Gold Wing spirit unites enthusiasts at 35th anniversary GWEF ‘Treffen’

1,800 enthusiasts and 1,000 Gold Wings from 35 nations gathered in Velenje, Slovenia last weekend (27^th June – 1^st July) for a five day celebration of the 35^th anniversary of the first Gold Wing European Federation’s (GWEF) owners’ meeting.

Founded in 1983, the GWEF’s ultimate aim is “To share information and promote international contact, friendship, and activities between Gold Wing clubs and riders”. Known as ‘Treffen’ (the German word for ‘to meet’), national meetings are held in up to twenty countries every year.

A central gathering of all GWEF member countries has been held every 5 years since 2003; this year’s #Event attracted riders from 19 to 81 years of age, from 26 GWEF member countries plus a further 9 nations including Kuwait, Israel and Australia.

Highlights of the meeting included a Nations’ Parade – with a 30 minute-long convoy of ‘Wings leaving the campground for a ride-out – and the prize-giving ceremony, at which Bulgaria won the ‘Attendance Award’ (with over 90% attendance by local members) and Finland the award for distance travelled by members – with 50 Gold Wings making the 2,500km each-way trip.

With a legacy dating back to 1975, for over 40 years the Gold Wing has been synonymous with long distance two-wheeled touring comfort and cutting-edge technology. Its status as a true performance benchmark - maintained by its new 2018 iteration - has helped create a grass-roots international community of owners that fully shares its trail-blazing spirit.