Motorcyclist

Hope Springs Eternal for Female Riders at Daytona Bike Week

Riders Band Together to Find a Cure for Neuromuscular Disease and Enjoy the Open Road

September 17, 2009

MILWAUKEE, Feb. 26 /PRNewswire/ -- For thousands of female motorcyclists, hope springs eternal at Daytona Beach Bike Week this year. As a new day dawns on the motorcycle riding season, female riders hope for two wheels and hundreds of miles of open blacktop, clear skies, wind in their face, breathtaking sunsets and unique experiences with their fellow riders. They also share hope to find a cure for neuromuscular disease.

During this year's 68th Annual Daytona Beach Bike Week, thousands of female riders and Harley-Davidson Motor Company are banding together to help the Muscular Dystrophy Association (MDA) make their hope of finding a cure for neuromuscular disease a reality. The Motor Company has planned two special initiatives for female riders to help raise funds for the MDA:

Wall For Hope: Harley-Davidson will feature a 'signature wall' in the Women's Interactive Experience area at the Daytona Beach Ocean Center from Saturday, February 28 through Saturday, March 7, 2009. Riders and non-riders alike can showcase their support for the MDA and their efforts to find a cure for neuromuscular disease by signing the special Wall For Hope. The Motor Company will make a $1.00 donation for every signature on the wall to the MDA._
2nd Annual Harley-Davidson Women's Day Ride: The ride will take place on Tuesday, March 3, 2009, and feature hundreds of women riders who will ride triumphantly through the streets of Daytona celebrating their freedom and passion for riding and the MDA. All of the riders participating in the ride were encouraged to secure pledges and donations from their friends and families to support MDA Summer Camp programs across the country. The top three fundraisers will receive a Harley-Davidson jacket and anyone who raises more than $600 will receive an exclusive MDA charm. Last year's ride raised almost $67,000 for MDA Summer Camps._

"The events we have planned for Daytona celebrate the collective passions that are inherent in all female riders -- love for the open road, camaraderie with fellow riders and the desire to share their passion and help others," said Leslie Prevish, women's outreach manager, Harley-Davidson. "Harley-Davidson has a longstanding commitment to the MDA and we are proud to continue that commitment with our family of female riders."

In addition to the Wall for Hope and the Women's Day Ride, the Motor Company is also hosting the Women's Interactive Experience area at the Ocean Center throughout Bike Week and will be celebrating Women Riders Day on Wednesday, March 3, 2009. Experienced women riders or those just looking for information on how to get started can learn more about the sport by participating in bike lift seminars and getting information about learning to ride, healthy living on the road and more. Women who visit the Interactive Experience area will also have the chance to meet Karen Davidson, the great grand-daughter of one of the Motor Company founders. For more information about Harley-Davidson and women and riding, visit http://www.harley-davidson.com/womenriders.

Harley-Davidson Motor Company, the only major U.S.-based motorcycle manufacturer, produces heavyweight motorcycles and a complete line of motorcycle parts, accessories and general merchandise. For more information, visit Harley-Davidson's Web site at http://www.harley-davidson.com.