family Zone catered to the younger members of the global Harley-Davidson audience to bring enjoyment to a generation of future riders.

More entertainment on site came from the Biker Games Competition, with riders testing their skills in a closed-course competition; the European Muay Thai Championships live on site followed by a gala Muay Thai party; and music from more than 40 live bands, encompassing an eclectic range of acts from the international and local Czech and Slovakian music scenes, covering bluegrass, country, rock and rap and culminating in a headline act from global hitmakers The Hives.

Of course, the 115th Anniversary event was geared around riding as much as partying. Throughout the event, riders with a valid licence could take a demo ride on any of the current 2018 HarleyDavidson models at the Harley-Davidson Demo Area – even helmets and riding gear were provided – and for those wishing to see more of the beautiful riding roads of Central Bohemia, Guided Tours led by local riders from HOG Chapter

Prague showed riders the twisty roads and charming river valleys, castles and chateaux that make this region famous across Europe.

The Central Bohemia Challenge was a riding challenge rewarding participants with unique commemorative coins, while the Czech-American Challenge by the U.S. Embassy encouraged riders to hit the roads and see the incredible sights on offer in the region. Also adding to the celebratory atmosphere were Ride-Ins to the event, carefully arranged by rider groups; activities spread across 107 authorized Harley-Davidson dealerships across Europe; and a huge range of parties, rides and gatherings across the city and surrounding area.

The famous Harley-Davidson Parade on Saturday saw 4,000 bikes promenading through cheering crowds on the streets of Prague, and taking in the historic sights including a photo opportunity in Wenceslas Square.

Four days of celebration ďŹ nally drew to a close with a spectacular closing ceremony on the main stage.

And with that, the 115th Anniversary party was over as tens of thousands of riders headed back home. But the city of Prague itself will welcome riders back to write another chapter in the book of freedom, at Prague Harley Days 2019 from July 5 to 7.

See you there!

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Old Bike Fever Dan Auerbach of The Black Keys talks about his other passion – collecting early custom Harley-Davidson® motorcycles.

Story by Jeremy Pick Photos by Larry Niehues

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Dan Auerbach is best known as a singer and guitarist with the rock duo The Black Keys.

Aside from the band’s multiple Grammy awards and multi-platinum sales worldwide, Dan is also a successful solo artist and collaborator with a roster of musicians as diverse as Duane Eddy, The Pretenders, Danger Mouse and Lana Del Ray. Dan’s other passion is collecting and riding vintage Harley-Davidson bikes, particularly unrestored bikes and early models personalized by their first owners.

Now a selection of these rare early survivors will be on display in a yearlong exhibit at the Lane Motor Museum in Auerbach’s adopted hometown of Nashville, Tennessee. “The Dan Auerbach Collection: Vintage Harley-

Davidsons from 1937–1950” opened on May 10 this year, and features originalpaint EL and FL knucklehead, panhead, and key early models.

Dan was bitten by the early-Harley bug when he moved to Nashville in 2010, just as his band The Black Keys was becoming one of the biggest acts in modern rock. Having gotten into motorcycles the usual way – starting off with a small amount of bikes and working up to a modest collection – the first Harley® model he rode was a knucklehead owned by Mike Wolfe, host of American Pickers and a fellow Nashville resident.

“That was the ‘Oh, s---’ moment for me,” recalls Dan. “As soon as I started riding it down the road I thought, ‘What have I been

Old Bike Fever

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Old Bike Fever doing with all those other bikes?’ That was the sort of feeling I got. I wanted to take all of my other bikes and just roll them into the pond.”

That first ride was the start of Dan’s journey into the rabbit hole of collecting vintage Harley motorcycles. A connection through Mike Wolfe led to the purchase of a 1937 EL, one of the exhibits at Lane Motor Museum.

“After that it was like a sickness, and it dug down strong,” says Dan. “The deeper you get into it, the more opportunities arise, and the next thing is you find yourself in a van in the middle of nowhere with a bag full of cash. I found myself in the most isolated regions of Minnesota, Iowa, Texas, Ohio – these bikes were so important to everyone involved. These guys had such close connections to these bikes they become almost like a part of the family.”

Like many collectors, Dan has a philosophy behind choosing his bikes.

Auerbach Senior was a dealer in folk art, and some of that aesthetic sensibility has been passed down to his son. Bikes have to have original paint or old paint that was used back in the day. And Dan looks for bikes that have lived a life, seen the road, and that still have the personality of the owner who put love and effort into maintaining or customizing them.

“Those are the sort of qualities I’m attracted to in bikes, as well as just about everything, including guitars. I like them to be worn in and personalized: something that breaks the mould, that is real and useable because those are the bikes that feel the best and ride the best. The bikes that got

ridden all the time ride better than ones that just sat there. It’s the same with guitars: you know when a guitar is all beat up because it was loved on, you know it is going to play good. It’s the same with old Harleys.”

That philosophy can be seen embodied in the bikes in the Auerbach collection. In addition to the original ’37 knucklehead, other favourites include a 1940 EL tricked out in period custom chrome work, rakedout front end, pinstriping and custom wheel covers made back in the day from a military Jeep’s hubcaps. These period modifications give the bike a vintage aesthetic that reflects the passion and character of the original owner. Other highlights of the collection include a rare 1938 UL Sport Solo, and FL and EL models ranging from the late 1930s to 1950, each with their own personality.

What makes Dan’s collection even more unusual is that every bike gets ridden. “Well, apart from maybe one,” says Dan. “I do have one, an original first-year panhead chop with a chromed XA springer front end – real old-school. It belonged to a guy who was in a bike gang in North Carolina, and he just used to run around the mountains over there on this chopper, and it just feels like a death trap when you are on it. That really must have been the way he rode it, and it has everything to do with the personality of the owner.”

The Auerbach bikes aren’t just a collection; they inform Dan’s music and the way he creates it, too. “It’s a physical and mental thing, about the only thing that relaxes me.

It inspires my music. The feeling of being

on a bike or even just looking at it – some of those beautiful, old bikes are just inspiring.

I’ve got a barn at my house where I keep them and display them, and [I] sit and drink and just look at them. I can drink bourbon and just stare at a Harley for a weird, strange amount of time.”

These unique bikes are now at Lane Motor Museum because Dan’s wife, Jen, has appropriated the barn space for her growing organic skincare business, Clary Collection. “My wife needed the barn so I needed to get the motorcycles out,” says Dan. “I knew the guys at the Lane Museum and knew they’d do a great job so it was a win-win. I went over there to talk about each one, where it was found, the personality.

When I walked in and saw them all together, it was amazing; it was really cool.

“Now I’m taking a break from collecting to focus on my new record label, Easy Eye Sound, and record new material. I feel I have some amazing bikes, and I feel like I got into them just right before they blew up on price.

The bikes that I was buying into six or seven years ago are a completely different price now; it’s just weird how quickly things change. I got really lucky – I really did.

I’m really proud to own them.”

“The Dan Auerbach Collection: Vintage Harley-Davidsons” at Lane Motor Museum, Nashville, runs until May 6, 2019.

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When the world’s deepest lake iced over, an opportunity opened up for some pretty spectacular racing.

Words: Sergey Kamenev Photos: Evgeny Ryazhev

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The ancient lake creaks with an even, thick and distinctly darkened ice. The ice reflects the rare rays of the spring sun, which weave their way through the cloudy shroud of this gloomy morning.

Any sound in this place carries for kilometres; suddenly, the silence is shattered by the crash of two-cylinder engines waking up after hibernation.

A number of brave riders from the HOG® Baikal Chapter in Irkutsk, Russia, are embarking upon something truly unique. The Harley-Davidson® motorcycles travel one by one across the ice of Lake Baikal, leaving deep furrows on its surface from their spiked tires. And thus, on March 31, 2018, the first Baikal Ice Harley Challenge begins.

Although the day isn’t sunny, it’s unseasonably warm, which contrasts with the white, icy surface of the lake. The riders are determined, but a certain trepidation is difficult to hide: few people before them had dared to ride on the lake in winter on a motorcycle, let alone a Harley-Davidson.

The event was an incredible success, and the organizers hope that next year the Baikal ice will host guests on HarleyDavidson motorcycles from all over Russia.

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The Big Freeze

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HEAVEN on the FRENCH

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RIVIERA

Euro Bike Festival hrome and paintwork sparkled in the Mediterranean sun as thousands of HarleyDavidson® motorcycles descended on Prairies de la Mer on the Côte d’Azur in the French Riviera for the 12th annual Euro Bike Festival in early June.

The perfect beaches, the palm trees and the indefinable chic of Golfe de St-Tropez were a magical combination. This year’s Euro Festival once again perfectly melded these ingredients, bringing to life the 12th iteration of this now-legendary event in the Harley calendar.

The area was buzzing with energy and atmosphere as riders gathered before the event began, and the energy built to a crescendo as Simple Minds took to the stage on the final night.

While a range of activities kept the riders entertained, the surrounding countryside was

filled with those exploring the attractions of the area and visiting the satellite events that have sprung up around the main site.

HOG® members were taken care of through the HOG Zone, with guided tours offered by the local HOG chapter showing riders local roads and incredible rides that they would be hardpressed to find without this expert local knowledge.

Saturday’s parade gave some 1,400 Harley® riders the chance to take to the streets en masse.

The colourful spectacle, including the traditional Chapter Parade of Flags, was greeted by locals lining the streets of St-Tropez and the boulevards of the local villages and towns to see the police-escorted trail of bikes taking in the beautiful sweeping roads and unique scenery of the region. Sunday morning, the event drew to a close, with the locals bidding au revoir to the Euro Festival attendees.

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The new SoftailÂŽ FXDR 114 is a bold and sporty power cruiser with performance to match its eyecatching aesthetics.

By Charles Plueddeman

*Models pictured are US speciďŹ cation

Performance: Amplified 4.6-kilogram (43 per cent) weight reduction over a steel Softail swingarm accommodating a 240mm rear tire.

Because the swingarm is unsprung weight (weight located below the suspension), it has a significant impact on rear suspension performance, enhanced further by a lightweight 18-inch-diameter aluminum disc rear wheel. The 19-inch forged-aluminum Ace front wheel is a lightweight design that features very thin spokes. The FXDR 114 seat and tail section are supported by a sub-frame of welded aluminum tubing, and the tail section is composite. This assembly replaces the steel subframe, steel rear fender and aluminum fender supports used on other Softail models, for a combined weight saving of about three kilograms.

The rigid Softail chassis rewards assertive riders with thrilling agility through twisting backroads and congested urban traffic. Secured by the deep solo seat, the rider grips aluminum clip-on handlebars in an athletic position over the tank. The FXDR 114 features the Softail monoshock rear suspension equipped with an external hydraulic pre-load adjustment knob to allow the rider to quickly and easily dial in optimal suspension performance for the prevailing load conditions. Inverted

The new Harley-Davidson® FXDR 114 combines the muscle of a drag racer with the agility of a fighter jet. This unapologetic power cruiser fuses the potent power of the Milwaukee-Eight® 114 engine with the liberal use of new weight-saving aluminum and composite components to amplify every aspect of performance.

“This motorcycle is really a blast to ride,” said David Latz, Lead Product Manager at Harley-Davidson.

“The FXDR 114 surrounds the very capable Softail chassis with Milwaukee-Eight 114 power, premium front and rear suspension and a host of new weight-saving components and materials. This is a power cruiser that delivers exceptional ride and handling characteristics.”

An advantageous power-to-weight ratio is a sure path to performance, and as they developed the FXDR 114, Harley-Davidson engineers shaved weight at every opportunity. A new aluminum swingarm achieves a HOG ® MAGAZINE CANADA

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POWER UP! Harley-Davidson Genuine Motor Accessories are ready for riders craving more FXDR 114 performance. A Screamin’ Eagle® Titanium Performance slip-on muffler reduces weight by 50 per cent compared to the stock muffler and provides Screamin’ Eagle Stage I performance when combined with a Screamin’ Eagle Air Cleaner Kit and the Screamin’ Eagle Pro Street Tuner.

Screamin’ Eagle Stage II, Stage III and Stage IV kits can punch the Milwaukee-

Eight out to 117 cubic inches (1923 cc) of displacement and up to 40 per cent more power than the stock engine, all with the assurance of a full factory warranty when installed by an authorized Harley-Davidson dealer. Other available FXDR 114 accessories include a Quick Release Compact Sport Windshield that’s 19.8 centimetres taller than the stock screen for added wind protection, and the FXDR 114 Passenger Pillion that fits on the tail section and enables two-up riding.

Performance: Amplified

43mm forks stiffen the front end for improved response to steering input.

The FXDR 114 offers more lean angle than any other Softail model – 32.6 degrees to the left and 32.8 degrees to the right.

The FXDR 114 is equipped with the most powerful engine offered in the Softail chassis, a Milwaukee-Eight 114 V-twin tuned to pound out 160 Nm of

torque at 3,500 rpm. The forwardfacing air intake is shaped to enhance the airflow into the engine. The exposed air filter uses a new synthetic media that does not require oiling.

STYLED AT THE STRIP The FXDR communicates its commitment to all-out performance with visual design cues inspired by the drag strip. A speed screen frames the LED headlamp and helps break the wind, while a stretched 16.7-litre fuel tank exclusive to the FXDR 114 model lengthens the profile of the motorcycle.

A race-inspired chin fairing conceals much of the oil cooler. The tail section is clipped short in drag bike style to expose the 240mm rear tire. A moulded composite rear fender is shaped to hug the tire and moves with it through the range of suspension travel, becoming nearly invisible when the FXDR 114 is in motion. The rear lighting module and licence plate fixture is secured to an aluminum spar mounted to the left side of the swingarm, leaving the right side of the rear wheel dramatically exposed.

The FXDR 114 is available in six colour choices: Vivid Black, Black Denim, Industrial Gray Denim, Wicked Red Denim, Bonneville Salt Denim, and Rawhide Denim.

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Flat-tracking on

By Jacob Black, autoTRADER.ca

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Flat-Track

Y

ou cannot force yourself to be brave. You should not force yourself to be brave. There is probably a reason you are not feeling brave.

It might be because the quarter-tonne Harley-Davidson® motorcycle underneath you has no front brakes. It might be because the quarter-tonne motorcycle is doing about 80 km/h, on loose dirt, and that tree in front of you marks the spot you’re supposed to try to turn it around.

So on all those other laps, when you cursed your lack of courage and shook your head in disgust, you might have actually had a point.

This entire conversation is happening in my brain as I realize the “send it” ethos I thought would increase my skill, speed and heroism might just land me in the hospital.

It doesn’t, and I’m lucky to lose nothing but my pride and about a half-lap to the other bike on the track.

