Harley’s Freedom Jacket Tour to Daytona Bike Week
I was invited to join on a riding tour from Atlanta to Daytona with Harley-Davidson and RIDE’s Magazine to Bike Week. The purpose of the ride was to document the journey of Harley-Davidson’s Freedom Jacket.
The Freedom Jacket started its journey in Milwaukee at the headquarters of Harley-Davidson during their 110th-year-anniversary celebration in August of 2012. The Freedom Jacket has been passed along from rider to rider, collecting stories and piece of art that represents freedom along the way. Making stops at a bunch of different landmarks across the globe, the Freedom jacket will reach its final destination back at the museum in Milwaukee where it all began.
On this particular trip, the Director/Producer F. Gary Gray with 3 of his friends were riding their custom Harley’s down to Daytona from Atlanta. F. Gary Gray was the chosen rider to wear the iconic Freedom Jacket for this trip.
Day 2
Our first stop was in the historic city of Savannah, Georgia. Everyone in this city was very friendly. With Savannah having so much history this would set up a perfect backdrop to capture some iconic moments with F. Gary and the Freedom Jacket.
It’s now 8 am and before jumping back on the road to Daytona the crew wanted to get some photos/video of F. Gary with his custom Road Glide sitting on the stone pebbled streets on the riverfront of Savannah. During our downtime, we had a chance to interview Malcolm Jamal Warner on what he thought about the Freedom Jacket ride and when He started riding his customized Road Glide.
When asked how long he’s been riding Harley’s Malcolm Said, “I’ve been riding Harley’s for 2 years.”
He started off riding street bikes but currently has a custom 2010 Road Glide.
What made him switch to a Harley was when he moved to California, he took a trip to Joshua tree with some buddies who also rode Harley’s. Malcolm would rent one and ride with them, but the sound of their custom pipes was what made him want to purchase his own.
When asked if there something special with riding on Harley’s with his buddies to Daytona, Malcolm spoke about how it’s an awesome feeling, and when he got the call from F. Gary to ride with him on this trip, it was an opportunity he didn’t want to pass up.
Our bike crew separate from Gary’s went through a scenic route savannah until we reached our stop for that day in Brunswick. With the sound of the pipes and the rumble of the motor, you couldn’t help but see why this was a freedom ride.
In Brunswick, it turns out they were getting ready for their Annual Elvis festival. You can just imagine what’s going through one’s head when you park your bikes and see 15 to 20 Elvis look-alikes walking the streets of this small town. It was like something out of a movie.
During our brief stay here we were able to ask F. Gary Gray a few questions.
Have you ever done a ride like this before and does it mean anything different to you?
He talked about how every trip means something different. He’s never riding on the east side of this country before. Every time you hop on a bike you never experience the exact same thing.
He talked about being able to travel through Brunswick and getting a sense of a different culture is a great experience.
How does it feel to wear the Freedom Jacket and being picked to represent Harley on this trip to Daytona?
“Harley-Davidson is a great brand and a great company. It’s been around forever. It’s cool to share this same passion with a group of guys who had a chance to wear this Jacket.”
Gary later spoke about the Jacket being recognized as the Freedom Jacket from one of the locals.
“It’s impressive that not only do people follow the styles of the bike, but they also follow the little things like this Freedom Jacket.”
“I feel great about them letting me wear this Jacket and fortunate that I’ll able to share my story.”
Harley as a lifestyle…
“I love that passion is universal…”
“I love the camaraderie. It’s like the ride itself takes on a life of its own.
What is it about Harley that made you choose them over other bikes?
Well, I’ve had other bikes. The difference is, I think mechanically it’s the engine. In the V-twin motor, there’s a certain vibration and a certain sound with a combination of different pipes. It’s almost like you’re harnessing a flying fire-breathing dragon.”
After our lunch-break in Brunswick and chatting it up with the locals it was time to hop back on the bike and make our way to Main Street in Daytona.
With the sun slowly setting behind us and riding along the coast into the city of Daytona, I couldn’t have pictured a better setting. To be able to experience something like this was so surreal.
