Meet The New Rider # 1028 Michelle Davidson

 

Rider #1028

Hi, my name is Michelle Davidson, and my road name is Tracker. I was born in Georgia and currently live in Punta Gorda, Florida, with my pet shrimp, Herbert Jr. I have a supportive hottie boyfriend, three children, and four grandchildren.

 

I am an adventurer by nature and relish challenges, especially when they include traveling. I started riding motorcycles and horses with my uncle as a small child and continued into my teens until an unexpected event changed the course of my life.

 

Three weeks before our wedding, my fiancé was killed in a motorcycle accident. Shortly after, I left home and set sail around the world in a 26-foot sailboat using a sextant and my ham radio license. Fortunately, we had just returned from a weekend camping and riding together before his passing.

 

 

While in port in Australia, I purchased a Suzuki motorcycle and spent a year refurbishing my boat and exploring. During my travels I also enjoyed surfing some of the best breaks in the world, always recognizing how many blessings I had in my life.

 

 

When I returned to the United States, I went back to school for nursing and became a Nurse Practitioner. Along the way I rode several different motorcycles, though I parked them many times to devote myself to raising my children while being a military spouse.

 

 

In 2014, with my children grown, I was finally able to relearn and practice long-distance riding again. In 2018, I found myself unexpectedly single and meeting incredible people all over the country on my motorcycle.

 

 

In 2019, I was involved in a motorcycle accident near my home when an elderly gentleman made a left turn directly in my path. I died that day. Through the grace of God, I returned from life support—and a brief heavenly glimpse—to continue epic adventures, riding distance, meeting people, and savoring tacos.

 

Most folks know me as a weird, nerdy biker chick with strong faith.

My Hoka Hey Motorcycle Challenge journey began when I met HHMC rider #1001, Kory Wilson, in 2022. I asked him about the numbers on his bike, and he kindly answered all my questions, sent me his tracker link, and encouraged me to apply. I found myself glued to the riders as they made their way across the country.

One might say I was hooked.

I applied, interviewed, and was accepted in 2023 for the 2024 ride. Unfortunately, my home was destroyed during Hurricane Ian, and I had to withdraw due to the rebuilding and insurance timeline.

 

I’m blessed that Beth and Junie gave me a new number to ride in 2026.

For me, the Hoka Hey Motorcycle Challenge embodies the ultimate test of physical and mental strength—navigating unknown terrain without GPS, facing fuel challenges, 11,000 miles in 14 days, and digging deep into my faith when I find myself exhausted and resting my head on the ground next to Wilson, my road-glide Harley Davidson,  somewhere in this great country of America, appreciating the blessings in my life.

I am asking for prayers and support as I raise money for charities that I am passionate about and have carefully researched.

I will be supporting two non-profit charities with all funds going directly towards them.

The Fred Lang Foundation provides funds to advance mental health and recovery efforts in Charlotte County through Charlotte Behavioral Health Care for individuals with and without insurance. I was fortunate to know Margaret and Fred Lang, who dedicated their lives and legacy to improving mental health and recovery in our community.

https://www.paypal.com/ncp/payment/GQTUWJCX6ZKB8

As a Nurse Practitioner, I recognize how critical these services are in helping people find the hope necessary to change their lives when their paths seem unmanageable and hopeless. I have lost too many people to addiction, suicide, and mental health struggles. Please help me support a solution that makes a real difference.

The Mile Monsters provides support for a group of heroic boys living with Duchenne Muscular Dystrophy, an incurable disease that gradually takes away their ability to stand, walk, and participate in many of the things every child should experience. The organization helps raise funds to support these boys and their families, offset medical and life expenses, and provide opportunities for them to experience adventures and joy despite the challenges they face every day.

https://givebutter.com/HH2026/michelledavidson3

I have faith that, with God’s help and His plan, I will complete this challenge while helping others along the way.

And don’t forget to follow my track with my tracker!

Meet The Returning Rider # 555 Jimmy Milas

 

 

  I procrastinated for 2 years before I rode my first Hoka Hey in 2016. Thinking, these riders were the top in the country and would embarrass myself. Give yourself more credit than I did. I finished 18^th. 

 

I gave myself 3 days to get to the starting line in Pala, California from Saskatchewan Canada. I was so nervous or was it excitement and adrenaline that got me there in a day and a half. I was so revved I only stopped briefly after 20 hours, because the gas station was closed and I was almost out of fuel. (I slept on oil stained black top, didn’t care)!

 

When I arrived in Pala, Ca.  I couldn’t sleep for fear of missing something, anything that would give me insight. It felt like I was way out of my league! I was addicted after my first year! I’ll be riding my 5^th Hoka Hey this year out of Woodstock Illinois and I’m just as pumped as I was the first year! 

