IN PICS: Harley Davidson turns 110!

The 110th anniversary celebrations of Harley Davidson are in full swing. Jyotsana Gupta reports.

110 years of the legacy of freedom, an epic celebration spanning an entire year, six participating continents, a jacket on a world trip and just one name to bind them all together -- Harley Davidson. What is it all about? It is about an opportunity that arrives only once in several life#215 it is about a rare snapshot that only the most fortunate get to add to the albums of their lives; it is about the biggest celebration of free-will, adventure and self-expression that the world has ever seen; it is about the 110th Anniversary gala of the favourite bike brand of millions across the globe; it is about H-D and its countless fans.

Setting off in September 2012 from the city of Milwaukee, the place where it all began, after receiving the grandest of grand kick-offs at the famous H-D Museum, the celebratory procession for the 110th Anniversary of Harley Davidson is now moving ahead on its journey around the globe with full momentum.

Having just visited India for the Goa inauguration of the very first National H.O.G. Rally of the country, the pageant will next be stopping in New Zealand for one of the twelve 110th Anniversary Experiences that it is going to put up in eleven countries across six continents through September 2013.

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It's been almost five months since this spectacular series of events was set into motion, and there are still more than seven months to go before it all comes to an end, compelling us all to return to our normal routines, no doubt feeling as if we've been thrust back into the real world after a prolonged and truly extraordinary adventure in our world of fantasies.

But, let's not go there yet.

We should leave the end to the moment when we all will have no choice but to face it. Instead, what we should be actually looking forward to at the moment is the fantastic streak of activities that the Harley camp has got planned for the coming days. And trust me when I say this, some enthralling streak it is going to be!

Aimed at bringing together all those die-hard fans from across the planet for whom a Harley is not just another bike, but a means of getting free of their binds and presenting themselves to the world for who they really are, the most fascinating highlight of this magnificent celebration is the Freedom Jacket. On a very superficial level, this black jacket is not much different from any of those leather jackets that H-D owners so love to don when they take their rides out for a spin. Go beyond that, and a true enthusiast will be there to tell you that there is nothing more fantastic than that jacket, except for his or her own beloved Harley, of course!

Beginning its trip just like a normal black leather jacket sporting the Harley Davison insignia, the Freedom Jacket has now become the ultimate link that binds all Harley Davidson fanatics to one another. Meant to travel with the celebration carnival around the world, this special jacket has been and will be worn by prominent members of the H-D family, each time being adorned by a distinct symbol as a reminder of that particular association.

Setting off from the Milwaukee kick-off to reach the Harley Village rally in Austria and after passing through a number of other exciting stoppages on the way, the Jacket upon arrival in India was worn by several H.O.G. members.

Having travelled over the longest distances in 2012, these special Harley owners were a select group of bikers joined by a huge crowd of over 500 who had assembled in the beautiful state of Goa for the H-D extravaganza held from January 31 to February 1, 2013.

Graced by the presence of Karen Davidson, Creative Director for Harley Davidson General Merchandise, it was the resounding roar of these hundreds of bikes riding in from across the nation that really set the mood of the celebration. What made this occasion even more exciting for the participating riders was the announcement made by the Harley Davidson camp regarding their sponsorship for the very first India Bike Week, organised over February 2-3, 2013.   

Moving on with the other attractions that this programme has to offer, an entire section has been set up on the company's official website dedicated to bikers' personal experiences, where they can share their most cherished memories with the rest of the Harley fraternity by uploading pictures, which will eventually be displayed on the Graphic Wall featured on the site itself.

Besides that, there are a whole lot of activities that are going to make these coming days a lifetime worth of experience for everyone who is a part of them. From rallies including the extremely famous Sturgis Motorcycle Rally, to electrifying concerts including the one that will be held in Milwaukee by the celebrated 'American Badass' Kid Rock, to the papal bike blessing that is likely to be conducted by none other than the Pope himself during the Rome 110th Anniversary Celebration coming June, breathtaking action is one thing that this event is not likely to run out of.

And so all that is left for us crazy fans to do now is to let loose and enjoy the grand party that awaits us. Cheers!