Meet The New Rider # 1248 Tammy Jones

Hi, I’m Tamara Jones, “Sunshine,” Rider #1248. I am a
proud mother of two and a Nana of three—and I
absolutely love my babies. I am also a proud member of
IBEW Local 364, where I’ve been an electrician for 36+
years, and I currently serve as President of the Local 364
Motorcycle Riders Club. I am someone shaped by lived
experience and hard work, by people who believe in
something greater than themselves. My life has been
grounded in perseverance and showing up when it matters
—whether in my personal life or beyond it. I strive to live
with integrity and solidarity in brotherhood.

 

On a rainy day in May, I walked into a motorcycle class at
my local college just to see what it was about. By the end
of that weekend, I had purchased a Road King and
arranged for it to be delivered. From that moment on, I
was hooked, and the road has been calling me ever since.
I thoroughly enjoy traveling on my motorcycle. I have
met the best people and created such wonderful
friendships that I will cherish forever.

 

I have been following the Hoka Hey Motorcycle Challenge™ for quite a while, always thinking it was
something I’d enjoy if and when I had the time—because,
you know, life. In 2024, on my way to West Virginia for
an International Ride, I stopped for gas in the middle of
nowhere in Indiana and met a woman on a brand-new
Road Glide, full of excitement about where she was
headed. She told me she was traveling to Florida for the
start of the Hoka Hey Motorcycle Challenge™. I
thoroughly enjoyed her story. Right then and there, I
knew I was going to apply. It was my time. It was my
turn. Life would just have to wait a minute.

Thank you, Detta Dean, Rider #908.

 

I am riding in support of Honor Flight Chicago, a charity
that represents gratitude in action. Our Veterans selflessly
served and fought for our freedoms. These freedoms came
with a cost, which in one way or another impacted their
lives forever. This organization gives them the chance to
visit the memorials built in their honor—allowing them to
experience the appreciation they have earned and deserve.

 

Supporting Honor Flight Chicago isn’t just about
fundraising; it’s about preserving stories, acknowledging
sacrifice, and ensuring our Veterans know they are seen,
remembered, and honored.

Live A Life Worth Their Sacrific

Meet The New Rider # 1279 Nick Stokes

 

 

 Hi my name is Nick Stokes from Massachusetts.  I have been riding for about  30 years and will be celebrating my 50th birthday just before the  Hoka Hey Motorcycle Challenge 2026. Throughout the years riding I have had the opportunity to travel across the states with my best friend Ren who completed the HHMC in 2024.

I am riding this year to raise funds for the Boys And Girls Club of Metro South, in Brockton Massachusetts. My wife and daughter have been a part of the BGCMS community for 5 years and part of the recently formed Family Engagement Team. The funds will go to supporting the team and family events at BGCMS such as game nights, parent training and family advocacy.

 

 

Meet The New Rider # 1363 Andy Spindler

 

ANDY SPINDLER RIDES FOR HONOR FLIGHT CHICAGO

My name is Andy Spindler and I will be participating in the 2026 Hoka Hey Motorcycle Challenge. The Hoka Hey Motorcycle Challenge is a rigorous, 10,000-mile endurance challenge designed for American V-twin motorcycle enthusiasts. The event spans 10 to 20 days and participants are required to adhere to strict guidelines. 

 

 

 

These guidelines include the exclusive use of written directions (no maps or GPS directions), no hotel or motel accommodations, as you must sleep beside your motorcycle. Daily riding periods often exceed 20 hours and follow a specified route traversing North America's secondary roads. The challenge emphasizes personal growth, ethical conduct, and charitable engagement, particularly supporting Native American causes.

 

 

 

 

I have chosen Honor Flight Chicago as the beneficiary of my fundraising because I am a Marine who served on active duty from 1990-1994 and because I have had the honor of being a guardian on HFC#119 and was able to witness first hand what this organization is able to accomplish with their incredible staff and volunteers.

 

 

 

Meet The New Rider # 1277 Russ Nicholson

 

Growing up in the flatlands of Indiana one would not think that the adventure of the open sea or mountains would be my calling. My work-life offered me opportunities to live on a sailboat, explore sailing the open ocean, scuba diving, and mountaineering. However, my transportation outside of work came on two wheels for on and off-road. After riding most of my life, riding became my passion after retirement. I’ve experienced much of the Northern Hemisphere behind bars, riding in 49 states and 11 Canadian provinces with many miles of the Iron Butt style.

