Meet The Returning Rider # 116 Jim Herold

 

Hello Challengers, my name is Jim Herold, Rider 116.  I’m 79 years old and have ridden in every Hoka Hey Motorcycle Challenge.  My wife (Janet) and I have been together since 1989.  Out of the 7 times I’ve ridden to Alaska, she has been with me 2 of them.  She also rode the 2011 Challenge with me.  Poor Girl

 

 

I want to ride the 2026 Challenge because I’ve ridden all the others.  With each ride we get to travel the beautiful secondary roads that so many others never get to enjoy.  I used to think there were parts of our country that had nothing beautiful to offer but riding the Hoka Hey has helped me to adjust my mind.  There is beauty everywhere.

 

 

I believe that Jim Red Cloud’s vision was to bring attention to the plight of the Native American people.  I have always supported the tribes that the Hoka Hey Challenge supported.  This year it’s for the Prairie Band Potawatomi Nation Donations to Boys and Girls Club .  Scan the QR code and give generously.

 

Meet The Returning Rider # 1148 Tim Rose

Chasing Dreams and Challenges: The Autobiography of Tim Rose

 

Early Years in Michigan I was born on January 14, 1959, in the charming town of

Muskegon, Michigan. My childhood memories are filled with adventures in Frankfort,

Michigan, where I grew up surrounded by the beauty of nature and a close-knit

community.

 

 

Discovering the Thrill of Riding One of my earliest passions was motorcycles. I still
remember the exhilaration of my first ride as a kid, which sparked a lifelong love affair
with two wheels. At the age of 18, I purchased my first Harley Davidson, marking the
beginning of countless journeys on the open road. From Michigan to Florida in my 20s, I decided to embark on a new chapter and moved to Florida. It was a significant change that brought fresh experiences and opportunities, shaping my perspective on life and work.

 

 

Building a Legacy in Civil Engineering Partnering with my oldest son in a heavy civil
company has been one of the most fulfilling aspects of my career. Together, we've
tackled challenging projects, leaving a lasting impact on our community and industry.
Riding Across America Exploring the lower 48 states on my motorcycle has been a
dream come true. Each state offered unique landscapes, cultures, and adventures,
reinforcing my belief that life is meant to be lived to the fullest.

 

 
 

Embracing Challenges: A Journey of Growth and Self-Discovery

I’ve always been drawn to challenges, viewing them as opportunities for growth and self-discovery. Signing up for my second, Hoka Hey Motorcycle Challenge was a natural extension of this mindset, pushing my limits and testing my endurance.

 

 

 

Riding for a Cause: A Heartfelt Commitment

Riding for the Hibiscus Children’s Center is deeply meaningful to me. This organization provides a vital safe haven, offering mental health support, preventative care, and life skills for at-risk youth and their families. For children removed from their homes due to abuse, abandonment, or neglect, Hibiscus Village in Vero Beach is a true sanctuary. I believe every child deserves the best possible chance at life, and this ride is my way of investing in their safety, healing, future and well-being.

 

Reflections on Life: Embracing Dreams and Overcoming Challenges

Looking back, I realize that life’s true essence lies in pursuing our dreams and overcoming challenges. Each chapter of my journey has taught me valuable lessons and reinforced the importance of resilience, passion, and compassion.

Epilogue: The Journey Continues as I continue to ride through life, I remain committed
to embracing new adventures, making meaningful connections, and leaving a positive
impact wherever I go. The road ahead is filled with endless possibilities, and I am
excited to see where it leads. Enjoy the adventure and embrace the journey, one mile at a time.  
Tim Rose

 Visit HibiscusChildrensCenter.org to learn more about helping the children we serve, to volunteer, to donate or to Leave A Legacy by remembering Hibiscus in your estate

Our Mission is to provide safe haven, mental health, preventative care and life skills for at-risk children and families. 

Our Vision is to see communities free of abuse where children and families can thrive.

 

 

Meet The Returning Rider # 1082 Jeff Hallquist

I’m returning rider Jeff  Hallquist, taking part in my third Hoka Hey Motorcycle Challenge as I continue trying to live a good life (Ktentowshketon Mnopmatsowem). At 71, it doesn’t get
any easier, but it’s still a lot of fun, even with an equal number of DNFs and finishes. My first
attempt wasn’t pretty—in fact, it was downright ugly—but if you have the time, I can share a
few good stories. 