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Flat-Track One thing that motorcycles will teach you, time and time again, is that there are gaps between understanding something, having the gall to actually apply that knowledge, and having the actual skill needed to do those two things successfully. In short, a motorcycle will teach you that you’re not as good as you hope you are.

When Harley-Davidson told us we’d be racing against each other in the Ride-Ride-Slide event, I honestly thought they were kidding. At best, I assumed they meant we’d do a small, simple skills course against a stopwatch, not a series of head-to-head, full-out flat-track races on flat-track-modified Harley-Davidson® bikes.

H-D’s relationship with flat-track racing goes back a fair way, as it does with drag racing.

They’re really the only motorsports to which the Motor Company has applied itself in a meaningful way, and it’s enjoyed success in North America with both. A recent resurgence in flat track’s popularity means Harley-Davidson is once again on the motorsport map. And here, where the lumpy V-twin’s prodigious engine-braking ability outshines any lack of comparative horsepower, the bikes do quite well.

On hand to teach us enough to keep us alive were former MotoGP and World SBK ace Ruben Xaus and current UK Hooligan Championship leader Grant Martin. Martin races a 2016 Harley-Davidson Street Rod® model modified for flat-track racing. In the Hooligan championship, Indians and Harley-Davidsons compete for top-class honours.

They taught us body position, and they taught us the need to transfer weight by changing down one gear and rolling off, and that you need the right amount of momentum to actually make the bike turn the corner so you can drive out and down the straight with speed.

For all the practice sessions, I rode smoothly and half-decently 40

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– slow, but smooth and consistent.

More important, I didn’t crash.

When practice time ended and race time began, the 12 riders who started the day dwindled to six. Sometimes, discretion is the better part of valour.

That left us in a series of head-to-head race-offs.

My competitor, Teerawat Durongkwin, was a rider from Thailand who’d shown strong speed and smoothness all day.

He chose the outside, and I lined up alongside him on the inside.

Ruben Xaus pointed to the two of us and gave a thumbs-up.

“These two, together, it’s perfect,” he said. We were well matched.

This would be fun to watch.

Ruben dropped the flag, and I took off. I’m proud to say I got the holeshot and led comfortably toward Turn One. That is the last thing I’m proud of.

Eager to go faster, eager to look good in some photos, eager to be better than I really am, I barrelled into Turn One faster than any point yet in the day. In my head, I believed the added momentum would help me rotate, and I would make the turn. But as I threw the bars to the left, the front skittered and slid straight; I picked up the bike in a panic, and ran well, well wide.

Teerawat took me on the inside and bolted. On the next two laps I made steady ground, but as he started to reel in, red mist clouded my judgement again and I had another big moment and ran wide.

I rolled across the line a very distant second: frustrated, disconsolate, and trying hard to force a smile. Teerawat and I hugged, I congratulated him on his decisive win, and then I went to sit under a tree to have a think.

Just like the Leafs versus the Bruins, I’d choked. I let pride, pressure and lack of selfawareness get the better of me.

I’m lucky. My brain fade happened on a track, in a controlled environment, at relatively low speed.

I didn’t crash, I didn’t hit anything – I just ran wide a few times.

But here’s the thing: Those attempts to push your limit, the desire to edge past your boundaries for the thrill of it, or even those moments of emotionfuelled distraction – they can happen anywhere. If they happen in public, on a road with curbs and bus stops and other drivers and rough shoulders, it can get really untidy.

It’s okay to take risks. It’s fun to take risks. You should take risks in the right time and place.

The track was a good place.

Ruben dropped the flag, and I took off.

I’m proud to say I got the holeshot and led comfortably toward Turn One. That is the last thing I’m proud of.

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Flat-Track

...a motorcycle will teach you that you’re not as good as you hope you are.

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UNITED WE CELEBRATE Celebrate 115 years of Harley-Davidson history with a 115th Anniversary Edition Living the Legend Rivet. It’s the perfect way to honor a fellow rider or commemorate your own journey. Create yours today at h-dmuseum.com/115rivet ®

™

115 ANNIVERSARY EDITION ONLY AVAILABLE IN 2018 TH

©H-D 2018. All rights reserved. Harley-Davidson, H-D, Harley, Harley-Davidson Museum and the Bar and Shield are among the registered trademarks of H-D U.S.A., LLC

HOg hiddeN gemS ®

REGION – ATLANTIC

Regional Directors from across the country share their secret go-to riding roads.

Text by Dustin Woods

As Canadians, we’re fortunate to live in a vast and beautiful nation filled with diverse cultures, architectural styles and landscapes. Free to pass between provinces and territories as we please, it could be tempting to spend every waking moment exploring the country from coast to shining coast in search of the best places to ride.

Thankfully, we’ve done some of the heavy lifting for you by creating a series that profiles areas off the beaten path according to your HOG® Regional Directors. For the first time, they have agreed to give up the goods on their favourite local places and spaces to explore and enjoy on two wheels.

In our first instalment, Atlantic Regional HOG Director Keith Richard shares one of his many favourite routes in his native Nova Scotia.

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Name/Title: Keith Richard, Atlantic Regional HOG Director Hometown: Cole Harbour, Nova Scotia Model of Motorcycle(s): 2015 HarleyDavidson® Ultra Limited Route Distance: 382 kilometres Highlights: Peggy’s Cove, Aspotogan Loop, Blomidon Look-off, Swissair Memorial Site, Bluenose II Proving why East Coasters are renowned for their friendliness and hospitality, Richard was all too happy to pass along some recommendations for riders planning a visit to his part of the world.

Living just outside of Halifax, Richard has many routes to choose from that offer picturesque scenery and great roads, but he claims his top choice has it all. From the cool breezes of the rocky coastline to the heat of the Annapolis Valley, this route offers twists and turns

HOG Hidden Gems that take you through small, unspoiled historic towns.

Privateers Harley-Davidson makes for a great starting point to assemble and meet for a coffee. From there, Route 333 will take you to Peggy’s Cove. Following Route 333 to Route 3 takes you along the Atlantic coast, through small towns and villages along the shoreline marked by rocky terrain and beautiful beaches.

Once you pass the town of Hubbards, you’ll take a left onto Route 329 and travel along the Aspotogan Loop. Contrasting the stunning coastal beauty is a sombre but touching monument in memory of the 229 people who lost their lives aboard Swissair Flight 111 on September 2, 1998, when their plane crashed into the Atlantic Ocean 8 kilometres from shore.

Continue along Route 329 back to Route 3, passing through Chester and into the beautiful historic town of Mahone Bay before arriving at Lunenburg, which is a UNESCO World Heritage Site. Lunenburg is home to the Bluenose II schooner, a faithful replica of the original Bluenose schooner that was launched in 1921 and raced undefeated in international competition for 17 years.

Route 324 to Highway 103 will take you back towards Halifax. Taking Exit 9 to Route 12 is worth the detour for the view from the Blomidon Look-off.

Doubling back after the look-off, you’ll take a short ride along Highway 101

towards Halifax to Exit 4, where you’ll pick up Route 1 and follow it along to Lower Sackville, where there are many route options back to Privateers H-D or wherever you plan on ending the day.

The route can easily be modified to accommodate different ride lengths and offers many great options to stop for coffee or lunch.

Let us know if you get out there and enjoy any of our HOG Regional Directors’ recommended routes, and watch for more instalments of this series in future issues of HOG® Magazine Canada. You can return the favour by sharing the wealth when it comes to your local hotspots. We promise to keep it among friends.

