The Pony Express

A rally through time with Willie G

For Harley-Davidson, 2024 was a year dedicated to motorcycle touring and touring motorcycles and we turned to Willie G. Davidson for some insights from one of his favourite rides. A man with an infinite number of miles in the saddle, we were curious where in the country he might lead us. With equal measures of historical perspective and intrigue, Willie decided to take us back to the antebellum Western frontier territory and the 2009 Pony Express Rally.

During 1860 and 1861, the Pony Express tasked an intrepid group of riders on horseback to deliver the mail over 1,900 miles through the dangerous and sparsely populated frontier territories. Stopping only to swap out horses and riders, this trip took approximately 10 days, and during its existence only one dispatch of mail was lost. The invention of the telegraph made cross-country correspondence more efficient, and the Pony Express was placed in the annals of Wild West folklore after only 19 months in service.

In September, 2009, H.O.G.^® sponsored a rally from St. Joseph, Missouri, to Sacramento, California, retracing this perilous journey and paying homage to the men who risked their lives to deliver the country’s mail. With stops at dealership events and historic markers, this rally brought riders from across the country together to celebrate history and the community of Harley-Davidson^® riders. While in Wyoming, Willie G. and his wife Nancy also engaged in a Friendship Dance with Native American dancers from the Wind River Indian Reservation.

“Touring allows for deep reflection on the past and the future. On cross-country roads chosen for a historical experience, one can’t help but wonder about those pioneers who shaped this country and took risks to spread valuable communication,” said Willie G. “Riding the Pony Express route gave us deep respect for the men who rode the Wild West. Touring gives us a deep sense of adventure and experience — today for us, and tomorrow for those we inspire. Our bikes and our brand provide that for a lot of people.”

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