Meet The Rider # 899 Richard Eastman

I'm 53 and reside in Kimball, Michigan. Married 28 years to my high school sweetheart Kristina. Two daughters, one son and two grandkids. This will be my 4th Hoka Hey Motorcycle Challenge. Starting and finishing in 2018, 2020 and 2022 with each year bettering myself. Looking forward to the 2024 challenge.

After you do your first Hoka Hey Motorcycle Challenge it becomes an addiction. It's an honor to be in the company of so many elite riders and a privilege to ride in it. You learn a lot about yourself and your abilities and strive to make the next even better. My advice to the new riders; Go into the challenge with your eyes wide open and don't overthink it. Don't over pack, eat when your hungry, rest when your tired, don't cheat yourself and go into it with the mindset of being able to ride it yourself. Ride your ride!!

I'm not the greatest and fundraising but looking to support local non profits with my ride. Details forthcoming on my social media.

 

Meet The Rider # 888 Tom Snowden

Born and raised in Michigan,,rode in 2018 and 2022,Hoka Hey Motorcycle Challenge,learned a lot both times mostly about myself and what I was capable of doing.
Looking forward to the excitement and anticipation of every left and right turn we find ourselves on !!!!!!!!

Meet The New Rider # 1205 William Boekholder

I am William “Bookie” Boekholder, rider #1205 from Freeport, Illinois. I've been riding since I bought my first motorcycle in Anchorage Alaska in 1983 while stationed at Elmendorf AFB, yes, I'm a proud Air Force Vet. I did take a few years off when my wife Kate of 37 years and I were raising our two boys, but never have I been without the bike I bought in Alaska and did ride it occasionally. Currently I am riding a 2016 Victory Cross Country Tour that we bought  brand new and have put 70K wonderful miles on it since then. I have my Vic set up to pull a trailer, so most of those miles have been Kate and I traveling, pretty much from coast to coast. A few hobbies that I do besides riding motorcycles include golf, hunting and riding my bicycle. When I initially signed up for this ride, I was number 135 which put me 35 on the waiting list of getting in. I was very surprised to get a text and a call 2 months out from Junie and subsequently Beth telling me that I am in the challenge. Being included means that 35 other riders have dropped out for one reason or another and I need to acknowledge them for their sacrifice in giving up their positions. For this I am deeply grateful and hope those 35 are able to participate in future Hoka Hey Motorcycle Challenge.

 
I learned about this challenge from one of the original riders, Dennis “Cleaver” Yeager, rider #193. The Hoka Hey patch that he had on his vest caught my eye while we were on a ride one Saturday. When I questioned him on it and he explained it to me, I wanted to do it. This year presented itself to me as the optimum time to do this as I just retired as an aircraft mechanic working for Collins Aerospace in Rockford Illinois, so I have the time.

 
The organization I will be riding for is the DarkHorse Lodge in Springville, Tennessee. They are a retreat for combat veterans from all branches of service to come to relax, fish on Kentucky Lake, enjoy area activities and communicate with others who have walked in their boots. all at no cost to them. Their mission statement is “Honoring our nation's heroes by providing a peaceful atmosphere for combat veterans to enjoy rest, relaxation and recreation.” They are a 501(c)(3) organization that operates off of donations. Please find it in your heart to donate to this great cause at www.darkhorselodge.org.
 

Meet The New Rider # 1204 Jim Sharp

Hello, my name is Jim Sharp rider 1204. 2024 will be my first call to participate in the Hoka Hey Motorcycle Challenge. A little bit about myself. I grew up in a small upstate New York town where I was introduced to the world of motorcycles by my Stepfather Robert “Rainman” Talbett Sr. HH rider #832. After I graduated from high school I decided to enlist in the Army and move away from NY. After I was done serving my time with Uncle Sam I decided to stay in NC where I still reside today. I have known about the Hoka Hey Motorcycle Challenge since 2016 due to my Step Father Robert “Rainman” Talbett Sr. HH rider #832 and my Stepbrother Robert Talbett Jr. HH rider #831. Knowing what they had to endure on each of their attempts I have nothing but the highest respect for all riders that hear the call to test their limits. These days I can be found hitting the roads putting in the miles with my riding buddies Chip Quay HH rider #1130 and Greg Szakmeister HH rider #1056. I am either riding around hitting Tour of Honor stops, hitting twisties in the mountains or cruising on the latest IBA ride. I found a passion I never knew I had in long distance riding. Every trip is a new adventure and misery breeds memories.