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The Harley-Davidson Museum™ re-creates a piece of Motor Company history.

Words by Charles Plueddeman Photography by Josh Kurpius and Brad Chaney

Artisan

T

wo wheels for freedom has been the HarleyDavidson formula for 115 years, but those two wheels haven’t always come with an engine. For six years beginning in 1917, riders could experience the exhilaration of two-wheeled motion by purchasing a new Harley-Davidson® bicycle.

Intended to introduce new riders to the brand, these bicycles were styled to look like the company’s motorcycles and offered the same exceptional quality: truly “a wheel you’ll be proud to ride.” Today, an original Harley-Davidson bicycle, easy to identify by the “H-D” lettering cut into its front sprocket, is a rare and valuable collectible.

In the ramp-up to the HarleyDavidson 115TH Anniversary Celebration in Milwaukee over Labour Day weekend, the H-D Museum staff began considering a special project to call attention to an interesting piece of company history.

The Motor Company Archives has a half-dozen examples of original H-D® bicycles in its collection, and a plan was hatched to re-create a bicycle that, while not an exact replica of the 1917 Model 7-17 Special, would represent the character of the original, with some concessions to practicality, safety, and cost. Just 10 examples of the tribute bike will be produced and sold by the Museum this summer.

Heritage Bicycles of Chicago, a builder of heirloom custom bicycles, was commissioned to create the bikes.

“Harley asked us to replicate the original as closely as possible,” said Heritage owner Mike Salvatore. “This was quite a challenge because it took us out of our element. We were not going to just pull a frame out of the basement and paint it green. It was also a lot of fun to work with a client like the Museum that was so engaged in every detail of the project.”

The original H-D bicycles were assembled in a building across the rail tracks from the Juneau Avenue factory in Milwaukee with components sourced from the Davis Sewing Machine Company of Dayton, Ohio. Davis had been in the bicycle business since 1892 and also manufactured the Dayton motorcycle. The Dayton bicycle brand would evolve into Huffman and later Huffy, a brand still familiar today.

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Artisan To create a close association with its motorcycles, Harley-Davidson gave each of the seven new bicycle models a basecoat of the same olive green paint that was introduced for the motorcycles in 1917.

The 7-17 Special model bicycle (original list price US$35) also had a kinked top frame tube that was meant to give it a profile similar to the motorcycles. The steel crank sprocket incorporated the H-D letters into its spider and was finished in brilliant chrome. In their day, Harley® bikes were a top-of-the-line ride.

Heritage Bicycles began the process of re-creating the 7-17 Special in the H-D Archives, taking precise measurements of the original frame, which has that quirky bend in the top tube, unusually curved chain and seat stays, and geometry that Joel Van Twisk, director of bike operations at Heritage, calls “rather odd.”

“The original bikes were designed for smaller statured people, so the frame is compact and low,” said Van Twisk. “We wanted larger adults to be able to ride it comfortably, so we altered the geometry. I’d call it a 52-cm frame in modern terms.”

Heritage had frame components formed with premium chromoly

steel tubing and built a jig to assemble the frame parts for welding. After the frames were finished, Heritage began hunting for components it could use to assemble a bike that would look a lot like the original.

Because of the short production run, actually re-creating the steel fenders, for example, would be cost-prohibitive. Heritage located aluminum fenders that have a very similar profile.

Instead of the original 28-inch wood rims, the new bikes roll on modern 700C-size rims shod with brown rubber tires that are a close colour match to the original terracotta Firestone tires. The stem and seat post are modern components. A Brooks B135 saddle, today only sold in England, has front and rear coil springs, similar to the original Troxel seat. Heritage also re-created the roll-off rear stand.

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Artisan One detail that had to be perfect is the distinctive lettering in the front sprocket.

“We couldn’t disassemble the Museum’s original bike to use that sprocket as a pattern,” said Van Twisk, “so we created a Google Docs photo that the fabricator used to laser-CNC cut the replica from polished stainless steel, which is more durable than the chrome-plated original. The original also used an obsolete tooth pitch and chain size, so that was changed to fit a modern chain.”

Van Twisk said the biggest challenge that Heritage faced was re-creating the triple-plate fork crown.

“There’s nothing like it you can buy today, so we had to fabricate the crown plates from scratch using polished stainless steel,” said Van Twisk.

The distinctive Harley-Davidson head badge was a final detail that Heritage had to tackle. “We found one on eBay to use as a pattern and had exact replicas cast in brass, which were given an antique finish,” said Van Twisk.

Before final assembly, the bike frames were hand pinstriped by Jeff

Williams at King of Paint in St. Francis, Wisconsin, in a pattern and colours identical to the original bikes.

The original Harley bicycles were an initial sales success, with the company reporting that 5,079 had been sold in the first weeks of availability in 1917. But even in the peak sales year of 1920, bicycle sales were only four per cent of total domestic business for Harley-Davidson. During the postwar recession of 1920-21, the company stopped bicycle production and an interesting chapter in Motor Company history was closed.

“For us the story is not all about the bike, but also about being able to participate in commemorating a period in the history of HarleyDavidson and of bicycling,” said Salvatore. “I really hope these tribute bikes don’t just get hung on a wall display.

We built a bike an owner can ride and enjoy.”

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THE

LEATHER

QUEEN

Upholstery maker and H-D® enthusiast Randi Obenauer applies her gift to custom motorcycle seats.

By Becky Goebel @actuallyitsaxel

Spotlight

R

andi Obenauer’s ranch in Powell River, British Columbia, is straight out of a movie. The walls of the house and leather-working studio are covered in motorcycle art and leather. There’s a fire burning in Randi’s workshop, and she’s got stacks of seats, seat pans, leather bags and every colour and type of leather you can imagine.

Randi used to park her motorcycle outside of my friend’s building every day. I was just getting into bikes, and I watched her come and go for months before finally approaching her. What stood out was her gold tooth, her long mermaid hair that trailed her while she rode and her infectious, one-of-a-kind laugh.

We became instant friends, and when I bought my first bike, Randi offered to fix up the sun-stained, thrashed-up seat. She made me a seat worth more than the bike itself.

I will continue to have Randi make every seat for every bike I buy until I run out of money, or run out of bikes.

I bought a 1997 Harley® Sportster® chopper last summer with a cool King-Queen leather seat. When I rolled into Randi’s ranch to chat with her for this story, she said, “I made that seat!” Turns out, she thinks it’s one of the best King-Queen seats she’s ever made.

“I’m so thrilled that it’s out there on miles and miles of rad adventures with you,” she said.

How long have you been making motorcycle seats?

I’ve been doing upholstery for 14 years. I did three Honda seats in 2005, and then 50 Harley sissy bar backrests for a local shop. I really

started honing in on motorcycle seats in 2010 through my brand Aro Custom Upholstery.

than one employer told me they were surprised by what I could do.

How did you learn your craft?

I was one of the last graduates of the Kwantlen College certificate program in automotive industrial upholstery and trim.

I was one of four females that year, the most ever. It was intimidating at first, and I dealt with sexism at school and in my first years in the industry, but it was also empowering as I found my voice and became confident in my hard-earned skills. More

Tell us about some of your favourite Harley-Davidson® seats.

