The Winner takes it all

Harley-Davidson invited two Germans to Milwaukee for the company's 110th anniversary

- Main winners of the H-D competition come from Chemnitz

- The two Germans enjoy street parties, the parade and Kid Rock

The fact that they Harley-Davidson Open House in the spring of 2013 got hold of a pin with a winning number, had Fat Boy Driver Oliver and his girlfriend Rica soon forgot all about it. But when Oliver received a call at the beginning of June from Harley-Davidson the Chemnitz resident's breath caught in his throat. His pin number had been drawn and he had won the main prize: a trip for two to the 110th Anniversary to Milwaukee, United States. „We couldn't really believe it until we had the tickets in our hands,“ admits the 42-year-old, who boarded a 747 with his partner on August 28, which carried the couple across the pond.

In Milwaukee The first item on the agenda was a tour of a Harley factory.

Here, the Germans learned how a V-twin is made and experienced an entire city in a celebratory mood: the party outside the factory was just as lively as in the streets of the metropolis. Afterwards, the Motor Company invited Oliver and Rica on a fascinating journey through the company's 110-year history: the couple found the Harley-Davidson Museum „simply amazing“, where around 8,000 exhibits can be seen on 12,000 m². Here, the couple counted down to the official start of the birthday party until 6 p.m. sharp.

A personal highlight for Oliver afterwards was the personal meeting with the founder's grandson Willie G. Davidson, who warmly welcomed the Germans to the USA. Afterwards - jet lag or no jet lag - the two of them simply couldn't help but celebrate, as neither the roar of the engines nor the party died down at night. In pubs, at crossroads and simply in front of doorways, Milwaukee celebrated the first 110 years of the company that every inhabitant of this city is visibly proud of with guests from all over the world.

The winners spent the next day at the large festival site on the shores of Lake Michigan, where the catering and shopping areas were a hive of activity during the day and Aerosmith rocked the main stage in the evening. For Oliver and Rica, the last day was also marked by the big parade, in which 7,000 Harley riders selected by lot cruised through Milwaukee for around an hour and a half. Men and women of all ages, skin colors and nationalities were represented. In classic biker outfits, colorful national costumes or flashy costumes, they presented themselves and their machines, which represented almost all eras of motorcycling. 110-year history of the company.

„A real family reunion and almost a bit like a carnival,“ sums up Rica, who, together with Oliver and thousands of other onlookers, stood in line to applaud the armada of chrome and steel in a sea of thumbs up and hands outstretched to „gimme five“.

The day flew by: following a visit to the dealer party at the „House of Harley“, Milwaukee, was already waiting Kid Rock to the Germans and several thousand other fans. The people of Chemnitz thought his synthesis of southern rock, hip hop and country was „brilliant“. With „Born free“ and „All summer long“ ringing in their ears, they headed back home with countless impressions of an extraordinary birthday event that neither Oliver nor Rica will ever forget.

24.09.2013 Text & Pictures Copyright: Harley-Davidson 2013