Meet The New Rider # 1269 Chris Nelson

 

 

First of all, huge thank you to Junie Rose, Beth Durham, and the Medicine Show LLC for letting me participate in the 2026 Hoka Hey Motorcycle Challenge !!  Hello, I’m Chris Nelson, #1269. Friends call me Fish Bum.  A "Reel Deal Rider", equally comfortable on the bank of a river or on the saddle of my bike, and likely to spend as much on tackle and gear as I do on parts and fuel. Army Veteran, 3 great kids all grown up and on their own, 2 dogs, and married to the love of my life. It just can’t get any better. I thank God every day for all my blessings. One last thing, my kids will tell you, I have been known to let loose with a “Dad Joke” or two. Please feel free to stop me when you see me and throw your worst at me.

   

          

              My wife actually started all of this. She was the big Hoka Hey fan and has followed the Challenge and the Riders for many years. Only after she told me about it back in 2020 did it get on my radar. My first reaction was “whoa, I wanna do that”. But then, after looking more into it, and understanding the depth of the HH Mission, I realized that “whoa, I gotta do this”. This event checks all the boxes – building on honor, integrity, respect, brotherhood, and, of course, THE CHALLENGE. Being among people with similar core values, well, that’s a great way to spend time. Taking on a gruelling 10,000+ mile motorcycle ride, well, we should all be so lucky. I have two objectives in mind for this run: staying (reasonably) safe and (actually) finishing (I will even leave my fishing gear at home for this one). And second – I’m really looking forward to meeting the organizers and learning how to properly pronounce all of those words (like “KTENTOWSHKETON MNOPMATSOWEN”, I’m gonna need some help with that one).

 

              And… it just gets better. We also get to ride for a charity. I’m a long time donor, but a total newbe for organizing my own. I searched for quite a while to find an organization that was a great fit. I found the right stuff with Warriors & Quiet Waters (WQW).  They are dedicated to the support and restoration of Post-911 Combat Veterans. Any veteran and their families & friends can tell you – combat can cause far more damage to a soldier than just the physical. WQW’s mission is to “empower post-9/11 combat veterans and their loved ones to thrive and live purpose-driven lives through peak experiences in nature and evidence-based programs that foster growth, discovery, connection, and community”. They work hard to give our soldiers a renewed sense of purpose, balance, and self-worth. So, helping Veterans thrive after service, and achieving much through the use of a fly rod, these good people check nearly every box. I will need to discuss a solid motorcycling program to add to their curriculum in the near future so their program is complete. In the mean time, please check them out. 

Even better, throw in a contribution or two:Warriors and Quiet Waters

 

Meet The New Rider # 1347 Michelle King

 

Michelle “Cali T” King here, HH# 1347.  Born in South Central Los Angeles.  Currently residing in San Bernardino County.  Servant of the Lord Jesus Christ.  Wife, mother of four, grandmother of ten and great grandmother of two.  Started riding at age 39.  Took a ten-year hiatus. Started riding again at 51 and haven’t looked back.  Retired June 30, 2023.  I embarked on my first solo cross-country ride in July of that year.  Since then, I have travelled extensively throughout the states.  There are a few states I have yet to travel but they are on my bucket list.  Looking forward to the  Hoka Hey Motorcycle Challenge.

 

Came across the Hoka Hey Challenge on the internet.   Due to my competitive nature to challenge myself and my love to defy time and space, I fell in love with the idea of riding so many miles in a short time frame and sleeping next to my bike.  It is a personal challenge for me to determine if I have the perseverance and endurance to complete this ride safely.   I was completely unaware of Jim Red Cloud’s Dream at the time.  After learning more about the original purpose of the challenge, I now view it as an honor to participate in something that brings awareness to an issue that is close to my heart.  I have always felt hurt inside for how our Native American brothers and sisters were robbed of their land and placed on reservations and how they have been mistreated over the years.  My little contribution to Mr. Red Cloud’s dream by participating in the Hoka Hey Challenge makes me feel like I am doing something to help no matter how minimum.  I know it is not a systemic change which we desperately need but it is my small contribution to shed light on a social injustice that most people choose to shun.

 

I must confess that I have only raised money for charities as a group effort never as an individual. I never had to select a charity on my own.   As such, I found it difficult to select a charity for which to raise money.  There are so many worthy causes out there which made it that much more difficult to select just one.  I researched several before selecting St. Judes Children’s Research Hospital.  After learning that the children’s treatment is covered free of charge and that the families don’t have to worry about paying for their housing or food it grabbed my interest.  My decision was further confirmed after learning that the cancer survival rate went from 20% to 80% with treatment.  St. Judes Children’s Research Hospital is a worthy charity that is making a real difference in the lives of children with cancer, and I want to be part of it.  So, I am dedicating my fundraising efforts during the 2026 Hoka Hey to St Judes Childrens Research Hospital.