 

Why am I riding in this year’s Hoka Hey Motorcycle Challenge? The answer to this question has a very personal meaning behind it. In 2016 my stepfather Robert “Rainman” Talbett Sr. HH rider #832 and stepbrother Robert Talbett Jr. HH Rider #831 both signed up and attempted their first Hoka Hey. After seeing what the challenge was about, I knew it was something I wanted to experience with them someday.  As it always does, life went on and I was no closer to getting a motorcycle to join my family in their long-distance adventures. The 2018 Challenge came and that was the year Rob Sr. finished. Once again, I could feel that desire to finally get my bike and join them on the road. And once again life went on without me getting that bike. I made the mistake that all of us make by thinking I had time. In 2020 we lost Rob Sr. to cancer and that’s when it hit me. Time is the one thing we cannot wait for. I missed out on the opportunity to ride with the man that was my main father figure growing up. This realization hit me hard. I was not going to wait any longer and soon after, I went out and bought my bike. The 2022 Challenge Rob Jr would attempt his third Hoka Hey Challenge. Knowing this was going to be a ride that he had to do alone I told him that I would ride out and meet him at the finish line. When all the dust settled Rob Jr not only finished the Hoka Hey, but he finished in the top 10 of riders. Full of pride, I was there to be the first to congratulate him. Hugs were given and tears shed.

 

 Now it is 2024 and it is my turn to ride the Hoka Hey Motorcycle Challenge. This ride for me will be an emotional, spiritual and physical challenge. One that I am looking forward to. As we line up this year, I know I will have the watchful eye of the old man over me. I may not have had the opportunity to ride with him in life, I know he will be with me for every step of this adventure.

Meet The New Rider # 1211 George Lisenbery

 My name is George Lisenbery. I am 58 years old and I am from Porterville, California. I have been a Commercial Concrete Contractor for over 25 years. I enjoy the outdoors, adventure and traveling the country on my motorcycles. I also have a passion for racing. Anything that can go fast I have raced from wave runners, sprint cars, dirt bikes, quads, sand car and most recently raced King of the Hammers on my UTV five times over the years.

I have ridden dirt bikes since I was a  kid, so you can say my love for 2 wheels started at a very young age. In 2003 a friend of mine let me ride their Harley around the block and the rest is history. I found my self owning a Harley ever since. My wife and I enjoy motorcycle rides with our friends locally and across the country. Over the last two years my buddies and I have acquired Adventure Bikes and have been hitting the BDR (Backroad Discovery Routes) trails. We have had quite the adventures to say the least.

Last year I ran across the Hoka Hey Motorcycle Challenge on social media and started following on Facebook and YouTube. I loved the stories and challenges I read about and can’t wait to create my own this year. I am looking forward to the Ride, the Adventure, the memories and meeting folks from all over the country and world.  

I have chosen to donate to Olive Street School’s Special Day program in Porterville, California, that is hosted by Mrs Santos. I have chosen this Special Education program as there is great need for monetary resources for special education in our community for supplies, activities and other necessities that these children need throughout the year.

I look forward to this ride and the challenge of completing it. Hoka Hey

 

 

Meet The New Rider # 1216 Kevin Ralph

I was born in Los Angeles in January 1965. My parents divorced when I was five and I spent the
remainder of my formative years in a single parent home. At times, my mother worked as many as
three jobs to make sure my brother and I had what we needed. Welfare was not an option. At 16, I
went to work for a national grocery chain. At 18, I was the liquor department manager. At 23, I was
assistant store manager in one of the first multi-use stores (grocery, banking, pharmacy). Along the
way I paid my way through the University of Southern California where I majored in
English/American Literature. For the past 29 years, I’ve been in Human Resources; the last 18 years
as Chief Human Resources Officer for a variety of companies. I’ve been partnered with Pamela for
30 years and married to her for 23 years. We have three grown children.

The idea for riding the Hoka Hey Motorcycle Challenge came from a guy I met on a fishing trip to Montana. Before meeting Brando Palazzo I had not heard of the event. It sounded interesting and like the kind of challenge that with fully grown children I was ready to undertake. I said, yes. And as a man of my word, in saying, “yes” I committed. The Hoka Hey presents a personal challenge, a test of endurance and
fortitude. I’ve been tested in many ways in my life, but I have not had to face arduous physical
challenge in many years, and nothing like the Hoka Hey presents. Add to that the opportunity to see
the country and to form new community with persons from many disparate walks of life and it’s
almost a no brainer.

