Jack Powis

Murtaza Akbari and Chintan Gajiwala completed 1704 kms in 24 hours on their 350cc Royal Enfield motorcycles.  Their route was Pune – Bangalore – Pune.   They started with a small backpack with Red Bulls and dried fruits which they claim were later replaced by warm memories and amazing experiences. During their ride, they had a bike breakdown and also a dispute at a gas station, but above all they completed the LDR Full Throttle designation and can now be called “Bad to the Bone”.  Congratulations gentlemen!

By Subin Mohan

  

I am extremely glad to announce that our ROAR team has completed the Long Distance Rider’s (Easy Rider) challenge in the stipulated time on the 12th of October, 2018 with our group of 20 Riders.

by Marina Bolotova

From the 2nd till the 5th of August 2018, the bright international holiday – “St.Petersburg Harley®️ Days” took place for the 7^th time in St. Petersburg, Russia. The city shuddered with the roar of engines.  The crowded restaurants and hotels were filled with cheerful people in their motorcycle vests from all around the world. As is the tradition, the festival was held in the heart of St. Petersburg, at Ostrovsky Square.

Motorcyclists from 30 countries arrived to participate in Harley Days in St. Petersburg.

This year there were interactive platforms, and motorcycle and custom bike show areas. The guests enjoyed the stunt riders performance, a safe riding school for kids, power show from Pavel Zubrinov’s team, a foam party and many different bands’ performance.

The annual parade, which started at the Palace Square, passed by the new route to demonstrate to all the participants, not only the historical, but also the more modern part of Saint Petersburg. The column, which this year consisted of more than 4000 motorcycles, proceeded along the Betancourt bridge and the West high-speed diameter highway, from where everyone might enjoy “St. Petersburg” stadium, the Yacht Bridge and the highest skyscraper in Europe, “Lahta Center”.

At the H.O.G. hospitality area there was organized a completely new activity for the H.O.G. members. The guys took part in a culinary contest where everyone could show their talents and cook a treat for themselves and the guests!

Thanks to the incredible sunny summer weather, the holiday turned out to be very warm and emotional. It made everyone screw up their eyes and smile in the shine of the chrome iron horses shimmering in the rays of the August sun.

Posted below are some photos from the event.

With respect,

Marina

by Rolf Knudsen

On this ride, Bard Flageborg and I concentrated on abiding by the speed limits and traffic regulations.  Gas stops were quick and efficient, and photos not really part of the scheme.  The planned time was about 23 hrs, and we made it …almost right on time.

Our ride started 11 am, 30. June 2018 in Norway, and we finished at a hotel in Berlin (2030 km +/- ) .

Planning for this trip started in the fall of 2017.  Both Bard and I had suffered major accidents previously, and had to take into account a “body adjustment training” to ensure the necessary endurance.  My friend Bard had been run down in a traffic circle in 2015 on his Harley and I had killed a Moose in 2016 with the handlebars of a ZX10R.  I was basically “busted up” in all kinds of ways. Fractures and cracks in most ribs, left shoulder, breastbone, 2 in my neck and one in my spine, abrasions, punctured lung etc…. Bard had different injuries that could have been serious enough, but he was lucky.  The Harley took almost 3 years to rebuild, I replaced the ZX10R with a ZX10RR from the hospital bed …. So yes, we’re nuts….  I crashed in October, and was driving again in January.  The crazy genes just won’t let go.

The trip was driven on a Trans Alp XL600V (driver age 56) and a ZX10RR (driver age 66).  Real old people that should know better!

The route started in Grimstad, the south of Norway  (most of the distance with enforced speed limits under 50 mph), and went through Sweden in the dark with wild boars and all kinds of antlers lurking along the roads.  Imagine hitting a low slung wild boar with your front wheel….so we had all kinds of illegal lights lit in all direction for a few hours through the forests. Then traveled through Denmark and Germany with much better roads and conditions.

