I’ll be turning 60 in June of 2020, so I should be seasoned for the 10th
anniversary ride, which I plan on taking slowly. I’ll possibly be
coming in last with you… na, just kidding! In my last two Hoka Hey Motorcycle Challenges rides, I was lucky
enough to finish and still did most of my riding during the day. The
sites were unforgettable. They were by far the two best motorcycle
holidays I’ve ever had. I had the pleasure of meeting KC Aston, who
helped me get to my first fueling station. He rode with
me for four days then left for a family reunion. Riding alone was
probably the best way to do my first Hoke Hey. I completely had to rely
on myself to find my limitations, and believe me I did have my moments.
When I’m not riding I’m shoveling snow and
servicing snow blowers, because it sure comes down up here in central
Saskatchewan. As far as hobbies go, I’m a welder so fabricating out of
steel is one hobby. I enjoy making things for others
as well as coaching them to have the satisfaction of doing it
themselves. I’m getting to the point where I really dislike the cold
weather. I’m privileged to have my shop off my dining room so I don’t
have to go outside. I’m always anxious for the end of
April to come, as that is when my riding season starts and I get
together with most of my riding buddies. I usually get a couple rounds
of golf in during the summer as well.
I first heard about the Hoke Hey from a friend of
mine here in Saskatchewan. I was on a ride with my better half, who
has her own motorcycle by the way. Thank goodness so I don’t have to
carry makeup bags and curing irons. We were riding
up the east coast of the US to meet up with some friends from British
Colombia. While riding in Canada we had to catch the ferry to
Newfoundland. I saw a guy on a trike with a Hoka Hey vest. He was
waiting to board as well. I made my way over to him and introduced
myself and ironically his name was Jim. I told him that I had heard of
the Hoka Hey and was interested in riding in it. He filled me in on the
dos and don’ts and the must dos. I couldn’t get him out of my mind for
the rest of the trip. Thank you #116 Jim
Herold for the inspiration to ride the Hoke Hey in 2016.
As I was riding from Saskatchewan to Pala,
California I was preparing myself for the challenges ahead. When I was
actually riding the Hoka Hey, my expectations proved to be far from
realistic. I’ve since learned that having expectations
brings disappointments. Knowing this at the start of the 2018 challenge
made my ride extremally fulfilling. I‘m now looking forward to the 10th anniversary ride of 2020.
My advice to new Hoka Hey riders is to ride the
challenge alone. Reasons being #1 Safety. Peer pressure makes you
exceed your limits and puts you in harms way. Riding your own ride is
very difficult to do when you’re following and
trying to keep up with a more experienced rider.
My major attraction to the Hoka Hey challenge was
riding 10,000 miles thru the United States with confidence, knowing
that I could be among the top 20 finishers. I lost all confidence in
myself in the first 4 hours trying to follow directions.
The days progressed, my skills were starting show that I was truly
lost. The remaining days showed me the true meaning of the core values
of the Hoke Hey. Respect, Honor, Integrity and Compassion.
I finished 18th in 2016.
Jimmy Milas
Saskatchewan, Canada
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