Meet The Returning Rider # 1010 Joao Mendonca

Hello everyone!! João Mendonça here, reporting for my fourth Hoka Hey Motorcycle Challenge!

Apparently, I may have to change my road name from “Classic Rider” to “Snacks!” after being officially baptized during the 2024 Challenge. (Inside joke 😂)

It's hard to believe that not long ago I was just like the 100 new riders joining this year, excited and nervous at the same time, dreaming about the starting line and wondering what lay ahead. Today, long-distance riding feels as normal as taking a trip to the grocery store. My bike stays ready at all times, and I know exactly where everything is packed. It's simply a matter of loading the bags and taking off, 10 to 15 minutes, tops.

 

Since the 2022 Challenge, I've followed one simple motto:

"If it doesn't fit inside the bags, I won't need it."

I don't like anything hanging off the bike. Nothing too heavy, nothing oversized, and nothing unnecessary.

 

People often tell me that because I've written three books about the Hoka Hey Motorcycle Challenge, I must be some kind of authority on it. That's a big misconception! Those books are simply my personal recollections of the experiences I experienced during the Challenge. They are my way of documenting the places I visited, the challenges I faced, and the incredible people I met along the way. The Challenge moves so fast that sometimes you don't even know what state you're in anymore.

After publishing the third book, I started calling it "Our Book" because of all the stories and testimonials I received from 2024 rookies sharing their own experiences. Every rider has a unique journey and a story worth telling.

Here are the books:

📖 From Rookie to Finisher: "My Adventure in the 2020 Hoka Hey Motorcycle Challenge™"

 📖 Am I still a Rookie?: "My Adventure in the 2022 Hoka Hey Motorcycle Challenge™"

 📖Hooked on Hoka: "My Adventure in the 2024 Hoka Hey Motorcycle Challenge™"

 All available on Amazon and Barnes & Noble.

This year, I will once again be riding with a purpose. I am supporting Shriners Hospitals for Children and hope to raise $1 for every mile ridden during the Challenge.

https://www.facebook.com/share/1B1S5Ecy27/

Shriners Hospitals are world leaders in treating childhood neuromusculoskeletal conditions, burn injuries, and other specialized healthcare needs. Every child who qualifies receives care regardless of a family's ability to pay, and there is never a charge to the family.

I look forward to seeing everyone in Woodstock, Illinois!

Ride safe, enjoy the journey, and I'll see you on the road.

João Mendonça #1010

 

 

Meet The Returning Riders # 1185 & 1186 Brian and Brandi Signal

 

Brian “SIG” Signal #1185 & Brandi “Mermaid” Signal #1186

This will be our second time riding the Hoka Hey Motorcycle Challenge. We both rode — and finished — the 2024 challenge.

 

I’m Brian “SIG” and been riding Harleys for 27 years. I’m retired Air Force, retired ER nurse (somehow more stressful than the military), originally from Washington State, now living in Louisiana, and currently building a home in Arkansas just outside Hot Springs. During my time stationed in Germany, I brought my Harley with me and made the most of it. I rode to the tip of Norway — about 600 miles north of the Arctic Circle to Nordkapp — and made it as far west as Ireland and as far south as Northern Africa after ferrying the bike from the Rock of Gibraltar. My farthest east was the Russian border. I also spent about 10 years as an MSF instructor, which came in handy when I taught Brandi to ride about a decade ago. We’ve been riding together ever since.

 

I’m Brandi “Mermaid” and originally from Bakersfield, CA, and always wanted to learn to ride. We spent our 10‑year anniversary somewhere in the Yukon during the ’24 Hoka Hey — not everyone can say that.  I bartend full‑time while working toward my real estate license. When I’m not working, I’m traveling — and my favorite trips are always on my bike. I grew up around motorcycles, but always on the back seat. I started riding my own about 12 years ago, and I was hooked from the very first ride. When my husband told me about Hoka Hey and asked if I wanted to ride with him, I told him no — because I wanted to ride my own bike. I’m always chasing adventure and any excuse to ride. I’ve done several long‑distance trips, but the 2024 Hoka Hey was by far my longest and most challenging. And I’m back for more — hopefully a little better prepared this time.

 

About the 2024 Ride. Well… it was wet. It took us a few days to really get the directions figured out, and we missed more than a few turns. My bike’s hydraulic clutch needed to be bled every morning, and Brandi ended up buying a new bike at the first checkpoint at Pig Trail Harley‑Davidson after dropping hers at the seaweed pop‑up party in Key West. Between all that, we ran a little slower than planned. For 2026, the goal is to shave at least a day off our time — no breaking in a new bike, no babying a clutch, just riding.

 

 

Why We Ride, I’ve been a Shriner for over 20 years, and we’ll be raising funds for Shriners Hospitals for Children. The very first Shriners Hospital opened in 1922 in Shreveport, Louisiana, and today there are 15 hospitals helping children every day.

www.shrinerschildrens.org/en/ways-to-give

With our motto, “We Ride So Kids Can Walk,” I can’t think of a better way to take on the Hoka Hey.

