BLOOMINGTON - Calling motorcycle riding the "last avenue of freedom for the average American," a local businesswoman played host Tuesday to thousands of riders on their way to Milwaukee to celebrate the 105th anniversary of the founding of the Harley-Davidson Motor Co. | Photo gallery

Rider began arriving as early as 7 a.m. Tuesday at Chuck's Harley-Davidson, Bloomington, for food, friendship and fun. Later in the day, there were 300 to 400 bikes in the parking lot at any given time, said store owner Winnie Feken.

"Everyone just leaves their cares at home and has a good time," Feken said. "They go to mecca - basically this is like a pilgrimage."

Bloomington was one of the final 20 stops nationwide for the riders converging on Harley-Davidson's Wisconsin birthplace for the 105th Anniversary Celebration Ride Home. The five-day event begins today.

Riders from as far away as Germany and Australia had gathered at Feken's shop and talk about why America's iconic motorcycle means so much to them.

"They create a passion to ride; they fill that dream," said Phil Sloan, Fredricksburg, Va., who rode his 2005 Ultra Classic into the dealership Tuesday afternoon.

"It's the camaraderie. People on Harleys, it's a family," said Dave Jones of Richmond, Va.

Sloan and Jones were taking part in one of the company's largest organized rides to Milwaukee. There were 150 official starting points along 25 routes.

Hundreds of thousands of riders are expected at the convention.

Rachel Trainer, Richmond, Va., who rides a 2004 Heritage Soft Tail, said the ratio may be one woman to 15 men at any given Harley event, but there are fewer women on long rides like this one.

Fenken fed the crowd on the big back porch of her business. The free menu included 1,500 hot dogs and four kegs of root beer among other non-alcoholic drinks.

Mary Jo Stratton and Allison Smith of Jim's Steak House made salad with the locally famous Brittany bacon dressing.

"Some riders told us, 'We've never seen nicer people than in Bloomington,'" Stratton said. "And they were from Texas."

"Local customers brought their grandmas and babies just to see the action," Feken said.

One of the local visitors was Tracy Ingram of Kenney, who came up from DeWitt County to soak up the sights and sounds - and take a break before going back to yard work at his home half an hour away.

Jorge Hernandez, who lives near Mexico City, said his bike broke down on the border, and he lost two days of travel. He made up the time, traveling up to a 1,000 miles in one, 17-hour day.

Joav Madrid, 15, who also lives near Mexico City, said the ride was a great way to spend time with his father, Raul. "We don't get to spend a lot of time together," he said.