Meet The Returning Rider # 1175 Pat Smith

 

I don’t recall exactly how I heard about the Hoka Hey Motorcycle Challenge (probably a Facebook post), but when I looked it up, I knew I had to do it.  I was too late for 2022 registration, so you can bet as soon as it opened up for ’24, I was on it, and as soon as the ride in ’24 was over, I had already committed to myself to riding it again in ’26!  I wanted to ride it in ’24 to see just what I was made of, and boy did I find out!  This time around, I’m looking to improve on my previous mistakes (way too many wrong turns!), and improve my time.

I try to get in at least 1 long-distance trip every year, with many weekend trips in between.  To me, there’s no greater joy than riding with my son, regardless of where.  He even joined me at the Bardstown reunion, and is currently on the wait list for this year’s ride.

As for my non-profit, I chose the Veterans Community Project https://vcp.org/about-vcp/our-locations/kansas-city/ .  At Veterans Community Project, we believe dignity lives in the details. That’s why our 240-square-foot tiny homes are thoughtfully designed for Veterans, using PTSD-informed features and a layout that feels familiar and safe. Beyond housing, our staff uses a unique case management framework - called the H.O.M.E.S. Index - to create personalized plans that help each Veteran overcome their barriers and work toward their individual goals.  This approach works: 85% of Veterans who stay in our Villages successfully move on to sustainable permanent housing

 

 

Fundraiser link: Veterans Community Project

Meet The New Rider # 1272 Ed Monsour

 

Greetings   My name is Ed Monsour (# 1272) from Southern California

I started riding when I was 15 and purchased my first Harley at 18.  I’ve been riding ever since.  

For many of these past years I have averaged over 50,000 miles over this great country. The 4 Corners, 50CC. Iron Butt Challenges, US Best Roads, National Parks, Route 66 plus so much more. 

When I started riding my friends and family said that motorcycles are dangerous and maybe they are right.  But the real danger is living a life so safe, so predictable that you never actually live. Riders live on the edge. Rather than playing ti safe, sitting still and being afraid to live, I'll risk the fall.  It's as close as you can get to transcendence.

For me the Hoka Hey Motorcycle Challenge will be the ultimate ride.  I’ve been told the Hoka Hey Challenge will change you.  I’m excited for the changes that will come. Mostly though, meeting and riding with you my fellow riders.

My fundraising efforts are for two non-profit organizations, Warrior Foundation Freedom Station.  This amazing organization provides valuable services for our military men and women who have given their all and come home needing assistance to get their lives on track again.

https://www.pledge.to/Eds-Ride-for-Freedom-Station 

 

AND The Prarie Band Potawatami Nation   Please NOTE # 1272 Ed Monsour when making donations

 

 

 

Meet The New Rider # 1368 Christina Griffith

 

Hello sunshine 🌞, I'm Christina Griffith  (rider #1368) from Hotchkiss, Colorado. My wonderful husband and I have been married for 26 years. We have 3 beautiful daughters. 3.5 (one is still cooking) grandkids. I'm a late arrival to the motorcycle world. I was a passenger princess for many years. In 2016  I started riding my parents trike. I fell in love with three wheels and solo riding. I've experienced the beauty of all the lower 48  states. From the crashing ocean waves, to high mountain peaks, blowing corn of the plains, to the desert cactus.  My adventurous spirit always wants to know what's over the next hill and around the next corner.

I discovered the Hoka Hey Motorcycle Challenge in 2020 through Google search for endurance riding. I instantly knew right away that I wanted to participate in the challenge. At the time they weren't accepting trikes. And I wasn't ready. For the last six years I've been preparing for this ride. I was even trying to think of ways to become a route tester. One way or another I was determined to ride this ride.

"Wheels for Hope" is my fundraising campaign for Breakthrough T1D. It's for Type One Diabetes research. A hope for a future were those we love and cherish won't have to struggle with this disease. Were they don't have to worry about choosing between affording their insulin or paying bills. Not worry about possible loosing limbs or their life to this disease. Hopefully we can come together to help find a cure for those we love.

Meet The New Rider # 1276 Dave Walker

 

My name is Dave Walker, rider #1276.  I currently reside in Glastonbury, CT and I am the proud Dad to a son and twin daughters (hence the gray hair).  I grew up in East Hartford, CT in a motorcycling family, the youngest of 5 siblings with my father and two older brothers all riding in both the dirt and street. Needless to say, I happily got introduced into the family tradition at an early age.  I bought my first motorcycle, a dirt bike, at the age of 12 and I’ve been riding ever since. I attended college, earning a bachelors degree before becoming a career firefighter, retiring after 26 years of service. 

I’ve ridden expensively around New England and beyond, and I enjoy riding as often as possible. Getting on my bike and logging miles is great for my state of mind.  It’s where I can think, sort through life’s challenges, or just tune out of it all for a bit and enjoy the curves and scenery. It gives me a chance to unwind and disconnect from everything but the road and what’s ahead of me. I’ve attending the Laconia Motorcycle Rally in New Hampshire every year since 1990 and am a member of the Iron Butt Association (IBA #88777), enjoying those long rides.  