One of the main problems we had was getting the route right.  Today, all planners are “dynamic” which means the mileage changes according to real time traffic and detour changes.  A ride that was planned using TOMTOM for 2054 KM, would jump to under 2000 km and up again.  We were really looking at a 2500 km ride, but for safety sake, we left the last bit in a loop around Berlin.  We didn’t want to push our luck too far. At one point we just had to nail the distance, which continues to change almost daily.   We were determined to “do it right” and adhere to the speed limits as well we could, and not scare the crap out of the rest of the traffic.

When we finally got to Berlin, 23 hours later…we were in pretty good condition.  Thought we would get to the hotel, unload luggage, take a nap, and try for the next 500 km within 36 hours.  But that was a bust, the hotel was packed with check outs, and we couldn’t get to our rooms before 3 PM.    Safety first…so we dropped the last leg.

Driving through Norway can be exasperating due to single file traffic, low speed limits and unending serpentine like traffic dominated by mobile homes as wide as the single lane. Sweden is better, because the traffic is different and the speed limits slightly better for most part.  Denmark is a dream, in all senses, but not really exciting.  Germany can be a real hassle.  Endless road works in progress, a lot of traffic, but a good pace along the highways when you’re lucky.  The secondary roads can be really slow going.  We were very lucky, partially because we chose Sunday morning.

If you’re going to validate the ride:  Norway, Sweden and Denmark are “all plastic” payment at the pump (at least along the main routes).  So you don’t even have to put down the sidestand when filling gas.  Germany is a different animal.  I have never seen an automated pump there, that doesn’t mean it doesn’t exist, I just haven’t seen it.  So here you lose time at every stop.

Our driving “regime”:  Both bikes use about the same amount of fuel and have the same size tanks.  Drive about 150-200 km.  Stop and fill gas get the blood circulating, independent of how much is left in the tank. The trip took 11 tanks….and at 10 minutes (minimum) at each, that’s at least 2 hours lost.  We should have taken more pictures, but it just wasn’t on our minds.  We had trained ourselves to conserve energy and fluids on long drives like this.  So there were no food stops for 24 hours….. a few bites of a hot dog, save the rest, a few drops of water, save the rest…..What goes in must come out.

Rides like this are “man and machine” experiences.  DO NOT DRIVE with a partner than can’t afford to stop if it gets unsafe.  Have your card ready at every stop, do not continue if unsafe…  Driving in a group is stressful, and can be really difficult, because all have their own pains and thought.  You have to be well paired in driving skills, accepted driving style, and speed choices.  Some of my best friends are not on my list for this type of drive.

We keep training……for the next one…  Our plan is to raid Moldova…within 36 hours.  About 2600 km +…

Some Norway Photos from Rolf

 Jossingfjord Scenic Tourist Road

  Reddal in Norway

 Roldal

By Rene Donkel, The Netherlands

From the 6th till the 8th of July 2018, we went to the celebration of 115 years of Harley Davidson in Prague. We are friends from our youth. During our twenties we attended many parties together. Later we got married, or not and divorced, or not. Three of us have kids. During this thirty years we have  always remained good friends. Sometimes we see each other frequently or sometimes not for a long time. But when we meet its always the same as it was back then.

So we planned a trip to Prague for a few days, men only. We had some very nice days and a lot of fun. This kind of Festival is what motor riders like. Some beer, bands and a lot of motors. Overall we drove in these day’s more then 2.400 km.

Thanks Tonny, Desmond and Ondrej, its nice to have friends like you!

by Ross Wills

It was 6 a.m. and I decided to grab the day by the horns. Looked at the weather forecast and it said you are good to go for the ride around the block. I had pre-planned the route and decided it was time to Numb the Bum. Packed my bag and headed to the fuel station for the first top-up of many. Receipt, photo, odometer check and away I go. Weather was stunning and traffic was light. It was a great run down to Bluff which is at the Bottom of the South Island in New Zealand.

The Bluff area is one of the earliest areas of New Zealand where a European presence became established. The first ship known to have entered the harbour was the Perseverance in 1813, in search of flax trading possibilities, with the first European settlers arriving in 1823 or 1824.

This is the foundation for the claim that Bluff is the oldest permanent European settlement in the country. However, the missionary settlement at Kerikeri was both earlier and larger. The town was officially called Campbelltown in 1856, became a borough in 1878, and was renamed Bluff in 1917.

