From pocket passion to the open road

H.O.G. member Diego ‘Cocorekejo’ Rodríguez shares the ride that took him through Tenerife’s unforgettable volcanic landscapes

I’m from Galicia in Spain and have a passion for motorcycles, adventure and nature, and this is my second year as a H.O.G. member. Three years ago, I bought my first Harley^® – a 2009 Nightster^® 1200, and I love customising it in my spare time. There’s something incredibly rewarding about turning a bike into your own personal project; it creates a connection that’s hard to explain.

My love for Harley-Davidson started young. One Christmas, I got a miniature Harley model with a tiny rider. It was my favourite toy and I carried it everywhere in my pocket –I still have it today, 24 years later.

As a teenager, I used to sit with my dad watching American Chopper. That was the first time I saw a customised Harley, and I was fascinated by all the work that went into each detail. It really stuck with me.

Now, meeting people from different countries, sharing meals, celebrating together and riding through incredible landscapes with that signature Harley roar, it’s no longer just a teenage dream. With every kilometre, it’s becoming more real.

My most recent road trip took a route through Teide National Park in Tenerife. Wow, what a ride! It’s a place I’ll never forget. We began the route at Hard Rock Tenerife, then rode up TF-38 and TF-21 to El Portillo and the paved summit of Mount Teide. From there, we descended towards Santa Cruz through the La Esperanza, where winding roads snake through thick trees on either side of beautiful, well-kept asphalt. I can’t wait for my next adventure.

Here are some photos of the landscapes, plus my “ride or die” Gala, and my beloved sportster.