Meet The Returning Rider # 944 Jay Gleason

 

I spend many of my days riding, like I have since I've been very young. But if you don't find me on my bike (or working my job) there's a good chance I'm catching up on chores around the house, spending quality Ɵme with my friends or family or just plain out chillin. I first found out about the Hoka Hey Challenge through a good friend a few years ago. He shared the details as he prepared for the ride. He also shared the “rules of the road”, the honor and the integrity of the rider. He also shared the challenge of the road and with mother nature. Needless to say, I found myself glued to his tracker to see how he was doing. And then, after finishing it, he shared all the adventures he had while riding it. I felt like it was something I just had to do. - one of the pinnacles of my riding life. 

While I have ridden a fair amount of long-distance riding and many days and miles away from home - I've only  ridden under the rules of the Hoka Hey Motorcycle Challenge once. I believe the ride will challenge my very soul and spirit. But I'm ready to ride and in doing so I will honor myself, the legacy of the founders, the guidelines they have set forth and my fellow riders—all while riding my best ride. I have a feeling this will be a life changing event and I look forward to it

Meet The Returning Rider # 1181 Jeff Mallory

 

My name is Jeff “Hee Haw” Mallory Hoka Hey Rider 1181. Like most of us my motorcycle riding started in my teen years on mini and dirt bikes. I purchased my first Harley in 1993, It was a Dyn Wide Glide. I still have her today but currently she is relegated to the corner but don’t have the heart to get rid of her, This will be my second Hoka Hey Motorcycle Challenge . As many riders have said the Hoka Hey is  life changing event. I laughed , cried, reflected, fell, and persevered to finish the 2024 Hoka Hey to Homer, AK. I have to say thank you to Scott “ Sugar Bear” Brown rider 1051 for being there to help pick me up when I was down. We just happened to join up as we entered the Keys and finished together in Homer. I grew up in southwest MO and joint the US Army my senior year in high school. I retired after 20 years and then became a defense contractor for another 10 years.  I currently live in Alabama and work in  Montana on Chinook helicopters used predominantly fighting fires. 

I am looking forward this Challenge with renewed vigor. I know that Mama Beth and the rest of the board will challenge us to our utmost. I learned a lot from the 2024 Challenge,  as most newbies do I brought way to much stuff. This year will be trimmed way down. Take time to enjoy the ride Mama Beth takes us through some of the most amazing places. For the new riders ask questions of the elders they will guide you on this journey. I can say it is wonderful to see a fellow Hoka Hey rider at different events, you walk up say hi and even if you have never met you are instantly welcomed as family. I am grateful to have so many new brothers and sisters. 

I will be riding again this year for the Night Stalker Association (nsa160.com). This is a non profit organization that provides support to member and families of the 160th Special Operations Aviation Regiment. I spent ten year in the regiment as a mechanic and flight crew member. I joined the Association when it was founded in 1988 as a way to support our soldiers during hard times.

Meet The New Rider # 1281 Bob Burrier

 

My journey on two wheels began in the early 1990s. Over the last three decades, riding has evolved from a passion into my absolute "happy place." There is an undeniable truth to the concept of "wind therapy," and I have relied on it for decades to clear my mind, reset, and self-medicate from the stresses of life.

 

 

While I’ve logged countless miles, my favorite miles are shared. My wife is my main riding partner—she rides a 2015 Street Glide and shares the passion. Together, we’ve chased the horizon to incredible places, our most memorable being an unforgettable run to Sturgis, South Dakota. Over the years, we’ve completed numerous runs, raised awareness for vital causes, and successfully checked off  The Little Bear Challenge. The Little Bear Challenge is hosted and organized by "Just Matt", Hoka Hey Finisher (#1075). We are also incredibly proud parents and grandparents who love our family fiercely.

 

 

 

 

Service has been the defining cornerstone of my life. I honorably served my country in both the United States Air Force and the United States Army National Guard. I had the very distinct honor to continue my service in federal law enforcement, ultimately retiring as a Special Agent with the Department of Homeland Security. After retirement, I joined the best darn Harley-Davidson dealership in the nation, Stinger Harley-Davidson, Medina, Ohio. 

I find fulfillment with community involvement and brotherhood as a proud member of the Sebring Masonic Lodge 626, Tadmor Shrine, and Alliance Shrine Club.

I view the Hoka Hey Motorcycle Challenge not just as an endurance run, but as a true "Vision Quest", also the title to one of my favorite movies. I see it as the ultimate test of boundaries—a way to look inward and see if I possess the mental fortitude, grit, and mindset required to push through the grueling miles and finish what I start.

 

 

 However, I am not just riding for myself. I am proud to be turning my wheels for the Alliance Shrine Club Transportation Unit. This incredible unit is directly responsible for transporting children and their families to Shriner Hospitals for critical medical appointments and treatments—completely free of charge to the families.

Every mile I log during the Hoka Hey will be dedicated to keeping those vans moving for the kids. I will be sharing links and social media channels in the near future for anyone wishing to follow the journey and contribute to this vital cause.

Safe Travels! 

Squirrel #1281

Meet The Returning Rider # 1033 Louis Bergeron

 Bonjour mes amis, (Hi y’all)
       I have been following the Hoka Hey Motorcycle Challenge since 2018 and riding 2022 and 2024 edition. Excited to be on the starting Line in Woodstock, Illinois.

 

 I ride motorcycles for over 5 decades and I still remember my early dream in mid ´70 was to cross North America by fields, mountains and sleep beside the bike. At that time I was riding mostly off-road. Even if I have already rided across 49 states and 12 provinces and territories the Hoka Hey organization gave me the opportunity to fulfill that dream that i am always after. Hoka Hey is also a nest of riders that inspire me and help me to find another dimension to riding, other than physical. Trying to be a better person and live a good Life.