So that the first History Lesson. Second leg was onto Haast which you have to pass through Queenstown.   Queenstown, New Zealand sits on the shores of the South Island’s Lake Wakatipu, set against the dramatic Southern Alps. Renowned for adventure sports, it’s also a base for exploring the region’s vineyards and historic mining towns. There’s bungee jumping off Kawarau Gorge Suspension Bridge and jet-boating on the Shotover and Dart rivers. In winter, there’s skiing on the slopes of The Remarkables and Coronet Peak.

Once I departed Queenstown it was a night ride through dense West Coast Bush and what a rush that was.  I felt very lonely at this point. No traffic but there were possums on the road jumping out to scare me. Haast is an area in the Westland District territorial authority on the West Coast of New Zealand’s South Island. The Haast region covers over 2,500 square kilometres.

Now Haast was done and it was the 3^rd leg up to Nelson Via Westport. Now it’s a hot bloody 30 degrees Celsius. I stopped at Nelson in a forest park for a real man’s power nap. 1hour 15 minutes and I was as fresh as I was when I started. Now onto Picton which is where the Ferry’s sail across to get to the North Island of New Zealand. Grabbed a drink and some lunch and off again for Raikia. Now I am more determined than ever.  I can smell the finish and yes of course my body is in need of a shower.

The body is starting to cramp up and is tired. At this point I want a bath and bed. Another stop for some food and an energy drink and I’m good to go. Now that I see the last destination point I can relax. Walked in, got my fuel receipt and photo recorded against odometer. I am busting for the loo and a sit down for a coffee. And just like that I had 20 minutes left to spare on the 36 hours. As fast as I started the journey it was over. But I would go again but take a mate or two just to break up some of the boredom and fatigue. Once you complete this milestone you feel like a new person and the freedom it gives you when you’re on the road is like nothing else.

Thanks for your time to read this journey from Down Under.

by Darryll Kirk

This was to be our third attempt at the Easy Rider in 2017, and with two spectacular fails under our belt, on the way to BMW Motorrad Days in Garmisch, we were determined to get there.  The motivation was really all to do with my eight-year old daughter Holly, who had been pillion riding for the last 12 months.  I had done many rides of distance, but never for a ‘Certification’.  When I came across the LDR, and noticed that the youngest achiever was the same age as Holly, it was game on.

We needed to complete this during the school summer holidays and so we decided on a ‘loop’ for the route. Using the sat nav for assistance, we decided to travel up the East side of England, travel West towards the Lake District and then South and East to the start point.  Three stops for fuel (bike and us) should do it.  The loop should take 9 1/2 hours riding time, so contingency there as well. Everything seems fine then.

There is a garage in the town of Melton Mowbray that we selected as our start and finish point. We got to the garage, filled up with fuel, got the first receipt and the initial form signed.  08:06 and we were on the clock!  Travelling up the A46 to Newark, the sky was very grey, bordering on black, and was threatening rain (but it wasn’t forecast until 4:00pm that afternoon).  We then encountered a heavy shower, which coincided with a young passenger crying ‘I’m hungry!’ down the intercom. We were near to a service station so an impromptu stop for food, drink and the donning of waterproofs as called for.

We then joined the A1 and travelled up to Newcastle on Tyne. We passed the sculpture ‘The Angel of the North’ but time was ticking by and so we only got to view it as we motored on.  Travelling Westwards, we were roughly following the course of Hadrian’s Wall (the Roman wall diving England and Scotland). Bad move! Being slap in the middle of harvest season, there were many tractors pulling hay bales, trailers or manure. Since the road was all one lane each direction, the going slowed down, and the queues of cars were immense. Another impromptu stop, this time for fuel and lunch. Whilst watching the world go by over a sandwich and drink, a lone Harley rider pulled in and we explained our task, after exchanging normal pleasantries. We then set off in opposite directions.

Before reaching Carlisle, we turned North and popped over the border and into Scotland (just so Holly had an extra dimension to her story).  Where better to do that than Gretna Green and the famous Blacksmith’s. By this time Holly was getting cold and we devised a way to put a very large waterproof jacket onto a very slim, young girl without it blowing up like the Michelin man. We were now just over half distance, but running at 6 3/4 hours.  Time for a quick re-think.