The Williamson brothers brought me into the chopper scene in Vancouver, referring friends to me for Harley-Davidson Ironheads, Shovelheads, Sportster® models – so many Harley choppers. Owen’s seat for his Ironhead, The Ghetto Sled, will always be one of my favourites. He chose a brown leather with diamond stitch, and he keeps rubbing used motor oil into the leather when he does oil changes. It’s crazy beautiful and totally celebrates the beautiful potential of leather as a natural material.

Some of my favourite seats have been creative designs on Sportster saddles for rad women riders. The black leather seat with multi-coloured geometric stitch patterns for Diana from Kelowna, B.C., is one of those.

I did a black leather Harley seat for tattooer Alex Snelgrove with green diamond stitch and a yin-yang symbol. Tori Drew’s tiny Queen seat that keeps evolving with her little chopper rules as well. I just finished a Sportster seat for a gal in New Hampshire who wanted a heart stitched on the rear panel so her mama would always be with her on the road.

Andrew McKay has my favourite leather bagger seat. He brought me a rich mustard distressed leather, somehow exactly enough to do his whole giant seat with barely any scraps left over. It’s now worn into a faded gold and looks amazing on his black Road Glide® model.

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Spotlight What’s the story behind your amazing studio?

The first time I visited Powell River, I knew I had to move here. Three years ago, my partner, Sean, and I bought our dream home here, on an acre bordered by a creek that runs right beside the house. The original structure is over 100 years old.

My son, Hawk, was born here, at home, two years ago, and I’m so stoked that he gets to grow up with this amazing paradise of nature and adventure right out the back door.

How long have you been riding?

I have the raddest uncle ever – he’s been the biggest motorcycle influence in my life.

He would take me and my siblings for rides whenever he came to visit when we were growing up. I know my mom rode a bit when she was young but she won’t talk much about her wild days – I have to get all the good stories from my uncle.

I was really into horseback riding growing up – “the original dirt bike” Sean says. I escaped to the big city for college, and once I got into upholstery I quickly fell in love with motorcycle seats. After a couple years of doing seats for everyone else, I finally got my licence based on the sage wisdom of my life coach, Jangus.

Within a week, I owned my first bike, and I put 3,000 kilometres on it that first summer.

Six years later and I’m riding less these days due to mom life and all of my upholstery clients, but I still get out whenever I can.

What else do you do besides make seats?

I’ve been sewing since I was about 10 years old. Besides art school and auto upholstery, I’ve also studied fashion design and textile arts. It’s all interrelated. It all comes down to the things I love doing most: pattern-making, sewing, sculpture and working with leather.

After trade school, I took all my upholstery skills and some scrap leather and made two bags for my sister and myself while I was a fashion student, and it just snowballed from there with more and more bag requests.

I think what sets my bags apart from other brands is that they are made from upholsteryweight leather and constructed using upholstery techniques and hardware.

I founded Ora Leather Goods in 2006 and later mirrored the name when I started honing in on motorcycle seats and Aro took off too!

I also love shooting film and hiking with my crew, the Goth Moms Nature Bathing Club.

I’m also a doula, a fermentation enthusiast and a baker. I don’t really know how to just stop and do nothing.

Learn more at aro-upholstery.com or follow Randi on instagram: @aro-upholstery.

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WELCOME TO YOUR BUCKET LIST MAIN IMAGE: ALAMY

Offering everything from sun-kissed beaches to snow-peaked mountaintops, the MENA region – Middle East and North Africa – spans from Morocco in the west to Lebanon in the north, Oman in the east and Saudi Arabia in the south.

Text: Luis da Silva

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You’ll like it here. See for yourself as arid desert becomes cool oasis or a vast forest, and spending the night under the stars in Wadi Rum has to be experienced.

And then you’ll meet the people; this is a region with many contrasts in culture, customs, religion and appearance. There is no better way to explore this region than on a Harley-Davidson® motorcycle and with the Harley Owners Group™ family.

1. MOROCCO A North African country that has coastlines on both the Atlantic Ocean and the Mediterranean Sea, Morocco blends Arab, indigenous Berber, sub-Saharan African and European influences. Its

official languages are Arabic and Berber, but you’ll hear French everywhere.

Morocco is a cheap and exotic yet safe place for tourists, and the main focus is on its ancient cities. Agadir is a major coastal resort and is a great base for tours to the Atlas Mountains. Meanwhile, Casablanca (yes, the place from the film) has the best-developed market for travellers. That said, Marrakech is also a popular destination and is best for oneand two-day excursions that provide a taste of Morocco’s history and culture.

There is an H-D® dealership in Casablanca and a respective sponsored chapter: you can find out more at harleycasablanca.com

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Regional Profile

2. ALGERIA Algeria is Africa’s largest country, but most of the population is in the small coastal region because the Sahara Desert covers its entire southern part. The capital and most populous city is Algiers and the official language is Arabic, but French is also spoken and the language of the indigenous Berber has been constitutionally recognized.

To see what the HOG® Chapter in Algiers have been up to, look them up on Facebook.

3. EGYPT Egypt emerged as one of the world’s first nations and is considered a cradle of civilization; Ancient Egypt saw some of the earliest developments of writing, agriculture, urbanization, organized religion and central government. Iconic monuments such as the Giza Necropolis and its Great Sphinx, as well the ruins of Memphis, Thebes, Karnak and the Valley of the Kings, reflect this legacy and remain a major focus of popular interest.

Egypt’s long and rich cultural heritage is an integral part of its national identity, but you might notice other influences including Greek, Persian, Roman, Arab, Ottoman and European.

Cairo has two H-D dealerships and a very active (and eclectic!) group of riders in our HOG Cairo Chapter family. With activities spanning from February through to December, there is pretty much always something on. Find out more at harleydavidsonegypt.com

well as the country’s economic, political and cultural centre.

Jordan is considered among the safest countries in the Middle East and prides itself on being an “oasis of stability.” A major tourist destination, the country is defined by ancient monuments, nature reserves and seaside resorts. It is also home to the famed archaeological site of Petra, the Nabatean capital dating to around 300BC that’s sometimes known as the “Rose City” for the colour of its stone.

If you really want to make a serious tour, try some of the country’s other famous places to visit: the Dead Sea, the Amman Citadel, Aqaba, Wadi Rum and Kerak Castle.

Members of the HOG Jordan Chapter are pioneers in the region for promoting Safe Rider Skills training, and they’re active all year round. Don’t miss the annual Nabatean Tour. Find out more at www.hog-jordan.com

5. LEBANON Lebanon is bordered by Syria to the north and east and Israel to the south, while Cyprus is to the west across the Mediterranean.

Being at the crossroads of the Mediterranean 5

4. JORDAN Located at the crossroads of Asia, Africa and Europe, Jordan is bordered by Saudi Arabia to the south, Iraq to the northeast, Syria to the north and Israel and Palestine to the west.

The Dead Sea lies along its western borders, and the country has a small shoreline on the Red Sea in its extreme southwest. The capital, Amman, is the most populous city as

Basin and the Arabian hinterland has facilitated its rich history and shaped a cultural identity of religious and ethnic diversity. The culture of Lebanon reflects the legacy of various civilizations spanning thousands of years.

There is a very active HOG family here, and the Lebanon HOG Chapter offers rides every weekend, culminating in the HOG Lebanon Chapter Tour in October. This is fantastic riding country with different challenges around every corner. Find out more at hoglebanon.com

6. SAUDI ARABIA This kingdom is a desert country encompassing most of the Arabian Peninsula, with both Red Sea and Arabian Gulf coastlines. Known as the birthplace of Islam, it is home to the religion’s two most sacred mosques: Masjid al-Haram in Mecca, the destination of the annual Hajj pilgrimage, and Medina’s Masjid an-Nabawi, the burial site of the prophet Muhammad.