 

I don't run for non profit considering that I chose years ago to work couple per year, of cases pro-bono to help workers to get indemnise for professional injuries. This is the way i give back to my community in Québec.

 

       Thanks for taking time to read intro and looking forward to meet all old and new friends. Hoka Hey

Meet Returning Rider # 981 Henry Lecomte

 

I’m Henry Lecomte. I live in Ste Anne MB. Canada. I rode in 2022 and 2024 but I’m just as excited to once again to be riding in the Hoka Hey Motorcycle Challenge . I learned of the challenge from Jim Milas and he told me you ride it once you’ll ride it again. He was right, just don’t tell him. I enjoy challenges like this where you're taking the roads less travelled. 

 

 

Our riding season in Manitoba is a little limited at time but I ride and tour when I can. I also enjoy hunting and fishing and I forge knives as a hobby. I was a member of the Boilermakers for 16 years and just received my 25 year pin with UA Local 254. 

 

This challenge enables you to meet people who are like to ride like you do. This ride pushes riders to the extreme and I’m sure many feel their guardian angels are running with them, I know I did. All the riders and the organizers of this event form a great group of individuals who donate their time and energy supporting many great causes and charities. 

 

 

This year I’m riding for Manitoba Possible, which is is an organization that helps Manitobans with disabilities. This charity has helped some of my friends and family. I’m also riding for Mile Monsters Inc.. I got to meet and know a few of the members and also attended a couple events. When I saw the good they do and how the boys appreciate all that is being done l felt it was a good fit for me. I will attach links below.

 

DONATE Manitoba Possible 

DONATE Mile Monsters Inc.

Meet The Returning Rider # 875 Rick McLeod

 

 

 Hoka Hey Motorcycle Challenge 2026 Rider # 875-Rick McLeod My wife Naomi and I have 5 children and 7 grandchildren. We are a military family, both of us Persian Gulf War veterans (she’s Navy, I’m Army). Three of our children and 1 son-in-law also served or are still serving (1 Marine, 3 Air Force). We love to travel and have been all over the nation and several countries, sometimes on 2 wheels, sometimes more. We are located in Arkansas.

 

I rode my first Hoka Hey Motorcycle Challenge in 2018 after hearing about it from my Dad. He saw an advertisement somewhere and knew I liked to ride long distance…but this was something new in its scale and timeline. I was hooked on the idea as soon as I heard the details! I rode that first time by myself, and other than getting turned around a few times, had a blast while making my way along the route, and riding alongside newfound friends, coming in as one of the Elite Finishers. In 2020, my brother Mike and I rode together right up to the point where I blew the engine up in my 2013 Ultra. After 17 hours, my home dealership, Pig Trail Harley-Davidson, delivered my newly-purchased 2020 Ultra to Van Horn, Texas, and hauled the old one home, allowing me to finish in 13 days. 2022 was another great adventure, with my brother and I finishing in 12 days. 2024 was perhaps the greatest challenge to me, as we rode through a hurricane in Florida before making our way to Alaska. I learned that I do
indeed need to bring a tent along for unanticipated foul weather!

 

 

I have fine-tuned my riding style and equipment over the last 4 Challenges, but know that each one provides a different set of problems that must be addressed. To me, the key facet of the HHMC is the battle within yourself. You are not competing against anyone else, but instead against your own abilities. I heard the phrase, “Ride Your Own Ride” for the first time in 2018 and have used it as my own mantra ever since. It’s a powerful statement and one that encapsulates what each rider should aspire to accomplish. The Challenge is real and one that cannot be taken lightly.

 

My chosen non-profit is the Northwest Arkansas Food Bank. They work diligently to provide food to those who are food-insecure in my home area. They work on this through partnerships with food pantries, store fronts where clients can obtain free food with no questions asked, and mobile food pantries that travel to various locations. The money raised through our efforts will go directly to the mission of providing food to those needy families.
Donations can be made directly to the NWA Food Bank via this link: Northwest Arkansas Food Bank DONATE and more information can be
found at Northwest Arkansas Food Bank

Meet The New Rider # 1356 Steve Wiecki

 

 My name is Steve Wiecki. I am 53 years old. I live in the small town of Worland, Wyoming. Located in the north central part of the state. 

 

 
I first heard of the Hoka Hey Motorcycle Challenge from some iron workers when we were building the Wyoming Whiskey Distillery, in Kirby, Wyoming. 24 miles from Worland. They described an incredible adventure. From what I understand, the challenge was much different than it is now.

 

 
I have never been in the position financially or relationship wise to be part of the Hoka Hey. Years went by. I just accepted it was not meant to be for me. After some radical changes to my life. I am now able to take on this challenge. I’m fully supported by my family. Even though my beautiful wife is scared to death. She fully supports me. My kids are excited for me too. 
I’m certain people in the past have made claims as to how well they will do. I have no idea how well I will do. I will say I will give it everything I have. I have wanted this for too long to fall short. I am looking forward to seeing everyone at the finish line and earn my right to become a member of the Hoka Hey Challenge. 

 

Because of three heart breaking deaths in my family I am not able to run a fundraiser and give it all the time and energy to do it justice. My goal in 2028 is to make up for that and then some with a fundraiser very close to my heart. Please don’t look down on me. Life is too much at this point in my life. 

 

My goal is to run this challenge to the fullest. Meet and maybe ride with as many people as I can. I’m hopeful to make long term friendships and finally be a part of this long time dream.

 

Best of luck to all. 

Steve Wiecki. Rider #1356