Category Archives: News

As we close out another unique year in the history of Harley-Davidson Motor Company and the Harley Owners Group, it’s a great time to reflect on an amazing riding season and look forward to an even better one to come. Despite the ongoing global pandemic, 2021 was a huge step toward a return to normalcy. We faced some challenges but persevered despite them. As motorcycle riders, we’re nothing if not resilient. We know how to grit our teeth and power through the darkness to get to the clear blue skies on the other side. A little adversity always makes for a better story when the ride is over. Although we couldn’t start the riding season together at Daytona Bike Week, we made up for it in a big way at the Sturgis Rally, where our presence in the Black Hills felt bigger and better than ever. It was inspiring to see so many H.O.G. members who made the journey out there and to all the other rallies we attended be able to enjoy those great experiences again.

Throughout the year, our regional team was thrilled to be back out on the road, riding with you at rallies and other events around the country. We shared stories and laughs, while practicing an original form of “social distancing” that is so natural to us riders. Riding motorcycles is one of the greatest ways to be “alone together” ever invented. I look forward to spending even more quality time with many of you in the coming weeks and months as we return to in-person Regional Officer Connection training sessions in early January. Hard to believe that’s just a few short weeks away!

I’m grateful for the enthusiasm and passion for Harley-Davidson and our members that you exemplify all year long, and I wish you and yours the warmest wishes during the upcoming holidays. Can’t wait to see you back on the road next year.

• Cajun Country H.O.G. Rally, April 7-9, Scott, LA
• Kicking It in Cody H.O.G. Rally, June 23-25, Cody, WY
• Chesapeake Freedom & Spirit H.O.G. Rally, June 23-25, Solomons Island, MD
• Iron Adventure H.O.G. Rally, July 14-16, Ludlow, VT
• Mid-America H.O.G. Rally, July 21-23, Dubuque, IA
• Southeast H.O.G. Rally, Sept. 27- Oct. 1, Maryville, TN

• Run to the Sun Touring Rally, March 1-4, Virginia Beach, VA to St. Augustine, FL
• Spring Heat in Arizona Touring Rally, April 2-5, Lancaster, CA to Scottsdale, AZ
• Big Trees of California Touring Rally, May 31-June 5, Bakersfield to Eureka, CA
• A Gem of a Ride Touring Rally, June 16-21, Boise, ID to Lindon, UT
• Grand Museum Touring Rally, July 5-14 Birmingham, AL to Milwaukee, WI
• Lake Superior Touring Rally, July 25-29, Marquette, MI to Marquette, MI
• Bay, Lakes, & Mountains Touring Rally, Aug. 15-19, Annapolis, MD to Lebanon, NH
• West Meets East 25^th Anniversary Posse Touring Rally, Sept 4-16, Lynwood, WA to St. Augustine, FL

Defiance Harley Davidson already carries a lot of great riding gear and logo’d merchandise.  However, if you can’t find what you are looking for, you may want to check out Norscot, which is an official  Harley Owners Group vendor of H.O.G. merchandise.  A new link has been added to the Chapter’s website for Norscot.  You can find it by clicking on the CHAPTER INFO menu item and then clicking on the Norscot H.O.G. Store link.   

Enjoying the thrill of the open road on two wheels and the adventure of exploring new places is one of the many reasons you own a Harley-Davidson motorcycle. Being part of Harley Owners Group means there are a million fellow enthusiasts with whom to share those experiences.

50 Rides, One Nation is part of the H.O.G.® Ride 365 program, but at its heart it’s a recipe for exploring America and a road map to a lifetime of epic journeys. Harley Owners Group® has curated a wealth of information in these pages on the great places to visit in each state to help you get started exploring the beauty and majesty of America as it can only be experienced from the saddle of a Harley-Davidson® motorcycle.  Download the 2022 edition of the 50 Rides, One Nation brochure by clicking here. 

The 2022 H.O.G. national event calendar is complete, and here’s a first look at what we have planned. It promises to be another great slate of regional and touring rallies that will heat up the riding season. Full details and registration links will be posted soon on the H.O.G. Rally Map.

