HOG-POD - Harley-Davidson Owner & Riding in the UK & Ireland (Harley-Davidson Owners & Riders in the UK)

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Hey! Thank for checking in. HOG-POD is the brand new podcast for Harley Owners, HOG & Chapter members in the UK and Ireland, about launch its first episode on Sunday 7th August 2022. We would love you to join us and find out how to get your own Chapter involved, as well as get the best out of HOG UK and Ireland.

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Join Gerard and Kenny on the maiden episode of their Harley Owners podcast for here in the UK & Ireland.  Conversations about the pros and cons of being part of H.O.G, including H.O.G Chapters, how the official group compares to other unofficial groups which can be easily found online.  Straight talking, about things that matter most to Harley Owners past, present and potential.  Own a Harley, or just interested in motorcycles? Then put the kettle on and take a load off.

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Co-Host:              Gerard

Co-Host:              Kenny

Guest:  Ben Vale, Dunedin H.O.G Chapter, Scotland

This episode we have invited Ben Vale, the Activities Officer from the Dunedin H.O.G Chapter, Scotland to discuss the dynamics within the membership of Chapters as well as some insider views from one of the largest Chapters in the UK and Ireland.

Also included in this month’s show is chat about the importance of the dealership/chapter relationship, how leadership of a chapter can shape its path and the importance of utilising the many different contributions from members.  

We also learn that Ben doesn’t like cuddles and isn’t afraid to bite.

Dunedin Chapters annual rally, Thunder In The Glens made its much anticipated return in late August and it went down an absolute treat.

Don’t miss out on your chance to win an unregistered Harley-Davidson Street 750 from our friends at the New Forest Chapter in Southampton.  

Tickets can be purchased by anybody, from anywhere.  The draw will be made at their rally on Saturday 24th September 2022 and the winner will be notified of their win.  You do not have to be a member of HOG, a Chapter or even be attending the rally to be eligible to win.  All proceeds will be donated to the Isle of Wight and Hampshire Air Ambulance.

Win a New unregistered Street 750 , Winner to be drawn at the Blazin' Steampunk Rally on Saturday 24th Sept. 2022

Raffle promotor Mark Smith on behalf of New Forest HOG c/o Tim Richards, Southampton Harley Davidson , Heritage house , Second Avenue , Southampton. SO15 0LP

WE NEED YOUR HELP!

For episode 3 (released on the first Sunday in October 2022) Gerard will be exploring the role of the Activity Officer, and wider committee, during the ‘off-season’ to ensure that Chapter members stay in touch, get out and about to do things as a group and ensure that new members joining before the summer, get a good feel about the Chapter and its lifestyle.

Please get in touch and share your own ideas and events that your own group and chapter run through the winter.

-          What non-riding events do you run?

-          Are these at the weekend or mid-week?

-          How well are they attending?

-          Do you meet up with other Chapters for these events and make a night of it?

We would love to hear from you, just click the link below to get in touch.

Dunedin Chapter - https://www.dunedinhog.com/

New Forest Chapter - https://www.newforesthog.co.uk/

Blazin Steampunk 2022 Raffle Ticket - https://www.newforesthog.co.uk/product/blazin-steampunk-rally-raffle-ticket/

Oxford H.O.G Chapter - https://oxfordukchapter.co.uk/

Jake Spicer Toy Run collection being received by the Oxford Harley-Davidson Dealership

Oxford Harley-Davidson, Unit 9D, Nuffield Way, Abingdon, Oxfordshire, OX14 1RN

T: 01865 735121 F: 01865 322380

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As winter draws in around us, many Harley-Davidsons are getting tucked up for a few months, but other just keep going.  Solo riding posing a simple choice when it comes to winter activities.  But what about if you are part of a Chapter or other Harley riding club?   How can you keep the spirit of being part of a'club' going through the bleaker months of the year?

This episode we invite Plymouth H.O.G Chapter Director, Paul Renshaw to chat with us about the plans they have for the coming months.  Gerard shares his grand plan for winter and Kenny tries to find a way to sneak a stripped down bike into the house.

