Home21st Jun 2010 - Barcelona Harley Days '10 – Hot in the city
The beautiful coastal city of Barcelona was the setting for yet another buzzing Barcelona Harley Days
Barcelona Harley Days made a triumphant return, simmering under the heat haze of the scorching temperatures, attracting hundreds of thousands of visitors and more than 18,000 Harley-Davidsons.
Born from the 100th Anniversary Harley-Davidson celebrations in 2003, alongside its sister event in Hamburg, this free and open event has now established itself as one of the top cities for a gathering of Harleys in Europe. With first-class sightseeing that includes the Park Guell (Gaudi), Sagrada Familia and La Rambla, a chic marina and relaxing beachfront, coupled with beautiful surrounding countryside, the location has all the ingredients for an exhilarating Harley party.
Located on the Avenue Reina Maria Christina against the backdrop of the magnificent National Palace of Montjuic and enchanting Magic Fountains of Montjuic, the event site vibrated with the sound of Harleys, music and laughter for the three-day event in June.
Spanish tribute acts and bands The Walkers, The Smoking Stones, Manuel Fuentes & the Spring's Team and The Always entertained crowds by night while visitors strolled among the traders and bars by day.
The Harley-Davidson Demo Experience hosted more than 600 visitors who enjoyed riding the model of their dreams on a guided route around Barcelona, completely free!
For riders and non-riders alike, the Harley-Davidson experience was really brought to life in the Expo Tent with a display of Harley's new models as well as the opportunity for visitors to have their photo taken astride a new model with the backdrop of their choice. New models included the Harley Tri Glide Ultra Classic Trike.
A fashion show held on the main stage showcased the chic and cool collection of Harley-Davidson Motorclothes while the new Fit Shop explored the importance of fitting a bike to its rider. Experts demonstrated to visitors how to adjust and personalise their bikes using genuine Harley-Davidson parts and accessories.
This year the event also featured an exclusive area for women riders where demonstrations on how to pick up a heavy Harley and how to look good astride a big V-Twin appealed to new female audiences.
A Hospitality Area for H.O.G. Members and Harley owners provided welcome shade during the midday sun as visitors relaxed at the Choppers Bar and enjoyed live music.
Out in the surrounding countryside, the rumble of the legendary V-Twins continued. Exploring the twists and turns of the coastal cruise south to Sitges as well as inland into the beautiful national parks that surround the city, guided tours also took visitors to the best roads the region has to offer.
Sunday saw 10,000 bikes participate in an 8km parade through Barcelona city centre. Taking in the Olympic village, the port, Avenue de Miramar and Passeig de Colom, thousands of local residents lined the streets as this spectacular procession passed by.
A truly magnificent event with a chilled atmosphere! Watch this space for details of the next Barcelona Harley Days!
To view more pics from Barcelona click here
Custom Bike Show
More than 70 of Spain's top custom bikes entered the Custom Bike Show that was held at this year’s Barcelona Harley Days. The hottest competition was in Sportster category, demonstrating the love of this ever-popular model in Spain. The winners of the Big Twin and Three-Wheeler categories were aptly themed with references to Gaudi; the Three-Wheeler being totally covered with the small mosaic tiles with the famous Gaudi Dragon on each fender.
With entries arriving all day, before a presentation in the evening, visitors had plenty of time to admire the bikes on display and choose their winning bike – People’s Choice award went to ‘Anathema’, built by Josep Gomez from Spain.
Best in Show was won by Rodrigo Pico from Spain with ‘My Toro’, which also scooped the top honours in the Best Radical category.
Antique
1st Ton Ribas, Spain, FL50 Panhead
2nd Jordi Powes, Spain, Panhead 57
Ladies of Harley
Rosa Linares, Spain, ‘Wicca’
2nd Eva Font, Spain, Sportster 883
Watercooled
Nabil Angli, Barcelona, VRSC
Sergio Tarda, Spain, Nightrod
Touring
Felix Fernandez Rodriguez, Spain, Softail
Andrew Estany, Spain, Road King
Three-Wheeler
Cristina Doldan Cardenas, Barcelona
Harry, Australia
Custom
Amalio Martinez, Spain, ‘La Bastarda’
Garci, Spain, Shovelhead
Sportster
Miguel Mellado, Spain, Sportster 883
Jose Maria de Argila Marin, Spain, Sportster 883
Big Twin
Jose Manuel Ramon Rodriguez, Spain, FXSCT
Antonio Merinero, Spain, Softail Standard
Radical
Rodrigo Pico, Spain, ‘My Toro’ (Best in show)
Juan Jose Gonzalez Mateos, Spain, ‘Cruel World Von Dutch’
People's Choice
Josep Gomez, Spain, ‘Anathema’