My name is Bryan Kern, Hoka Hey Rookie #1149. I’m 51 years old and grew up in Northwest Ohio (Clyde).Quinnela, and Dexter). I’m have a degree in engineering; and currently lead a manufactured housing wholesale distribution company with 800 employees. I wish I could say I have been riding motorcycles all my life,but that just isn’t my story. I did get my first 3-wheeler at age 10 and enjoyed riding with my friends during my younger years, but only occasionally made it onto 2 wheels. My mom was having nothing to do with motorcycles and had that almost permanently ingrained in me.
Skipping through 30 years of details, life was full of raising a family and participating in their activities. Finally, in 2017, with only two of the kids left at home, Terra and I decided we needed some hobbies of our own. Golf or a place by the lake with a boat were in the running, until my wife (who grew up riding motorcycles with her dad) asked about a bike. It was in that moment that I realized I was a grown ass man and could get a motorcycle now (although I still called my mom and told her what I was doing!). With the purchase of a 2017 Street Glide Special as my first bike, the addiction was on. I know that all of you reading this will understand when I say, being on a bike is where I am meant to be.
While I haven’t been riding for a long time, I have quickly learned that I love all types of riding. Riding to
work, day trips, group rides, overnights, long trips, camping trips, slow speed cone riding; it doesn’t
matter. I’ll do it all and I enjoy it all. I’m not even 100% sure how I first came across Hoka Hey Motorcycle Challenge, but I believe it was on one of the various Facebook groups I follow. What I do know is that when I saw it, I was immediately drawn in. I read the history, I read the stories, I followed the Facebook pages, and I knew it was something I should do. With overwhelming support from Terra, I was all in for the challenge. I’m not sure I have a real answer as to why I want to do it: Is it the challenge itself (10,000 miles in 14 days…or thereabouts), is it the personal journey, or do I have something to prove to myself? Whatever the draw is, I’m going to lean into it, and I’m fully committed to crossing the finish line in Homer!
As part of my challenge, I will be raising money for the New Perspective Foundation. New Perspective is
an organization that helps individuals in Florida, Georgia, and Ohio who are hospitalized due to spinal
cord injuries. A chance meeting and a random boat ride placed Bob and Gloria Gentry into our lives, and
we learned their son Tyson’s story. Tyson Gentry walked onto the Ohio State Football team as a
punter/wide receiver. During a scrimmage in his sophomore year, Tyson caught a pass in the middle of
the field and landed awkwardly. He was instantly paralyzed from the neck down. During his recovery, he
never forgot the people that sent him cards, letters of encouragement, and wishes for recovery. Others
sent gas cards to help alleviate the costs of travel incurred by his family. It was these acts of kindness
that ultimately inspired Tyson to start the New Perspective Foundation in 2014. The Gentry’s are an
amazing family, and we want to support Tyson and New Perspective in their efforts. The money raised by
New Perspective is used to help other families with travel related expenses while supporting and caring
for loved ones recovering from spinal cord injuries.
To quote Yoda, “Do or Do Not, there is No Try”. I am going to “Do”!
Bryan Kern
Hoka Hey #1149
New Perspective Foundation donation link
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