Meet The Returning Rider # 1235 Daryl Thompson

 

I've heard the 2026 Hoka Hey Motorcycle Challenge will be a "doozy", but I have to admit, 2024 had its challenges for me. Hurricane Debby; jumping an alligator; ear infections. But those challenges were met and overcome. That was the point for me.  I needed to know if I still had the grit to persevere, and here I am returning for another run!  

 

While 2024 was a ride of discovery, 2026 will be a ride of continued growth. 2026 is not a challenge against my Hoka Hey family. It's about challenging myself. I can do better. A better me makes me better for others.  

 

As a retired LEO and Past Chapter President of the Thin Blue Line LEMC, helping my blue family is important too. That's why I choose The Thin Blue Line LEMC Foundation as my charity. The foundation is an all-volunteer run 501(c)3 foundation that helps to support the families of our law enforcement and military veterans. 100% of contributions go to the families of these warriors that paid the ultimate price for our comfort and safety. Please help me to help them. They have already sacrificed enough.  

 

 

Meet The New Rider # 1271 Chris McIntosh

 My name is Chris McIntosh. I’m a born and raised New Englander. I am also a Marine Corps combat veteran (2006-2010) who has served in both Iraq and Afghanistan.
As a veteran I value and respect discipline, integrity, resilience, and perseverance and I carry those principles into every ride as I’ve been riding motorcycles off and on for most of my life.
Long Distance motorcycle riding is more than just a ride for me. It is where I feel the most at home and a place to clear my head. It’s where all my stress just disappears. To me it’s form of moving meditation. 

Long distance motorcycle riding is more than a challenge to me; it’s an opportunity to test myself and embrace the journey. Therefore, I am honored to be chosen to ride in the Hoka Hey Motorcyce Challenge as I look forward to connecting with other riders and becoming part of this while earning my place one mile at a time.

Meet The New Rider # 1271 Chris McIntosh

 

My name is Chris McIntosh. I’m a born and raised New Englander. I am also a Marine Corps combat veteran (2006-2010) who has served in both Iraq and Afghanistan.
As a veteran I value and respect discipline, integrity, resilience, and perseverance and I carry those principles into every ride as I’ve been riding motorcycles off and on for most of my life.
Long Distance motorcycle riding is more than just a ride for me. It is where I feel the most at home and a place to clear my head. It’s where all my stress just disappears. To me it’s form of moving meditation. 

Long distance motorcycle riding is more than a challenge to me; it’s an opportunity to test myself and embrace the journey. Therefore, I am honored to be chosen to ride in the Hoka Hey Motorcyce Challenge as I look forward to connecting with other riders and becoming part of this while earning my place one mile at a time.

Meet The New Rider # 1271 Chris McIntosh

  

My name is Chris McIntosh. I’m a born and raised New Englander. I am also a Marine Corps combat veteran (2006-2010) who has served in both Iraq and Afghanistan.
As a veteran I value and respect discipline, integrity, resilience, and perseverance and I carry those principles into every ride as I’ve been riding motorcycles off and on for most of my life.
Long Distance motorcycle riding is more than just a ride for me. It is where I feel the most at home and a place to clear my head. It’s where all my stress just disappears. To me it’s form of moving meditation. 

Long distance motorcycle riding is more than a challenge to me; it’s an opportunity to test myself and embrace the journey. Therefore, I am honored to be chosen to ride in the Hoka Hey Motorcyce Challenge as I look forward to connecting with other riders and becoming part of this while earning my place one mile at a time.

Meet The Returning Rider # 1156 Craig Tooley

 

As a returning rider, my second Hoka Hey Motorcycle Challenge, I plan on finishing sooner than I did two years ago.  I rode with my Mom...Gypsy, rider #985 and sister...Tooley, rider #1066. It was a family affair and a great adventure. Looking to build on that experience and add new miles and memories this year! Wanting to be there for the end of the ride party.

I love this Hoka Hey family that I have found through my Mom and sister. Can't wait to see everyone again and catch up before we do this thing!! Had a come to the Lord moment on my last run and looking forward to see what He has in store for myself and the rest of us this year. This can truly be spiritual for sure, you surely get out of it what you put into it. Give it your all, and leave nothing on the table.