Saudi Arabia is the fifth-largest Middle Eastern country by population and has centuries-old attitudes and traditions, often derived from Arab civilization.

Despite this, the capital, Riyadh, is a very modern, skyscraper-filled metropolis.

There are four H-D dealerships and HOG chapters, located in Riyadh, Jeddah, Dammam and Jubail. Each is very different from the others and frequently organizes and promotes charitable events. Find out more on their Facebook pages.

7. KUWAIT Kuwait is an Arab country on the Arabian Gulf with a cultural heritage dating back to antiquity. Kuwait City, the capital, is known for its modern architecture ranging from skyscrapers to the striking Kuwait Towers.

Kuwaiti society is markedly more open than many other Gulf Arab societies, and Kuwait stands out in the region as the

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Regional Profile

ALAMY

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most liberal in empowering women in the public sphere. For example, Kuwaiti women outnumber men in the workforce.

Kuwait has one H-D dealership and a very active HOG chapter. Be sure to meet up and ride with this great team, and find out more about them on their Facebook page.

particularly well known for cultural tourism.

In fact, the World Travel and Tourism Council stated that Oman is the fastest growing tourism destination in the Middle East.

The port capital, Muscat, is home to the massive Sultan Qaboos Grand Mosque and the old waterfront Muttrah quarter, with a labyrinthine souk and busy fish market.

Muscat offers both an H-D dealership and a sponsored HOG chapter. Find out more at hdmuscat.com

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8. BAHRAIN A nation comprising more than 30 islands in the Arabian Gulf, Bahrain has been at the centre of major trade routes for centuries.

It is situated between the Qatar Peninsula and the northeastern coast of Saudi Arabia, to which it is connected by the 25 kilometre King Fahd Causeway.

Visitors to the destination mostly hail from outside the region due to growing awareness of the kingdom’s heritage and its higher profile thanks to the annual Formula 1 Grand Prix at the Bahrain International Circuit.

There’s a well-appointed H-D dealership in Bahrain with a very culturally mixed and active HOG chapter. The annual HOG Bahrain Rally sees good international participation too. Find out more at harleydavidson-bahrain.com

9. QATAR Qatar is a peninsular Arab country whose terrain comprises arid desert and a long shoreline of beaches and dunes. The capital, Doha, is known for its futuristic skyscrapers and ultra-modern architecture inspired by ancient Islamic design. Its sole land border is with Saudi Arabia to the south, with the rest of its territory surrounded by the Arabian Gulf. An arm of the Gulf separates Qatar from the nearby island country of Bahrain. Qatar will host the 2022 FIFA World Cup, becoming the first Arab country to do so.

There is an H-D dealership and an active HOG chapter in Doha. Find out more at harley-davidsondoha.com

11. UNITED ARAB EMIRATES

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10. OMAN Oman, a nation on the Arabian Peninsula, has terrain encompassing desert, riverbed oasis and long coastlines. The country shares land borders with the United Arab Emirates to the northwest, Saudi Arabia to the west and Yemen to the southwest, while the coast is formed by the Arabian Sea on the southeast and the Gulf of Oman on the northeast.

Oman has one of the most diverse environments in the Middle East and is

The UAE is a federation of seven emirates at the southeast end of the Arabian Peninsula on the Arabian Gulf. It borders Oman to the east and Saudi Arabia to the south, as well as sharing maritime borders with Qatar to the west and Iran to the north.

Emirati culture is based on Arabian culture and has been influenced by the cultures of Persia, India and East Africa.

Arabian- and Persian-inspired architecture is part of the expression of the local Emirati identity.

There are three dealerships (Abu Dhabi, Dubai and Northern Emirates) and two dealer-sponsored chapters in the UAE. Find out more on their Facebook pages.

FIND YOUR NEAREST DEALERSHIP There are many dealerships across the MENA region – to find out where, visit h-d.com and click on DEALER LOCATOR at the top of the homepage.

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ROAD IN AMERICA

THE LONELIEST

An Alberta rider conquers the legendary Highway 50.

By Brad Pieterse

Riding Stories

M

ission accomplished.

It has been a goal of mine to ride Highway 50 in central Nevada for some time now. I make an annual trip to Las Vegas for BikeFest, and I decided that in 2017 I would ride down there so I had my own wheels available and not worry about renting. This allowed me to take a roundabout way of getting there by riding Highway 50.

The one thing that concerned me was weather, as BikeFest was a week later than the year before.

The end of September, beginning of October might be touch and go. The forecasts seemed okay – not great but not horrible.

Okay, I decided, I am going.

You can’t let fear and common sense stand in your way, right?

Was it determination and perseverance? Or stubbornness and a false sense of superiority?

I did allow myself extra time for this trip. That was good.

I lost a day when I had to have a broken tooth pulled just before I left. But this was not a crisis.

It just meant that I would lose one day when I had planned on just puttering around.

When it was time to depart, I geared up and was ready to go.

Except, I seemed to have way too much loaded on my bike. I took a quick mental inventory and started paring things down: Fewer changes of clothes, only one helmet, a small set of tools (instead of the usual massive array I used to take) because who am I kidding – there is too much on my bike I have no idea how to fix. I bought the enhanced Roadside Assistance available to HOG® members from Road America for peace of mind, as a man has got to know his limitations. I had some extra cold weather gear, but surely that couldn’t be taking up that much space. I fired it up and hit the road for Shelby, Montana.

Heading south, the day was cold and drizzly. I did not think I would be putting the rain gear on this soon in the trip, but it was chilly enough that riding wet would be less than enjoyable.

I rolled into Shelby with a bit of a

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“AS I CONTINUED MY TREK THROUGH MONTANA TOWARDS IDAHO, THE WEATHER TOOK A TURN FOR THE WORSE, AND THE GRIM REALIZATION DAWNED THAT I WAS RIDING NOT IN RAIN, BUT IN SNOW. ”

Riding Stories chill in my bones and checked into the local Best Western. After dropping my luggage, I needed to get some chow, and then it was time for some shuteye to recharge for tomorrow.

The good thing about Best Westerns is they usually offer breakfast, so you can grab some quick food and be on your way.

My next stop was Idaho Falls, Idaho. The weather seemed to be a repeat of the previous day, so I figured I’d better slap the rain gear on again. As I continued my trek through Montana towards Idaho, the weather took a turn for the worse, and the grim realization dawned that I was riding not in rain, but in snow.

What can you do? I was committed and pushed on through. Fortunately, it seemed not to be freezing on the road, so controlling the bike was not really an issue except that I dropped my speed down and now had to try to keep my visor clear.

As the day wore on, it got a bit nicer – the sun came out for a bit, but not long enough to take the edge off my sour mood. I stopped in Twin Falls to take a few photos of the river valley and gorge.

Continuing, I was somewhat surprised that it did not really seem to be getting warmer. Not that I was expecting to be able to start dropping some of my layers, but I figured there might be a bit of improvement, however minor.

I did manage to roll into Idaho Falls without hitting any more snow. Much like the previous night, I just wanted to fuel myself up and get some shuteye.

After another quick Best Western breakfast, it was onward to Ely, Nevada, which would be the start of the Highway 50 adventure. Turns out it is pronounced “EE-lee” (I had been saying it wrong all this time!).