H.O.G. TOURING RALLIES

• Run to the Sun Touring Rally, March 1-4, Virginia Beach, VA to St. Augustine, FL
• Spring Heat in Arizona Touring Rally, April 2-5, Lancaster, CA to Scottsdale, AZ
• Big Trees of California Touring Rally, May 31-June 5, Bakersfield to Eureka, CA
• A Gem of a Ride Touring Rally, June 16-21, Boise, ID to Lindon, UT
• Grand Museum Touring Rally, July 5-14 Birmingham, AL to Milwaukee, WI
• Lake Superior Touring Rally, July 25-29, Marquette, MI to Marquette, MI
• Bay, Lakes, & Mountains Touring Rally, Aug. 15-19, Annapolis, MD to Lebanon, NH
• West Meets East 25^th Anniversary Posse Touring Rally, Sept 4-16, Lynwood, WA to St. Augustine, FL.

REGIONAL H.O.G. RALLIES

• Cajun Country H.O.G. Rally, April 7-9, Scott, LA
• Kicking It in Cody H.O.G. Rally, June 23-25, Cody, WY
• Chesapeake Freedom & Spirit H.O.G. Rally, June 23-25, Solomons Island, MD
• Iron Adventure H.O.G. Rally, July 14-16, Ludlow, VT
• Mid-America H.O.G. Rally, July 21-23, Dubuque, IA
• Southeast H.O.G. Rally, Sept. 27- Oct. 1, Maryville, TN

Please help get the word out by sharing the schedule with your Chapter members and start planning next year’s riding adventures!

10 FOR ’22 RIDE DESTINATIONS

• Standin’ On the Corner Park, Winslow, AZ
• World’s Only Corn Palace, Mitchell, SD
• Geographic Center of the Contiguous U.S., Lebanon, KS
• Waving Girl Statue, Savannah, GA
• Ouechee Gorge, Ouechee, VT
• Snake River Canyon, Twin Falls, ID
• Paul Bunyan and Babe the Blue Ox Statues, Bemidji, MN
• Mammoth Cave National Park, Mammoth Cave, KY
• Red Rock Canyon, Las Vegas, NV
• Official Midpoint Route 66, Adrian, TX

More information about each location, including mileage, Ride Planner routes and details about photo locations will be available in the 2022 H.O.G. membership guide. It can also be downloaded here. 

Most of our members enjoy the rides and camaraderie of belonging to the Chapter.  But, few stop to think about what it takes to keep the Chapter running.  It’s the officers that help to organize events and keep the Chapter running smoothly.

Once a year we ask members to step up and lead the Chapter for a year or two as an officer.  It’s not hard work.  We just need “new blood” to lead the group so we don’t wind up doing the same old thing year after year.

We are quickly coming up on the new year.  There are a number of ways that you can participate as an officer of the Chapter.  Take a moment and check out the Officers page to see which positions are available.  Please consider taking a leadership position, even if it’s just for a year.  You won’t regret it, and the members will all appreciate it. 

As some of you know, my wife and I are moving to Huntsville, Alabama later this month. I wanted to take just a minute to say how much I’ve enjoyed being a part of thisHOG Chapter. This chapter and the Defiance dealership epitomizes what the Harley Davidson brand is all about…riding with great people on an American built bike!

I really wish I could’ve joined a ride before we leave, but as you can imagine life is a little chaotic these days. Please know that if you’re ever going to be in Huntsville or will be passing through you will always have a place to stay. You can contact me at 307-287-9200 or johnjamesbasile@gmail.com.

John

The Motorcycle Legal Foundation has published a number of tips for proper etiquette when riding in a group.  Click on the following link to review: https://www.motorcyclelegalfoundation.com/motorcycle-group-riding-tips/

And one more thing with group riding: be polite with other members of the group!  If you have a concern with the way that the Road Captain or other members in the ride are riding, address it with them the way that you would like to be addressed.  With courtesy and respect.  

Angry exchanges of words take the fun out of what this Chapter is all about: Ride and Have Fun.