Hi All,

Just wanted to advise that this weekend (4/5th june) is the Swiss 500 miles challenge. This is a Harley Davidson event that is a 24 hour endurance ride through upto 14 Alpine passes, and other B roads.

Typically this event attracts several hundred riders each year form all over europe, so if you are driving about the Alpine passes expect to see a higher than average number of Harleys. Generally speaking no one will be "racing" as the event isnt a race, but an endurance challenge against a preset time to complete, so none of the riders should be doing anything other than cruising along like everyone else.

Can i ask for forums members support in that if you're out driving this weekend and see any Harleys, particularly in the Alps, try to give them right of way or passing room if you can, as slowing them down will impact the preset time they have to ride to. Keep in mind the riders have probably been on the road for many hours, are probably tired, and trying to complete the challenge.

Many of the riders are being privately sponsored to raise money for various charities and if they cant complete the challenge it will be dollars lost for whatever charity they are riding for.

website here for anyone interested: www.swiss500miles.ch

Appreciate your understanding and support!

Cheers,

8's

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Please do not misinterpret my lack of Panic for a lack of Caring...although I probably don't care either way....

Are you going through any part of Vaud? There is someone there who might not be quite as happy about the run as you are.

no idea what the route is. It is kept secret until the start, and then you only get the route to the next checkpoint.

So i guess it is fair to say that there is likely to be Harleys all over the place

And to reassure, they dont all go in one group, that'd be just silly

What's the challenge? That a Harley actually finishes that many miles without breakdown of bike and/or rider?

Good luck to them. I always like to hear about charity events. Shows we still care! I'll be sure to overtake as many as I can this weekend

20 years ago i would have agreed with you, but not so much now. My HD has more electronics and diagnostics that the average Toyota, and will do as many miles as one between servicing . As for the rider, well....

Just to be clear, the event itself isnt for Charity. A lot of riders take it upon themselves to seek out private sponsorship/pledges for Charity donations to be honoured when they successfully complete the endurance challenge.

So will you and the Hedgehog of D be swinging by a certain road in Vaud on the way? I hear the locals don't like the sound of a HD or Buell.

see post #3

personally... I prefer the sounds of a HD... a mate of mine lived just down the street from the Hell's Angels chapter house in Slough ... I got kinda used to it.

It wasn't this one, was it?

http://www.youtube.com/watch_popup?v...vq=medium#t=88

endurance race huh? so good chance a few tired ones will not make their turns and will perish? that would be so awful!

No such thing happened to date, although there is always that risk. Fortunately at the checkpoints you get " assessed" and told to rest if the organizers think you need it.