Meet The Returning Rider # 899 Richard Eastman

 

I'm 55 and reside in Kimball Michigan. Married 30 years to my high school sweetheart Kristina. Two daughters, one son and three grandkids. This will be my 5th Hoka Hey Challenge. Starting and finishing in 2018, 2020, 2022 and 2024 with each year bettering myself. Looking forward to the 2026 challenge.

 

 

After you do your first Hoka Hey Motorcycle Challenge it becomes an addiction. Its 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 you’re hungry, rest when you’re 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 New Rider # 1329 Doug Emmons

 

I’m Doug Emmons, but most of the bikers know me as “BigE.” I’m 66 years old and originally from Northern Indiana — a lifelong and loyal Notre Dame Fighting Irish fan. I will be riding this year as #1329. I’m married to my “ride or die" and together we’ve raised three amazing kids and are blessed with five grandkids.  After proudly serving 32 years of Active Federal Service in the U.S. Army, I retired and now work as a government contractor on Fort Campbell, Kentucky. We live on a small hobby farm in North Central Tennessee, where we care for horses, chickens, goats, and occasionally a few strays that find their way to us. I ride with CVMA 18-14 and the American Legion Riders. Riding has always been more than a pastime — it’s a way of life and a way to connect with others who share the same passion for freedom and service.

 

I’m participating in the Hoka Hey Motorcycle Challenge for several reasons. First and foremost, I love a challenge — the tougher it is, the better. I believe in pushing my limits and proving to myself what I can achieve. I also have a small trace of Native American heritage and look forward to experiencing the diverse cultures and traditions of the tribes along the HOKA HEY route.  Another motivation is my son, Dennis, who is currently serving on Active Duty in the U.S. Army with 22 years of service. My goal is to set an example for him and, hopefully, ride the 2028 HOKA HEY alongside him — an experience that would be an unforgettable father-son memory.

 

My chosen non-profit organization is the Wounded Warrior Project. Having witnessed firsthand the toll that years of conflict have taken on our brothers and sisters in arms, I deeply respect the work this organization does. I’ve personally seen them rebuild and customize motorcycles for wounded Soldiers, Marines, Sailors, Airmen, and Coast Guardsmen — giving them not only mobility but renewed purpose. My hope is that the funds raised through my participation will support more of these life-changing efforts.

I’m honored and grateful to take part in the HOKA HEY Motorcycle Challenge and look forward to sharing the road and the experience with all my fellow riders.

 

Meet The Returning Rider # 1000 E Ed Maulbeck

 

A carpenter/cabinetmaker at 22, I felt a calling for something more.  I joined the Navy in 1988 to become a SEAL.  After Basic Underwater Demolition/SEAL (BUD/S) training I spent a twenty-year career as a SEAL.  I remain connected to the SEAL Community and the Navy. I’m the owner of Indian Motorcycle of Southeastern Virginia, the Mid-Atlantic Region’s premier Indian Motorcycle Dealer.  I’m married to my wonderful wife Cecilia that I met during the 2021 HHMC Rendezvous!!!  Collectively we have been blessed with five adult children.  We attend Church, workout, meditate, walk, motorcycle ride, and travel as much as possible together!

 

This Hoka Hey Motorcycle Challenge represents my attempt at “4 for 4,” in finishes.  HHMC’s are immersive and present many puzzles along the journey, it’s fun to throw a bunch of problems at sleep deprivation and see where things land.  I’m absolutely blessed with my wonderful Cecilia that refers to me as “her gift from God.”  However, I’m immeasurably blessed with her, my faith, my  family, and friends.  HHMC’s allow me to refocus inwardly, and enjoy a very spiritual experience (yes, on a motorcycle).

 

 

My charity, “The Give-to-Give Foundation” blessed me over the last year with two full scholarships. One was a 5-day basic retreat in TX, and  the other a 7-day advanced retreat in CO. Immediately prior to this HHMC (26-29 July), I will be enjoying my 3^rd scholarship which is a 3-day follow-up to the advanced 7-day retreat, again in CO.

 

The basic work teaches participants how to regulate emotions, and how to live in “creation,” and not unsustainably in “survival” or as a victim of your environment.

 As the creator of your personal reality/environment, the advanced work leads you to the best version of you.  You just must invest the time in yourself to get there.

 

There is science behind your existence in this 3-dimensional world and most importantly in the immeasurable space beyond it, the “quantum field.”  Understand this and you become LIMITLESS!

 

Want to understand more???  Hear some anecdotal HHMC stories???  Or, maybe… just maybe… attempt a 15 minute meditation focused on empowerment? 

 

Please click: GIVE-TO-GIVE TO DONATE

 

And, to Donate scan: 

The link for the approximately one hour video I want you to post with my bio is listed as:

 

https://givetogivefoundation.org/Soul_of_a_Warrior/Episode1

 

The actual internet link to the above video link if needed:

 

https://email.givetogivefoundation.org/share/hubspotvideo/211806881353?utm_medium=email&_hsenc=p2ANqtz-_XzXbl7c1knBStCjByu7_ru64nPqKltGuWzIMpNd650u9qG0aVR6BsUgDJqIwHgLYFqQ1dB1okbEO2caLhTgXsLRIt0Dw2LpNPDlTBBoJr_GQot58&_hsmi=419023707&utm_content=419023707&utm_source=hs_email