Meet The New Rider # 1289 Michael Nielsen

 

My name is Michael Nielsen, and I grew up just south of the home of Harley Davidson in a small town called Franksville, Wisconsin. After graduating from high school, I left for the Army where I did deployments to both Iraq and Afghanistan. During my time in the Army, I started riding motorcycles. After being medically retired I stayed in the South Puget Sound area of Washington. 

 

My first long distance ride was the summer after leaving the Army. I rode 22 national parks in a month to raise funds for veterans’ suicide prevention programs. The following summer I rode my first Iron butt, I was hooked. In 2021 I was able to ride 22 parks again, completing it in about three weeks this time. After that I really got into the Iron Butt challenges. Completing a variety of their challenges over the next few years. I’ve completed around 30 certified rides at this point. Along the way I learned about the Hoka Hey Motorcycle Challenge. I really learned a lot about it when a series of finishers were on a podcast I enjoy where they talked about their experiences in 2020 and 2022. I followed it closely in 2024 when a good friend of mine took up the challenge for the first time. I want to take on the challenge to see if I can take a lifetime of skills and put them all together in one large event. 

 

 

I have chosen to raise money for Mile Monsters Inc. a nonprofit started by long distance riders doing epic things to help their “Heroes”, young boys, who are battling Duchenne Muscular Dystrophy. DMD is a rare form of Muscular Dystrophy that primarily affects young boys and is currently one hundred percent fatal. Mile Monsters helps the families with needs like adaptive vans, fill gaps in treatment costs when insurance won’t cover, and providing experiences that allow the Heroes to get the most out of life that they can.

DONATE :Mile Monsters 

 

 

Meet The Rider # 893 William Felts

 

My name is Will Felts number 893 and I am 53, married and the father of 2 girls of 11 and 9 years old. We are in the Tulsa Oklahoma area. I have many hobbies and riding or building motorcycles are my top two as I have the time. I like to ride Iron Butt challenges and started to certify these a couple of years ago with the goal of completing 20 within a year and prepping for the 2024 Hoka Hey Motorcycle Challenge ride but had a crash in southern Arkansas when doing a Tour of Honor certified ride. I was able to get my 20^th on the 14^th month so still close to my goal. This next goal of completing the HH is a high priority for me for several reasons.

I first attempted the HH in 2018, I made it just outside of Cody Wyoming with just over 7,000 miles. I noticed my front tire had threads showing when I stopped for construction. I started to look for a tire shop in town. Being a Friday afternoon I could not find anyone with a tire my size and it would have been the following week before I could get it sent in. I threw the towel in at that point and loaded my bike in to a U-Haul due to vacation day limitations at the job I had at the time and headed home just thankful for the country I was able to see. I was excited for 2020 and bought a bike that had a common size tire and was preparing for the ride when COVID hit and I was unable to get the time off…  I set my targets for 2022. In October I had a crash on a 4-wheeler that took out 2 of my tendons in my left knee and I had to have cadaver parts installed to get back in service. I made a strong come back with intentions of 2024 when I had a bike crash in 2023. After another surgery and a few screws with plates I was able to get back after it but did not have the time to make the Alaska trip so focused on a couple of rally s and wondered if I should even plan for 2026...

 

 

 

 Back to the “why”, when I first went on HH in 2018 I had all kinds of thoughts and plans on how I was going to do that ride. None of it was as I had envisioned or planned and I learned to adapt and just enjoy the trip. It was a real struggle around the 5^th day but I powered through with a "moment" and things began to change for me. I continue to search for that feeling these days and sometimes find it when on the Iron Butt rides. The only way to explain that feeling is there comes a time for me when everything in me is exhausted, work stress and anything else is completely gone…

 

 

 

 

 I find my self floating through floating down the road and time on my bike with absolutely nothing else and once its over I have a huge rush of gratefulness for my family and being able to be there to experience it… its only for a moment and it’s very hard to put in to words but that feeling when I find it is something that cannot be replicated by any other means that I have found... It always comes during a long distance ride when pushing myself... Maybe I can find it again on this trip and see some old friends and new roads. Also, I need to finish this ride for once….

St Jude Children’s Research Hospital. I chose this due to the fact the children that do not have a choice in any of this and in most cases when they need this type of assistance as there are no other options at all for them to get help and try to turn around their situation.  

