FIVE WOMEN, THEIR HARLEYS AND A CAMERA:
FIVE WOMEN, THEIR HARLEYS AND A CAMERA:
ALL THE MAKINGS OF A MEMORABLE COAST-TO-COAST MOTORCYCLE RIDE
Harley-Davidson and photographer Lana MacNaughton announce upcoming Highway Runaways Ride paying homage to women riders blazing their own trail
MILWAUKEE (JUNE 30, 2015) – Harley-Davidson is celebrating 100-years of strong and confident women riders by supporting renowned photographer and motorcyclist Lana MacNaughton and the Highway Runaways Ride. Distinguished for her “Women’s Moto Exhibit,” MacNaughton is leading four of her closest female friends on a cross country Harley-Davison motorcycle journey, starting July 3, when she kicks off the ride in Brooklyn, New York. This four-week tour will end in San Francisco.
The Highway Runaways Ride is inspired by the infamous Avis and Effie Hotchkiss ride in 1915, when the mother and daughter became the first women to ride their Harley-Davidson motorcycle across the U.S. Many women have blazed their own trail in the sport of motorcycling, and MacNaughton leads a modern day celebration of how women riders are unleashing their rebellious spirit and living life on their terms. Like the Hotchkiss ride 100-years ago, the Highway Runaways Ride is also being powered by Harley-Davidson.
Specializing in the photography of the modern-day female motorcyclists, MacNaughton has dedicated her career to capturing and revealing the courageous and beautiful women who live to ride. During the 4,500-mile trek, MacNaughton will collect stories from women riders and take photographs of those who share her passion for the open road.
“This ride embodies the spirit of strong and powerful women. Riding a Harley is about escaping the authority and the structure of mundane life; running away is our dream and it has now become our reality,” MacNaughton says.
Through the Highway Runaways Ride, MacNaughton and her friends are exhibiting their freedom and independence on two-wheels, and they aren’t the only ones riding Harleys to exhibit their strong and powerful spirit. In a survey commissioned by Harley-Davidson, a majority of women riders said that motorcycling made them happier, more confident and feel sexier. MacNaughton is providing a glimpse into motorcycling on these terms, using her camera to capture experiences along way. The pictures will be posted on both Lana and Harley-Davidson’s social media channels at @womensmotoexhibit and @harleydavidson, using #hwyrunaways.
A Highway Runaways Kickoff Party takes place on July 2, at The Shop in Brooklyn, 234 Starr Street. The party, presented by Harley-Davidson, starts at 5:30 p.m. and lasts until close. The night features bands, bikes, beer, a special guest speaker and a chance to meet the women of the ride.
Once on the road, Lana and the others will ride through the Southeast, then across the southern U.S. before heading west to their final stop. They will visit Atlanta, Nashville, Austin, Albuquerque, Denver, and Reno. Along the way, they will stop at Southern Devil Harley-Davidson, Cartersville, Ga. (July 5) and Rocky Mountain Harley-Davidson, Denver (July 22). The Highway Runaways Ride concludes in San Francisco, after logging some 4,500 miles and hundreds of memories. MacNaughton’s Women’s Moto Exhibit is also being featured at the Harley-Davidson Museum in Milwaukee during its Custom Bike Show Weekend, Sept. 4-6, 2015.
The Highway Runaways Ride showcases women’s spirit to break down barriers and ride in their style. Visit www.h-d.com/women for more inspiration and information about MacNaughton and the Highway Runaways Ride, and the many opportunities available for women to start their own riding experiences or take their motorcycling journey to the next level.
About Lana MacNaughton
Lanakila MacNaughton is a Portland based photographer and motorcyclist. After developing a passion for motorcycles in her early twenties, she started documenting the many facets of motorcycle culture through her lens shooting in medium format on a Hasselblad CM. MacNaughton is the creator of renowned traveling exhibition “The Women’s Moto Exhibit” documenting the new wave of modern female motorcyclists—revealing the brave, courageous and beautiful women that live to ride. The show promotes a new perception of female empowerment and inspires an independence and liberation through motorcycling. Lana aims to discover female riders from diverse communities, riding backgrounds, styles and influence finding connectivity amongst riders from these different areas—ultimately changing the way women are perceived not only in the motorcycle community but society as a whole.
About Harley-Davidson Motor Company
Harley-Davidson Motor Company produces custom, cruiser and touring motorcycles and offers a complete line of Harley-Davidson® motorcycle parts, accessories, riding gear and apparel, and general merchandise. For more information, visit Harley-Davidson at www.h-d.com.
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JEN HOYER
Harley-Davidson Motor Company | US Media Relations Manager
O: (714) 710-9055 M: (414) 248-4590