UK & Ireland exclusive: Ladies of Harley

All the latest news and updates from the Ladies of Harley

This year’s rally season has seen some exceptionally good weather, which has no doubt boosted any event in the increasingly action-packed H.O.G. calendar that we all enjoy. 

Like many others, I endeavour to make the most of my annual leave allocation and aim to visit at least one rally each year that I’ve never previously attended. I enjoy the anticipation of riding off to a new destination, exploring new roads and making friends with people I’ve not yet met. This year I’ve managed to tick off Thames Valley Chapter’s inaugural Valley Rally in June and Geordie Chapter’s well-established Heart ’n' Soul Rally in July.

The reputation of the Geordie Chapter’s northern hospitality did not disappoint! Catching up with fellow National LOH Officer, Lorraine Seedhouse, throughout the whole of the Heart ’n' Soul weekend was a treat in itself! We were both overwhelmed by the attendance at the Friday evening Fizz at 5 – LOH gathering. It was exciting to see such a large room fill up so quickly. The three Geordie LOH Officers were kept busy welcoming so many ladies.

During the past few years LOH events have increased in numbers and they now add to a rally programme, catering for another audience. The LOH community has grown tremendously. It was heartening to listen to ladies catching up, comparing journeys, sharing handy tips on how to pack on a bike, roads to take, places to stay and making plans to catch up again at another rally.

It was also inspiring to see ladies catching up with each after taking part in previous Sparkle Tours, or realising during a conversation that they were going to be on the same Sparkle Tour in September. With the promise of great roads, stunning scenery, castles, bridges, tunnels, quaint villages, decent accommodation, great camaraderie and some sparklin’ surprises there’s a great deal for ladies to look forward to.

So this year, the weekend of September 14-16 is a busy one for the UK & Ireland’s Ladies of Harley as they participate as riders or pillions in either Sparkle Scotland, Sparkle North East, Sparkle East, Sparkle South East, Sparkle South West, Sparkle Ireland, Twinkle South East or a little further afield to the Jersey Rally or Opale Shore Chapter’s Opal Harley Days.....that’s some serious ‘Sharing the Spark’. 

Elaine Shepherd
National Chapter LOH Officer, UK & Ireland
ChapterRepLOH@harley-davidson.com

 

Many of you are probably aware that I attended the 115^th Anniversary H.O.G. Rally in Prague. It has to be said that it is right up there as one of the highlights of my year so far.

Many arrived in Prague via various modes of transport and it was fantastic to see so many from the UK there. My journey took me four days riding pillion through four countries, giving me an amazing experience of different roads and countryside, cuisines, and a whole other view of cultures in new places.

On arrival in Prague a warm reception awaited us at the Prague Harley-Davidson dealership and our first drop of rain for months. It was a drop, it lasted all of five minutes and didn’t dampen my spirits one iota. The hotel had been booked through the H.O.G. event team and after months of planning and dialogue with them, we weren’t disappointed. If taking a group, I would certainly recommend getting in touch with them first to see if they are able to help and accommodate your group when attending a rally. 

After careful consideration of the options we were given, a decision was made. First impressions? We were totally blown away. Much better than we expected. Transportation into the venue was only one minute away from the hotel with a ticket being provided for the whole weekend, 15 minutes on the metro and a 10-minute walk and we were in the biggest venue for a H.O.G. rally that I have ever been to. 

The rally site seemed tiny at first but just kept growing. As you reached the end of one area it opened up onto another and then another and just kept going. Karen and Bill Davidson welcomed us all at the spectacular and vibrant opening ceremony, which set the scene for the remainder of the weekend. There was plenty for all, signing walls to be remembered by, a museum with some of the bikes there being supplied by the museum in Milwaukee, different areas for bands, cuisines that suited everyone’s palate, our own H.O.G. area, a market place, military vehicles for us to feast our eyes upon and much, much, more. 

In many areas, large screens were set up for the avid football fan to still enjoy the numerous games being shown between the countries. When you heard our national anthem being sung by many hundreds of Chapter members it sent goosebumps down your spine creating yet more awesome memories. I, along with many others, was privileged to meet personally with Karen and Bill Davidson who took time out to connect with members, chatting and signing the 35^th Anniversary Book, jackets and t-shirts, H.O.G. magazines and many other items. 

It has to be said each rally has its own unique and exciting highlights, which will be different for everyone. I know that I won’t be forgetting Prague anytime soon and am guessing that many others won’t either.

Shortly after returning home the Heart ‘n‘ Soul Rally was in my calendar. I knew I was in for fun and laughter all the way with Geordie Chapter’s northern hospitality. I was not disappointed. Meeting up with Elaine Shepherd, Chapter LOH Rep for UK and Ireland, was an added bonus and we met many other LOH there who wanted to share experiences about rallies and events that they had visited this year. It was great to hear the passion in their voices as they recounted their experiences and adventures first hand. 

