Mileage updates are now performed in person at any participating dealership by the Mileage Validator. 
H.O.G. members earn one point for every mile, up to 15,000 miles in 2026. Our Chapter Challenge Miles are recorded from the National H.O.G. based on the dealership mileage readings. Ride into a participating dealership, check in with a Mileage Validator and get a starting/current mileage reading from your motorcycle.

If you have NOT had a mileage reading performed by a Mileage Validator at a participating dealership yet, please do so ASAP so that your miles count.

DHD HOG MEMBER SPOTLIGHT

Defiance H-D H.O.G. Chapter Takes on the National Rally – Robert Throckmorton
30+ Members • 5 Days • 1,800+ Miles • Countless Memories

When more than 30 members of the Defiance Harley-Davidson H.O.G. Chapter decided to make the trip to the National H.O.G. Rally in Branson, Missouri, September 9–12, we knew we were in for a good time.
What we didn’t know was just how much riding, rain, heat, Harley-Davidson swag, questionable food choices, fudge, laughter, and memories we were about to pack into five days.
One thing was certain:
This wasn’t going to be your average weekend ride.

Day 1 – Omaha to Branson
Start With Rain, Finish With Sunshine

The adventure officially started around 7:00 AM, when six brave souls pointed their bikes south out of Omaha and hit the road toward Branson.
Mother Nature decided we needed to earn the trip right away, greeting us with a light sprinkle that gradually gained strength—and accumulation—as the miles passed. Eventually, it became necessary to make a pit stop so “some of us” could put on the rain gear and full-face helmets they apparently hadn’t thought were important before leaving Omaha. By the time we reached Kansas City, we were officially waterlogged and more than ready for some dry weather. And boy, did we get it.

A nearly 30-degree temperature swing had everyone dried out by the time we reached Osceola. There, we made an important pit stop for some cheese—and an even more important stop to start removing layers of riding gear.

From there, we continued south toward Renegade Harley-Davidson in Springfield, where the group performed an important public service by helping lighten the dealership’s inventory. Naturally, everything purchased was “much-needed Harley swag.” With our wallets significantly lighter, we made the final run into Branson, checked in at the rally, and then headed to our Airbnb on Table Rock Lake, which would be home base for the weekend. Day one ended with just over 400 miles on the odometers.

Not a bad way to start a rally.

Day 2 – The Pig Trail
Because Apparently We Needed More Curves

Day two started with a slightly later KSU, around 7:30 AM, with ten members saddling up and heading out to conquer the legendary Pig Trail.

Of course, we couldn’t simply ride directly there. That would have been too easy. Instead, we took the scenic—and somewhat roundabout—route through Arkansas, including a stop in Rogers, Arkansas, where we visited Pig Trail Harley-Davidson to see what additional items we suddenly “needed.”

After successfully supporting the local Harley-Davidson economy, thecrew continued toward lunch at the Pig Trail Bypass Country Café. That’s where some brave souls decided to find out exactly what the Hooshburger was all about.

With full bellies and questionable food decisions behind us, it was time for the main event: The Pig Trail. The group took on the hills, curves, and scenery that make this ride such a bucket-list experience. Everyone successfully accomplished the goal, and there were plenty of smiles and stories along the way.
On the return trip toward Table Rock Lake, we made another important stop at Eureka Springs Harley-Davidson to pick up the official swag proving that we had, in fact, “Rode the Pig Trail.”

Because if you ride all those miles and don’t get the T-shirt, did it really happen?

By the time we made it back to Branson, we’d added about 300 miles to the adventure.

Day 3 – Uranus, Route 66 & Whatever Happens on Route 66
The Mother Road Takes Us Somewhere… Interesting

Day three found six members ready to see what Uranus, Missouri, had to offer.
Because apparently, no H.O.G. rally adventure is complete without being able to tell people:
“We’re headed to Uranus.”

The group headed out of Branson and picked up The Mother Road—Historic Route 66, making several tourist stops along the way to grab some photos and create a few more memories. Eventually, we arrived in Uranus, where the crew took part in one ofthe area’s most important attractions:
Getting our fudge packed by the professionals.