 

Meet The New Rider # 1315 David Bell

 

My name is David Bell, rider #1315. My introduction to motorbikes came when I was just 10 years old riding mini bikes. I learned to ride motorcycles at the age of 12 and got my first motorcycle at 14 and have been riding ever since. I come from generations of motorcycle riders including my grandfather, three uncles, my father, brother and a few cousins.

For certified rides, I have 35 IBA rides - of which 5 are gold. I have achieved the SCMA triple crown, and am a gold star Iron Elite rider. I’ve ridden to all 48 states in the Continental US, Hawaii, Mexico, and six provinces of Canada. Alaska may/ may not be in my future. Only time will tell.  I’ll be 66 at the time of this year’s Hoka Hey Motorcycle Challenge . I look forward to the Hoka Hey challenge for the experience of becoming one with nature, testing my riding endurance and skill and experiencing the camaraderie of the Hoka Hey family.

 

 

For my charity, I have selected the Boys & Girls Clubs Of Broward County. After visiting the facility with my local H.O.G. chapter, I chose them for my fundraiser because I saw the educational opportunities they afford the young people in the community.

Donate to Boys and Girls Club of Broward County here

 

 

Meet The New Rider # 1291 Randy Merrill

 

My name is Randy Merrill, and I am a U.S. Army veteran with 15 years of Honorable military service. Throughout my career, I served in demanding leadership and operational roles that required discipline, adaptability, and the ability to persevere under extreme physical and mental stress. The Army instilled in me a deep respect for commitment, accountability, and finishing what you start. These are values that continue to guide my life today. 

  

Motorcycling, like military service, is about focus, endurance, and personal responsibility. The  Hoka Hey Motorcycle Challenge  represents everything I respect: self-reliance, resilience, and the willingness to push beyond comfort in pursuit of growth and purpose. This challenge is not about speed or recognition It is about resolve, integrity, and honoring the warrior spirit. 

 

I am pursuing the Hoka Hey Motorcycle Challenge as a personal test and a continuation of a lifelong commitment to doing hard things for the right reasons. The road reflects much of what military service taught me: plan carefully, adapt constantly, respect the environment, and never quit, no matter the conditions. 

 

 

Participating in Hoka Hey is an honor. I ride not only for myself, but in respect of the service, sacrifice, and brotherhood shared by those who have worn the uniform. I ride to raise donations for the Association of Indian American Affairs. I am ready to meet the challenge, embrace the hardship, and finish with purpose. 

 

Meet The New Rider # 1335 Ryan Cotten

 

Most people just call me Cotten.  I was born in Oklahoma and was raised in Texas. I have lived in Beaumont, Corpus Christi, Friendswood, and San Antonio, Texas. After graduating high school, I enlisted in the Unites States Marine Corps. During my 4 years of active duty, I spent a year in Okinawa Japan. I deployed to Thailand for Operation Cobra Gold and Iraq for Operation Iraqi Freedom. I eventually ended up back in Houston, Texas where I have made a career working in Operations in some of the largest oil refineries in the US.  

 

 

 

I got my first motorcycle when I was in high school, a Suzuki DR250, and I rode that little dual sport bike all over.  I have been hooked on motorcycles ever since. I have owned all kinds of bikes from dirtbikes to adventure bikes and eventually settled on the Road Glide that I currently ride.

 

 The adventure riding was a heck of challenge for me. Riding offroad in Colorado, Utah, New Mexico out in remote areas was very different riding for me.  It was quite the challenge. It makes you more resourceful when you know that there is no one around to help you if you get in a bind. I think that will help me a lot with what is to come while riding the Hoka Hey Motorcycle Challenge. I look forward to the journey I will have and what personal challenges I will face and overcome. 

 

Fund raiser By Ryan Cotten Donate Today  Ride With Purpose

Meet The NewRider # 1253 Brandi Parks

 

My name is Brandi Parks, known on the road as Hawk, and I am proudly from West Virginia. I am happily married, and my husband is my biggest supporter, standing beside me through every mile, challenge, and moment of doubt. 

We will be celebrating our 20th wedding anniversary on the third day of the 2026 Hoka Hey Motorcycle Challenge, making this journey even more meaningful. I am also incredibly grateful for Steel Cowgirl Apparel, my biggest sponsor, founded by my best friend and biggest cheerleader, whose unwavering belief in me fuels this ride just as much as the miles do. I love my dogs and chickens, and when I’m not riding, you’ll often find me crocheting—creating something with my hands brings me the same peace and focus that the road provides. Although I was born on the West Coast, my heart belongs to the East Coast, where grit, resilience, and community define who I am. 

Last, but certainly not least, my biggest prayer warrior—my mother.
She is always there for me, faithfully leading me down the spiritual path with love, wisdom, and prayer.