I first heard of the Hoka Hey Motorcycle Challenge about ten years ago, but never imagined that one day I would be honored by being accepted to join the highly accomplished, elite, long-distance riders of the Hoka Hey. I get my opportunity to start the 2026 Hoka Hey Motorcycle Challenge in Woodstock Illinois. It will again challenge man and machine to ride against Mother Nature utilizing their own abilities and limitations, similar to warriors of old. The warriors had the challenge of supporting their families while traveling by horse, their machine, to hunt and gather. We, the modern day warriors, will be following a precise trail on our path to reach the end, our nourishment. Along the way, we as those before us, will not be using modern navigational tools, but will utilize a list of turn-by-turn directions. We will also be sleeping under the stars next to our iron horse, not in a building, just like the warriors of old.

Not only are we challenged to follow the ways of old but to raise awareness of charities. The charity that I have chosen to work with is New Hope. New Hope was started after one person asked why they had to tell their story of abuse so many times, up to 12 times, reliving the trauma each time. Now, New Hope, by working with all the pertinent offices, allows the traumatized child to tell the story only once. Afterwards, New Hope helps navigate the road to recovery. The donations received will help to continue this service to the children in need. 

New Hope

 

Youtube 

My local HOG chapter out of

Smoky Mountain Harley-Davidson® is assisting me in my endeavor.

Founded in 2004, Smoky Mountain Harley-Davidson® has proudly served East Tennessee riders for over two decades, growing into one of the region’s most recognized and community-driven Harley-Davidson destinations. With three full-service dealerships and multiple retail locations across the Smokies, we are dedicated to fueling the spirit of adventure, camaraderie, and freedom that defines the motorcycling lifestyle.

As home to the Dragon H.O.G. Chapter, we are honored to support our members as they take on epic challenges like the Hoka Hey Motorcycle Challenge—a ride that embodies grit, endurance, and the true heart of motorcycling. Our chapter and our dealership family stand behind every mile.

Each year, Smoky Mountain Harley-Davidson® hosts a full calendar of signature events and charity rides, bringing thousands of riders together for causes that matter. From large-scale rallies like Smoky Mountain Bike Week, to our themed seasonal rides, poker runs, veteran and first-responder fundraisers, and women-focused riding initiatives, our dealership is committed to making a measurable impact across East Tennessee and beyond.

Our Maryville, TN location is also home to The Shed Smokehouse & Juke Joint, a nationally known live-music venue and gathering place where riders, musicians, and visitors come together for concerts and camaraderie.

At Smoky Mountain Harley-Davidson®, we believe in riding with purpose, building community, and supporting every journey—whether it’s across town or across the country. We look forward to continuing our legacy of service, adventure, and two-wheeled passion.

 

 

 

Facebook Smoky Mountain Harley Davidson

 

Website https://smh-d.com/

 

Smoky Mountain Bike Week https://smbikeweek.com/

Meet The New Rider# 1311 Mandee Ingvalson

 

 

 I’m Mandee ‘FROSTY’ Ingvalson, rider #1311.
I started riding in May of 2012. I caught the riding bug rather quickly and have never
looked back no matter the weather nor the distance.
My long distance riding really started October 13,2022 when I embarked on my 1st ever
1k in a day. I rode from Minnesota to Texas in a little over 16 hours and 1118.1 miles,
earning my name ‘FROSTY’. 

I have an amazing support system in my husband, Chad, who has always been my biggest cheerleader, along with my four kids and five grandkids. Without all of their support, this accomplishment would have been much more difficult.  Knowing that they will be watching at home while I embark on this ride gives me more motivation.

I would like to thank all sponsors that have been stepping up already this year and have helped me with products to make my ride more successful

I will be riding my 2024 Road Glide ‘The Heifer’ for the 2026 Hoka Hey Motorcycle Challenge.        She’s been an amazing asset in my long distance career.

 

As I watched the 2022 Hoka Hey riders start and ride throughout the United States and
then arrive at the finish line after such an enduring and challenging ride I knew this was
something I wanted to set as a goal to complete myself. I’ve always been one to go “I
want to try that” and push myself to be better and stronger and with this challenge I can
achieve those goals. This will be a huge mental and physical challenge for myself and
testing my abilities and a rider.

 

The charity I’ve chosen to ride for is Mile Monsters Inc. a non-profit I’m extremely
passionate about. I have seen first hand how we can help 7 boys living with Duchenne
Muscular Dystrophy live their best life!