We are also pleased to reveal something that is the first of its kind for the UK and Ireland, and as always, we take a look in the rear view mirror as well as what lays on the road ahead with H.O.G and Harley events.  

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Centre-stage, for this special extended episode, is the Harley-Davidson Pan America.

Join Gerard, Kenny and their two special guests as they explore all things Pan-America, how it fits into the world of Harley Owners and where it fits into the exciting world of adventure bikes.

John Hill, the organiser of the Pan America Weekender in the Peak District shares his own views on the Pan America machine and how it compares to the many different adventure bikes he has owned and ridden over the last 50+ years.  

Graham Brannigan, a race track rider, adventure motorcyclist, off-road biker, and motorcycle super fan, who until now, had not even stepped foot over a Harley -Davidson, gives us his view from outside the fanatical world of Harley Owners and shares where he thinks it fits into the ranks of well established adventure bikes.

Don't miss out on this multi-view look at the Harley-Davidson shaking up the adventure world.

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Join Gerard and Kenny for the last episode of Season 1 as they are joined by special guest, Gary France from Tour1, an authorised Harley-Davidson Tour Operator.  No matter which motorcycle brand you own and ride, if you are planning a motorcycle tour in 2023, then you will find this episode an incredible help when it comes to planning and being away on your next tour abroad.

Not only does Gary plan, create and lead tours right across, Europe and the world, he is also the author of the must-have coffee table book for any motorcyclist with a dream of touring America on the back of a Harley-Davidson.

HOG-POD also has an excitement announcement for 2023.

Visit the Tour1 website for more details of what’s happening in 2023

https://www.tour1.com/

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To open Season 2 and launch the HOG-POD YouTube Channel, Gerard and Kenny are joined by members from the Black Mountains Chapter, Ken Britton and Mike Morris, to look back at the trip they made in support of the Wolfruna Chapter humanitarian aide convoys through the Spring and Summer of 2022.  

We follow the preparation, journey and friendships built during this important part of the Ukrainian relief effort by members of H.O.G UK & Ireland.

Following the release of this episode is a full length documentary of the convoy which arrived in the refugee camp on Saturday 21st May 2022.

#ukraine #harleydavidson #harleyownersgroup #motorcycle #westandwithukraine

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Join us for Part 1 of a 5 part series across the month of February which the focus on female riders, Harley-Davidson's, the challenges they face and the contributions they make to the world of motorcycles.

Vanessa shares her incredible story of a significant physical and mental recovery following an horrendous accident and how she found salvation through a Harley-Davidson called 'Thug'.  Vanessa went on to become one of the most prominent females in the motorcycle world both here in the UK and Ireland, as well as extensively across the globe.

If you follow Vanessa on social media you will already know she is an ambassador of  what can be achieved through sheer determination, hard work, self-belief and a positive mindset.  We all know that riding our motorcycles is pure therapy and Vanessa adds an insightful slant on this.

Enjoy the episode, share it far and wide and don't forget to come back for parts 2-5.

@thegirlonabike #harley-davidson #bikerchick #motorcycles #itsoktonotbeok #mentalhealthmatters #staystrong #fortunefavoursthebrave

https://thegirlonabike.com/
https://www.youtube.com/c/TheGirlOnABike
https://www.facebook.com/TheGirlOnABike/
https://www.tiktok.com/@thegirlonabike
https://www.instagram.com/thegirlonabike/
https://www.linkedin.com/in/vanessaprocter/

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The February focus on females in the world of Harley-Davidson continues with the Director of the Oxford UK Chapter, Bridey Dyer. 

Find out more about their annual Chapter rally, 'The Big Chill' which takes place on the 28th-30th of July 2023. 

We ask where Ladies of Harley fits into their Chapter, how they find LoH and what they would love to see in the future.

Join us at the HOG-POD for this fantastic episode and see whats happening right near you.

Links to resources from this episode

The Oxford UK Chapter Website

The Big Chill Rally Page

The HOG-POD interactive map

The Oxford H-D Dealership

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This week we are joined by the well-known and much admired, Gill ‘Moggy’ Mogg from the Bridgwater Chapter. Moggy is now in her 15th year as Director of the Chapter and has been a steady pair of hands during that time. She joins us for a chat about her time in the Chapter, life on motorcycles, how it all began and whats in store for 2023.

