Who wouldn’t jump at the opportunity to spend three days with Harley-Davidson at their headquarters in Milwaukee? Eleven women bloggers, myself included, were recently given the experience of a lifetime.
While I’ve always known and associated with Harley riders, actually joining their ranks as a full-fledged rider remained nothing more than a quiet voice in my head until recently. That has all changed thanks to my recent stint at the women’s blogger summer camp hosted by Harley-Davidson.
The premier H-D brand put us up at the fabulous Iron Horse Hotel in Milwaukee, where guests in business suits and biker leather happily mingle.
Surprises were the name of the game during my three-day stay, beginning the moment I set foot in my room to find a Harley-Davidson jacket, gloves and glasses waiting for me along with an adventure packed itinerary.
First on the agenda was a Garage Party thrown by a local Milwaukee dealership, Hal’s Harley-Davidson. The JumpStart, featuring a Harley on a stationary support stand, allowed me to plant my feet on the pegs, fire up the engine and move through the gears while creating that unforgettable Harley sound.
Part of our training included how to properly pick up a dumped bike. For many of us this had been a very real concern, and the lesson was well-received.
A tour of the Harley-Davidson Museum turned out to be a riveting experience, but truthfully the most exciting part of my adventure was the hands-on bike work. While sporting our super cool Harley duds, we soaked up the basics like sponges and looked decidedly badass while doing it!
We learned how to properly mount a bike, shift from neutral to first gear, and lightly use the throttle. We also learned the challenging task of walking a bike down the course while sitting on it.
Boot camp fueled a fire in my belly to take my basic training to the next level. After returning home I felt a strong urge to drive straight to the nearest Harley-Davidson shop and sign up for the Rider’s Edge Course.
I’d like to secure my license this summer and get some riding under my belt before the snow flies. Come spring it will be time to ride some more. Wouldn’t it be great if this blogger could pull up on her own bike for the 110th anniversary party next year? That’s the plan!
More photos of my Harley-Davidson adventures below:
Tell me what life with “no cages” means to you for a chance to win a Harley-Davidson Women’s Pink Label Embellished Nylon Jacket.
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This giveaway is open to US Residents age 18 or older. Winners will be selected via random draw, and will be notified by e-mail. You have 72 hours to get back to me, otherwise a new winner will be selected.
The Official Rules are available here.
This sweepstakes runs from July 31, 2012 to August 27, 2012
Be sure to visit the Harley-Davidson No Cages brand page on BlogHer.com where you can read other bloggers’ reviews and find more chances to win!
Photo Credit: Missy Germain