After that critical mission was accomplished, we continued on to the Route 66 Diner for some local grub.
With everyone fueled back up, the crew—minus one—continued exploring the area, including a ride across Devil’s Elbow Bridge and a trip underneath the Graffiti Tunnel.

Eventually, it was time to point the bikes back toward “home,” taking the interstate for the return trip to Table Rock Lake. A chapter meeting was waiting, along with the equally important job of getting dinner ready for the masses.

Meanwhile, our missing rider continued on “the planned route” for her own adventure, making her way to the Laura Ingalls Wilder Historic Home & Museum. She later reported that she thoroughly enjoyed the hills, curves, and scenery on the ride there and back.

Day three added about another 300 miles to the trip.

Day 4 – Ferry Rides, Fast Curves & One “Missed” Turn
The Final Riding Day

Day four—the final official day of the rally—found many members beginning to wind things down and pack their bags for the long journey home.

For the most part, Mother Nature cooperated with another great riding day, with only a little rain showing up later in the afternoon. Seventeen members started the day by saddling up for a ride to Peels Ferry East Dock, where we loaded up and took the ferry across Bull Shoals Lake to the West Dock. For some members, it was their first time experiencing the ferry ride. For others, it was a return trip after doing it last year.

Once we reached the other side, it didn’t take long for the group to discover that not everyone had the same definition of “let’s take a nice ride.” Some members were ready to ZoomZoom their way through the hills and curves a little faster than others, so the group split up, allowing everyone to enjoy the roads at their own pace.

The more leisurely group soon found themselves with an unexpected 20-mile bonus ride. The reason? Well, the Road Captain may or may not have missed a turn. But what could have been considered a navigational error turned into a pretty great detour. The group found themselves on a beautiful scenic back road filled with tree-covered roads, hills, and plenty of curves.
So, technically, it wasn’t a wrong turn. It was an unplanned scenic route.

Once everyone made it back to “home base,” some members decided they had done enough riding for the day and took advantage of the pool on the property. Others, however, apparently hadn’t received the memo that the rally was winding down.

Three members climbed back on their bikes for one final ride, spending about 2½ hours riding around Table Rock Lake before finally calling it a day.

Day four was a relatively light riding day, adding just over 200 miles to the trip.
And with that, the final riding day of the rally was officially in the books.

Day 5 – Back to Reality
The Bags Are Full, the Bikes Are Loaded, and Adulting Awaits

Then came the part nobody really looks forward to: Going home.

Day five was travel day. The rally was over, the bags were packed, and it was time to point the bikes north toward Omaha—and back to reality. Members departed Table Rock Lake at their own pace. Some headed home in groups, while others chose to make the journey solo.

Regardless of how they made the trip, everyone left with the same things: Full saddlebags, tired bikes, and a whole lot of memories.

The ride home added just over 400 miles to the trip, bringing the five-day adventure to roughly 1,800 miles, depending on the individual routes taken.
And just like that, it was back to adulting, back to life, and back to reality.

More Than Just a Rally

Over five days, more than 30 Defiance Harley-Davidson H.O.G. members came together to ride, explore, laugh, eat, shop, get rained on, chase some incredible roads and scenery, and create memories that will last long after the bikes are parked back in the garage.

There were rain-soaked roads leaving Omaha.
Arkansas/Missouri hills and curves.
Ferry rides.
Route 66.
Harley dealerships.
Questionable food choices.
Packed fudge.
Missed turns that became scenic adventures.
Pool time.
And, of course, plenty of ZoomZoom.

But the miles were only part of the adventure. Because that’s what H.O.G. is really about.

It’s not just the motorcycles or the miles. It’s the people.
It’s the person who rides beside you in the rain.
The person who waits when you need a break.
The person who helps you find the right road.
The person who convinces you that you absolutely need another Harley shirt.
And the people who make you laugh at the end of a long day in the saddle.

The National H.O.G. Rally may have officially ended, but the stories from this trip will be talked about for a long time.
30+ Members. 5 Days. 1,800+ Miles. Countless Memories.
Defiance Harley-Davidson H.O.G. Chapter – Omaha, Nebraska
Good roads. Good friends. Great memories.

And maybe a few wrong turns along the way….