Links to Resources from this episode

Bridgwater H.O.G Chapter

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Join us for the penultimate episode in our February focus on female riders in the world of H.O.G and Harley here in the UK & Ireland.  We were joined by Cassandra Fox, the newly installed Director of the Jersey H.O.G Chapter, where Gerard and Kenny get a school lesson in all things Jersey, Harley and motorcycle riding.  We hear about how the southern most Chapter in the UK and Ireland go about their riding calendar, the differences between themselves and the mainland and of course, how they go about encouraging females to join the great world of Harley ownership.

Also, find out how you can still get involved in the HOGS Around the Rock Annual Rally for 2023 and that as Harley owners, we are all welcome to join them through the year to try something a little different.

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After a few weeks off air, the HOG-POD is back as the 2023 riding season kicks off.  For this episode, we are joined by Martyn Coote, the III Rivers Chapter Director and one of the organisers of an ambitious rally event to be held on July 21st -23rd 2023.  The Fields of Thunder is a matter of weeks away from its maiden voyage and if you have ever organised a HOG rally, then you know the amount of work that is involved getting it off the ground.

With the support of Harley owners and riders here in the UK & Ireland, the Fields of Thunder event is bound to go from strength to strength.  Tickets are available right now and can be purchased through the link below.


Day Pass, Friday or Saturday only.

£15.00 + £1.50 booking fee

Full access for Friday or Saturday with secure parking for your wheels.


Weekend Pass

£25.00 + £1.50 booking fee

Come for the weekend (off-site accommodation)


2 Nights Camping / Own Tent

£40.00 + £2.00 booking fee
This ticket is per person and includes event access and tent pitch (own tent)


2 Nights Camping x 2 events passes / Own tent

£65.00 + £5.00 booking fee
This ticket is for two people sharing own tent, includes weekend passes x 2.

Weekend Glamping Bell Tent for two

£199.00 + £10.00 booking fee
Relax in our wonderful bell tents, complete with camp beds & bedding for two, includes event access

Weekend Camper Van

£65.00 + £5.00 booking fee
Park your camper van for the weekend x 2 weekend access passes (no electric hook up)


Camper Van Electric

£25.00 + £0.00 booking fee
Hook up your camper van for the weekend to our on site electric.

BOOK YOUR TICKETS NOW

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This week, we are joined by the co-creator of the IRON HOG RIDE, Axel Thill, and also the Director of the HOGSBACK Chapter, Dell Evans, based out of Guildford Harley-Davidson.  We learn about the Chapter, their rally, the Cirencester Rally and what you can expect when you get there.  If you have ever fancied completing the IRON HOG RIDE, but want to know more about this, then you will find this episode a cracking watch.

Don't forget to subscribe to the channel and hit the notifications bell so you don't miss anything from the HOG-POD.

Hogsback Website:
https://hogsbackchapteruk.org/

Iron Hog Ride Website:
https://ironhog.wordpress.com/

Facebook Page (Public)
https://www.facebook.com/Hogsback.Chapter.Social.Media

GUILDFORD HARLEY-DAVIDSON
https://www.lind.co.uk/harley-davidson/guildford

HOGSBACK CHAPTER PHOTOS
https://hogsbackchapteruk.smugmug.com/browse

HOG-POD WEBSITE
https://hog-pod.com

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The founder of Ride to the Wall (RTTW) joins the HOG-POD to tell us a little bit about himself, his connection to Harley-Davidson and how, as the founder, the Ride to The Wall is now an annual motorcycle event that touches the lives of tens of thousands of people.

From the humble beginnings of just a handful of bikes, the ride To The Wall has grown year on year in both size, popularity and importance to tens of thousands of people known as 'Wallers'.  They join together to remember the  of the lives and sacrifices of the men and women that have been lost their lives in service of our country at the National Memorial Arboretum, the Wall.

Ride to the Wall received the Queens Award for Voluntary Service, recognising the effort of both Martin, and the now 300 strong team of volunteers which make this event possible each year.

