Mixing Passions on the Road: Harley-Davidson & BMX

When a pro rider refuses to choose between two obsessions, the road becomes a playground.

Arthur Dietrich is a French BMX professional who teamed up with Harley-Davidson to merge extreme cycling and motorcycling into one clean idea: a roadtrip moto built around the best skateparks and BMX spots. The result: roughly 3,000 km across France and Spain on a Harley-Davidson Dyna Fat Boy, with the BMX strapped to the bike—ready to ride whenever a concrete bowl or street spot called his name. It’s not a technical manifesto. It’s a portrait of freedom, built on real miles, real stops, and a machine prepared for a very specific kind of travel.

A Harley prepared to carry a BMX—without compromising the ride

The key to making this trip possible was the preparation work done by Harley-Davidson Bastille. The bike was modified so Arthur could secure his BMX on the motorcycle—inspired by mounting systems often used for surfboards. In practice, that means a setup designed to handle vibration, braking, and motorway speeds without turning the bicycle into a sail.

On the road, the logic is simple: ride a long stretch, stop for a session, then roll on. It’s a way to travel that changes the rhythm of a classic motorcycle trip—more micro-destinations, more “purpose stops,” less straight-line touring.

Planet Ride rider tip (the one that saves your day)

If you build a themed roadtrip (surf, climbing, BMX, photo), keep your riding days realistic: on mixed roads with frequent stops, plan on 6 to 8 hours of real travel time for a “full” day, even if the distance doesn’t look huge on a map. Your focus drops faster when you’re stacking sessions + saddle time—fatigue is the hidden risk.

The route: France to Spain, spot by spot

Arthur’s itinerary reads like a rider’s hit list—urban culture, Atlantic air, Basque crossings, and one desert interlude. The stops mentioned in the original project include:

• Paris – the launch point, where a city ride can become a departure line.
• Bordeaux – a clean mid-country step before the Atlantic push.
• Biarritz & Hossegor – ocean light, wind, and that “ride-and-reset” feeling that makes you want to stay one more night.
• Bilbao & Pamplona – Spain’s north, where the road starts to feel different: signage, pace, and a new kind of street energy.
• Bardenas Reales – the standout contrast: a semi-desert landscape that makes every kilometer feel cinematic.
• Toulouse – back into a big-city rhythm, good for servicing, gear checks, and recharging.
• Marseille – a final southern punctuation mark: salt, heat, and the sense of having crossed something.

Micro-details that matter on a trip like this:

• Expect a mix of motorways, secondary roads, and urban riding; your “average speed” is never the one you think.
• When carrying extra load (like a bike), crosswinds on exposed sections can be tiring—especially near the coast.
• City-to-city routes mean more start/stop riding; brake and clutch fatigue is real on heavy cruisers.
• Plan quick checks every morning: strap tension, contact points, and anything that could rub (paint, cables, tire clearance).
• For navigation, always keep an offline map saved for the day’s route—urban detours and dead zones happen when you least want them.

Why Harley-Davidson wanted this story

This project also speaks to brand strategy: choosing a BMX pro rider with international recognition was a way for Harley-Davidson to refresh its image and reach a younger audience drawn to escape, movement, and independence. The original article notes a 3% sales increase (2011–2012) among under-30s—used here as a signal that the brand was already tracking that shift.

And it makes sense: the “Harley” myth isn’t only about chrome and straight highways. It’s also about building your own format of freedom—especially when the route is shaped by passion rather than by postcards.

“A second dream”: when two worlds finally fit

Arthur Dietrich has been a Harley-Davidson ambassador since 2012. For him, this trip wasn’t just travel—it was the feeling of living two dreams at once: the vintage motorcycle he loves, and the BMX life that made him a pro. Put together, the roadtrip changes nature: on a motorcycle, distances feel physical; stops feel earned; and each session becomes part of the journey rather than a separate event.

That’s the quiet strength of the concept: it’s not about doing more. It’s about making every stop matter.