 

The Hoka Hey is an eye and mind opening experience! The Hoka Hey Motorcycle Challenge changes your perspective on living your best life. It has brought Honor, Integrity, and most of all Compassion into my character that I didn’t know I had.

 

I have chosen “Canine Action Project” as my fund raiser this year. My love for animals is endless. It saddens me greatly to see them suffer even in the smallest way. I hope I can count on all of you to help me support the volunteers of the “Canine Action Project” caring for the distressed canines and felines. “Working together toward safe, healthy, happy animals, and people, in our communities”.

 

Hoka Hey my Brothers and Sisters

Compassionately yours

Jimmy #555

 

Meet The New Rider # 1346 Mark Dalton

 

Hello, Dalton, Hoka Hey 1346 Here.

About me.  Raised in the Florida Panhandle. Been a motorcycle enthusiast since 1982.   A tree enthusiast since 1984. Still following a career as an arborist.

 

 

 

Went on a ride with a friend to Eagles Nest New Mexico in June of 23 to a Hoka Hey Rendezvous. Thought it was some kind of Indian Pow Wow, so I was in. After arrival I met a bunch of really solid folks and realized what Hoka Hey Motorcycle Challenge really was. Took a long journey home and realized I really needed to spend more time on the road. And also figured out everything needed in life could fit on that Harley.  26 is my first available opportunity to ride the Hoka Hey. Don't really care about trophies or belt buckles but hope to get a good fill of the road without life's distractions.

 

 

 

 I'm trying to raise a dollar per mile to contribute to the  Boys and Girls Club of our host tribe The Prairie Band Potawatomi Nation. Several years ago, I saw the struggles of the indigenous people. I believe the Hoka Hey Challenge can raise awareness to better ourselves and our fellow man.

 

 

 

God Bless,

Dalton

#1346

Meet Returning Rider # 976 Ron Duda

 

My name is Ron Duda (Capt Ron) #976  I am a returning rider in the 2026 Hoka Hey Motorcycle Challenge, I am from north west  Massachusetts and own a auto repair business and used to run my charter boat fishing in Rhode Island. 

 

 

 My wife and I starter traveling by motorcycle in 2010 and never looked back being self employed does not leave a lot of vacation time so we started riding long days , I think that what lead to the long distance addiction.

 

 

 

  I was supposed to ride the 2020 HHMC got half way to the start line and had to turn around and go back because of  COVID issues at work ( that was a long disappointing ride home )  2022 I was able to ride and finish it was the most amazing ride I have ever done and my wife Carrie of 34 years and out best friend Lisa road there bikes out to South Dakota to see me ride over the finish line it  was an amazing experience. 

 

 

 

 I will be riding for Pop Cares a local charity that supports local cancer patients and their families in the northern Berkshire and southern Vermont. Donations can be made at Pop Cares

 

 

 

I can't wait to do it again and with the support of my wife , family and friends it will make it all possible. I can't wait to  meet up with my Hoka Hey Family and meet the new riders in Woodstock  IL.

Meet The New Rider # 1359 Matt Tallman

 

 

Hey all, my name is Matt Tallman. I am rider #1359 from Dewitt, Iowa where I live with my amazing wife of 24 years, 3 kids and a house full of cats, dogs and motorcycles.  I have had an obsession with bikes since I was a kid and bought my first motorcycle in High School when my parents went away for a long weekend. Since then, I have owned a variety of bikes and tried out many different disciplines of riding over the years but the older I get the more I find myself enjoying the challenges and sense of peace that long distance touring brings me. To pay for this obsession, I work as a corporate Spare Parts Manager for a large manufacturing company.

 

 

Why I want to ride the Hoka Hey Motorcycle Challenge:

I first read about the Hoka Hey Motorcycle Challenge in 2011 while deployed to Iraq with the U.S. Army.  My initial reaction after finishing the magazine article was complete disbelief and amazement, followed shortly by intrigue and curiosity. I have followed the challenge since then and continue to be amazed by the riders that take on this incredible challenge. About 6 years ago the curiosity turned into a dream and I heard the call. Here we are in 2026 where the stars have aligned and I have been chosen to make that dream a reality. I have no doubt that this will be one of the most difficult and rewarding challenges I have faced and can’t wait to see y’all in Woodstock!

 

 

The charity I am riding and raising money for is Motorcycle Relief Project.  Motorcycle Relief Project is a 501(c)3 nonprofit organization that provides relief to veterans and first responders with PTSD and other related issues by taking them on structured week-long adventure motorcycle relief rides. Their mission is to honor and encourage veterans and first responders who are experiencing mental and emotional struggles by providing them with opportunities to decompress, get unstuck, connect with like-minded peers, and gain new perspectives and skills for dealing with their challenges. As an Alumni of the program, I can speak first hand as to how amazing this program is and the life changing impacts it can have. My goal is to raise enough to sponsor a relief ride for them and help keep this wonderful program moving forward.  

