Meet The New Rider # 1303 Mike Kozicki

 

I grew up on Long Island, New York, and served seven years in the US Navy as a Hospital Corpsman, including overseas assignments and participation in NASA’s Transatlantic Abort Landing Team. While in the Navy, I studied Information Technology and specialized in custom Navy medical programs. After my service, I settled in Frederick, MD and was employed by Department of Defense. Currently I work at the Bureau of Labor and Statistics in Washington DC. My wife Jennifer and I have been together since 2007 and married since 2010; we have three dogs, Izzi (Norwich Terrier) , Olivia and Lillibet (Norfolk Terriers). 

 

Inspired by my father's love for motorcycles, I began riding early, with long-distance trips starting in 2016. A simple invitation to Sturgis from Bill Karitis sparked my passion for exploring small towns and open roads. 

 

I became aware of the Hoka Hey Motorcycle Challenge in 2016; however, I waited to apply until I had accumulated several years of long distance riding experience. With the support of my lovely bride, family, and friends, I am looking forward to riding my own ride in August.

 

My charity choice for this Hoka Hey is Brunswick Beacon. The BEACON is a non-profit, ecumenical body, established primarily to provide food and emergency financial assistance to those in need, to include providing for the social, physical, and emotional needs of the most vulnerable citizens of the Greater Brunswick Community. https://www.brunswickbeacon.org DONATE TO THE BEACON

 

 

Meet The Returning Rider # 1113 Eric Cameron

My name is Eric Cameron.  I am a 53-year-old Hoka Hey Motorcycle Challenge rider.  I started riding motorcycles 37 years ago.  I started with café cruisers, and then progressed to street bikes, and finally Harley Davidson’s.   I have been with my beautiful bride for over 25 years.  We have raised four children and now have two grandchildren as well.  I served almost 25 years in the US Army as an Airborne Infantryman.  After retirement I entered the Government contracting world, where I now run my own company managing various Government contracts for the military, veteran’s affairs and various other Government entities.  

 

I ride the Hoka Hey as a personal journey and an opportunity to raise money for charity.  For many years I knew I was well honed machine that could survive in the woods, the side of a road, or in the worst combat conditions imaginable.  Now I use the Hoka Hey and other Long Distance Riding events to see if I still have the capability to push myself past what would be normal limits.  To see if I have what it takes to complete a spiritual journey, that will literally take me from one end of the continent to the other.  Not only will I be able to do good for others through my fundraising, but I will also be able to do a spiritual journey at the same time. 

 

This Hoka Hey I will be riding in remembrance of SFC Larry B. Pelham who recently lost his final battle from combat.  For that reason, I chose to ride for Veteran Suicide prevention.  The charity that I chose to raise money for during the Hoka Hey is called 22Mohawks.  This organization is established to help Veterans in various ways, but mainly to help them deal with their PTSD so that we can stop losing 22 of our Veterans every day.  As a Veteran with five combat deployments, who has been fighting PTSD for years, I understand how difficult the struggle they face is, and I want to give them every opportunity to heal and make it through a couple more days.  We owe our veterans the greatest debt of gratitude.  This is just one way that we can help pay that debt back.  The link to my charity is https://donorbox.org/hoka-hey-2026-riding-for-purpose-riding-for-lives.  All monies go directly to my charity. 

Meet The New Rider # 1343 Daniel Henry

My name is Daniel Henry from Bremen Ga. I’m proud to be taking on the 2026  Hoka Hey Motorcycle Challenge as rider #1343. I’ve been married to my amazing wife, Anna, for 34 years. We have 2 wonderful daughters & 3 beautiful  grandkids who inspire me everyday. For the past 25 years I’ve worked as a locomotive engineer on the railroad, a career that has instilled in me discipline, endurance & focus, all qualities I’ll carry with me on this incredible journey. 

I’ll be riding in support of The Til Valhalla Project. TVP has made and donated over 4500 memorial plaques, donated $1.5 million to assist with Veteran Suicide, and donated over 10,000 hours of therapy for those in need. Unfortunately, they only utilize the funds earned from their merchandise to create their plaques & they recommend that direct donations be made to STOP SOLDIER SUICIDE which is a fantastic nonprofit organization. SSS is the only national nonprofit focused solely on solving the issue of suicide among U.S. veterans and service members. They have an aggressive goal to reduce the military suicide rate by 40% no later than 2030. SSS has assisted over 3400 service members to date, and of these, over 90% completed a crisis plan, and 73% experienced a decrease in thoughts of suicide over their course of treatment.

Being chosen to ride in the Hoka Hey Motorcycle Challenge is a true honor and I'm proud to take part in something that tests not only endurance, but heart and purpose. Although I am not a veteran, I have several friends & family that are & I'm riding in support of a cause that means a great deal to me. Every mile I ride is for those who served and for the families who carry their memory forward. It's a privilege to represent something bigger than myself, and I'm grateful for the opportunity to stand for our veterans and help make a difference. Every donation made through this ride goes directly to the mission of preventing soldier suicide & supporting those who have served. 

Meet The Returning Rider # 618 KC Aston

 

 

 My name is K.C. Aston, Hoka Hey Rider #618. This will be my 9th Hoka Hey Challenge. I was drawn to the Hoka Hey because of the attention it was to bring to the Pine Ridge Reservation.

 

 The past Hoka Hey Motorcycle Challenge have supported many native American tribes and I'm eager to help the Prairie Band Potawatomi Band, specifically the Boys & Girls Club (this years HHMC's chosen charity).

 

 

 I'm looking forward to seeing my HH family of riders and meeting all the new riders for their first challenge.

