The Manitowoc County H.O.G. Chapter started August of 1992. Our sponsors were Mitch and Marshall Hansen, Hansen Motorcycles, Inc. Marty Popp who was a mechanic at Hansen Motorcycles had the idea to start the H.O.G. chapter. Notices were sent out to Harley owners in the area. 25-30 people were at the first meeting which was held at the Backstop in Northeim. Marty explained the concept of what a H.O.G. chapter was, and had forms for people to sign up.
Our youngest members when they joined the chapter were at the ages of 3 Jaden Bacon (Bob Michels grandson), and age 5 Jacob Artz (Glen & Marie Artz son).
This is a list of the first board members.
Marty Popp - Director, Bob Nullmeyer - Assistant Director, Tammi Casper - Secretary, Mike Lade - Treasurer, Carol Michels - LOH, Ron Groves - Editor & Safety Director, Larry Reiser - Activities Officer, Glen Artz - Road Captain, Kathie Olsen - Historian/Photographer. For a list of the current board members visit the Chapter Officers page.
The next meeting was held a month later and there were about 30 charter members. Meetings were held at the Labor Hall in Two Rivers for a while on a Thursday night, and also on a Sunday for those who could not make the Thursday meeting. The chapter held their meetings at a variety of places. As the chapter grew it needed bigger meeting places. Our chapter meetings are presently held at the Chiefs Clubhouse on Clay Pit Road, in Manitowoc, which is below Holy Family Hospital along the Manitowoc River. The chapter grows annually little by little. In 2005 we
had over 300 members.
The chapter has held a variety of events for chapter members, such as dinner runs, rides to local events, anniversary parties in September with fish boils, and Halloween parties.
A big summer attraction was the "International Run", where we rode to towns with International names, i.e. London, Wales, Poland. Making a weekend of it. The first year was a northern route, and found us in Green Lake on Saturday night. When we rose on Sunday morning all the bikes were covered with frost and it was 30 degrees. It was cold riding, but we managed to visit Belgium, Wales and a few other foreign places despite the cold. The second run was a southern route, a bit warmer. The 4th year,
was an "Animal Run" for a weekend of searching out exotic locals such as Eagle River, Bear Creek, etc. Since then we have had
many Yooper Runs to Michigan's Upper Peninsula, House on the Rock in Spring
Green,
Bristol Renaissance Faire.
We have had a few benefit rides, and poker runs over the years. But mostly we
prefer to just Ride and Have Fun. Attending State Rallies, and the ever popular
Tomahawk Fall Color Ride.
In September of 2001 Dave Stock our present sponsor, now Stock's Harley-Davidson bought Hansen
Motorcycles from Mitch and Marsh Hansen. Stock's Harley-Davidson is located at
2433 Hecker Rd.in Manitowoc. You can find a link to Stock's Harley-Davidson on our Links page. Come and see the
NEW store, they have new and used motorcycles. Take a look at the calendar of events to see what the dealership has going on.