 

 

Meet The Returning Rider # 844 Bruce Rimes

I’m 66 and a retired locomotive engineer after 42 yrs with the IC railroad. Married to my high school sweetheart for 51 yrs. Three daughters, one son and ten  grandkids and one great granddaughter. 

 

 

 

This will be my 6th Hoka Hey Motorcycle Challenge. After finishing 13th in 2016 , 18th in 2018 , wrecking about halfway thru in 2020, 35th in 11days 16 hrs in 2022 , 11 days and 4 hrs in 2024. I can’t wait for this year’s return.

 

 

 

 This year’s theme is"Chiqinik Gheli" (Chic-nik Gelly), which means "Many Thanks" . I’m thankful that I was not hurt in either wreck in 2018 and 2020. (MANY THANKS to JIM REDCLOUD for coming up with the challenge and to BETH for continuing it ❤️❤️) Looking forward again to the great roads and scenery that is in store for us. For the first timers, remember, it’s not about the destination. It’s about the journey that gets you there! (Ride your own ride)My plans are to enjoy the journey and sites to be seen and hopefully make the finish party. 

 

My charity is The Reggie Pucket Jr Foundation 

 

 

 

Hippie , the worlds most interesting Biker 

Meet The Returning Rider # 1149 Bryan Kern

 

Bryan Kern, Hoka Hey Rider #1149, currently 53 years old from Northwest Ohio (Clyde).  My wife Terra and I just celebrated our 21^st anniversary and have added 3 grandbabies (Blaine, Everett, and Sebastian) to our family of 6 children (Braelynn, Kaylee, Mason, Jacob, Quinnela, and Dexter) since my first Hoka Hey Motorcycle Challenge in 2024.  I’ve worked in the mobile home distribution and manufacturing business for my whole life and while my background is mechanical engineering, I’ve spent most of my career in management and leadership roles.  I don’t have the depth of motorcycle riding experience that many Hoka Hey riders have and it wasn’t part of my family growing up, but I jumped in with both feet in 2017 and bought my first bike and haven’t looked back since.  I have discovered a love for all types of riding, from slow speed cone work to local day and weekend rides, but as I started to meet and become friends with serious long-distance riders, I found a place that I truly enjoy.  This country becomes a lot smaller when you enjoy ripping off a 1000 mile day. 

 

 

Going into my rookie Hoka Hey ride in 2024, it was a ton of emotion; excitement, nervousness, fear, doubt, and even some guilt.  Heading into the 2026 event, there is still the excitement, it comes with a sense of calm, knowing that there will be challenges, but that they will be overcome.  Crossing the finish line in Homer, Alaska, my dominant thought was, “I hate motorcycles”, I don’t ever want to ride again.  I even started looking for someone to trailer my bike home instead of my original plan to ride.  After a day’s rest, I started thinking that maybe motorcycles weren’t so bad, and by the second day, I knew that I was riding my bike home, and that I was absolutely riding Hoka Hey 2026.  I didn’t have a good “why” for my first ride, and I don’t have a good “why” for ’26, but I do know it is where I want to be.  Riding is a place where I find a peace and happiness that is hard to replicate, you either get that about riding motorcycles or you don’t.  (I know it is cliché, but it is 100% true) I love this family that the Hoka Hey organizers allowed me to meet and become a part of.  I love all the causes that everyone believes in so fully and work so hard to help and I could not imagine missing out on the opportunity to take on a challenge that is so unique.

 

 

For 2026, I am again 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.  My wife met Bob and Glorida Gentry on a random weekend and a random request for them to take her and her girlfriends on a boat ride.  For some strange reason, Bob said “yes”, while Gloria was thinking, “we don’t even know these girls!”.  Through that encounter she learned of their son Tyson  Gentry’s injury suffered during an Ohio State scrimmage, where he was a walk on punter/wide receiver.  Tyson suffered a spinal cord injury leaving him instantly paralyzed from the neck down.

 

 

  Throughout his recovery process, Tyson was moved by all the people that thought of him, sent him words of encouragement, or helped financially support the family and their needs.  It was those people that motivated him to start the New Perspective Foundation in 2014. 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.  The Gentry’s are a great family, taking their personal challenges and experiences, and doing what they can to help others in their times of need.  I am pleased to have the opportunity to raise money for New Perspective Foundation.

Bryan Kern

Hoka Hey #1149

 

New Perspective Foundation

https://newperspective.org/