My ride to Ely was cold but uneventful, which was a relief.

There was no Best Western, so I checked into the Hotel Nevada.

This is a quirky building with lots of history. I wanted to warm up a bit, so I turned the heat up in the room and figured a hot shower would be nice. A sign in the

bathroom warned me that due to the age of the building, water pressure would fluctuate and go back and forth from hot and cold.

Oh lovely! It wasn’t that bad. It just meant a shorter shower than I had hoped for. Then, the real world hit me square in the face.

I flipped on the TV to check the forecast, and saw on the news that some whackjob had committed mass murder in Las Vegas. It did not seem real. I know of the Route 91 Harvest festival. A few years back it was at the same time as BikeFest, and I thought if they ever overlapped again I might take in some of it.

It sure makes you stop and think “what if?”

I hit the Internet and social media to find out what the situation was down there.

BikeFest was still a go and Vegas was carrying on. There was some talk about whether things should be cancelled. Some questioned whether carrying on was diminishing what had happened to the victims of the tragedy.

But by stepping back and licking your wounds, does the bad guy win? I can’t say I know if there is a right or wrong answer. Life does go on, and something like this gives one pause to reflect a bit.

A bit of bad weather is not a big deal in the larger picture.

I thought, “I am here and doing something I enjoy and should be thankful for that.” Others had that taken away from them.

Before leaving Ely, I did wander around the hotel. A lot of famous people have stayed and performed there in the past.

It is interesting that many of the more historic buildings we think of as not being “upscale” were considered very high end back in the day. Times change and we get spoiled a bit.

I gave myself a day to ride Highway 50.

I hit the highway and headed to Fallon. Reading up on the ride, I learned it is recommended that you be cognizant of the gas stops.

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Riding Stories The ride back was cold.

People in Utah and Montana told me they’d had snow. The roads were clear, but there was snow at the tree line. Did I mention it was cold? The border guard looked at me like I was nuts when I crossed back into Canada. I hit snow at Fort Macleod and made poor time, as I had to try to keep my visor clear. The snow stopped, but started again after I left the Calgary area. I debated whether to stop and stay in Red Deer, but decided to go for it. It was cold, but there was no snow, and I arrived home brittle but in one piece.

Did I enjoy it? Yes and no.

The downside to riding in bad weather is that you focus more on that than the ride itself, and you need to be more aware of how the conditions will affect your ride. Those parts of the ride not influenced by weather were great. Would I do it again? Maybe, but never again in October.

see why they call it the Loneliest Road. There is not a lot of development between towns, but I enjoyed the scenery along the route. Originally, when I was researching the ride, there were a few places off the highway I wanted to investigate. I may have to try and check them out if I am ever back with a car or friends.

The roads did not seem overly bike-friendly, and I was questioning whether it was prudent to attempt it.

I came across another rider stopped on the side of the road: a Dual Sport rider with a flat tire.

I offered him my plug kit, but he indicated that he had tried that earlier and it did not last – the hole must be too large. There was also not a lot left for tread on his tires. He had already arranged to have his bike picked up so he could get new rubber.

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good, so I wished him luck and was on my way.

My next stops included Eureka and Austin. Many people tend to gravitate toward motorcyclists, especially Harley® riders, and especially if you are a tourist.

The bike is a bit of an ice-breaker.

I had a chat with a couple of different people, one a local and the other a fellow traveller. From just hearing about someone else’s travels to local attractions or what to watch out for, you can always come away with something.

My last stop on this ride was Fallon. From there, I would ultimately head to Vegas.

There’s not really much to say about BikeFest 2017 that would be very different from previous ones. The atmosphere there and in Vegas in general seemed more subdued at times, but that might just have been me.

There was a large memorial on the strip down from the Welcome to Las Vegas sign near the Harley® dealership, and a lot of people paying their respects.

EXHAUST

Between the Lines

RALLY LIKE A PRO

As rally season comes to a close, it’s a great time to look back and think about safe riding strategies learned from a season full of celebrations.

Keep these rally-specific riding strategies in mind as you say goodbye to new and old friends, and get ready to meet again safely next year.

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Between the Lines While rallies serve up some of the best experiences available for motorcycle enthusiasts, they also come with their share of unique challenges. Ray Petry, project manager of the Harley-Davidson® Riding Academy, sums it up: “Several hundred thousand motorcyclists arriving in a single town or region (especially one they’re unfamiliar with), and experiencing new roads, new laws, and unexpected situations heightens both the excitement and potential dangers of a major rally.”

Having the right mindset, practicing a few skills and safe riding strategies, and being aware of the ground rules will maximize your safety and the amount of fun you’ll have at your next giant motorcycle rally.

LARGE GROUPS: DON’T BE A LEMMING Whether it’s a planned excursion with friends, a massive organized parade, or the impromptu accumulation of unrelated riders that naturally occurs at big events, riding in large groups is a near certainty at most rallies. It’s going to happen. But don’t fret: Riding in and around large groups is one of the great experiences of a motorcycle rally and following some basic advice easily minimizes the risks.

“Probably the most important general advice I can give is to not get too caught up in the excitement,” says Petry. “No matter where you ride, always do it within your own comfort zone, ride your own speed, make your own decisions. Don’t blindly follow the person in front of you, don’t assume the people around you know what they’re doing, and always stay calm. In short, just ride your own ride.”

There are some special situations during a rally that can be extra challenging. For instance, if you want to avoid the traffic jams that occur when events like concerts and parades end (and thousands of people try to leave at the same time), Petry suggests timing your departure to avoid the mad rush.

Such advice sounds simple and obvious, but the nature of groupthink has a peculiar way of turning individuals into lemmings. Take the road less travelled when you can.

ROADS NEVER TRAVELLED While there’s safety and virtue to taking the road less travelled, beware the

potential challenge of riding the roads never travelled, as in those roads and regions you’re experiencing for the first time.

“New places and new roads can be exciting,” says Petry, “but they can also be distracting and unpredictable.

“If it’s your first trip to a particular rally, be prepared to take the long and slow way to get around. Chances are you’ll miss an exit at some point. When it happens, don’t force an erratic manoeuvre or attempt a U-turn. Instead, take your time, go to the next exit, and revise your route accordingly.”

“No matter where you ride, always do it within your own comfort zone, ride your own speed, make your own decisions” Petry also reminds us to be even more vigilant about using these common safe-riding strategies: • Ride at a speed that you can easily slow down or stop from.

• Search aggressively within the visible sight distance.

• Always position yourself to have an escape path.

• Cover your brake and clutch controls to reduce your reaction time, especially when approaching an area with limited visibility or complexity, like an intersection or highway exchange.

• Pay heightened attention to road signs.

PARK LIKE A PRO: BEWARE THE TIP-OVER It may surprise you to know that one of the most common accidents at rallies is the slow-speed tip-over.

There are several reasons why tip-overs are common at rallies. Many popular destinations allow middle-of-thestreet parking (in which motorcycles are parked herringbone-style in the middle of the road, as well as along each side of the road) to maximize parking space.

Add to the mix the commotion of so many riders and pedestrians, very slow speeds in such areas, and the added pressure of being watched by hundreds of peering eyes, and you have a recipe for tipping over.

Petry’s advice is to minimize the likelihood of tipping over: “The best way to avoid tipping over in parking situations is to practice riding slowly. Find a parking lot, preferably one with a crowned surface that replicates most roads, and begin by practicing slow riding.

