Meet The Returning Rider # 83 Lee Smith

 

Problem Child #83

People always ask why I keep coming back to the Hoka Hey Motorcycle Challenge.

It isn’t because I’m chasing another finish.

It isn’t because I’m trying to prove anything.

I come back because somewhere along this road, Hoka Hey stopped being a motorcycle challenge and became part of who I am.

The younger me thought this ride was about miles, checkpoints, and finishing. The older me understands it’s about people. It’s about the stranger who becomes family. The rider who pulls over when you need help. The quiet conversations at gas pumps. The stories you’ll remember long after you’ve forgotten where you slept that night.

In 2022, my Hoka Hey family helped me fulfill the hardest promise I’ve ever made. Together, they carried my son, August, across North America. His ashes now rest in mountains, churches, rivers, deserts, coastlines, and countless places I’ll probably never see again. Every rider who accepted that responsibility gave me a piece of peace I’ll never be able to repay.

People know me as Problem Child #83. Beth gave me that nickname years ago because I tend to ask questions, stir things up once in a while, and keep people on their toes. The joke has always been that I can find a problem anywhere. The truth is, I’ve spent most of my life trying to solve them. If someone needs help, needs a laugh, or simply needs someone to listen, I hope I’m the guy who stops.

These days I don’t ride to outrun life.

I ride to appreciate it.

Every sunrise.

Every storm.

Every small-town diner.

Every handshake.

Every conversation.

That’s what Hoka Hey has become for me.

As my patch reminds me every morning…

It’s a Good Day to Ride.

So I’ll continue to…

Ride with Respect. Live with Purpose.

If you see me out there, don’t be a stranger. Pull up a chair, grab a cup of coffee, and tell me your story. I’ll probably have one to tell you in return.

Until then…

I’ll see you in my mirrors.

— Lee “Problem Child #83” Smith

Oh I forgot 

I will be riding as usual for the tribe we are representing, so this year it will be …

PRAIRIE BAND POTAWATOMI NATION

Boys and girls club 

DONATE 

 

Meet The New Rider # 1305 Brian Losey

 

 

 I grew up as an Air Force brat. My Mom and I lived in Japan while my Dad did 3 tours in Vietnam as a radial reciprocating engine mechanic wrenching on A-1 Sandy forward observer aircraft. I graduated from the US Air Force Academy and crossed services into the Navy in 1983, and spent the next 33 years serving in the Special Operations community. I retired from the Navy in late 2016, and for the past 10 years worked as an independent consultant in the defense industry, concurrently participating in fulfilling partnerships in two cutting edge advanced technology companies. 

 

I thrive on purpose, not happiness. Happiness comes and goes with the ups and downs of life, but purpose drives me. Through my Teammate Ed Maulbeck, I was introduced to a compelling way to serve the American Indian and US Military Veteran’s Communities by raising funds through the challenge this grueling motorcycle endurance test presents. 

 

With gratitude, I will be riding for the Give to Give Foundation G2G, a special non-profit that serves the American Indian Community, US Military Veterans as well as men and women incarcerated in prisons in the US and other countries. G2G brings the cutting edge of proven neuro-science in personal transformational change through meditation as taught by the world renown Dr Joe Dispenza. Dr Joe has generously shared his hard earned knowledge for G2G to expose communities through this non-profit channel. I had the good fortune to bring Ed and his wife to G2G and ultimately, Dr Joe’s global retreat events, and he has brought me to the  Hoka Hey Motorcycle Challenge. 

 

I ask for your support by donating to this cause to help bring more and more People together through the impactful work of this foundation and Dr Joe. All are One. Hoka Hey!

 

 

Meet The New Rider # 1371 Woody Carter

 

 

My name is Woody B. Carter (Rider #1371) from San Antonio, Texas. My journey on two wheels began in 1988 on a Honda 450. Shortly after, in 1989, I joined the U.S. Army straight out of high school, retiring in 2019 after 30 rewarding years of service. Throughout my military career, I constantly sought out the toughest challenges, graduating from Air Assault, Airborne, Ranger, Drill Sergeant, and Battle Staff schools. I deployed to Desert Shield/Storm, Bosnia, Kosovo, twice to Iraq, Afghanistan, and Kuwait. While stationed in Germany, I bought my first Harley—a 1996 FXSTC Softail. I still have her today and plan to pass her down to my son when he is ready. However, for this ultimate challenge, I will be piloting my 2023 Harley-Davidson Ultra.

 

Why I Ride
I believe deeply in the purpose; self-discovery, and healing, that long-distance riding provides. I once rode the entire 469-mile stretch of the Blue Ridge Parkway solo on my Softail. I've tackled the tight, technical twists of the legendary Tail of the Dragon, Cherohala Skyway, Devil’s Triangle and Moonshiner 28 while in North Carolina and Tennessee. It was a transformative experience—just me, my bike, the open road, and endless space for deep reflection. When I first heard about the Hoka Hey Motorcycle Challenge three years ago, I was instantly drawn to it. It represents the ultimate test: a challenge similar to my Blue Ridge ride, but twenty times longer. I am feeling a mix of excitement and nerves, but I am fully prepared to take this on and look forward to meeting new lifelong friends and family along the way.

 

My Charity: Breakthrough T1D
I am proudly riding to support Breakthrough T1D (formerly JDRF). Founded in 1970 by families personally impacted by type 1 diabetes, Breakthrough T1D is a tax-exempt 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization. They are dedicated to opening doors once closed by a T1D diagnosis by uniting the brightest minds to advance life-changing treatments, influence public policy, and improve global access to care. By driving relentless innovation, Breakthrough T1D aims to make type 1 diabetes a condition of the past. Learn more at walk.BreakthroughT1D.org.