 

 

I am riding the Hoka Hey Motorcycle Challenge to prove to myself that I have what it takes to overcome any obstacle placed in my path. This ride is not about winning—it’s about finishing with pride, determination, and integrity. HHMC represents the ultimate test of mental toughness, adaptability, and self-reliance, and I want to discover who I am when comfort is stripped away and only resolve remains. I ride to push past fear, embrace the unknown, and find myself in the process, mile after mile.

 

I am riding in support of Mile Monsters Inc, a nonprofit organization that is incredibly near and dear to my heart. Mile Monsters Inc. is made up of endurance motorcycle riders who take on extreme challenges to raise money and awareness for children battling Duchenne Muscular Dystrophy (DMD)—a fatal disease that primarily affects young boys. Founded in 2021, the organization turns epic rides, including the Hoka Hey Challenge, into missions of hope by providing critical equipment, unforgettable experiences, and ongoing support to children and their families.

 

I chose Mile Monsters Inc. because I have seen the powerful and lasting impact they make in the lives of these incredible kids—our true Heroes. The funds raised through this ride will go directly toward supporting children with DMD by helping provide mobility equipment, medical-related resources, and life-enriching experiences that improve their quality of life while easing the heavy burdens their families carry. Every mile I ride is a commitment—to endure with purpose, to give back with heart, and to stand as a Monster alongside these children in their fight.

 

 

Meet The New Rider # 1297 Dennis Pacholski

 

My name is Dennis Pacholski. I’m originally from Chicago, IL, and for the past 11 years, I’ve called the
Houston, TX area home, where I live with my wife, Deb, and our two cats, Jack and Tyra. My journey into motorcycling began in 2010 while living in Northern Illinois. At the time, I knew very little about
motorcycles—but I had always wanted to ride and finally took the plunge. That decision opened the
door to an entirely new world: one filled with incredible people, unforgettable experiences, and a
growing fascination with long-distance riding.

 

Over the years, I’ve lived in various parts of the country—including Columbia, MD, and the Minneapolis,
MN metro area—each place shaping my life and perspective in unique ways. I currently work as a Senior
Industrial Fire Alarm Designer with Austin Fire Systems, where I specialize in industrial applications for
the Oil and Gas industry. My role has taken me across the country and around the globe, designing
systems for military installations and major projects like solar fields.

As I continued to ride, I learned about the Hoka Hey Motorcycle Challenge, and was immediately drawn
to its purpose and its people. I’ve been fortunate to connect with several other Hoka Hey participants—
each one encouraging me to “go for it. It will change your life.” Now, I am doing just that.
My participation in the Hoka Hey Challenge is about more than personal accomplishment. My family has
a strong military background: both of my grandfathers served in World War II, and my uncles were in
the Marines and Army during the Vietnam War. I also have many friends who served—and through
them, I’ve witnessed firsthand the effects of PTSD. That’s why I’m riding to raise funds and awareness
for the PTSD Foundation of America and Camp Hope.

 

Camp Hope’s mission is “to bring hope and healing to combat veterans and their families suffering from
the effects of combat-related Post Traumatic Stress.” Their work supporting veterans and first
responders is vital, and it’s a cause I am honored to stand behind.
I look forward to the Challenge ahead and to crossing that finish line with pride—knowing I’ve ridden for
a purpose greater than myself.

 

Support Our Heroes– Support Our My Ride
In August of 2026, I’m honored to take on the Hoka Hey Motorcycle Challenge—a grueling,
cross-country endurance ride that pushes both rider and machine to the limit. But I’m not doing it
just for the thrill. I’m riding to raise awareness and funds for a cause that hits close to home:
veterans and first responders living with PTSD.
I’m partnering with the PTSD Foundation of America and Camp Hope, whose mission is to
“bring hope and healing to combat veterans and their families suffering from the effects of
combat-related Post Traumatic Stress.” Their work is life-changing—and life-saving—and I
want to support their efforts however I can.
Here’s where I need your help.
This challenge is self-funded, and the costs—fuel, bike prep, bike maintenance, gear, entry
fees—add up quickly. I’m asking for your support in two ways:
1. Donate directly to Camp Hope and the PTSD Foundation, to support the incredible
work they do for our nation's heroes.
2. Help cover the costs of my participation, so I can focus on completing the Challenge
safely and successfully.
No contribution is too small, and 100% of the funds donated to the PTSD Foundation go directly
to support their programs.

 

���� To donate to the PTSD Foundation/Camp Hope, visit: [PTSD Foundation ]
���� To support my Hoka Hey Challenge expenses, you can send contributions via Zelle:
ID/phone number – 847-989-1397, Dennis Pacholski
Whether you give $5 or $50, you’re helping make a difference. Thank you for your generosity
and for standing behind those who’ve served us all.
Ride hard. Finish strong. Do it with purpose.
Dennis Pacholski
Hoka Hey Rider #1297