Our original plan was a nice run down through the Lake District but that would be mainly single carriageways, full of traffic, etc, and we could not risk getting caught in queues or dropping the average speed too much. So we joined the M6 motorway (Interstate in the U.S.A.) and headed South. Fortunately, no bad weather was encountered so Dad just got a little cool as time, tiredness and age took their toll.

At Stoke-on-Trent we moved back onto ‘A’ roads again and travelled East to the M1. Very uneventful, just a mile-munching exercise. Joining the M1, we knew that this was within striking distance of the finish, but time was not being kind to us. We had a very small margin with which to complete this task.

As we rolled back into Melton Mowbray, we realised that we still needed another 4 miles to ensure that we completed a minimum of 500 miles, so a quick trip through the town and back was called for.

We pulled onto the forecourt of the garage, filled up, got out the paperwork and went in to pay. 19:50 it said on the receipt! Jubilation all round – 16 minutes to spare. Get the final signatures; take the photos of the speedo, and breathe out! Both father and daughter were cool, tired and elated. All that remained was to complete the evidence and send through for verification.  Would we get an Easy Rider? Would Holly qualify as one of the youngest? The jury is out, but the paperwork is in!

Would we like to do this again, perhaps at a longer distance/time? You bet we most certainly would!!

To anyone contemplating their first certification ride – it’s in the planning as much as the riding. Be adaptable; roll with the situations you meet, and most of all savour the moment!  Ride long, ride safe, enjoy.”

by:  Jim Berhalter of Tallahassee, Florida USA

Tallahassee to Milwaukee, Challenge – 1,500 miles in 36 hours

Completed – 1,669 miles in 31.5 hours

I have been planning this ride for about a year now.  I had some side work to do in Madison, Wisconsin so instead of flying, I rode up to do this challenge and poke around up north.

I left Saturday, July 1^st at 7:40am.  My riding friend, Joe (who wanted to do this with me but last minute had to back out for work reasons) met me at the Chevron on Thomasville & Bradfordville Road in Tallahassee, Florida, and would follow me to Tifton, Georgia.  I filled my tank and a 2 gallon gas can (insurance!)  Joe signed my LDR form and off we went.

The weather was perfect with a nice and cool morning breeze.  We stop at the Shell station in Tifton, Georgia to gas up, he wishes me good luck and I hit I-75.  The roads were great and traffic was at a minimum.  As I headed toward Atlanta, Georgia I thought “I haven’t been through the center of Atlanta in a while” and made the decision to go right through the center of town instead of the I-285 bypass.  Turned out to be a pretty big mistake.  Even around lunch time on a Saturday, traffic is backed up.  I easily lost an hour!  Finally got through it and was able to set the cruise again.

At a stop for gas, I looked at Facebook and saw that John Sands, a former employee at Tallahassee Harley Davidson, had checked in at Thunder Creek Harley Davidson in Chattanooga, Tennessee and thought “Hey, I’ll stop by to see him”.  Stopped in, said hi, bought a shirt and looked at radar.  I knew I was going to get hit with rain and it was right up the road.  It didn’t look too bad so I only put on my rain coat and ¾ helmet figuring I’d be out of it quickly and my jeans would dry off in no time.  Well, what I didn’t expect was that the storm grew over me and traffic slowed to a crawl through the mountains.  I was soaked all the way to my toes!  I was in the rain on and off (mostly on) through Tennessee and part of Kentucky.  At a gas stop in Kentucky, I was able to take my rain coat off and switch back to my half helmet.  The cooler breeze felt great and I could feel myself drying out a little.  Going through Ohio there was very little traffic and I was making good time.  It’s dark and really cooling off.  When I got to the boarder of Ohio and Michigan, I stopped for gas and dug a pair of sneakers out of my luggage.  I had thought about doing it earlier but hoped my boots would dry out in the breeze… no luck of that.  They were buried under that 2 gallon gas tank and a duffle bag that was strapped down.  Not easily gotten to, but I had to get my feet dried out before my toes fell off!  With dry socks and sneakers on, I strapped the boots to the top of some luggage on the tour pack and took off again.