 

Meet The Returning Rider # 1115 Chris Comly

 

My name is Chris Comly and I am rider 1115.  When not riding I am either working on one of my 6 bikes, volunteering, or spending time with my family which includes my wonderful supportive wife Michele, two daughters, and 5 grandchildren.  Pre-Covid I volunteered at the Independence Seaport Museum working on their historic ships in Philadelphia PA and I am looking forward to getting back now that restrictions are being lifted.  I also am a volunteer at the Mid Atlantic Air Museum in Reading PA where I am one of the parking coordinators for their WWII Weekend show each June.  As for riding, I started taking weeklong trips with friends in 2009, and in 2014 I started doing longer and more challenging rides.  I applied for and was chosen for the 2015 Iron Butt Rally and was hooked.  To date I have started five IBRs and completed four.  I also completed the 2025 Scooter Cannonball Rally. 

  

 

My reason for wanting to ride in the Hoka Hey Motorcycle Challenge is because I like a challenge, and the HHMC is certainly that.  I also like taking smaller roads and riding through small town America and seeing things most people don’t see.  The more I heard about the HHMC the more I wanted to ride in it.  I rode in the 2022 Hoka Hey but did not finish due to family issues.  I am back for 2026 with unfinished business.

 

 

My charity of choice is The Eli Seth Matthews Leukemia Foundation.  This charity was set up by a friend of mine almost 10 years ago after his son Eli lost his fight with Leukemia at the young age of ten years old.  His father, Paul, established the foundation to support research to find a true cure for this terrible disease.  Their mission statement is “To unite communities in the fight against childhood leukemia by funding research and supporting families affected by this devastating disease in honor of Eli Seth Matthews.”  Funds raised by the foundation are primarily donated to hospitals and research facilities working on new treatments and diagnosis techniques.  They also provide financial assistance for medical bills and funeral costs for families with children fighting cancer.

 

 

To support my charity please click on this link to the foundation’s website

Meet The New Rider # 1340 Robert Russell

 

Robert "Tealglider" Russell A 58 year old Mechanic from Dittmer, Missouri. I have a Beautiful wife, Sandy, who has been my riding partner for over 20 years. We have two Children Joshua and Stacy who we are both so proud of. I inherited the riding bug from my Father and be dedicated to him (Thomas Russell III).

 

The  Hoka Hey Motorcycle Challenge has been on my bucket list for a lot of years. A long time friend and fellow rider Dustin " The Swamp Fox" Lowery #1247 convinced me that this was my Year. I will be riding my 2004 Ultra Classic that will have about 225,000 at the start to tame this ride with. The number one goal for me this year is to enjoy the ride and have fun.

 

I am raising money to help wounded veterans thru camp Hope. Camp Hope is a retreat for military veterans wounded in the war on terror. the mission of Camp Hope is to honor the fallen by helping the wounded. Camp Hope offers all expense paid adventure's and comradery for our service Men and Woman that gave selflessly for our freedom. Please scan the QR code and donate.

 

Woodstock, Il here we come

Hoka-Hey 2026

 

Meet The New Rider # 1375 Siggi Sloniker

 

As a proud German transplant living in the States, where my four kids have grown into remarkable individuals serving our country, family is everything to me - and I'm working hard to make them proud..

Riding motorcycles fuels my soul, and with the Hoka Hey Motorcycle Challenge ahead of me, I'm gearing up for an unforgettable ride. Life has thrown me some tough challenges in 2024 including a stage four lung and kidney cancer diagnosis and a grueling motorcycle accident, but my spirit remains unbroken, Now, I've set my sights on the Hoka Hey event, determined to show that even in the face of adversity, life can be lived to the fullest. 

I'm raising funds for the Cancer Center of Southwest Oklahoma's transportation department, because everyone deserves access to life-saving treatment, no matter the distance or circumstance.

Meet The New Rider # 1169 Claire Butchkoski

 

 

 Hi, I'm Claire and I'm a paramedic who loves to ride motorcycles.  A lot of people think those 2 things don't go together, but I always just say I do stupid stuff CAREFULLY.  My other major hobby is knitting, so... you know what, it doesn't all need to fit together into an "image" that makes sense!  I've been doing some long-distance rallying the last few years and quite a few Iron Butt cert rides, and met Kerri Miller (my partner of about 2 years now) through long distance riding.

 

I've followed a few friends' journeys on the last 2 Hoka Hey Motorcycle Challenge , and wanted to ride it because it seems like a very different type of challenge and experience, and we get sent on some neat routes.

 

For my charity fundraising, I'm involved with both Bikers Against Child Abuse (BACA) and Mile Monsters.  Pick for me - you can donate to either one on my behalf!  BACA works directly with abused children to help take away their fear, and is very low overhead; a small donation can go a long way.  More info at www.bacaworld.org.  Mile Monsters helps kids with Duchenne muscular dystrophy live their best life; it's a little more fundraising heavy since these kids need resources to be able to do stuff like other kids can, but the Monsters also do some really cool stuff directly with them; www.milemonstersinc.com

 

 

For Mile Monsters there's a direct donation link for my fundraiser through Givebutter.  We don't have anything that easy for BACA chapters, so just send donations through me (Venmo link) and I'll transfer it to my local chapter (Big River WI).

I created a motorcycle hat knitting pattern, and every $10 (to either cause) gets you a spot in a drawing for a customized one!  I can do several different types of bikes, and you can pick a couple colors, add a pompom or tassel for the top...  It won't be finished before the ride, but I'll get it done before warm-hat season.  I use nice wool yarn that's treated so it's washable and not itchy.

Venmo (please only use for donations to BACA, and mention my Hoka Hey/BACA fundraiser in the note): https://venmo.com/code?user_id=4196497771988475372&created=1782778581 or user @cbutchkoski  

Mile Monsters direct DONATE