{"id":7597,"date":"2025-09-25T17:59:39","date_gmt":"2025-09-25T15:59:39","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/hog.thecreativeplot.com\/en-eu\/?p=7597"},"modified":"2025-09-25T17:59:39","modified_gmt":"2025-09-25T15:59:39","slug":"polish-riders-set-out-on-the-hope-tour-for-a-cause-close-to-their-hearts","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/hog.thecreativeplot.com\/en-eu\/polish-riders-set-out-on-the-hope-tour-for-a-cause-close-to-their-hearts\/","title":{"rendered":"Polish riders set out on The Hope Tour for a cause close to their hearts"},"content":{"rendered":"\n

Three riders undertook an incredible tour to bring hope to cancer patient and felt the H.O.G.\u00ae<\/sup> spirit wherever they went. This is their 8,552.2km story…<\/p>\n\n\n\n

This long-distance ride was more than just a tour \u2013 it was an epic journey to bring hope to one incredibly brave young man. Micha\u0142 Milczarek, a 15-year-old from Poland, has been waging his own quiet war against a cruel opponent: neuroblastoma, a form of cancer which impacts the nervous system. Harley Owners Group\u00ae<\/sup> members Anna and Adrian D\u0105bek, along with their 12-year-old son, undertook the adventure across 31 days, visiting 16 different countries and 24 H-D\u00ae<\/sup> dealerships, all to raise money for Micha\u0142\u2019s life-saving treatment and show that goodwill really can move mountains.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Everywhere The Hope Tour took them, Anna and Adrian were welcomed with open arms and encountered a sense of community that can\u2019t be measured. \u201cWe\u2019re not extreme athletes. We don\u2019t chase Guinness World Records,\u201d they add. \u201cWe\u2019re two teachers and parents with a passion for motorcycles \u2013 and hearts that can\u2019t stay indifferent. Everywhere we went along the way, we discovered people with big hearts who supported us through every kilometre.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n

This is their story.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\n
\n
\"\"<\/figure>\n<\/div>\n\n\n\n
\n
\"\"<\/figure>\n<\/div>\n\n\n\n
\n
\"\"<\/figure>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n\n\n\n

Starting out<\/strong>
We left from Komorniki in Poland \u2013 a town whose residents and local authorities were part of this mission from the very beginning. Our goal was to visit as many Harley-Davidson\u00ae<\/sup> dealerships and chapters as possible, distribute flyers, share Micha\u0142\u2019s story and gather as many hearts \u2013 and donations \u2013 as we could.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

We set off with saddlebags full of flyers, wearing T-shirts promoting the mission and hearts full of hope and uncertainty. We knew this trip was about something much more than sightseeing and that it was a test \u2013 of gear, nerves and weather. This was no vacation \u2013 this was a mission.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

We began sharing photographs and updates on our Facebook page<\/a><\/strong> as we went, appealing for donations.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Green hills and golden hearts<\/strong>
Passing through Slovakia and Hungary, we met people who didn\u2019t know us at all, but still asked how they could help. Then, in Romania, even some unpredictable weather didn\u2019t overshadow the kindness of the people \u2013 or the beauty of the Carpathian Mountains. The Transf\u0103g\u0103r\u0103\u0219an and Transalpina roads are dream routes for bikers!<\/p>\n\n\n\n

In Bucharest, after the tough mountain roads, Anna\u2019s Fat Boy\u00ae<\/sup> needed some brake repairs. The team at Harley-Davidson Bucharest, upon hearing about our cause, performed the service completely free of charge.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Warmth, spices and generosity<\/strong>
As we crossed into Bulgaria, we were met with warmth \u2013 both from the people and the sun. The Black Sea, breathtaking views, amazing food and unpredictable roads greeted us. Then, in Istanbul, Turkey, we encountered true hospitality.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

At the Grand Bazaar, a man named Abdullah gifted us a scarf for Micha\u0142, no questions asked. We visited two H-D dealerships and the workshop of TT Custom Choppers, where we met the legendary Tarhan Telli, creator of some of the world\u2019s most unique custom motorcycles. His passion, generosity and spirit left a deep impression on us and this is a moment we\u2019ll never forget.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\n
\n
\"\"<\/figure>\n<\/div>\n\n\n\n
\n
\"\"<\/figure>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n\n\n\n

Blue skies and inner peace<\/strong>
After the hectic traffic of Istanbul, Greece was like balm for the soul. Cicadas, the Aegean Sea, incredible food and smiling faces everywhere. We needed this pause. Fatigue was creeping in and Adrian\u2019s Road King\u00ae<\/sup> required a new fuel pump. The friendly team at V-Twin Motor Inn in Thessaloniki got us back on the road in no time \u2013 despite the scorching heat.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Our trusty Harleys \u2013 a 2001 Fat Boy and 2003 Road King \u2013 performed brilliantly throughout the trip.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Wild and genuine<\/strong>
In Albania, we felt like explorers among towering mountains and stunning lakes (such as Lake Ohrid and Lake Shkod\u00ebr) \u2013 raw, powerful, peaceful. This country pulls you back. The winding roads, fresh-caught fish, unspoilt nature and, above all, incredible friendliness of everybody we\u2019ve met is unforgettable.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The Balkans at their best<\/strong>
We experienced perfect weather and thrilling roads through Montenegro, Bosnia and Herzegovina and Croatia. Croatia’s coast is so stunning, it\u2019s hard not to stop for photographs every few kilometres.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

