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Africa Bike
Week is another world first for Harley-Davidson®
Live WebCam focussed on the Stage during the event
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Africa Bike week
2009
30th April - 3rd May
Margate,
South
Africa
Live WebCam
focussed on the Stage during the event
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Reportback on Africa Bike Week 2009 – HOG Cape
Town - www.hog-sa.co.za
The 1st Africa Bike Week has come and gone
and no-one knew what to expect – but what a blast! It was a unique Harley
Davidson event in SA and even though it was different to what we are used to, we
soon adapted and really enjoyed ourselves.
In all I think there were only about 30 or so Cape
Town riders present of which some 15 or so were HOG CT members. It was wonderful
seeing our HOG CT biker colours amongst those from other Chapters and clubs.
Even though, like me, some of our members flew up and hired cars the event was
still a memorable biking experience.
Harleys from all over South Africa descended on
Margate. The official announcement at the closing ceremony stated numbers of
bikes at around 4300 with the mass ride attracting some 1800 bikes. Our own HOG
CT flag was proudly hoisted and flown during the mass ride.
Even though the Rally was an open one, the vast
majority of bikers were HD riders. Superbikes and cruisers in all makes and
sizes were there as well. The HD message was sent out to all bikers loud and
clear - a powerful brand and a great machine.
There was no official rally site as such with all
the action taking place along the area around the Main beach. The beach front
road was declared a car free zone for the entire event. The large Jack Daniels
stage was situated on the main beach and was the focal point of the rally and
hosted music all day long including fantastic live bands playing from reggae to
rock music. In addition, a satellite stage about 200m away hosted late night
live music sessions where the party continued in true Jack Daniels fashion from
10pm to midnight. Some energetic souls were seen at the nightclub into the wee
hours.
Both during the day and at night thousands of
locals and bikers mingled in a friendly atmosphere at the beach front area with
all pubs and restaurants doing a roaring trade. Food was provided in many take
away stands in the trader area and the restaurants on the beach front and in the
town did a rip roaring trade. HOG CT members were even seen enjoying “hot” bunny
chows.
There was no formal pre-registration process nor
was there any registration fee but HOG members could register after arriving
which allowed them into the HOG hospitality area at the Harley Davidson Hotel
(the Margate Hotel was renamed for the event). Here free refreshments and snacks
were available all day long ‘til midnight with HD videos playing continually -
only giving way to all the weekend rugby.
The lounge featured soft leather couches where
weary rally souls could catch up after the many hours of doing the normal tiring
rally stuff.
Harley Davidson had a huge exhibition of new bikes
and clothing and many models could be taken for a test ride. The official HD
dealer shops and HOG stalls were always crowded and many Rands flowed into the
hands of the delighted sales people.
Margate is a wonderful town for a holiday and the
people and authorities really opened their hearts to us rowdy bikers. In the
words of the Mayor of the Hibiscus Coast – we enjoyed a truly “African Harley
Davidson experience”.
Was it a success? – yes most definitely, every one
I spoke to agreed they will be back next year.
Peter Novella -
www.hog-sa.co.za
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SCWEB