“LOH Fizz at 5” took place during the weekend and by the number of ladies who turned up and the volume of chatter, there was a lot to share -  keeping the fire and passion burning. This is how LOH connect and ‘share the spark’. LOH are so inspirational. I would encourage all to share their experiences to an even  wider audience by writing a piece for the HOG Insider.

“The Dudette”
Lorraine Seedhouse
National Chapter Associate LOH Officer, UK & Ireland
chapterrepassociate@harley-davidson.com

 

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Meet and greet author of “Sins of the Dead” at Thunder in the Glens

Ladies of Harley attending the TITG "meet and greet" event will have the opportunity to hear from local author Lin Anderson, how a visit to TITG last year gave her the idea for her thirteenth book in the best-selling thriller series featuring forensic scientist Dr Rhona MacLeod at Thunder in the Glens... the inspirational event behind the book.

While four of their fellow female riders were illegally street racing in the underground tunnels of Glasgow they made a horrifying discovery: a dead man left in the darkness, hands together on his chest, beside him the ritual red wine and broken bread, symbolic of the ancient practice of sin-eating.

What would you do if you thought the killer had seen you? Head for Thunder in the Glens?

Lorraine McGuire
Dunedin Chapter

 

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New Forest Ladies on Tour

Back in January I thought, ‘Who doesn't like a road trip?’ So I put it out there to our lady members to see if anyone would be interested. Where could we go? Last year I wanted to go to the world's largest all-female biker meet, near Wolverhampton at Lynn's Raven Café, but it was a long way to go in a day and I got round to it too late to book something. So I thought that would be perfect for our trip. 

Pauline Smith and Liz Hatchett came back and said yes, they would be up for that. Great, a plan was forming. We were going to head up to the National Memorial Arboretum on the Saturda. I've been on the Ride to the Wall three times but never seen all the memorials and thought it would be a great place to visit while we were up there. We could then stay in Market Drayton, which is just a few miles from Lynn's Café for the meet, so no early rising on a Sunday morning.

After booking the hotel in February and planning the route in June we were all set. We were going to meet at Sutton Scotney on the A34 at 9am on July 28. We had been having a heatwave and for the last seven weeks had had no rain. I couldn't believe it when I woke up! Of all the days to decide to fill up my water butts. It did ease and after meeting up, we headed off for our first stop at Warwick services. What a windy ride! We were glad of the stop for coffee as dark clouds were following us. 

After a group chat we decided to just head to the hotel. Route rejigged and off we went. We did have to stop to put our wets on but it wasn't too bad. Once we got to the hotel and checked in we then went to fill up for fuel ready for the morning. We retired back to the hotel for a well-earned glass of bubbles, which I had packed and was still cold after riding more than 230 miles in high winds. I think we deserved it! After a good meal we had an early night. 

In the morning the weather was awful. Such a shame with all the planning the ladies had done for the big meet. Another type of bike was on display (not naming the make :) ) which you could have taken for a demo. Not sure anyone took them up on that. There were several motorbike clothing stalls, and a few all-lady biker clubs were there.

Well done to the 443 ladies that did turned up.  We are very proud that we were part of it. No records were broken as 1,132 attended last year, but everyone had smiles. We left at around noon as we had a long ride ahead of us, and seven hours later in appalling weather we were home. More than 480 miles done. 

Well, ladies if we can ride in that I think we can ride in anything. Well done for following me and still having smiles on your faces even though you were very damp. Who's up for next year?

Fiona Gilbert
New Forest Branch

 

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Cakes and Bubbles at Rutland

On the 21st and 22nd of July we had our Rutland Chapter rally at Market Harborough Rugby Club. We were so lucky. The turnout was amazing and the weather was absolutely gorgeous too. 

There is not always something for the ladies to do at the rallies entertainment-wise and sometimes they can feel a bit left out. 

So last year we decided to do "Cakes and Bubbles" in the afternoon so the Ladies had something dedicated just for them to make them feel a bit special. 

Due to the success of last year we decided to do it again, and there was even more ladies that joined us, more cakes and more bubbles.

A very special thank you to Val Snowden for making it happen and to the other Ladies that helped set up, Sharon Eldred and Helen Pitt.

We must not forget the well-known cake maker in our Chapter, Father Ted Naylor, for donating some of his really tasty fruit loaf and Val and Helen for their cakes too.

A massive thank you to Little David Hibbitt for supplying the bubbles.

Here's to next year.

Charlotte Tyers
Rutland Chapter