“That’s probably the most important skill, but it’s also worthwhile to practice the steps of actually parking, especially backing into a spot. Do this a half-dozen times before your trip, and you’ll be a pro when doing it on Main Street in front of a thousand riders.”

Petry also suggests parking like you’re planning to leave in a hurry, with the rear wheel on the curb side and the front wheel pointing toward the middle of the road. Use gravity to assist backing into the spot and leave an open (usually uphill) path forward to pull out.

Always park in a spot where the bike’s jiffy stand provides optimal balance and bring a puck/pad to place underneath the jiffy stand to help avoid tip-over due to soft asphalt.

While practice and smart strategies can minimize the chance of a tip-over, it may still happen. If it does, Petry offers this sage advice: “Don’t panic. People get so embarrassed when they tip over, but they shouldn’t. It happens to almost everyone at some point, and the worst thing you can do is to rush the situation.

Instead, take a moment to evaluate yourself and your motorcycle. If you tweaked a knee, don’t make it worse by trying to wrestle your bike by yourself.

Recruit help from a friend or a stranger.

“Then make sure nothing is broken on the bike, such as control levers.

Gather your wits and calmly return to whatever task you were performing that resulted in the tip-over.”

And by all means, offer to assist a fellow rider who’s tipped over. It’s good biker karma.

Have a comment or question about this story? Share it with us via email at hogmagazine.ca@harley-davidson.com or mail it to HOG® Magazine Canada, 100 New Park Place, Suite 330, Vaughan, Ontario, L4K 0H9.

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150 Dollar Rides

TRIP TO THE TRAM Story by Ron HadďŹ eld

EXHAUST

At age 77, and a rider for more than 25 years, I’ve been on my share of interesting rides. I think the most enjoyable rides are those that include a speciďŹ c destination or attraction, so I planned a day-ride that included the Palm Springs Aerial Tramway.

The ride began from our family cabin in Big Bear Lake, California, at 6:30 a.m. with the temperature at about 5 C. I rode Highway 18 north out of the San Bernardino Mountains, a scenic and curvy road with a drop in elevation of about 1,150 metres, to Lucerne Valley in the southern Mojave Desert.

From Lucerne Valley, I rode south on Highway 247, also called Old Woman Springs Road, to Yucca Valley, and then took Highway 62 to Palm Springs Harley-Davidson, where I arrived at about 9 a.m. The elevation had dropped another 750 metres, and the temperature had increased to 30 C. The staff was very friendly and gave me a bottle of water to drink as I toured the dealership.

I left at around 9:30 and went west on I-10 for about 30 freeway kilometres, and then turned south on Highway 243 in the Banning area and rode 40 kilometres up a very twisty, scenic road to the little town of Idyllwild, elevation 1,650 metres, in the heart of the San Jacinto Mountains.

There are tall pines and cedar trees all around, and great views in every direction.

There are some neat, small cafes in Idyllwild – I really like The Red Kettle – but it was still early, so I decided that the

visit was worth it just for the great ride up the mountain. I turned around and headed back down the mountain and to the Palm Springs Aerial Tramway to have lunch in Mount San Jacinto State Park.

The Palm Springs Aerial Tramway is a unique adventure attraction – an engineering marvel featuring the world’s largest rotating tramcars. It travels four kilometres up the cliffs of Chino Canyon, transporting riders more than 1,700 metres in elevation to the pristine wilderness of Mount San Jacinto State Park. During the 10-minute journey from Valley Station, the tramcar slowly rotates two full turns, offering spectacular views of the valley oor below and the surrounding cliffs.

When I arrived at Mountain Station, an elevation of 2,596 metres, I took a few minutes to explore the amenities there. Tourists can enjoy two restaurants, observation decks, a natural history museum, two documentary theaters and a gift shop. There are more than 80 kilometres of hiking trails, including to Mount San Jacinto Peak, which has a summit of 3,302 metres. I enjoyed the view from several of the observation decks, and then had a delicious lunch at Peaks Restaurant before I caught the next tram down to begin my ride back toward Big Bear.

I left Valley Station at about 1:30 and rode Highway 111 back to I-10 west, and went to the Beaumont area, where I turned north on Highway 79. I rode through Beaumont, Cherry Valley, and

Oak Glen to the small city of Yucaipa.

The scenery during this ride was wonderful – there were cattle and horse properties, forested hills, and orchards.

It’s about 80 kilometres to our mountain home from Yucaipa – a beautiful ride going through Angelus Oaks and over Onyx Peak, one of the highest roads in Southern California.

It passes by the San Gorgonio trailhead, the highest peak in Southern California at just over 3,500 metres. Highway 38 is designated a Scenic Highway by the California Department of Transportation.

I arrived at our cabin in Big Bear Lake at around 4:15 p.m., with 468 kilometres on the odometer. It had been a relatively long day but a wonderful ride with lots of interesting roads and scenery, and a great experience at the Palm Springs Aerial Tramway.

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If you have a $150 Ride story to share, we want to see it. If it appears in HOG Ž Magazine Canada, we’ll even foot the bill – in the form of a $150 Harley-Davidson Gift Card. Keep your story to 750 words or fewer, including a list of your expenses. We also need photography from your adventure, including a photo of you.

THE $150 CHALLENGE 64

HOG ÂŽ MAGAZINE CANADA

Email your submission with “$150 Rides� as the subject line to hogmagazine.ca@harley-davidson.com

150 Dollar Rides

HOG ® MAGAZINE CANADA

65

Last Stop

LIFE LESSONS A long-time Kamloops rider reflects on the benefits of a raising a young enthusiast.

By Ruth Watson

EXHAUST

My son, Koyne, was in a serious accident at a day care at age five, but he always wanted to ride. He got his first bike at age six while in a body cast – a Honda 50. That is how we both got started riding, in April 1980.

In 1981, I mortgaged the house to buy a Dyna® Wide Glide. I dealt with Kamloops Harley-Davidson, which Al Perrett owned back then. Al is a nice man, and it was the greatest place for me. I had that ’81 lowered, as I am just over five feet tall, but my heart is really into the big bikes.

I love the shovelhead sound and straight pipes, as they remind me of the John Deere tractors in the fields when I was a kid.

Then, in 1998, Koyne wanted a Harley® too. He bought a 1998 Anniversary Fat Boy® and encouraged me to purchase the 1998 Heritage Springer™ that I couldn’t take my eyes off of.

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HOG ® MAGAZINE CANADA

I rode that beautiful Harley until 2014. I definitely loved it and always will. I just got a bit older and don’t have as much endurance. Damn!

My next bike was a 2012 Deluxe, followed by a 2017 Deluxe that Koyne again encouraged me to buy. Shaun Doddington at Kamloops Harley-Davidson gave me the same professional attention that Al always did. I really love that bike and enjoy every moment.

Koyne rode the motocross circuit for many years with great skill that he applies to everyday life. He has a track on his property and beautiful bikes. Parents should know how many skills children learn from riding a bike.

Also, if they love it, parents can very easily get the upper hand in discipline.

I have always felt very privileged to ride and even greater privilege to ride a Harley-Davidson. I will be 76 soon, and the freedom of the ride and the sound of the rumble still remind me of the tractors on the farm. I start riding early in the season and like the cold weather. I only have to see the Harley, hear the Harley or just go around the corner on it. I am in heaven. It’s even better to share my love of Harleys with my son.