 

 

Meet The New Rider # 1321 Mark Niosi

I’m Mark Niosi—aka MarkyMark  Rider #1321. I’m a traveler, sightseeing seeker, and adventure rider, always up for the next find on the road. I chase sunrises and the kind of backroads that teach you who you really are. Those miles have carried me through Iron Butt rides, Tour of Honor routes, cross-country journeys, and purpose-driven monster marathons—from Utah’s red rock deserts to the cliffs of the Cabot Trail, from Florida’s heat to Quebec’s… questionable roads. In 2026, I’ll be riding my 2025 Road Glide in the Hoka Hey Motorcycle Challenge.  When I’m not on the bike, I’m trying to keep up with my incredible wife and our two kids, exploring national parks whenever we can, and pretending weekends will be peaceful (they never are). I’m also active in my community, supporting kids through Scouting STEM programs and volunteering at local food pantries. Off the bike, I’m a research scientist working toward breakthroughs in cancer and inflammatory disease. Call it nerd mode with a rebellious streak.

 

 

Why I’m Riding the Hoka Hey Motorcycle Challenge?
As rookie, being chosen to ride where so many legends have ridden before me is something I don’t take lightly. I’m truly honored. For me, the Hoka Hey represents honesty, integrity, resilience, and a community that feels like family. This is a purpose-driven journey—something bigger than me.  My goal is to finish with honor and integrity, push myself toward a Top 20 finish, and come out the other side in one piece. I’m competitive—that’s just who I am—but at the end of the day, it’s simple: ride your ride.

 

 

My Charity
I’m proud to ride for Mile Monsters Inc., a 501(c)(3) nonprofit supporting kids battling Duchenne Muscular Dystrophy (DMD)—a fatal, muscle-wasting disease. These boys—Jaxson, Drew, Alfie, Turbo, Brody, Jack, and Gavin—are the true heroes behind my ride.  Along with my family and friends, they give me the purpose to push through the hard moments, raise awareness, and keep moving forward when the miles get tough. I’m honored to carry these heroes’ names across the country during the 2026 Hoka Hey Motorcycle Challenge.

 

 

To make a donation :Mile Monsters Inc

 

 

Sponsors & Support  
I’m deeply grateful for the sponsors below who invest their time, product, and service to help dial in my bike before the challenge. Their support isn’t just mechanical—it helps carry these boys’ names across the country, one mile at a time. Please take a moment to visit their pages and support the businesses that support me and this ride.

     •    Hartford Harley-Davidson

     •    AdvanBlack
     •    Lifestyle Cycles
     •    SantoroFabWorx
     •    Clearwater Lights
     •    Pod Gaudz Solutions
     •    9 Lives Barbershop
     •    Legacy Designs
     •    Hippo Hands

I also want to thank my fellow Mile Monsters, mentors, the long-distance riding community, and my close friends back home who have reached out over the years with wisdom, encouragement, and experience. Yourguidance and support mean more than I can put into words—thank you from the bottom of my heart.  

— Mark

visit: www.markymarkhokahey2026.com 

Meet The New Rider # 1306 Dave Balay

 

Introduction: My Journey into Motorcycling

My journey into motorcycling began at eleven years old and quickly grew into a lifelong passion. I was drawn to the sense of freedom, focus, and connection that only comes from being on two wheels. Over the years, riding has become more than a hobby—it’s a way of grounding myself, exploring the world, and challenging my own limits.It is the only time I feel truly alive.  From winding mountain passes to open prairie highways, each ride reminds me that life’s best moments are found off the beaten path.

Why I’m Drawn to the Hoka Hey Challenge

The 2026 Hoka Hey Motorcycle Challenge represents everything I love about motorcycling—endurance, integrity, and purpose. It’s not  race; it’s a test of character and spirit. The idea of navigating thousands of miles across North America using only basic directions speaks to my sense of adventure and resilience. I’m inspired to take part because the Hoka Hey is as much about personal growth as it is about the road—it’s about discovering what you’re capable of when you strip everything down to the essentials and keep riding forward.

Riding with Purpose

As I prepare for the 2026 challenge, I want my journey to mean more than just miles and memories. Riding long distances has taught me that endurance has purpose when it’s tied to something bigger than yourself. That’s why I’m dedicating my effort to raising awareness and support for an organization whose mission resonates deeply with me: Spirit North.

About Spirit North and Why It Matters

Spirit North is an Alberta-based charity that uses sport and outdoor adventure to empower Indigenous youth and communities across Canada. Through programs that build confidence, connection, and leadership, they help young people discover their own strength and potential. I believe in what they’re doing because, much like motorcycling, their work is about freedom, movement, and transformation. Supporting Spirit North means helping the next generation find their own path forward—and that’s a ride worth taking.

I am looking forward to meeting the other Hoka Hey participants. Come on August 2026.! 

-Handsome Dave 

Meet The New Rider # 1336 Marcus Radloff

 

Marcus Radloff here, otherwise known as JUG. I grew up in Central Wisconsin and fell in love with motorcycle culture during our family's summer trips to the Sturgis Motorcycle Rally.