 

 If I have any pearls of wisdom, it would be REST WHEN YOU'RE TIRED, DON'T WAIT UNTIL YOU'RE EXHAUSTED. This journey will bring new incite to your lives and perhaps the way you live. See you in Woodstock. Be safe and ride safe!

 

 

Meet The Returning Rider # 1179 Danielle Stansell

 

 

 My name is Danielle “PopOff” Stansell, I am originally from Los Angeles, California and currently
moved back to North Carolina from Bavaria, Germany. I finally retired 22 years in the United States
Army on December 1st, 2025. I have been riding motorcycles since the age of 16, just over 26 years and
currently own a 2010 Harley Davidson Road Glide, a 2018 Harley Davidson Road King Special and a 2024 Pan American. I have not always rode Harley’s, I actually started out on a Suzuki GSXR650 and
GSXR1000. I graduated from sports bikes about 13 years ago when I realized it would be far more
comfortable to travel long distances on a cruiser.

 

 

 I have been a MSF Rider Coach since April 2015 and continue to work as a rider coach on Fort Bragg Instillation and Fort Bragg Harley Davidson. I take pride in being able to share my love of motorcycles others and sharing skills they will need along their journey.

 

I have had the privilege of riding to Cabo San Lucas in 2019 and riding the lower 48 states in a single ride
in 2022, I think those were a couple of my more memorable solo rides. I’ve completed several IBA 1000
and 1500 mile rides and even completed the IBA I-10 End to End/50 CC ride in about 43 hours. I am not
going to say I am an adventure junkie, but I will say that outside of scuba diving, riding a motorcycle and
exploring new places are my favorite things to do.

 

 

 While living in Europe I have rode through 26 countries and even completed a few IBA rides there. I also had the privilege of riding in 8 countries through Southeast Asia. In 2025, I said I was going to ride in Africa and was blessed with the chance to traverse the dirt roads of Kenya.

 

I have previously ridden and completed the 2024 Hoka Hey Motorcycle Challenge, where we
rode from Daytona, Florida to Key West, FL to Homer, Alaska. I wanted to ride the Hoka Hey Motorcycle
Challenge to be able to further improve upon seldom utilized means of traveling. While I already carry a
tent in my saddlebag during my travels and put it up as needed, being able to take part of an adventure
that will allow you to see more of back roads than highways will give the opportunity to see the things I
may have missed otherwise seems like the perfect adventure. The word challenge in and of its self is
something that will be an amazing accomplishment to achieve once able to cross the finish line again in
2026. This challenge will put me in the presence of so many other riders that love riding long distances
and I hope to be able to learn new tricks and new tools I’ll be able to use along my journey. This second
opportunity to participate in the Hoka Hey will allow me to further my skills and enjoy another amazing
adventure.

 

The non-profit organization that I have elected to support is “Abundance Educational Institute”.
This particular organization is something that is near to my heart because aJer being in the military for
an extended period of time and having the opportunity to complete my master’s degree in Elementary
Education and want to do something that aides those that need it in their forward progress in education
and life. Abundance Educational Institute is a school that touched my heart because it is a place that
was started to give those in urban settings the chance at an equal education as their peers. The money
raised will help provide support on the educational needs of both the students and the school. Our
hope is to build a lasting relationship of support.
Sponsors:
Evolve Clothing Brand Left lane bullie.com
Fundraising Link: Hoka Hey for Education

Meet The Returning Rider # 1205 William Boekholder

 

William "Bookie" Boekholder

Hometown Freeport IL

 

 

Retired

Age 64

Married 39 years

Two sons, both married

Two grandkids 

 

 

 

USAF Veteran

Ride a 2016 Victory Cross Country Tour

This year I'll be riding for the Darkhorse Lodge again.

 

 

 

Meet The Returning Rider # 1131 Jimmy Burns

 

My name is Jimmy Burns — road name “TACO.” I am returning to the Hoka Hey Motorcycle Challenge for the second time, after completing my first challenge in 2024. When the Hoka Hey called to me in 2022 as a spectator, I knew it was something bigger than just a ride, and I had to be part of it. After crossing that finish line in 2024, I knew I had to come back in 2026.

 

I ride for a cause greater than myself — Mile Monsters Inc — and for our heroes battling Duchenne Muscular Dystrophy. Riding with purpose changes everything. The miles mean more. The adventure means more. The finish line means more.

 

I have a deep passion for motorcycles and have been riding since I was a kid thanks to my Dad who always ensured we had bikes and go fast stuff. Behind the bars of my bike is where I spend time talking to God, finding myself, and reconnecting with the part of me that only the open road can bring out. The Hoka Hey is good for the soul. It pushes me to grow, to heal, and to become a better man.

 

 

I’m a proud father of three incredible adult children — Payton, Allison, and Jax — who have grown into amazing human beings. My awesome wife Toni supports all my craziness and keeps me grounded in the things that truly matter and is my most favorite person on the planet and best friend. This year has already blessed us in a big way as we became first-time grandparents. On February 24th, our son Payton and our wonderful daughter-in-law Shelby gave us the greatest gift — our beautiful granddaughter.

 

 

When I toe the line in 2026, I won’t just be riding for myself. I’ll be riding for my family and for our Heroes fighting Duchenne Muscular Dystrophy. for every mile that heals the soul, and for every lesson the road still has to teach me.

I look forward to seeing my Hoka Hey brothers and sisters at the starting line — and again at the finish line in Woodstock.

Hoka Hey!
Taco – HH#1131

“Be The Example”

 

Fundraising Link Below:

https://givebutter.com/HH2026/jimmytoniburns1

Ride 4 Others | Mile Monsters Inc.