NEHDDA TOUR CARD CONTEST

BACKGROUND:

The New England Harley-Davidson Dealers Association (NEHDDA), headed by Ocean State H-D in Warwick, RI, sponsors a touring contest. Visit all participating Dealers, from January to December, get a stamp on a special card and qualify for a bike raffle. Only 70 - 90 participants have qualified in past years. See their Website for rules and details: Ride New England. Also available on our Links page.

In 2007, the NEHDDA published a booklet, available at participating Dealers. Not to take anything away from OUR Dealers, but it has coupons, dates for Open Houses and Discount Days. So, maybe you could combine a road trip and Open House. Please use that booklet to CALL the Dealers before visiting them, because some Dealers have seasonal hours of business.

Also, when visiting a Dealer, make sure your name is printed CLEARLY on the sign-in sheet, which is used to verify you were there.

HISTORY:

Sometime in 2004, Bridgeport HOG Member, Polar Bear Rider and Motorcycle Writer, Chris L, turned me on to this contest. Even though Ingrid and I started late, we did 11 of 30 stops. It was a great way to see New England, put some miles on the bike, be with each other and pick up a few goodies here and there.

In 2005, we did all 28 stops, got free t-shirts and survived Boston on a bike. Got all required Maine stamps, including Caribou, while attending the Maine State HOG Rally. We rode in a parade of 300+ bikes, with constant Police motorcycle escorts, all the way from Portland to Caribou. Boots up for 325 miles, stopping only at all 5 Maine Harley-Davidson Dealers. YEE-HAA!

In 2006, we started strong, 7 of 25 stops, but, alas, we could not complete.

Well, in 2007, Ingrid is really getting into this contest.

TECHNIQUE:

In years past, we had no overall plan, just stopping as we went along during the riding season. This year, at $3 a gallon, we wanted to be more time efficient and get the most bang for our buck.

So, using a map of New England, we divided the 25 locations into quadrants, then into a loop within each quadrant, all starting from Middletown.

LOOP 1:

Our first loop was CT and Eastern Mass: East Hartford, Auburn, Billerica, Everett, Bridgewater, Westport and New London.

Mapquest.Com, offers multi-location mapping. Came in VERY handy.

Auburn Dealer had a used, orange, Honda Rebel that Ingi really liked. Came from the Riders Edge MC class they have in their parking lot. 1,500 miles, $2,500. HMMM?

Boston Dealer may have the biggest square footage in New England. But, sorry, there is no other way to say this: Boston is a friggin zoo. Drivers, roads, signs, the whole area is NOT motorcycle friendly.

Bridgewater Dealer is located in an older building, but they can get any part you can come up with. Folks were needing gears for 86 Electra Glides or springs for 74 Sportsters. Parts guys didn't have to look in a book, just went into the back room and a few minutes later, BINGO, just what the customer needed.

7 stamps, 350 miles round trip, from 8am to 6pm, and absolutely nothing to see, except highway. Our next loop, in Western Mass, should be more scenic.

LOOP 2:

Our second loop was Western Mass, VT and NH: Springfield, Southampton, Pittsfield, Bernardston, Barre, Lebanon and Concord. Mainly I-91, with some long I-90 and I-89 side trips.

This time, we used Yahoo.com, which also offers multi-location mapping.

Springfield Dealer had an Open House and we collected a couple of mugs with our coupons. They also had a bike give away. Enter the correct 6 numbers into an electronic keypad and a box opens up, containing a set of keys to a new 2007 Softtail. A couple lights flashed green and Ingi's eyes bugged out, but it wasn't enough. DANG!

Pittsfield Dealer also had an Open House, with HOG Chapter members in support. Ingi couldn't resist a pink-flamed, half-helmet. I almost bought a matching one, but thought it would be too distracting to other drivers, and therefore, unsafe at any speed.

In VT, things got weird: bullet holes on highway signs, ice fishing in April, snow on the slopes, cell-towers poorly camouflaged as pine trees and speed traps. YUP. Must have been enjoying the scenery too much on I-89. Just as we peaked a hill at 80+ mph, BAM, there he was. Had me dead to rights. But, he just sat there. We made eye contact as I went by and I thought I saw him wink. WHEW.

By the way, I-89, North and South, need serious repaving in the left lanes. Expect construction once the weather warms up. It'll be down to single lane of traffic for miles. Also, gas stops and exits are few and far between 'Up North', so gas up early and often. Those are 5 mile exit ramps and places close early.

Which is what happened to us at the Lebanon Dealer. It's 5 PM and we missed 'em by an hour. Shoulda called ahead. Stayed overnight in White River Junction and had a great supper at AJ's. Got stamped first thing Sunday morning and collected a couple more mugs with other coupons.

Then on to the Concord Dealer, via I-89. The HOG Chapter had just left on their breakout ride. But, it took forever to get out of Concord, to I-91 via RT 9. Very pretty road, but the longest 46 miles ever. Over 90 minutes. Folks in NH OBEY all posted traffic signs.

7 stamps, 630 miles round trip, including an overnight. The roads for most of these stops are what riding a bike is all about! Great scenery, hills, curves, not a lot of traffic and a chance to lean and open the throttle a little,,,carefully.

LOOP 3:

East Swanzey, Merideth, North Conway, Agusta, Caribou

These Dealer stops will be combined with our only vacation together of the year, in mid-July. We hope to ride Mt. Washington, then on to the Maine State HOG Rally in Augusta and our own ride up to Caribou.

LOOP 4:

Bristol, Ellington, Columbia

These Dealer stops will be part of the Miracle Ride in late April and a Poker Run in early May.

LOOP 5:

Exeter, Warwick

These Dealer stops will be the last 2 Dealer stops, where we will get stamped and hand in the completed Tour Card in person to collect our $20 gift certificates.

NOTE:

Every single Dealer we have visited over the last 4 years has been a great experience. All are unique and some are difficult to get to. But, once you start talking to folks, everyone is friendly, welcoming, willing to share stories and most of all, provide directions. HOG Chapter Members or Newsletters can be found at most Dealers and provide personal insights into their goings-on.

Stay tuned.
Bob and Ingi