Touring the area countryside

Story and Photos
by Tim Latshaw

     Members of the International Northeastern Harley-Davidson Dresser and Touring Association brought their bikes to the Gowanda Harley-Davidson dealership on July 30 as part of a week-long tour of the Chautauqua-Alleghany region.

     The association enjoyed lunch outdoors while displaying their motorcycles for public view. Only Harley-Davidson touring models, including the Road Glide and Road King, are accepted by the association. The term "dresser" refers to modifications and gear added to a bike, often to make it more suitable for long periods of travel.

     The event was organized by Norm Huail and his wife, both trustees of the association. The Gowanda dealership was chosen as the site for he event because, originally hailing from Silver Creek, Huail has often relied on it for his bikes.

     "It's been my dealer all the years I've ridden since '74," Huail said.

     The association has ridden to rallies as far away as Missouri and St. Catharines, Ontario, Canada, usually accommodated by clubs and dealers in the region. A local charity will often receive a monetary donation from the association as their way of showing gratitude to the hosting region.

     "There is nowhere we've been where we havn't been asked back," said Helen Grim, a trustee from Pittsburgh.

     The week's tour of the Chautauqua-Alleghany region continued with a bike show, field games, and light show where brightly adorned bikes are paraded down the road. Other routes planned for this region include a tour of Chautauqua Lake and a "Lighthouse Run" from Erie to Youngstown.

     Leonard and Nancy "Babe" Conrad have traveled with the association for 21 years. According to the Maryland couple, they have ridden over 1.5 million miles.

     "We've seen so much we never would've seen," said Nancy Conrad.

     The Northeastern Harley-Davidson Dresser and Touring Association was founded in 1977. It currently has over 170 single and couple's memberships.