Interview with Alan Micallef

Fitness, Harley Davidson, and the Open Road

Interviewer: Oliver Cassar

Alan, you're well-known for your dedication to fitness and running a gym in the south of Malta. What inspired you to start it, and how does fitness shape your daily routine?

I started working out at the age of 15 at a time when gyms weren’t that popular. I can say that my lifestyle changed instantly. Fast forward a few years I started competing at a national level and eventually participated in the Nabba universe which is a top amateur bodybuilding event. After completing my fitness certification in Australia I started doing personal training, initially in Sydney. Having my own gym was always a dream and after 9 years of personal training I took an important step that changed my life. 14 years down the line, I can say that I am fortunate to earn a living doing the thing I love the most. Seeing members endorse in a healthy lifestyle and start seeing results motivates me.

Although today my fitness regime is not as rigid compared to my body building days, I still work out religiously on a daily Basis ( except for Sunday where my therapy changes from

weights to wind 😀

Beyond fitness, motorcycles—especially Harley Davidson—are a big passion of yours. When did you first get into riding, and what drew you specifically to Harleys?

I was always drawn to 2 wheels back from an early age, so riding came naturally. My first bike was a Honda shadow which I bought in my 20s. It wasn’t until my late 30s ( maybe the midlife crisis stated early 😀) that I got my first Harley. It had to be a Harley!! And I didn’t look at anything else. The 48 model looked cool and fitted my budget, so I went for it…

Your collection includes a Harley Forty-Eight, a Heritage, and recently, an older Harley. But you also have a project bike—can you tell us more about it? What inspired this build, and what are your plans for it?

Yes, I have custom bike which I’ve had for a few years and which I’m very fond of due to the fact that it reflects my taste in bikes and it literally was an idea that I had in mind which came to reality. The inspiration came from the 70s chopper era but I didn’t want to follow the stereotype chopper design. I got a donor heritage 92’ Softail which I practically took the engine and a few parts off it. The rest of the built was assembled, part from specific aftermarket pieces and from custom made ones. The whole project took about a year and I can say that Adrian did a fantastic job in putting everything to my expectations.

Looking at your collection, do you ride any other motorcycles besides Harleys? How do they compare to the legendary feel of a Harley?

I had a 92 BMW r100 which I bought with the intention of doing a project bike but I ended selling the bike to make space for a shovel. I fancied the boxer engine but again I feel more myself riding a Harley.

Any exciting plans for future builds or customizations?

At the moment I have nothing particular in the pipe line. One thing that I would want to do some time in the future is to commission a nice customized paint job for the custom bike.

If you had to pick just one Harley model as your absolute favourite, which one would it be and why?

That’s very difficult to answer since I use each bike for different reasons and each one has different characteristics and gives me different vibes. I use my 48 as a daily bike. It is easy to manage in traffic & fuckin loud! I use the heritage on weekends and for trips. The custom bike is for when I’m in the mood of a short ride. And finally the shovel gives me that raw feeling you get from a classic Harley bike. Mostly I relish the rides with my 8 year old son on it.

Riding isn't just about the machine—it’s about the journey. Do you have any dream destinations you'd love to travel to on your Harley? Are there any long-distance road trips already in the works?

True, it’s about the journey, the experience and the brotherhood. It’s a total experience per se. The country on my bucket list is Norway. I’m attracted to the scenery, the combination of coastline, otherworldly views and stretches of wilderness.

Music, motorcycles, and fitness—do you see any connection between them? Does music play a role in your riding experience or training?

My daily task is finding a balance between them. I am passionate about music as much as I am to motorcycles. I find going out for a ride with music in my ears, very therapeutic. The rhythmic sound of the guitar screaming accompanied by the roar of the exhaust is pure rock n’roll!

Outside of fitness and motorcycles, what other interests do you hold?

I collect vinyl records in my spare time. I enjoy going to record shops, whether locally or abroad and dig for music. Listening to vinyl records is kind of a ritual to me. Vinyl records have that particular warm tri dimensional sound which one can experience on a good audio setup. I love to treat myself listening to a good album sipping a nice glass of single malt.

You're an active member of the La Valette Malta HOG group. What made you want to join, and what do you love most about riding in a group?

Well mostly it’s sharing a common passion. It’s also about the brotherhood which I can say is very vivid in the group. A bunch load of nice characters, some of which I have known for years; and they all carry the same passion for Harleys. In my opinion this is what makes the group special.

What do you think makes the La Valette Malta HOG group special? Are there any memorable rides or moments with the club that stand out to you?

As I mentioned earlier the brotherhood and sense of belonging is strong in the group. The organizational level is very much evident in the way the events are run. This year i joined the group to the European bike week in Croatia. It’s an experience that I will cherish forever.

La Valette Malta