HOG National 06

Gina’s diary of her trip up to, and at the National HOG Rally at Airlie Beach 2006

This ride report is a ripper. It’s classic Gina, a Lady of Harley HOG member, she sets off on her own Softail Deluxe and meets up with people from everywhere on the ride up, and at the rally. Enjoying their company and partying with them and making friends every step of the way. Those that know her, and many do, will have a good laugh and enjoy the “say it how it is Gina style” way she’s put this together. I reckon it just shows what biking is all about. HOG provides one of those conduits and many a biker has enjoyed that opportunity and many a lifelong friendship has happened because of it. Gina is never short of a laugh or a smile and in it's way this short diary really does epitomise the Aussie Lady of Harley rider. Many thanks also to Chainsaw for some of the terrific photos.

Left Nergan and rode to Rocky. Met plenty of bikers on the way. Sunny day, good trip

Took a trip to Yeppoon. Met up with Marie Canberra Chapter and a few others in the pub. Met Vic and Bob who own the observatory at Green Island. Yes I will take them up on a free holiday to their place. I stayed in the motel overlooking the water. Unreal. The tide went out for half a kilometre!

Went to Emu Park and saw the singing sails. Then back to Rocky to buy new handgrips at Rocky Custom and then to the Harley shop for a new visor. Ran into Wagga and rode to motel to meet Gold Coast HOGs. As they arrived we found out 4 bikes went down and 2 broke down. Ice Man had a broken shoulder and ribs, Little John had a few stitches in the chin and some bark off. The 2 girls on the back of them had bark off too. 2 bikes behind fell over but got up back up and kept on riding.

The girls hired a car at Gladstone, picked up Little John and brought him to the rally to keep on partying. The girls weren’t HOG and were from a magazine. A car had caused the problem, wrong blinker when turning. Caught up again with everyone for dinner that night, a few hundred of us. It was Lex from the Gold Coast’s birthday so cake and cheers let loose.

Left next morning to go to Airlie Beach and register. The weather was beautiful and the scenery spectacular. Then to the pub in the main street where everyone seemed to gather. Lots of pretty backpackers were around. Some of us stayed till closing time. Fun for all that night.

I missed the boat to see the 3 islands so will go tomorrow. So had breakfast with Laurie and Rob before heading up to Vick Hislops Shark Museum. It’s a must. 16ft Frozen shark, film clips, lots of big shark teeth. Some people might never swim again after seeing this.

Then we went to the lagoon where there is safe swimming. Lots of beautiful pools joined together. ½ naked backpackers everywhere soaking up the sun. Lots of bikers keeping an eye out, not sure if for sharks or babes.

Back to the pub in the main street and full of bikers from all chapters and backpackers from the world over mixing and drinking. Jerry, Als, Col, Rod and Barny just arrived. Chainsaw was having a beer drinking competition with the local football team that had just won. Yes he beat them. Chainsaw showed them we can drink and party them under the table. We went home and cleaned up then ready for the night party. First feed over, a rally site BBQ. Well laid out. Good music with the Brass Monkeys.

We then all ended up back at the pub to watch jelly wrestling. It was $500 first prize and the backpackers must have been broke. They were out to kill each other for the money. Lots of fun.

Left Early to catch the boat. Shute Harbour. Went to Long Island first. The colour of the water was unexplainable. So many different blues. Ran into other bikers, out of bike clothes they were hard to tell. Just looked for the blue rego tag around the wrist. Patrick from Brisbane Chapter hung with us for a while. Then back on the boat to go to Hamilton Island. Rob and Deaf Peter from Brisbane Chapter hired a golf buggy. Peter drove. I’m sure he tried to kill us! We communicated with a pad and pen. He is one of the funniest guys I have ever met. As we drove around the island again the views were breathtaking.

We found a very different carving place. I think the picture will tell the story.

Anyway, off to the next island which was Daydream. Well we walked around and boy it’s done up since last time I was here 6 or 7 years ago. $40 million has been spent doing it up. The man that owns Natures Own owns it. The mini 19 hole golf course is the biggest in the southern hemisphere. Found a bar in the pool. So 3 island teas and I was in heaven. Peter and Patrick joined us. I saw 3 mermaids sitting on rocks. They reminded me of the 3 sisters in the blue mountains. The mermaids were better looking. The water life and coral can’t be explained. You must go for the adventure and find out. Boarded the boat for the mainland. Some of the staff girls finished for the day quickly got bottles of champagne and drank it with straws, friendly and happy I drank too.

Made it back for the dinner pasta night. Everyone was dressed in beach gear. I missed the beach games but not the fun with the Polynesian spectacular show. They got a few of the crowd up and showed us what drunk bikers will do. They looked like sick birds swaying instead of palm trees.

Then over to the pub for a tit comp. The place was packed. Lots of tits. A blow up sex doll was passed around the bar by a local. It had the biggest tits!

We gathered PCVC car park (next to main street). All Chapters in coloured shirts to show what chapter they were from. Approx 1500 bikes. The thunder ride was one of the best I have been on. This is my 8^th National. The main street was 20 –30 people deep and there were others hanging out of buildings. We did a round trip to Proserpine and back down the main street to the rally site. There were no stops and everything went smoothly. Cops were great. Smooth ride and everyone raved how good it was.

Then came the Chapter Challenge. It was right in front on the beach. It was a little hectic as everyone went in it. After the slow race, balloon toss and balls on cones we headed for the beach for the tug-of-war and the plank walk. 4 ½ hours later it is now dinnertime.

The closing ceremony and chapter presentation was awarded. Yes Gold Coast won! There was a flag parade, and some of those chapters will never be seen again.

Had a great trip home that took 2 1/2 days. 5000 kays for the round trip later my bed felt good!

I would like to thank Chris and Helena Sweeney, Sandra Middleton and Kooka and all the others involved in running such a great show in a touch of paradise.

Note that there were events mentioned and photos here of the pub, jelly wrestling and wet t-shirt comp etc. that weren’t anything to do with HOG. Wouldn’t want any misconceptions.