RIDERS
MEET THE CREW MAKING IT HAPPEN
GORDON FORRESTER
A dedicated Harley enthusiast and noted motorcycle collector and restorer, Gordon, 60, provided the two-wheeled inspiration for the tour when he built two Sturgis-tribute Harley-Davidsons with the aim of riding them to the Sturgis Rally in 2020.
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Having been touched by depression and the loss of one of his closest family members, Gordon is also a passionate and long-standing member of the international Harley Owners Group and has had several magazine articles published on the bikes he has built and owned.
CHRIS BEATTIE
Founder of Harley-dedicated magazine, Heavy Duty, Chris Beattie, 62, is a well-known journalist, magazine editor and publisher, who has ridden and owned motorcycles since he was a kid.
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A past sufferer of depression, Chris is currently editor of leading marine lifestyle magazine, Club Marine. He is also a passionate Harley rider who, in 2003 took nearly 500 Harley-Davidson riders and their motorcycles to the USA to celebrate Harley’s 100th birthday.
MAX HAYES
Max, 50, is an artist whose pallets just happen to be classic cars and motorcycles. Manager of Melbourne-based restoration and fabrication business, Vintique Moto, Max is renowned for his ability to turn rusty relics into motorized works of art. Apart from owning several motorcycles himself, Max has been touched by the shadow of depression and is intimately familiar with its impact on individuals and their loved ones.
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For the tour, Max will ride his own bike and will also ensure that the ride bikes are maintained and running properly on the 2200km ride from Los Angeles to Sturgis.
JACK BEATTIE
A videographer and passionate motorcycle rider, Jack, 21, is Chris’s son. He is the Back in Black Ride’s official producer, cameraman and sound recordist. Jack will be producing a documentary on the ride, from its planning stages in 2019 to the actual ride across America to Sturgis and will ride one of the three official ride bikes.
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Jack will also manage all social media promotion and distribution in the lead-up to, and during the actual Back in Black Ride to Sturgis.