Hundreds Of Harleys Heading For Hog Heaven
A leading Palmerston North Travel Company is in the final stages of its preparations for a significant tour assignment,
which will provide a large number of New Zealand cities & regions, with an enormous international profile.
“Harleys Across America”, has taken Stephen Parsons House of Travel, & local Harley owners, Peter & Jennifer Thomson, plus Ivan & Robyn Woods, more than five years planning, so that a large group of New Zealand HOG enthusiasts can attend the
American icon’s centenary celebrations, in Milwaukee, Wisconsin, USA in late August. [23 – 31 August 2003]
Managing Director Steve Parsons says there are 75 vintage and modern bikes being prepared for cargo shipping to ports in
North America. From Vancouver, Los Angeles, and Chicago, the 130 riders will travel through Yellowstone National Park,
the Badlands, and along the Mississippi River.
“The Harley community in New Zealand is a close knit family. HOG members are joining us from Invercargill, Dunedin,
Alexandra, Timaru, Christchurch, Blenheim, Nelson, Wellington, Masterton, Palmerston North, Wanganui, Auckland, plus one
from Haast.”
“It’s a huge logistical exercise, [The tour group will: use 6000 bed nights, eat 23,500 meals, and travel an accumulated
total distance of almost 500,000 kilometres.] But it’s a once in a lifetime experience for many of these avid, black
leather, kiwis,” says Parsons.
The largest group of 60 enthusiasts will depart Vancouver, on 30 July 2003. Among the 32 bikes are seven vintage
Harleys, some over 75 years old. These bikes are expected to be a huge attraction all the way to Milwaukee, & also at the popular Sturgis rally, Rapid City, South Dakota,
After the revelry & celebrations are ended, four riders from this group will continue onto New York, as part of a fundraising campaign for
the Manawatu’s local Arohanui Hospice.
Meanwhile two remaining groups from Dunedin and Christchurch will start their journeys in Chicago and Los Angeles. Two
Harley Trikes are among their unique unusual models.
‘I’ve never been with such a ‘passionate’ group of people, who are ‘really living the dream’; One owner is from Stewart
Island, another Mozambique, and Singapore,’ said Mr Parsons.
Nationally, it’s estimated 400 Kiwi HOG riders and supporters will be in Milwaukee for the 10 day celebrations. About
400 Australians are attending. Milwaukee’s population, [600,000], is expected to swell to well above 1.5 million. Global
media interest is intense. Media interviews are scheduled.