My charity is Prison Fellowship Angel Tree offering the opportunity to make a difference in the life of
a prisoner’s child. “For prisoners' children, camp is a refuge. It's a safe place to get away from their
problems, experience the great outdoors, make new friends, and just... be kids! but most
important, at an Angel Tree camp, prisoners' kids hear the Gospel and many receive Jesus as Savior
and Lord.” A camp experience can change a child’s life forever. Angel Tree camping is a chance for
children of incarcerated parents to get away from their daily challenges and have fun in the great
outdoors, making new friends and meeting caring adult counselors. I spent 25 years with Boy
Scouts of America (as a scout and a leader) and can attest to the power of even a single week away
from city life, exploring and learning about nature and perhaps oneself. It is especially true for
children whose parents are not only incarcerated but who also suffer the stigma of having a parent
behind bars. – Kevin A. Ralph June 18, 2024

Meet The New Rider # 1192 Chris Lumaghini

My Name is Chris Lumaghini, friends call me Luma, one of my least favorite things is talking about
myself but here is my story of how I got here.

I’m 42, Grew up in Quincy MA but I moved to Mississippi 20 years ago. I am very blessed to have an
amazing wife, Erica. We have been married 14 years and have four children Lily, Ava, Hallie & Lionel.
I started riding later in life, I grew up around motorcycles and would ride with my father as a kid but
never felt the urge to learn. It wasn’t until I started to become friends with the great guy named Joe
Lacey #802, He was president of a local group the Spirit Riders and I would frequently hang out with
them but unfortunately our friendship was cut short due to cancer. He is who told me about the
Hoka Hey Challenge, this was very intriguing to me, but I didn’t ride so I just followed along as a
spectator.

 

 Then in 2018, one of my last conversations with my father, I told him we needed to sell
his bike, but he didn’t like that idea, He said no I’m going send it to you, I want you to ride learn to
ride, you will love it he told me. Although hesitant I did agree to give it a shot. Unfortunately, about a
week later he passed away from cancer also. This man was my best friend, my hero & mentor so the
last thing I wanted to do was not to keep my promise. I started riding shortly after and sure enough
he was correct, I was instantly hooked, it quickly became my biggest passion outside of my family.
I was just your typical rider and loved to travel but late one night heading back to Mississippi from
Daytona I stopped at Buc-ees in Loxley AL to get fuel and this guy pulled up a few pumps over with
his wife and we started to talk.

 

 This man would literally change my thought process of how I ride with one sentence. I was in awe he was riding across the country, he started in San Diego the day before and was finishing in Jacksonville FL that night. Although I thought he may had been a little crazy at the time, but before he had me sign his book, he told me “There is nothing like watching a sunrise on one side of the country and seeing the sunset of the other side the following day”, Those words would change my entire riding style. I never thought I would see that man again after we said our goodbyes. I did get very serious about my craft & the new goals I wanted to achieve after this encounter.

 

 Fast forward a few years, I felt it was time I apply for The Hoka Hey Motorcycle Challenge
and I was accepted #1192. I went to the rendezvous in Eagles Nest NM. This is when it all came full
circle, The man that put this idea of LDR riding into my head pulls in, we quickly started cutting up
after finally remembering how we knew each other. This is none other than Bradley Thomas #1122,
also a rookie. I believe it was fate that god placed him in my life that night and then brought him
back to ride one of the most challenging adventures I have ever attempted.

I have been riding for 6 years now, made some amazing friends along the way and have logged
some serious miles while seeing more of the country than most will see in a lifetime. I feel I am well
prepared for the challenge with only minor concerns, being away from my family is probably going
to be the hardest part, staying under 100 especially on long lonely roads and then possibly the
directions. My plan is to just focus on my next turn and not to over think everything.

The charity I have chosen is Mile Monsters Inc. After riding in the Monster 100 last year, I began to
get more involved with them. They are an amazing organization, full of amazing people and riders.
Mile Monsters is helping make life better for children with DMD which is short for Duchenne’s
muscular dystrophy. Monsters (Us) ride for Heros (Kids) who are afflicted with DMD, this is a rare
aggressive form of Muscular Dystrophy that impacts boys. DMD will cause most of these boys to
lose their ability to walk at an early age robbing them of having the childhood experience that most
of us had and is still 100% fatal. Check us out at https://www.milemonstersinc.com/