 

I'm riding for Mile Monsters Inc . again this go around...another great family within a family. We Monsters truly are the best in my opinion, great riders for a Monster charity. Our Heroes have Duchenne Muscular Dystrophy, these boys truly exemplify what it means to be a Hero. We help them live their best lives, please follow along and help us to do so. 

 DONATE

 

Can't wait, let's do this!!!

 

Meet Te Returning Rider # 1125 Robert Rose

 

I was born in March of 1957  in Muskegon, Michigan and we moved to Frankfort.  In my early years I found my passion in heavy machinery while working alongside my father and motor cycles while growing up. I met my wife in green bay Wisconsin while I was working at a job site there. I decided to move there permanently were we raise our 2 children in suamico, WI. I opened my own dragline company called badger crane and dragline and worked with the operating engineers local 139 until my retirement.

 

While  we were raising our kids I lost sight of riding motorcycles until 2001 when I bought my first ultra glide  and re found my passion of riding while hanging out with my friends and going on rides and meeting new people.

 

Upon my retirement I took my first hoka hey  challenge alongside my brother Tim and I am looking forward to completing this ride along side him again.

 

I will be be raising money for a program call hogs for hero were they help wounded veterans get motorcycles.

Meet The Returning Rider # 1228 Peter Lyle

 

Hi, my name is Peter “PayDro” Lyle; Rider #1228, I was born, raised, and lived most of my life in Florida. I’m a Navy veteran, dog lover, and motorcycle enthusiast. I’ve been riding for about 23 years, and ride a 2016 Victory Cross Country. This will be my second attempt at the Hoka Hey Motorcycle Challenge . I rode in the 2024 HHMC, but had to drop out after riding 6200 miles due to experiencing hand, wrist, and eye issues.  I currently work at Patrick Space Force Base on the East Coast of Florida, and I ride with the Green Knights Military Motorcycle Club, where we promote safe riding practices as well as Military Values: Honor, Integrity, Duty, Loyalty, Respect, Courage and Selfless Service; much like the values of the Hoka Hey.

 

I’m riding this year to show that I have what it takes to finish this incredibly difficult ride. I have made adjustments to my riding regimen, such as being conscious of my riding time, proper food & water consumption, and proper sleeping arrangements (time and comfort). I am confident that these changes will help me be able to complete the grueling challenge.

 

 

My non-profit this year is the Florida Wildlife Hospital (FWH) located in Palm Shores, Florida; where I’m also a volunteer, catching baitfish for needy patients. I’ve chosen them because they are a top-notch organization, and they do an outstanding job to help keep our little corner of Florida wildlife thriving. The FWH provides educational programs for school groups and the public and offers rewarding volunteer opportunities. They work closely with Brevard County Sheriff’s Office Animal Control and Florida Fish and Wildlife as well as other wildlife rehabilitators and animal welfare groups in the state. FWH is available 365 days a year to admit wildlife patients. They care for more than 7,500 patients per year. There is never a charge for animal care. That is why the donations are so critical to their ongoing operations.

Donations to FWH will be used for the following:

Medical Care & Rehabilitation: Funding veterinary services, treatments, and medical supplies to rescue, heal, and release over 200 species back into their natural habitats.

Daily Animal Feed: Purchasing specialized food, formula, and dietary supplies for recovering wildlife and emergency intakes.

Ambassador Animal Care: Providing ongoing, permanent food and medicine for the facility's educational outreach animals.

Specialized Enclosures: Birds and animals require a safe place to rest and recover, which requires separate, special enclosures, that often need repairs or new ones altogether. Regular maintenance of these enclosures are needed, since thunderstorms are a regular occurrence in this area.

Operational Costs: The Melbourne-based facility runs 24/7, as the nonprofit receives zero state or federal funding and never charges the public for animal drop-offs.

Donations link: https://secure.qgiv.com/for/flowilhos

Check the “dedicate” box; then, in the drop down:

Choose: “In Honor of,” Enter: “PAYDRO”

Thanks, and See ya'll at the FINISH LINE!