Now 16 years strong, Ride To The Wall has, in Martin's words, 'remained pure', with no commercial or corporate element involved.  On purely the donations and purchases of RTTW merchandise by the growing family of Wallers, the Charity remains dedicated to it's core values.

You can find out more about this amazing charity through the links below and you can also join them in 2023 and become part of this unique family.

Link to the National Memorial Arboretum

https://www.thenma.org.uk/

Links to the Ride To The Wall Website

https://www.rttw.org

https://www.rttw.org/scroll_of_remembrance.php

https://www.rttw.org/rttw_code_of_conduct.php

https://www.rttw.org/clubs_attending.php

https://www.rttw.org/start_locations.php

You can also instantly donate to the Charity and be part of the £1m+ raised for the upkeep of the Arboretum

Text RTTW08 £5 to 70070

 @nationalmemorialarboretuma1749 #ridetothewall #rttw #harleydavidson #charity #armedforces #britisharmy #royalnavy #royalairforce

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SOME USEFUL LINKS

https://thedavidsonlegacy.com/

https://roadskin.co.uk/blogs/news/the-davidson-legacy-the-scottish-cottage-that-is-part-of-motorcycling-history

https://roadskin.co.uk (Use CODE TDL during checkout on any basket order and 10% is donated by Roadskin to the Davidson Legacy

https://angusalchemy.com/product/motor-moonshine/

https://www.facebook.com/DavidsonLegacyPG/

The American Dream is personified in the Harley-Davidson brand.  Having just celebrated their 120th year, the innovations of three Davidson brothers and William Harley are still going strong to this day.

But for many Harley riders and owners, the Scottish roots of what would become Harley-Davidson, has simply passed us by.

A little cottage in Angus, Scotland, is the ancestal home of the Davidsons, and has been visited by Jochen Zietz and Bill Davidson, to name just two, as part of a pilgrammage back to the very roots of the HD story.

A derelict cottage was saved from destructoin by three Harley enthusiants and through a labour of love, they have restored the cottage back to its full glory.  This little cottage is now a Mecca for Harley riders as they visit from right across the UK and Ireland, and also from Europe and further afield.

Mike, one of the original cottage buyers, and Nyree Aitkens, Chairperson of the Davidson Legacy Preservation Group, join the HOG-POD to share the story, where they are today and the plans for the future.

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Nene Valley H.O.G Chapter in the UK has been an 'orphan chapter' for many years.  In late 2023 and early 2024, a number of UK H-D franchise dealerships closed suddenly, leaving a number of H.O.G chapters orphans.  HDRC-GB do not rely on, nor do they have any links to H-D dealerships, but for many H.O.G Chapters, the dealership is the 'base' from which they operate.  

This interview with Simon Barron, Nene Valley Director ( Feb 2024) finds out a little bit on how their chapter adapted to being an orphan, including some advice on who to carry on with the seasonal ride-outs, socials and attracting new members.

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There has been many different kinds of reactions to the introduction of a registration process for the Ireland BikeFest 2024.

We are joined by Shane O'Driscoll, Festival Director and Fiona Carroll, Motorcycle Operations to fill us in on the reasoning behind the new process.  HOG-POD has followed the social media response and they have been put to the guests to clarify whats really going on.

Of course, we also asked about whats in store for 2024, how they see the new 'biker centric event' developing and how plans are going as May 31st fast approaches.

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What an incredible story to encourage an epic ride. Following the loss of his son in 2016, his wife being diagnosed with breast cancer in 2022, Jonny Doyle, aka The Lad With The Beard, is set to raise monies for three special charities by riding his HD Pan America over 10000km from his home in County Cavan to the northern most ponit of mainland Europe, Nordkapp in Norway, and back home again.

If there are still questions over the Pan America still, surely a trip like this will provide the answer.

As if not already a challenge, Jonny is set to do this SOLO, and will be camping the and cooking the whole trip. No hotels, no restaurants, just one man, his motorcycle, and anything he can pack to take with him.

A moving and engaging story, covering difficult subjects, which ultimately inspired this epic 19 days challenge.

