All roads lead to Senigallia – Emiliano Izquierdo del Barco, Spain

As H.O.G.^® members across Europe and beyond prepared to make their way to the 30^th European H.O.G. Rally, The Enthusiast^® met a few of them 

A deep passion for all things Harley-Davidson has surrounded Spanish H.O.G.^® member Emiliano for as long as he can remember. His father, Emiliano Izquierdo Flores,  
had acquired his motorcycle licence as soon as he was old enough and dreamt of one day owning a Harley^® – an ambition that Emiliano came to share.  

“When he finally bought one, I was amazed,” remembers Emiliano. “As he says, ‘it is the most beautiful bike in the world’. As soon as I turned 18, I got my licence and bought my first bike, a 2002 Sportster^® Custom 1200, for €5,000. I was very young and didn’t have the budget for more, but I knew it had to be a Harley-Davidson^®.” 

No sooner had he got the motorcycle, than his father signed him up for H.O.G. membership with the Madrid Chapter. “My father had been a member for a long time and told me that it was full of wonderful people,” says Emiliano. “My mother, Fátima del Barco Periañez, would also go with us as much as her job allowed, and for me it was a dream come true to be making plans with my family while riding a bike.” 

The chapter is very active in planning routes and events, which Emiliano has become increasingly involved in. Having since upgraded to a 2019 Street Bob^® – “shiny black and what a change from the other one!” – he goes out riding two or three times a month, enjoying a weekend spin with the Harley at every opportunity. 

More recently, Emiliano has stepped up to join the committee and encourage youth engagement. He’s keen to help and learn as much as he can, while providing a voice for younger H.O.G. members within the committee. “That people who are doing a spectacular job year after year believe you can help them and be a part of it is a great compliment,” he adds. “When they offered it to me, I really didn’t expect it. They’ve put a lot of trust in me and I’m going to give it my all.” 

While Emiliano has had fun attending many H.O.G. events in Spain, it’s been a while since he looked further afield to the main event: the European H.O.G. Rally. The last one he went to was in Cascais, Portugal, back in 2019 and he shares fond memories of spending time there with his parents and uncle. To go with family and celebrate their common interests in all things Harley made for a “very special trip” full of priceless quality time. 

Closer to home, a favourite ride of Emiliano’s was originally organised by Madrid Chapter with an air of mystery: riders met at an agreed departure point, without knowing their ultimate destination! Called the NHC, it took chapter members on an unexpected adventure, crossing countries and taking in spectacular scenery. 

“We were called on the Friday and told to bring a tent,” explains Emiliano. “We set off into the Basque Country and camped on Monte Igueldo. On Saturday we left early and crossed the whole of southern France, west to east, in one day, finishing at Perpignan – I had woken up by the Cantabrian Sea and gone to sleep by the Mediterranean, crossing the Pyrenees. Then, we went all the way back along the coast to Barcelona, before returning to Madrid. It was one hell of a ride!”  

However, he now has his sights on joining fellow enthusiasts from around the world for the 30th European H.O.G. Rally, held in Senigallia, Italy, and is ready for a new adventure. With him will be his girlfriend, Judit, and two friends from Madrid Chapter: Pedro on his Iron 883^™ and Fontecha on his Forty-Eight^®. Several other friends will be meeting the quartet there, taking a variety of routes to the rally. 

The group plan on making their way from Madrid to Barcelona for an overnight stop, then taking the ferry across to Civitavecchia on the west coast of Italy. From there, all roads lead to Rome – photographing their Harleys by the Colosseum is a must! After one night in Rome, it will be on to Senigallia. For variety, the return journey will take a different path to Rome, before repeating the ferry process back to Madrid. 

“This will be the first time we have ridden our Harley-Davidsons in Italy,” says Emiliano. “Above all, I’m looking forward to laughing a lot and having some new stories to tell when I get back. I’m really looking forward to riding my bike in Rome and the H.O.G. Rally is going to be spectacular.” 

Not only does this year mark the 30^th anniversary of the event, but Emiliano himself will be celebrating his own milestone as he turns 30 years old during the rally on 7 June. “What an old man!” he chuckles. So how will he be marking the occasion? “I have some ideas, but first I want to see what’s on the programme. For sure I’ll go for dinner and buy some drinks once we’ve parked the bikes.” 

Beyond the rally, Emiliano has some bike modifications planned – an upgraded backrest  
on the bike will make Judit’s position in pillion much more comfortable – and will be focussing on his role within Madrid Chapter. He’s full of enthusiasm for the role and looking forward to learning how to become a good officer and help members get the most out of the community. The Madrid Chapter has a thriving young membership and Emiliano hopes that more young people across the world will look to join H.O.G.  

“When I travel to other places, I see very few people our age and would like to encourage them to join and experience this world,” he reflects. “We have created a subgroup within the chapter called ‘Jovenazos’ and we welcome anyone to  
join, just as I was welcomed a few years ago – for which I am eternally grateful.”  

The Enthusiast also followed the journeys of Angela and Uli Konietzko from Germany, Evert Richter from The Netherlands, Bruno Picchianti and Sylvie Schmit from France, Valentina Giachino from Italy, and Knut-Bjarne Klaussen from Norway. 

---

Tags: