The long road to victory

After 11 years of determination, Dutchman Dolf de Wit has finally been crowned winner of the ABCs of Touring contest

Dolf de Wit has been a regular feature in the top 10 of the ABCs of Touring contest since he started competing in 2005, and was narrowly beaten to pole position in 2014. Topping the board this year with a whopping 210 points, Dolf has finally fulfilled his ambition. We caught up with him to find out how he did it…

Bitten by the bug

Dolf bought his first Harley^® in the autumn of 1998 – a green 1994 Softail^® Springer Evo – and he instantly joined the local Rock City Chapter. Just two years later, he became the chapter’s Road Captain. In 2002 he was elected as Secretary, a position he has retained ever since. “For me, H-D^® is a way of life,” Dolf enthuses. “It started off as a hobby, but once the ‘bug’ really got me I was a goner!”

Dolf’s first experience in the ABCs of Touring competition was in 2005, when he was at a loss for something to do on a chapter weekend. “We arranged a route and encouraged everyone to take photos of all the place signs along the way. Over the two days, we ensured that everyone was able to collect enough points to send in an ABCs form.”

However, Dolf found it to be very addictive, determined to gain some additional points. Soon, he couldn’t resist snapping a photo with every place sign and dealer he came across, and he’s participated in the ABCs of Touring every year since.

“I’ve even made a special cupboard at home, containing more than 350 unique T-shirts that I have bought from Harley-Davidson dealers or events. Each T-shirt makes me think back to when I bought it, whom I was with at the time and everything that happened on that trip.”

Branching out

As his riding experience has improved, Dolf has become more and more ambitious. He started off with some short trips in the Benelux countries and Germany, and then began taking more serious, longer tours. “I’ve been to pretty much all the countries in Europe on my bike. I have also done about six major tours in America, including Route 66 and 2013’s 110th Anniversary celebrations in Milwaukee.”

Despite only riding during weekends and holidays, Dolf rides an impressive average of 15,500 miles a year (25,000km) and has travelled throughout the world. Today, he rides an FLHTK Ultra Limited, which he’s had for about three years. 

Having come fifth in 2015, Dolf made an extra effort to attempt to win the ABCs last year. He calculated the best routes to visit dealers and gain points, while still ensuring he could ride the best roads and create the most memorable experiences. He spent many an evening hunched over maps and plans.

“For example,” Dolf explains, “if you want to ride Route 66, there is only one way to do it well. Before you do it, read everything you can find about it so that you have really absorbed the historical value of the route before you ride it. That’s why I followed the 1930s version of the route as much as possible, not the more famous, touristy version.

“Why? The most important thing is to have fun and to allow yourself to have experiences. Take your time so that you can meet people on the way and have a chat. I have met people who have made such an impression on me that I will never forget them.”

Focusing on the journey

Dolf explains that he lives by Willie G. Davidson’s mantra: “It is not the destination but the journey that matters.” By doing so, Dolf has had countless experiences many could only dream of. Having ridden so many miles on roads of all kinds across the world, Dolf has a surfeit of inspiring stories to tell – although space constraints limit us to just one or two!

“I’ve seen pedestrians living far out in the country in Bosnia who would just stand stationary in the middle of the road because they’ve never seen a Harley. One time, when I was touring through America, we set off at 5am so that, by sunrise, we could reach the highest point on the Bryce Canyon National Park road. I will never forget the beautiful play of colours on the deep-red rocks.

“However, the most special location for me was Yellowstone National Park. We set off in the dark and it was freezing. Suddenly, a herd of buffalo emerged from the mist, the huge beasts crossing the road right in front of us. I was totally awestruck.”

Toughing it out

Of course, riding so many miles every year has its trials and tribulations. In search of these great experiences, Dolf has faced extreme weather and terrible road conditions. What has kept him going through the hard times?

 

"My worst experience was in Bucharest, Romania. We were riding in the pouring rain from our hotel in the city centre towards an industrial estate on the outskirts. We were looking for the only H-D dealer in the country."

Dolf recalls riding through the mad bustle of the early-morning rush hour, skidding on tram tracks, manhole covers and patches of oil, while trying to avoid wild dogs.

“That was one of the toughest moments on the road. However, you soon forget that when, later the same day, you are at the top of the Transfagarasan Highway having ridden one of the most spectacular roads in the world!”

Facing the future

Although Dolf has finally won the ABCs of Touring he is keen to get back in the saddle, with three tours abroad planned for the coming year. Together with other members of the Rock City Chapter, Dolf will be participating in a week-long tour to Luxembourg, the Vosges and the Eifel, followed by a ride through the most beautiful mountain passes in the Pyrenees and Alps. To end the summer, he intends to finally fulfil a long-cherished wish: participating in the Sturgis Rally in the US.

“Our club is very active and we go on all sorts of trips, which fill much of my time. It’s always great to be on the road with such a wonderful group of H-D^® riders and friends. When we ride together, we just enjoy our wonderful Milwaukee iron and the camaraderie we have. It’s great to be on the road with men and women who share your passion.”

Asked whether he has plans to compete in the ABCs of Touring next year, Dolf says: “I’m not fussed about winning again, but I just can’t ride past a province sign or miss an opportunity to visit a Harley-Davidson dealership. Not just for an ABCs photo but also to add to my collection of H-D dealer T-shirts, shot glasses and poker chips. The game is just too much fun to resist.”