H.O.G.® NORDIC

Torbjörn Windseth

Home country: Sweden, Umeå

H-D® model: FLHTK Electra Glide® Ultra Limited

My friend, who has been riding motorcycles since he was young, nagged me to get a motorcycle for years. He kept saying there would be a day when I’d feel it’s too late to started riding a bike, and I eventually gave in. There was never any doubt I’d buy a Harley-Davidson motorcycle, and in 2008 I fell in love with the new Nightster™, which was all black and took details from earlier models, such as rubber on the front fork. It was light and easy to be mischievous with.

In 2009, my friend and I started exploring Norway along the curvy and interesting roads. We didn’t plan the routes; we just rode to where our noses pointed. Although the Nightster wasn’t the best bike for carrying camping gear, I still managed to tie up my tent and sleeping bag and off we’d go. After two years, I felt I’d outgrown it and looked for a Harley-Davidson Night Train – another black bike. There were some on the market but not one I wanted. Then I came across a Softail Custom in Gothenburg in a really nice colour and I fell in love again!

The bike had two previous owners and less than 10,000km on the clock. It was 2007 model and I felt it suited me better for road trips. I bought saddlebags and heated grips, and other modifications included an engine upgrade and styling details to make it mine.

Riding in Norway is spectacular because the landscape and roads are magnificent – there are roads that go round fjords, cross over mountains and have lots of tunnels. One year we did part of the Norwegian Scenic Routes and rode over the mountain instead of taking the shortest route through a 30km tunnel.

We had a lovely view at the top of the mountain and decided to stay for the day. The sky was clear, the sun was shining and the temperature was comfortable. We needed a place for our tent, so we carefully drove between stones and rocks to a small area of grass about 50 metres from the road. Once the tent was pitched out came the Trangia kitchen set and we cooked marinated beef for dinner. A small stream with clear cold water from melted snow was ideal for making coffee the next morning. At this point we noticed three riders with adventure bikes that stopped by the roadside. They walked towards us and the first word we heard when they pointed at our bikes was “Harley offroad!” We laughed and this has become a memorable moment for us.

Two years later we had almost explored the north and middle of Norway, and our next trip took us to Bergen. On the first day we stayed at my colleague’s holiday home on the coastline just outside the city. The sky was blue and it was 24 °C at the Atlantic Ocean – amazing. The next day we headed south and came to Hardangerfjord, which stretches for more than 178km. The weather was lovely, so we rode round the fjord. There were stands by the road selling cherries, strawberries and fruits from different trees. We rode for more than 800km that day, taking plenty of coffee breaks and time out to enjoy the view.

Heading south, the Norwegian landscape changes – there aren’t as many mountains and the roads are a bit faster to lay behind you. We were coming near the southernmost part when it was time to search for somewhere to stay overnight. We drove towards the coastline and saw a lighthouse and parking spot, which we dismissed because it was overcrowded with caravans and mobile homes – and a lot of cows behind a fence! We went a bit further and found we found another parking area, sweeping past more mobile homes and caravans until we reached a grass area in the centre. We parked up, pitched the tent and settled down for a good night’s sleep. In the morning we unzipped the tent to see an elderly couple sitting at a table watching us. They pointed at two extra cups and invited us to join them for coffee. We accepted, of course, and spent the morning having a lovely chat with them.

Each year, my passion for riding grew, and in 2018 we established the H.O.G.® Umeå Chapter and I started as charter member and director. Once again, I felt there were more interesting bikes out there for me. I went to the Harley-Davidson® dealership in Umeå and was shown a brand-new 2019 Road Glide® Special in an unusual color. There was no way back – I had to have it! Now it’s even easier to travel to explore. You might think I’m a Harley-Davidson nerd, and I might agree.