About Dallas H.O.G.®
Dallas H.O.G.®... Where it All Began
The Dallas H.O.G.® Texas Chapter is one of the oldest in existence, especially in the North Texas area. Currently, the Dallas H.O.G.® Texas Chapter has over 800 members and continues to grow. But, it wasn't always this way. Here's how it began.
First Came the H.D.O.A.®
In the late 1970s, a group formed in California called "H.D.O.A.®" or Harley-Davidson® Owners Association. The theory was that this association would be a place for Harley® owners to compare notes, get technical help, and keep the Harley® name alive. D-HOG® began as the North Texas Chapter of HDOA®. The group met once a month for rides, swap meets, etc.
The D-HOG® First Meeting An April Fool's Joke?
In the early 1980s after many years of requests, Harley-Davidson® formed the Harley® Owners Group (HOG®). HOG® was only available through a sponsoring dealer, so when Doug Locke and his co- owners bought the dealership in 1985, they asked the HDOA® group if they would like to form a HOG® chapter. To become a local chapter required 25 paid memberships. It took several months for the HDOA® group to obtain 25 memberships, but on April 1, 1986, the first meeting of D-HOG® began at the south end of Grapevine Lake dam. The members thought it was an April Fool's joke since only a handful of riders were present. Each founding member was offered a lifetime membership from Harley-Davidson® if they had five years of concurrent paid membership. At this time, Harley- Davidson® Motor Company was struggling through the "AMF" years and it was uncertain whether the company would survive for five years. HOG® now boasts over 650,000 members with over 685 chapters worldwide. HOG® is the largest factory-sponsored motorcycle organization in the world!
Biggest D-HOG® Events
Today D-HOG® conducts three rides per week with major events 3-4 times a year. The two primary D-HOG® events started under HDOA® still exist today. The St. Patty's Day Run in March and the Lone Star Run in September are traditional rides for the Dallas area. Founding D-HOG® members reflect that during the first years of the St. Patty's Day Run, each member would dye their beard green in order to receive free beer at the run. This was an easy task since the chapter had less than 30 members. Often there were more workers than bikers in attendance. In comparison, the 2001 19th Annual Lone Star Run had over 500 people in attendance with 45 working volunteers and 2002's 18th Annual St. Patty's Day Run had over 600 in attendance with 35 working volunteers. D-HOG® has come a long way from the early days thanks to the foundation built by people who not only love to ride but also prefer to do so on a Harley®.
The Founding Members of D-HOG®
Early chapter officers were Doug Locke, Bob Johnson, and Ken McClure. Several other members that deserve mentioning were Richard Cross, Ed McKennan, Bob Foco, Bob Blackburn, Doug & Donna Pritchard, Tim & Debbie Sikes, Charlie & Robin Loucks, Gary Stewart, Rick Ellis, Mike & Linda Ramsey, Audie Bell, Roger & Mary Teddy, Jim Brassfield, Bill Hoh, and Larry Staubb. Many of these founding members still ride with D-HOG® today. So, if you happen to meet one of these founding members, stop and shake their hand and thank them for helping to shape the Harley® motorcycling community in Dallas/Fort Worth area.
