Many visitors and spectacular sunshine made for an unforgettable HOG Rally...

+ More than 50,000 people flocked to the picturesque town of Cascais in Portugal
+ Over 29,000 motorcycles from over 32 countries descended on the region
+ Over 7,500 motorcycles took part in the sun-drenched parade

Harley-Davidson showed visitors the new LiveWire, the new Harley-Davidson electric motorcycle, as well as the latest Sportster®, Softail®, Touring and CVO ™ models.
Harley-Davidson and the Harley Owners Group (HOG) returned to Cascais, Portugal for the 28th annual European HOG Rally from June 13-16, 2019, having previously hosted the 21st European HOG Rally there in 2012. The rally, which moves to a different location every year, is a free and open event.

This year's event was organized in close collaboration with the city of Cascais, and the motorcycles were given exclusive access to the main area at the port for four full days. Located just 30km west of Lisbon, Cascais is a picturesque coastal town surrounded by rolling hills and beautiful countryside. The town itself is a maze of cobbled streets that lead down to the historic harbor and beach.

True to Cascais' motto, “It Starts With People,” Harley-Davidson riders and fans traveled from all over Portugal and Spain, from Europe, the Middle East and even from South America, South Africa and the USA.

More than 50,000 visitors basked in the sun on the famous Cascais waterfront, and more than 29,000 motorcycles and their riders took advantage of the spectacular roads and landscapes to cruise. As usual, riders mingled with the locals and partied late into the evening with live music on the main stage, showcasing the camaraderie that is at the heart of the Harley Owners Group.

Great-granddaughter Karin Davidson

VIP guests from Harley-Davidson's headquarters in Milwaukee, USA included the company's global chief financial officer John Olin and Karen Davidson - great-granddaughter of the company's original founder William Davidson and daughter of icon Willie G. Davidson. Karen spent her time at the event with members and locals, signing jackets and bikes. She was also a guest of honor at the Custom Bike Show awards ceremony on Friday, June 14th.

The great Harley-Davidson parade

Saturday's Harley-Davidson parade, led by Karen Davidson, Portuguese HOG Chapter representatives and flag bearers from dozens of HOG Chapters from around the world, was a highlight for riders and locals alike.
Over 7,500 motorcycles took part in this 11km caravan of steel and chrome that passed through some of the most beautiful landscapes and urban areas in Western Europe. The parade began at the legendary Autodromo do Estoril racetrack before traveling 32km through the hills of Sintra and along the Atlantic coast, including Cabo da Roca, Europe's closest point to the United States.

On site, visitors were offered a variety of opportunities to learn more about the Harley-Davidson brand, including an expo zone where many of the company's latest models were on display. There was an opportunity for non-drivers to try out and accelerate the Iron 883™ Sportster on rollers (jump start) to get a feel for what it's like to drive. A welcome surprise was the presence of the new LiveWire from Harley-Davidson, the new e-bike caused queues at the stand and caused quite a stir.

Free demo rides of more than 20 Harley-Davidson motorcycles were also offered and available for a guided test ride.

According to the city of Cascais, the HOG Rally resulted in almost 100 percent occupancy of the municipality's hotels and restaurants, and it is estimated that the local economy benefited by more than EUR 15 million over the course of the event.

Bev English, International Events Manager at Harley-Davidson, said: “I would like to thank the thousands of riders who traveled from near and far to make the 28th European HOG Rally in Cascais a special event.
The beautiful weather in Cascais created a magnificent setting that no one will ever forget. I would also like to thank the people of Cascais and surrounding areas who embraced us and made it a truly outstanding experience. “

The 29th Annual European HOG Rally will take place June 18-20, 2020 in Portorož, Slovenia . We look forward to welcoming you there!