 

 

 

After 9/11, I enlisted in the Army Reserves serving in Iraq, Afghanistan, and later mobilized during Operation Allies Welcome.  After 21 years of service, I hung up the uniform in 2023.  Following my second deployment, I bought my first touring bike and have been exploring the country on two wheels ever since. Today, I continue to serve the Department of the Army as a civilian and reside Wisconsin’s driftless region.

 

 

 

I first discovered the Hoka Hey Motorcycle Challenge in 2020 and was instantly hooked. I spent that summer tracking riders online and told myself, "One day, I'll do that”.  After navigating major life changes, I knew 2026 was the year to finally take on this challenge.

 

 

 

For my 2026 ride, I'm fundraising for Mile Monsters Inc., a charity I've been involved with over the years. Our mission is simple: to help kids live their best lives. We take on epic motorcycle challenges to raise money and awareness for boys battling Duchenne Muscular Dystrophy (DMD).  DMD is a rare and fatal disease that destroys muscle and robs these young boys of their independence. But the boys we ride for never quit. They fight an unrelenting battle every single day. As long as they fight, we will fight with them and be their Monsters. These boys aren't just names on our jerseys—they are our family.

Mile Monsters Inc - https://www.milemonstersinc.com/

Fundraising link - https://givebutter.com/HH2026/marcusradloff1

Meet The New Rider # 1324 Kimberly Mathes and her Husband Terry Mathes #1000T

 

🏍 My name is Terry Mathes, and I am known to many as rider #1000T. Having retired from the military and now enjoying my passion for motorcycle riding, I find deep meaning in these experiences. 

2026 will be my fourth Hoka Hey journey — a challenge I have successfully taken on two times before, ending the last due to an accident. This year is especially meaningful as I’ll ride alongside my wife, Kimberly Rider #1324, supporting her on her first Hoka Hey adventure.

🦿🦿Hello, I am Elleesa “Kimberly” Mathes, the first double amputee to participate in the Hoka Hey Motorcycle Challenge in 2026. 

My journey began in 2019 when I lost my right leg at the knee due to a life-altering accident. After two challenging months in the hospital and battling stage 4 non-Hodgkin’s lymphoma in 2021, my dream of riding again fueled my determination. In 2023, I made the difficult decision to amputate my left leg below the knee. On October 8, 2025, I will become a bilateral above-the-knee amputee due to unresolved issues with my left knee from that original motorcycle accident.

I am ready to prove that “Defeat is not my Destiny” with the support of my husband, Terry Mathes, Rider 1000T. 

Since my accident, I’ve embraced life as a wheelchair user, sometimes completely reliant on it. In 2024, after my insurance denied a power wheelchair with an elevating seat, I found incredible support from the Permobil Foundation by way of assistance in obtaining my Permobil F3 power chair which allows me freedom that be more independent. 

🎉🎉Terry and I have chosen the Permobil Foundation as our fundraising charity for the 2026 Hoka Hey Motorcycle Challenge. 🎉🎉

To learn more about the Permobil Foundation please follow the link below. 

The Permobil Foundation is a nonprofit 501(c)(3) organization committed to helping people with disabilities live life with greater independence and mobility. When insurance says “no,” we step in to say “yes”—funding wheelchairs, parts, and repairs for individuals denied access to essential equipment. We partner with grassroots disability organizations nationwide to fuel their missions and extend our reach. You can learn more about the lives we impact here: https://permobilfoundation.org/

Meet The New Rider # 1274 Becky Whitley

 2026 HOKA HEY CHALLENGE
WHO AM I
My name is R.E. Becca (aka Rebecca “Becky” Whitley), originally from Pensacola, Florida,
now residing in Pittsboro, NC. Hoka Hey #1274, Tour of Honor Flag #612, and Iron Butt
#86969. My zest for riding has increasingly shifted to long-distance riding with grand
anticipation of more miles to come. Growing up in a neighborhood full of dirt-bike riders, it
was inevitable at age 12 that I would carry the love of motorcycle riding throughout my
lifetime. Transporting my head and heart while riding to another level seems to be both
gratifying, yet challenging, all at the same time.

WHY THE Hoka Hey Motorcycle Challenge
I, like everyone learning the parameters of the HOKA HEY CHALLENGE, instantly thought
sheer madness! However, there seemed to be an exciting nudge of, “I’m going to give that
a try,” that came over me. After delving into the challenge, I am filled with the courage,
strength, and the staying power required, coupled with the willingness to push myself
beyond my limits and the stamina for such a remarkable undertaking. I am proceeding
forward in preparation for 2026.

~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~
Good for everything going on inside each of us, the HOKA HEY CHALLENGE is just that and
one of the highest order. Going beyond all moto-fashions and sub-genres: the adventure
riders, endurance riders, bikers, sport riders, touring riders, classic riders, and scooter
riders, the HOKA HEY CHALLENGE is one where LIVING A GOOD LIFE IS ENTIRELY UP TO
YOU!