All monies raised will be split between the three charities…

Stillborn and baby loss support - https://feileacain.ie/
Cancer support - https://www.cuancancercavan.ie/
Suicide prevention and support - https://sosadireland.ie/about-us/

If you want to donate a cup of coffee to the charities, you can do so by clicking through to this link……https://www.gofundme.com/f/cavan-to-nordkapp-10000km

You can follow Jonnys progress via his instagram…https://www.instagram.com/theladwiththebeard

More motorcycle riding by Jonny can be found via the links below

https://www.youtube.com/@theladwiththebeard
https://www.facebook.com/theladwiththebeard

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For the many familiar with the H.O.G Chapter (UK & Ireland) calendar, the Cider Rally always sounds the horn for the rally season to commence. From it's humble beginnings as a small get together of Harley-Davidson owners with tents, through to what they now bill as the greatest show on earth held in Pontins, Sands Bay in Weston-super-Mare. 

For this episode of HOG-POD, we are joined by Gill Mogg, better known as 'Moggy', the Director of the Bridgwater Chapter, and fellow Chapter member Robert Twycross, probably better known to you all as Portland Bill. In this episode, find out why you should not be missing this rally, share the great news that you can still get involved for the 2024 rally coming up in early May. 

We also take a trip down memory lane as we talk the early days of Bridgwater Chapter, Harley-Davidson ownership from pan heads to the Revolution Max, three of the old paper magazines and plans for Bridgwater in 2024.

Visit the Bridgwater Chapter Website -
https://www.bridgwaterhog.co.uk/

Book tickets for the Cider Rally 2024 -
https://www.trybooking.com/uk/events/landing/46186

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This episode we are joined by Allen Glasper, the Director of the Geordie H.O.G Chapter.  We hear about Allen, the Chapter & plans for 2024, including the aim to circumnavigate Ireland in September.  The Geordie Chapter is well versed in their desire to raise awareness of different charities, as well as their love of travelling to Europre for motorcycle rallies.

We are also joined by former Big Brother winner (2005), Anthony Hutton, who now runs the 'Never Throw in the Towel Project', a mens mental health support network.

Anothony shot to fame after winning Big Brother, but as the inevitable coming back to earth occurred, he found himself struggling with hi smental health, which at times, found him contemplating suicide. 

#harleydavidson #harleyownersgroup #motorcycles #uk #itsokaytonotbeokay #suicideawareness #mentalhealth

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This episode we are joined by Phil Stickings, a life member of HOG and lifetime motorcyclist.  We talk motorcycles, how a charity ride at Thunder in the Glens turned out to be the best £4 spent in his life and how a chance PSA test help him beat prostate cancer.  

f you don’t know what a PSA, a DRE is, and you are male over 50 and ride a motorcycle, or are close to a male over 50, then you’ll find this episode a potential life-saver.

Websites – 

https://prostatecanceruk.org/

https://www.macmillan.org.uk/cancer-information-and-support/prostate-cancer

https://www.justgiving.com/page/philip-stickings-1722539368054

https://www.bbc.co.uk/sounds/brand/m0020s52 - Jon Holmes says the C-Word

https://www.hwam.com/

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Interview with George McGuire - A.K.A Mr Thunder in the Glens

One of the minds behind the growth and development of Thunder in the Glens rally, George McGuire, spends the afternoon with Ben Vale, to talk about all things motorcycle, Harley-Davidson, Harley Owners Group and HOG Chapters.

Wide-ranging interview and a trip down memory lane as George recalls, Scotlands first every Harley Chapter, the first Harley dealership, life as part of Dunedin Chapter and of course, the story behind the UK and Irelands largest motorcycle event, Thunder in the Glens.

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HOG-POD motorcycle podcast speaks with the Rutland HOG Chapter Director, Ian Gornall, about everything from riding Harleyd, to British go-kart and touring car racing champions, to recently gaining his wings wings as a pilot for his 'Harley-Davidson in the Sky'.

Great interview with details of the 2025 Horse Shoe Rally, the Rutland Chapters annual rally, as well as plans for their massive ride-out calendar, and riding Northern Ireland for the Game of Thrones.