My love for motorcycles started when my father signed himself my brother and me (16 at thepurchasing used HD’s motorcycles from the Army base in Huntsville AL (father worked as an
aerospace engineer for NASA). In 1973 out of high school I joined the service and got stationed
in San Diego CA in 1974 where I purchased my first motorcycle, a 1973 Yamaha 250 Enduro
where I honed my off-road skills, ridding the sand dunes outside of Mission Bay CA. In 1974 I
received orders to Iceland so I loaded up the Yamaha 250 in San Diego CA, rode it to Huntsville
AL where my parents lived so I could store the bike. Returned to the States from Iceland in 1975
traded the Yamaha 250 in for a BMW 600 in Huntsville AL, put 500 miles on it that weekend,
had it serviced the following week then rode it out to San Diego CA where I as stationed. In
1976 I received orders to Orlando FL so I packed up the BMW 600 in San Diego Ca and rode it to
Orlando FL. The next year I took 30 days leave and rode the BMW 600 from Orlando FL to San
Diego CA to visits friends. Traded the 1975 BMW 600 in for a 1976 BMW 750 after an accident
in 1976, still have and ride the 1976 BMW R75/6. During the numerous trips back and forth
across the country I camped next to the bike the majority of the time.
I bought my first HD in May 2001 a Dyna Super Glide, nice bike but quickly realized I needed
more bike with capacity to carry more for long distance trips so I traded the Dyna Glide in for a
2002 Heritage Softail Classic (still have and ride).
Numerous charity rides including Gus Singleton Christmas Charity Memorial Ride, March of
Dimes Ride to Save Babies, Ride for Kids (Pediatric Brain Tumor Foundation) during 2000 - 2008
including the Trail of Tears ride during 2001, 2002 and 2003. During many of the local charity
rides my daughter joined me for the events. She loves to ride.
In 2003 I flew out to Las Vegas NV with two friends where we rented Electra Glides and spent a
week ridding/camping. I planned the entire route leaving Las Vegas to CA to US 1 from Moro
Bay up to Big Sur State Park, San Francisco, Lake Tahoe, Mammoth Lake, Squaw Valley, Half
Dome, Bridalveil Falls, Sequoia National Forest then to Mt. Whitney Portal outside of Lone Pine
CA then through Death Valley back to Las Vegas NV to fly back home.
In 2011 rode the 2002 Heritage from Atlanta GA with a brother on his Electra Glide up to
Chicago IL to start our Route 66 adventure. We traveled on as much of the “Old Route 66”
(must say the road gets pretty rough at times where it has not been maintained – but that’s
part of the adventure) as possible from east to west to the beginning of Route 66 in Santa
Monica CA then we headed for the southern route of I-10 back to Atlanta GA.
In 2013 and 2014 I flew to Costa Rica to join their annual HOG rally. In 2013 we rode from San
Jose Costa Rica to Limon CR for the rally event. In 2014 we departed San Jose Costa Rica to San
Juan Del Sur Nicaragua then to Estelí Nicaragua, Granada Nicaragua then back to San Jose Costa
Rica.
In 2015 I purchased an Ultra Limited and three days later headed to Key West FL for some wind
therapy. I rented a 2015 Road King from Black Pearl HD in Belize City and rode the country
roads to Placencia Belize to spend several days on the coast prior to ridding back to Belize City
for the 2nd Annual Meet in the Middle Rally held in Belize City.
In August of 2018 left Atlanta GA on a Monday afternoon, arrived midday Thursday in Las Vegas
NV to meet up with the brothers and sisters from the Costa Rica HOG chapter. Rode with the
group for three days, visited the Hoover Dam and Grand Canyon before heading back to Atlanta
GA.
In 2019 I left Atlanta GA to meet up with the brothers and sister from the Costa Rica HOG
Chapter for Biketoberfest in Daytona Beach FL, was ask by the President of the HOG chapter (he
couldn’t make the trip that year) to lead the group down to Key West. Lead the group down to
Key West for some southern hospitality. Ride 2 Read charity ride to benefit Brookwood
Christian School, Acworth GA.
In 2020 I planned the entire ride/boarding consisting of me and brothers from MI and TX.
Brother rode from MI to Atlanta GA where we rode to Meramec State Park outside Sullivan MO
(meet up with brother from TX), then to Sioux City IA then onto Rapid City for Sturgis Rally
(Devils Tower, Custer State Park, Badlands, Mount Rushmore, Spearfish Canyon, Deadwood to
name a few). Departed Rapid City and headed west to Boulder CO to spend a few days ridding
in the mountains before heading east to Montgomery TX, stayed at my brother’s place
overnight before heading to Atlanta GA the following day (8/6-19/20 - 4,583 miles).