In Bosnia and Herzegovina, we saw something we\u2019ll never forget… a white-bearded Polish biker on a 1937 Knucklehead! We had an instant connection \u2013 that’s the power of Harley-Davidson. The motorcycles, whether 20 years old or 90, spark wonder, passion and a feeling that anything is possible.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

History, speed, beauty<\/strong>
We passed through the vineyards of Slovenia and headed south to the motor-mad heart of Italy. At the Museo Mille Miglia, we saw what motorsport once meant: cobblestone roads, minimal protection \u2013 only steel nerves and roaring engines.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

From there, we took the Mont Blanc Tunnel into France and travelled through Annecy, Dijon and Amiens. They were full of history, charm and more Harley riders, who opened their garages and their hearts to our cause. We met some old friends and made some new ones.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\n
\n
\"\"<\/figure>\n<\/div>\n\n\n\n
\n
\"\"<\/figure>\n<\/div>\n\n\n\n
\n
\"\"<\/figure>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n\n\n\n

The final stretch<\/strong>
In Belgium, we reunited with some old H.O.G.\u00ae<\/sup> friends and made a quick detour to the Netherlands to stop at the Dutch Hills Harley-Davidson dealership. Then, it was on to Thunderbike Harley-Davidson in Hamminkeln, Germany, where we were gifted a hat and T-shirt for Micha\u0142. As we neared the end of our trip, we rounded it off by taking the famous German autobahns and made a triumphant ride home to Poland.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Tears of joy<\/strong>
Back home: laundry, shopping, catching up on emails and, most importantly, meeting Micha\u0142 again! Together with his mum, grandma and grandfather, we gave him all the gifts \u2013 our branded tour shirt, the scarf from Turkey, cool gear from Thunderbike and 21 poker chips from the different dealerships we visited along the way. His joy was priceless.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

What are we left with? Memories, new friends across Europe and, best of all, the knowledge that together we gave Micha\u0142 more than money \u2013 we gave him hope and proof that he\u2019s not alone.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Thanks to the people we met along the way and those who supported us from afar, the fundraiser has grown. But we\u2019re not there yet \u2013 Micha\u0142 still needs help. His fight continues and we\u2019ll stay by his side until the final success. Anyone is more than welcome to help, and you can find his donation page here<\/a><\/strong>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Our journey gave us real life lessons, shared with our 12-year-old son, and we felt the H.O.G. brotherhood everywhere. People didn\u2019t ask why we were riding, they asked \u201cwhat can we do?\u201d We believe in a happy ending.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\n
\"\"<\/figure>\n\n\n\n
\"\"<\/figure>\n\n\n\n
\"\"<\/figure>\n\n\n\n
\"\"<\/figure>\n\n\n\n
\"\"<\/figure>\n\n\n\n
\"\"<\/figure>\n\n\n\n
\"\"<\/figure>\n\n\n\n
\"\"<\/figure>\n\n\n\n
\"\"<\/figure>\n\n\n\n
\"\"<\/figure>\n\n\n\n
\"\"<\/figure>\n\n\n\n
\"\"<\/figure>\n\n\n\n
\"\"<\/figure>\n\n\n\n
\"\"<\/figure>\n\n\n\n
\"\"<\/figure>\n\n\n\n
\"\"<\/figure>\n\n\n\n
\"\"<\/figure>\n\n\n\n
\"\"<\/figure>\n\n\n\n
\"\"<\/figure>\n\n\n\n
\"\"<\/figure>\n<\/figure>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"

Three riders undertook an incredible tour to bring hope to cancer patient and felt the H.O.G. spirit wherever they went. This is their 8,552.2km story…<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":7,"featured_media":7564,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"open","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"_acf_changed":false,"footnotes":""},"categories":[8],"tags":[7],"class_list":["post-7597","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-stories","tag-riding"],"acf":[],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/hog.thecreativeplot.com\/en-eu\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/7597","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/hog.thecreativeplot.com\/en-eu\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/hog.thecreativeplot.com\/en-eu\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/hog.thecreativeplot.com\/en-eu\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/7"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/hog.thecreativeplot.com\/en-eu\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=7597"}],"version-history":[{"count":4,"href":"https:\/\/hog.thecreativeplot.com\/en-eu\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/7597\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":7791,"href":"https:\/\/hog.thecreativeplot.com\/en-eu\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/7597\/revisions\/7791"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/hog.thecreativeplot.com\/en-eu\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media\/7564"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/hog.thecreativeplot.com\/en-eu\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=7597"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/hog.thecreativeplot.com\/en-eu\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=7597"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/hog.thecreativeplot.com\/en-eu\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=7597"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}