I grew up in Michigan and knew the areas well so it gave me confidence riding through the night.  Rode over the Zilwaukee Bridge, which is one of the most spectacular bridges in the world.  This high-level, segmental concrete bridge spans the Saginaw River.  Then I started getting into areas of Michigan that are sparsely populated.  This is the reason for the 2 gallon gas can.  Wasn’t sure what time I’d be riding through these desolate areas and 24 hour gas stations are few and far between.  I stopped for gas around 5 am and could see the sun coming up in the distance.  Still cloudy, but the deep reds and blues of the morning sun were beautiful!  Going up I-75, I’m the only vehicle on the road.  There were times I’d go for 15-20 minutes before seeing a car.

My second biggest worry about getting into northern Michigan, were the deer.  As the sun really started to come up the deer started to come out.  Growing up here, I learned to watch for deer at all times and wow, they were everywhere!  Most stayed off below the roadway, one darted in front of me maybe 50-60 ft.  Another two stood on the shoulder and as I got closer, they turned and took a few steps into the grass.  I was a nervous wreck all the way to Mackinaw City!

Rolling into Mackinaw city, I stop to fuel up and check radar.  I knew there would be rain and sure enough, huge cells are moving west to east.  I pull into a park near the Mackinaw Bridge for a photo op and to put all my rain gear back on.  Boots were dry enough to wear too!  I’ve driven over the bridge many times, but never on a motorcycle.  I was a bit nervous knowing how the winds can whip through there.  I also wanted to stay on the paved side of the road.  The two inner lanes are steal grating, the outer are paved.  I make my approach and in the right lane there are a line of semis doing about 10mph, so into the left lane I go, riding the grating the whole way.  Motorcycles swim all over those grates and it made me pretty nervous.  I got over the bridge without a hitch, paid my fare and hung a left onto Hwy 2.  I was closing in on the storms and when I hit the edge I was ready. Then I heard the tinkling of hail on my helmet and literally busted out laughing!  It only lasted a minute and I rode the rest of the storm out.  In Manistique, the clouds lifted and I ate breakfast at Big Boy.  Instead of the usual statue out front, it’s a moose dressed as Big Boy.  Took advantage of the photo op and hit the road.

The weather is beautiful and it’s the last time I’d see rain.  Now I’ve been up for well over 24 hours.  I’ve got food in my belly and, while beautiful, there isn’t much to see from the road.  Between Escanaba and Menominee was the first time I started to feel tired.  Knowing I had lots of time, I would stop here and there to walk around and wake up a bit.  Getting into Green Bay, I wanted to get a picture in front of Lambeau Field but I missed the exit.  South of Sheboygan, I started getting tired again.

For a year I knew I was going to end my ride at the Harley Davidson Museum but the exhaustion was starting to get the best of me.  My motel was 5 miles north of town and I plugged that into the GPS thinking that was the best thing to do.  A couple miles from my exit and my mind is going – “No!  I told myself I was going to end this at the museum and that’s what I’m going to do!”  I buzzed past my exit, reset the GPS, changed the tunes to Motley Crue, cranked it up and got a whole new burst of energy!  I made my way into the museum, parked, took off my rain pants and while talking to a guy next to me, he said “if you’ve got your HOG membership card, you can go in and get a free pin”.  Yes please!  I go inside and a young women behind the counter helped me with getting a pin and I asked her if she’d sign my paperwork for this AWESOME long distance ride.  She was pretty excited about my story too.  I snapped a pic of my odometer, brought the paperwork into her and she signed it.  I grabbed a bit to eat at the restaurant there and now I’m getting really tired.  I make my way to the hotel, pile all my stuff onto a dolly, go up to my room for a shower and when I hit the bed I was out.  I slept a straight 12+ hours.

This was an amazing journey and one more thing to check off my bucket list.  Maybe in a couple years it’ll be time for the coast to coast ride!

(Photos are of the Mackinac Bridge that spans the lower and upper peninsula of Michigan, and Jim and Moose in front of the Big Boy restaurant)