In 2021 I planned the entire ride/boarding consisting of me and brothers and sisters from MI,
TX, and Costa Rica. The three from Costa Rica and I rode to Meramec State Park Sullivan MO
(meet up with brother from MI), Council Bluff IA (meet up with brother from TX) then to Rapid
City for Sturgis Rally [Devils Tower, Custer State Park, Badlands, Mount Rushmore, Spearfish
Canyon, Deadwood to name a few], Rock Springs WI, Wendover UT to visit the Bonneville Salt
Flats, Truckee CA for a visit to Lake Tahoe, San Francisco – Golden Gate Bridge then ride down
Lombard St. to Fishermen’s Warf for some fresh seafood before heading to Big Sur for the
night. From Big Sur to Bakersfield CA for a quick trip to stand with one foot on each side of the
North American and Pacific tectonic plates (bucket list✓ ), near Gorman CA. From Bakersfield to
lower section of the Sequoia National Forest then Lone Pine CA for a visit to the Mt. Whitney
Portal then through Death Valley to Las Vegas. Yuma AZ to Sierra Vista for a trip to Tombstone
AZ, left Sierra Vista for Montgomery TX, the group spent the night at buddies’ house. Then off
to Jackson MS and back to Atlanta where the brothers and sister from Costa Rica flew back
home with a boat load of memories. The length of the trip (8/6-24/22) around the United
States was 7,594 miles with many places visited by those whom accompanied me both from the
US and Costa Rica sadly will not have been visited by a majority of the US population.
Trips for 2023 consists of 21st Annual HOG rally at the end of April in Costa Rica, Laconia Rally in
June, meet up with 10 brothers who rode up from Costa Rica in Waco TX and rode to
Milwaukee for the 120th HD Anniversary event, then Biketoberfest in October to wrap 2023.
“Hoka Hey” is a Lakpta word meaning “Let’s go!” or “Let’s do it!”, a phrase which self-
empowers through courage and confidence, while revealing to others to take their power back
in the face of those who seek to steal it. I am participating in the Hoka Hey Motorcycle Challenge because in a world full of ever-changing chaos I’ll be challenging the full combination of my physical, mental and
spiritual fortitude and knowledge to raise awareness, enrich and inspire, empower and unite
those I come in contact with, hopeful for the betterment of all people and the environment.
The charity I will be supporting is the Grand Canyon Conservancy (GCC). The GCC accepts the
responsibility of stewarding these places and pledges to honor and respect these lands, their
cultural history, and the 11 nations that are still here: The Havasupai Tribe, The Hopi Tribe, The
Hualapai Tribe, The Kaibab Band of Paiute Indians, The Las Vegas Band of Paiute Indians, The
Moapa Band of Paiute Indians, The Navajo Nation, The Paiute Indian Tribe of Utah, San Juan
Southern Paiute Tribe, The Pueblo of Zuni and the Yavapai-Apache Nation.
I have visited the Grand Canyon numerous times both as a child and adult and still remember to
this day the markings on the rocks left by our native American heritage many years ago of
which many still live in and around the surrounding area. I chose this non-profit in hopes many
generation from now can still enjoy the beauty.
The GCC Mission: As the official philanthropic and collaborative partner of Grand Canyon
National Park, Grand Canyon Conservancy’s mission is to inspire generations of park
champions to cherish and support the natural and cultural wonder of Grand Canyon.
The GSS Vision: Support Grand Canyon National Park in its goal to provide enriching and
fulfilling visitor experiences and protecting the park for future generations. We will achieve this
by establishing a continuous and growing funding stream, providing enhanced educational
experiences, and engaging advocates for the park.
Breathtaking from the moment you first cast eyes on it, Grand Canyon is just that –
Grand. The natural and cultural significance of Grand Canyon makes it one of the Seven Natural
Wonders of the World and a UNESCO World Heritage site. It is a sacred place of serenity and
reflection that invites exploration and adventure, instilling both gratitude and humility. Grand
Canyon is a cultural touchstone for those who came before and those who have yet to come.
Grand Canyon Conservancy’s vision for Grand Canyon is:
• A precious natural and cultural resource that is forever safeguarded.
• Indigenous people and connected communities who are thriving.
• Memorable experiences that welcome, ground, invigorate, and inspire.
Current Priorities include: Dark Sky Preservation, Desert View Inter-tribal Heritage Site and
Trails Forever.
Link to GCC and my Charity page: Mission, Vision, Purpose
https://protect.grandcanyon.org/site/Donation2?df_id=4740&mfc_pref=T&4740.donation=form1
Sponsor: Nick Nicholson with HELLBENDER HD has agreed to help sponsor me for the 2024 HHMC
HELLBENDER Harley Davidson
993 South Cobb Drive
Marietta, GA 30060
770-919-0000
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