 

Mile Monsters Inc. is a Non Profit 501c3 which hopes to Inspire and Motivate people to
join us. We ride to make the world a better place. Money raised goes to help children
affected by disease, injuries and circumstances out of their control. The kids we help
need a MONSTER in their corner to help fight the battle with them.
WE ARE CHARITY RIDERS WHO STRIVE TO MOTIVATE AND INSPIRE

Meet The New Rider # 1341 Bill Morris

 

Hello! My name is Bill Morris from Sanford, NC and I’m Rider #1341 in this year’s Hoka Hey Motorcycle Challenge.

 

     I retired from the Army in January of 2021 and bought my first motorcycle as a retirement gift to myself. Riding bikes led to wrenching on bikes, and I soon went to Central Carolina Community College to become a certified motorcycle mechanic. After that I went to the Motorcycle Mechanics Institute in Phoenix to pursue the Harley Davidson certification.

 

     Since I was going to be riding from North Carolina to Arizona anyway, I decided to make it a full coast-to-coast ride, beginning in Wilmington, NC and ending in California at the Santa Monica Pier. By the time I arrived I had caught the long-distance-riding bug. The experience of being out on the sparsely travelled backroads of America, where there’s nobody there but me and God, just riding through the world He created really helped me sort out some things in my life. I’ve done 3 more coast-to-coast solo rides since then, as well as another 8,500 mile solo trip that circled most of the continental US.

 

     It was at near the beginning of that trip that my wife told me about this crazy thing she had seen on Facebook called the Hoka Hey Motorcycle Challenge and said that it sounded like it would be right up my alley. As soon as I checked it out I knew I had to do it. The challenge of combining old-school (non-GPS) navigation with strict adherence to a prescribed and unknown route, roughing it by sleeping on the ground beside your bike instead of in a motel, and the goal of completing the 10,000 mile course in under 2 weeks is, like my wife said, right up my alley.

 

     I’m doing this challenge as a fundraiser for a great organization that I came across through my church called Harvest Child Care Ministries. Harvest CCM is a licensed, faith-based children’s home whose mission is to provide a safe, loving Christian home for children who have experienced abuse, abandonment, or neglect. At Harvest CCM children are taught Christian values to aid in equipping them to become responsible, productive members of society. You can learn more about this organization online at harvestccm.com. If you would like to donate, please follow the QR code below and type “HHMC Rider #1341” in the comments. Thank You!

Meet The New Rider # 1328 Mike Stephens

 

My name is Mike Stephens. My road handle will be “Big Mike” rider #1328.  I’ve been riding motorcycles since I was 10 years old.  I started on a Honda Trail 70 and graduated up to a 630hp Boss Hoss V8.  I worked for the same company for 40 years (Kroger Supermarkets) and retired in 2018.  Shortly after that I was offered a job with Boss Hoss Cycles in my hometown.  I was there for 5 years and thought I was retiring again.  My love for motorcycles would not let me leave that culture.  I was offered a job at Challenger Motorcycles in Poplar Bluff, Missouri.  I have been there going on 3 years working only part-time.  I drive the Show truck to the major rallies and get to talk motorcycles everyday.  I had a Harley for many years but now I ride an Indian Pursuit.  I started logging some longer distance rides only last year.  I rode 25,000 miles from April through August.  I completed the 48 states in less than 10 days last year in July.  I joke with my Harley friends that I ride with that it took me 7 years to visit the lower 48 on my Harley but only 9 ½ days on my Indian.  

 

 

I only discovered the Hoka Hey Motorcycle Challenge in the Spring of 2024.  A friend of mine that knew I liked riding long distance and that I liked to challenge myself, told me about it.  I did some research immediately I knew this was something that I must do.  I followed the 2024 Challenge and was hooked right then.  The more that I learned about the Hoka Hey, the more interested I became.  I have ridden through several Reservations on my trips and saw first hand how badly those individuals lived.  

 

 When I found out that the money raised with entry fees went directly to help the reservations, I was even more eager to get started.  I was on my computer at midnight the night of the application process.  It took me almost 3 ½ hours of hitting refresh over and over and over to get on the site to apply.  I was so happy but then the wait started.  Would I get accepted? The day that I got my acceptance email was incredible. I met several riders at different rallies and more at the rendezvous last year.  What a great group of people.

 

My charity is the Shriners Childrens Hospital. This organization started in 1922 to help children get care that might not otherwise receive it. They provide care in a wide range of areas including orthopedic conditions, burn injuries, craniofacial conditions, spine care, spinal cord injuries and sports medicine.  There are so many charities out there to help people specially children.  One of the organizations that I belong to supports Shriner’s Children. That helped me choose them for my fundraising.