Riding for a cause: a united effort by Swedish H.O.G. chapters

When passion meets purpose, something powerful happens

This summer, Swedish Harley Owners Group^® chapters took to the open road for a cause close to their hearts: raising funds for the Swedish Children’s Cancer Foundation. From 12-17 July, riders from all corners of Sweden united in an extraordinary relay ride, turning their love of Harley-Davidson^® motorcycles into an engine for change. At the heart of this effort was Umeå H.O.G.^® Chapter Director, Torbjörn Windseth, whose vision and leadership brought the community together for the Northern Charity Run.

A relay ride unlike any other
This wasn’t just any ride. The key element? A Harley-Davidson Pan America^™ 1250 Special—an ‘experienced’ motorcycle that had already been part of a legendary 20,000km relay tour through 16 countries back in 2021. This time, the bike took on a fresh challenge, travelling through the vast landscapes of Sweden in a six-leg relay, starting from the northern town of Kiruna and passing through iconic cities like Luleå, Umeå, Sundsvall, Uppsala, Ӧrebro and more, before concluding in Göteborg. What made this relay truly special was not just the kilometres covered, but the spirit of unity and generosity that it embodied. H.O.G. chapters across Sweden joined hands, each playing a vital role in making the ride a success, both in terms of participation and fundraising.

The man and his plan
It was Torbjörn Windseth’s idea to unite all 11 Swedish H.O.G. chapters for this event, and his passion for both riding and giving back shines through. “At H.O.G., we are all about bringing Harley-Davidson riders and fans together, but it’s also about giving back to our communities,” he says. “What better way to do this than organising the Pan America Relay Ride to raise attention and funds for the important work of the Swedish Children’s Cancer Foundation?”

Torbjörn’s original idea was for participants to pay a fee to join the ride, but he quickly realized they could achieve more than that. He reached out to the directors of all Swedish H.O.G. chapters and proposed a combined effort. Each chapter would contribute based on their membership, with a 50 SEK (€5) donation per member from each chapter and a 100 SEK (€10) starting fee for riders that joined the relay ride. The response was overwhelmingly positive, and the plan was set in motion.

Exceeding expectations
As the ride progressed, Torbjörn was blown away by the support. The initial fundraising goal of 10,000 SEK (€900) was quickly surpassed, prompting him to raise the target to 20,000 SEK (€1,800). Yet the donations kept pouring in, and by the end of the relay, the total amount raised was an incredible 54,300 SEK (€4,800) – far beyond their expectations. On 17 July, in Göteborg, the final leg of the relay concluded with a ceremonial handover of the cheque to the secretary general of the Swedish Children’s Cancer Foundation. It was a moment of pride not only for Torbjörn, but for every rider and chapter who contributed to this fantastic achievement.

More than a ride
In the end, some 300 riders participated in the relay, with each kilometre representing a step closer to helping children in need. The Northern Charity Run wasn’t just about motorcycles and miles; it was about people coming together for something greater than themselves. For Torbjörn and the Swedish H.O.G. community, it’s a reminder that when we ride together, we can make a real difference.

So, what’s next for Torbjörn?
If this year’s relay is anything to go by, the future of H.O.G. Sweden’s charity efforts is bright, and full of possibilities. The spirit of giving back continues to grow, and as Torbjörn would say, there’s always another road to ride and another cause to support.

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