Swiss Harley Days 2024 - Tour report

For the first time, I made my way to Switzerland for the Swiss Harley Days in Lugano. To make sure it wasn't just a trip to Switzerland, I met up with two friends in Frankfurt to ride with them towards the Black Forest.

The journey from the far north is usually a little longer, but I still managed to get to the boys in Frankfurt in the morning. The plan was to have breakfast together before we continued our journey across the Black Forest towards the Swiss Harley Days in Lugano.

We have a plan!

How could it be otherwise, the good Peter turned on the tap just in time for the start and made it clear to us that it was going to be more than just a shower. Our plan was as follows: We were to head towards the Black Forest, where we wanted to stop at the Wellness Hotel Sonnenhof-Sonnhalde spend the night and the next morning ride on together to Lugano for the Swiss Harley Days.

The first drama

The first drama starts as soon as Mihau opens his garage to get out his spick and span Low Rider S 117. His Low Rider S is a really nice bike, but if he wants to ride it, it will have to be allowed to get wet and dirty, because the weather is really very poor.

The journey is the destination

Of course, after a short ride, it was just as dirty as Jörg's Ultra Limited, who had also traveled several hundred kilometers from his last stage stop. He had already started the day before in Rostock, but had already had really bad weather on his tour, which made him decide not to take part in the game and book himself into a hotel to continue the next day. Now the three of us are on the road and are already looking forward to our first evening at the bar.

As the saying goes: „The journey is the destination“. This should actually mean how valuable the experiences on the way to a goal are. Sometimes they are even more valuable than the goal itself. In our case, we are happy for every kilometer that we are closer to our first goal.

Through rain and the Black Forest

First we took the highway through Baden-Württemberg towards the Bavarian Forest. We drove via Freiburg, along the Black Forest Road, past Lake Schluchsee in the direction of Ühlingen-Birkendorf. When we got off the highway, the rain let up and we were at least able to enjoy the tour on the Black Forest road a little. When we reached our accommodation, we were all happy, even though we unfortunately didn't have really nice biking weather.

A very nice accommodation was waiting for us, which Jörg had found in advance. A main building where the comfort rooms are and in another building on the street is the restaurant. We recommend the following: the comfort rooms with a small surcharge are definitely worth it. There is a carport for bikes right next to the main building, or you can park under the canopy at the entrance to this motorcyclist-friendly hotel. This is the shortest way to the Harley, which is always a very important point.

From the rain into the sun

The next morning greeted us with a rain shower. Surprisingly, after the first ten kilometers, the sun came out. Our mood suddenly turned green. Our ride took us leisurely across the countryside, and we stopped off at beautiful places, such as Lake Zug in Arth, which is on the E41. Anyone who knows the route will certainly know that it is a very nice route for cruising.

Arrival in Andermatt

Our first destination was Andermatt, where we checked into the Radisson Blu for one night. The hotel's inner courtyard, the Piazza Gottardo, was the Harley-Davidson zone this evening. There was a great atmosphere, many bikers from Europe had come to listen to the live music and get plenty of refreshments at the stands. This is where the Swiss Harley Days preparty began.

Andermatt Freedom Ride

The next morning it was time to line up for the “Andermatt Freedom Ride”. We rode together in five groups over the Gotthard Pass to Lugano. This was the first „Ride In“ to the Harley-Davidson Swiss Harley Days and my first ride over the Gotthard Pass. It was the prelude to the Swiss Harley Days 2024, which takes place every two years in Lugano on the beautiful Lake Lugano.

We rode in groups over the Gotthard Pass, which was a new experience for me as I had never been here before. There are of course many other beautiful passes in the region that are less developed and can also be ridden, but the most famous is certainly the Gotthard Pass. When we arrived in Lugano, we all gathered together and then went to the event in the city with a police escort.

I was surprised at how centrally located everything was and what Harley-Davidson had set up. The big stage on which the bands play is not even found at Lake Faak anymore, but here it is in the middle of the old town. It's always something special for musicians to be able to play on a big stage in front of Harley-Davidson bikes. This not only makes for great pictures, but also creates an atmospheric overall picture for everyone involved.

The stands are set up along the lake and Harley-Davidson has set up an expo area with the new models. It goes without saying that guided test rides are a must here. The event is not too big, but offers a lot because the local gastronomy is integrated into the event. Care has been taken not to set up stands in front of the restaurants, but rather to include them.

One great thing is the location right on the lake, and if you don't just want to spend your time at the event, you can explore the surrounding area. I'll work something out for the future if you want to be there in two years. The Swiss Harley Days only take place every two years, and I've heard that they're planning something smaller in the mountains for 2025. You will receive all further information in good time as soon as more is known.

On Sunday, my buddies Jörg and Mihau, with whom I rode together across the Black Forest to the Swiss Harley Days, also parted ways. We all headed back in different directions, and I had to get back to the north, where Holstein Switzerland is. A Swiss person wouldn't know the first thing about it if I told someone from Switzerland where I lived.

In any case, I have resolved to return to the Swiss Harley Days in two years' time and then explore the area a little more. See you!!!

Text and image credits: Harleysite