Ride on

A few tips for maximizing your group mileage from the Winnipeg HOG^® Chapter, winners of the 2024 HOG Ride 365^™ national title for total kilometres

By Winnipeg Chapter Director Dave Burnside

When I purchased my first Harley-Davidson^® motorcycle in 2006, I joined the HOG® Mileage Program, now called HOG Ride 365^™. Back in those days, all mileage was done with paper and pen, verified at the dealership and mailed to HOG in Milwaukee. The program has come a long way from those days to what we now know as Ride 365.

Participation in the mileage program was not widespread within the Winnipeg Chapter then, but many of the longer standing members did participate. It was also a personal accomplishment, as miles counted towards your lifetime mileage achievement and recognition came in the form of a patch and pin at the different mileage levels.

In 2018 a large group from Winnipeg headed to the Harley- Davidson Homecoming^™ event for the 115th Anniversary. At a local dealership in the Milwaukee area, I chatted with a woman in the MotorClothes^® department. She noted the HOG mileage patch on my vest and asked how our chapter was doing in the standings. Curious, I indicated we had some members participating in the Mileage Program but I wasn’t aware of any tracking by chapter. She shared with me a weekly report showing the current season’s mileage totals for all the nearby chapters. She said the U.S. chapters were actively involved and often competitive. As a member of the chapter executive, I brought those details back to see how we could promote the program further.

2024: A riding season for the ages

Fast forward a few years, and our chapter’s Assistant Director, Karla Cullen, has been key in getting our group going on Ride 365. She liaises with the dealership management team at Harley-Davidson Winnipeg to ensure members are signed into the program, bike changes are done appropriately and mileage updates for our folks are done a few times each year. We received our first Ride 365 chapter plaque about five years ago and have been fortunate to receive recognition every year since. More of our members get involved each year.

With easier access to current numbers across Canada, Karla compiles current mileage standings for both our chapter and individual members and provides updates to our members regularly. In 2024 we managed to be the National Chapter Winner for total kilometres for a second time, something we are quite proud of.

The easier access to current statistics has also sparked some friendly competition. In 2024 this came from our friends in Regina, generating more interest in participating in Ride 365. We do have some high-mileage riders in the Winnipeg Chapter, with five of us in the top 15 in Canada for 2024. As a chapter we also try to have a very full ride calendar. We have three regular weekly rides and attend many local charity rides and events. Each year we also look for opportunities to attend rallies in our region and across Canada. If those opportunities are not there, Karla, our master planner, puts together extended chapter trips for our members.

All of this adds up the miles! We also look for opportunities to link up with other HOG chapters while on the road. In the Prairies, we often joke that it takes us two hours to get to a curve. So, it is not uncommon for us to take 600 to 800 km Sunday rides “for a burger” to enjoy great roads in northwestern Ontario. That said, we also have some beautiful riding right here in Manitoba that we take advantage of every ride season.

Suggestions for our fellow HOG chapters

For those looking to get more involved with Ride 365, it is all about communicating the details. The program can be a little confusing to new members, but we try to make it as simple as possible to get involved here in Winnipeg. It is also key to work closely with your dealership, as all mileage recording, verification and setup happens there. In the end, though, it is all about riding and getting on those miles. Ride 365 just adds something extra to what we already enjoy doing. For those looking to boost their chapter mileage, we are currently working hard on planning for the 16th Prairie Regional HOG Rally, which will happen July 30 to August 2 in 2026. Stay tuned for rally details coming your way. We look forward to welcoming many HOG members from across Canada to Winnipeg and for them to take in all we have to offer in the beautiful centre of Canada!

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