Q: APART from buttocks hewn from solid granite, what would it take to cover 5 million miles (over 8 million km) in a single day by motorcycle?

A: Thousands of Harley-Davidson riders around the world.

This week saw the second annual Million Mile Monday for members of HOG (Harley Owners Group), the factory-sponsored club for owners of the iconic American motorcycles.

On Monday night, nine local Harley-Davidson riders (plus this reporter, who wrangled his way into the proceedings by making vague promises about buying a Harley "some day") braved the light rain to ride around the island and clock 100km each.

The total of 1,000km will be added to the distance achieved by HOG members around the world this Monday and, hopefully, the cumulative mileage will exceed 5 million.

Last year's Million Mile Monday saw HOG members around the world hit 3,000,960 miles together.

It is not known yet if the 5 million mile target was collectively met, but one suspects the exercise was carried out mostly for the heck of it.

"I took part to have some fun, to meet up with the guys and to relieve stress from work," said Zulkeflee Othman, 36, who rides a Heritage Softail customised with high handlebars.

It's doubtful if other motorcycle brands would be able to mobilise riders around the world for such a wonderfully pointless lark, but then Harley-Davidson seems to inspire loyalty amongst riders like no other.

Just ask Mr Zulkeflee. In 11 years of riding Harleys, he's now on his seventh machine. JULIAN LOW

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