 

I initially heard about the Hoka Hey Motorcycle Challenge from friends of my riding buddy and fellow firefighter Jim “Hooch” Matthews (HH#1275); Matt Klebe (HH#752) and Greg Lapardo (HH#993).  I had been looking for something to challenge myself, both physically and mentally, as well as allow me to pursue my passion for riding, since my retirement from the Fire Department.  The HHMC seemed like the perfect fit to test myself, as well as accomplish the goal that has been talked about for the last 15 years, that of riding around our beautiful country with my Union brother and riding buddy, Hooch Matthews. I’m looking forward to riding parts of the country I haven’t been to yet while also challenging myself in new ways.  

 

 

I am currently undecided on a fundraising charity. 

Meet The Returning Rider # 953 Jesse Alexander

  

I’m a Network Engineer by profession and a BBQ enthusiast at heart. I completed the Hoka Hey Motorcycle Challenge in 2020 and am aiming to earn my second finish after being sidelined in 2022 and 2026 while traveling to the start.

 

                 

                                 When I’m no

t working or riding, I enjoy cooking BBQ—whether it’s catering or competition. While rising costs have slowed things down a bit, it’s a passion I plan to pursue even more in retirement.

 

As in previous years, my charity of choice is The Dog Alliance Hounds for Heroes.

For me, the Hoka Hey Motorcycle Challenge is about more than the ride—it’s about sharing an incredible adventure with friends and family.

 

I’m grateful for the constant support of my wife, Carol, and my many friends.

 

 

Meet The New Rider # 1246 Howard Condrey

 

My name is Howard Condrey, I was born December 22^nd 1955. My career was construction Superintendent building mostly Hotels in Virginia and North Carolina. I retired in 2018 after a bit of a cancer scare making me realize life is too short.

 

I have been a HOG member since 2005 holding several different officer positions, enjoying leading rides and mentoring new riders. Currently without a local Dealership I run a Face Book riding group with over 600 followers. (My fear is that one day 10% of those show up for a lunch ride) 

 

I’ve always enjoyed trips with friends and recently gotten hooked on Rally’s such as Hops and Snafu. Even to the point I’ve put on a few of my own for Eastern North Carolina. All my events raise funds for the Kennedy Childrens Home of Kinston NC. For my 70^th Birthday I completed my 1^st Bum Burner Gold.

 

Within my riding group I have four friends that have completed the Hoka Hey Motorcycle Challenge, thus at 70 years old this year I’m challenging myself to be a finisher.

Meet The Returning Rider # 1038 Gene Fiamma

 

 In 2022 I entered my first Hoka Hey Motorcycle Challenge and did well as a first-time starter.  I returned in 2024 and, with the knowledge and experience of my 2022 ride, I finished well ahead of my first Hoka Hey pace.  I will line up in Woodstock, Illinois in August for my third Challenge and I am looking to improve once again.

 

Improving for me is not only about the time it takes to cross the Finish Line.  Improving represents riding well, being in the present, engaging more with the locals when the time and the place permits, and sharing my stories and experiences with the new riders in this year’s Hoka Hey.  There is no doubt that the lessons learned from previous Hoka Hey Motorcycle Challenges deepen one’s knowledge of how to navigate the 10,000 mile journey and how to endure the many days and nights on the road, and this knowledge will continue to serve me well in 2026 and beyond.

 

 

This year I will be combining my love of motorcycling (I am the Captain of the Ft. Lauderdale Drill Team and third time entrant into the Hoka Hey Motorcycle Challenge) with my passion for the game of golf (I am the Starter for several PGA TOUR golf championships) as I set out to raise funds for the boys and girls of the South Dakota First Tee Program specific to the Pine Ridge Indian Reservation.  The First Tee is a nationwide charity that views golf as a metaphor for life – a game with unexpected challenges that help build strengths beyond the technical skills of playing the game.  The First Tee focuses on helping kids develop character, resilience, self-confidence, and inner strength (much like how the Hoka Hey Motorcycle Challenge positively affects participants) by using golf to empower personal growth while enabling the kids to learn to play the game.

 

The Pine Ridge Indian Reservation, home to the Oglala Lakota Nation, is recognized as one of the poorest reservations in the US, with high unemployment, poverty rates exceeding 50%, and severe infrastructure deficits.  There is no golf course in all of the vastness of the Pine Ridge Reservation, yet The First Tee is there and currently assisting the boys and girls with life lessons and golf lessons.  It is my goal to raise funds for the benefit of these outstanding boys and girls. 

And if the Hoka Hey route this year should take us through the Pine Ridge Reservation, it would be an amazing thrill for me to pull off the road for an hour or two to visit with the kids, and the coaches, and maybe even hit a few dozen golf balls with them!!!

Hoka Hey!!!