I’ve participated in quite a few long-distance motorcycle challenges, including two Iron
Butt Rallies, The Senior Butt Rally, the SCMA Four Corners Tru-X Challenge, three Heart of
Texas Rallies, HOP’s Predator Rally, the Snafu Rally, RTE-X-USA, the Tour of Honor, and
America’s Ultimate Long Distance Rider challenge since 2018. I’m also an Iron Butt
Association Diamond Mile Eater with over 100 certified LD rides completed since 2001.
Despite 25 years of LD experience, I failed to finish my first HHMC Challenge. The lesson I
learned was to listen to those who are finishers and to ride your own ride at your own pace.
I swung for the fences and went home with my tail between my legs. I also learned my goal
is not to be first. There may be close to 200 participants, and only one person will finish
first. All the others won’t. So, my advice is to focus on your personal goals, including
numero uno: stay alive and finish. Nothing else matters if you don’t!

 

I’m not the only old dude in the field, but the one thing that you might notice is that the
challenge makes most of us not only prepare our motorcycles and gear, but also ourselves,
both mentally and physically. That’s why I ride in the challenge. It gives me a reason to
focus, prepare, and get squared away.

 

I live in eastern North Carolina, where the locals call the area the “Inner Banks”. My wife
Kathy and I are close to the city of New Bern, where the Trent and Neuse Rivers meet. We
can be in Morehead City, Ft Macon, Beaufort, or Atlantic Beach within an hour. My other
hobby is boating on the Neuse River, Pamlico Sound, Bogue Sound, and Shackleford
Banks. I do a little fishing but far less catching.

 

The charity I’ve chosen to support again with my fundraising campaign is the Coastal Center for Hope and Healing , previously known as the Coastal Women’s Shelter. As the
name implies, it provides services to women and children in need of comfort and shelter
due to a family crisis. It simply makes sense to me that if I’m going to beg for money from
local businesses, the money should go to local charities, and the Coastal Center for Hope
& Healing is as good of a cause as any that I can think of.

Meet The Returning Rider # 1088 Michelle Feddersen

 

I'm Shell... a mother of 2, a "Cool" Grandma of 4, an awesome Sister to my siblings, and the best Auntie ever to my nephew. I have the mouth of a sailor but wear my heart on my sleeve...shhh.

Most know me by #1088 Rider of Dick nowadays..Who knew people would have so much fun with the name of a motorcycle!? 

 

 

Dick is a 2021 Indian Challenger Darkhorse.I bought him brand new in April 2022, in anticipation of riding my first Hoka Hey Motorcycle Challenge three months later. The route was fantastic, the weather was good, and the finish was a success! ...other than Dick taking a couple of naps along the way! The HHMC22 will always be special to me. Our theme was KIKSUYA meaning Remember. Quite a few inner self, personal battles were fought during this challenge.

 

 

HHMC24 ... I wasn't going to miss the chance to run this, as it was very similar to the first challenge and who doesn't want to ride Canada and Alaska? Now, had the weather been predicted much sooner, I may have opted out of riding through a hurricane! But hey, I accepted the challenge and became the first female to ever finish the HHMC in the Top 5. 

Since the last run was so fun, I've taken up the challenge once again in hopes of finishing in 14 days so I can have a drink with all the cool kids at the after party. Ya know, the challenges don't get easier. Each one presents its own challenges and so does your mind, body, motorcycle and road. You can prepare and train everything to perfection but once you are out there going through the lines of directions, watching every road sign, protecting yourself from the general public drivers and animals, and enduring weather and road conditions.... you'll realize... some things you just were not prepared for. Keep pushing. Keep Challenging yourself! You'll be glad you did when you're standing on that finish line. HOKA HEY!!

 

Please consider donating to my charity of choice, Kickin' Childhood Hunger. This 501c3 non-profit organzation uses 100% of ALL donations to buy weekend food sacks for children in need. You can learn more about Kickin' Childhood Hunger at www.kickinchildhoodhunger.org.
Click here to donate
http://Givebutter.com/shellfeedskids

Meet The Returning Rider # 1188 Mike Clark

 

 Where do I start?
In a nutshell, I grew up riding mini-bikes, 3 wheelers, 4 wheelers, raced motocross, and showed horses. I started riding on the street in 2005 and gradually worked my way up from bar hopping to weeklong group vacations. In 2014, I decided to take my first 2,000-mile solo trip to explore covered bridges and waterfalls in the Appalachian Region. That's when I really fell in love with the adventure and freedom of the open road and being on 2 wheels.

 

Stepping back several years to the beginning of 2000, I was diagnosed with a malignant brain tumor and was told by the "local" surgeon that I had 2-5 years to live. Great! Just what a 30-year-old man in his prime wants hear. My world had just imploded. What would my kids, family, and friends do without me? But, thanks to a second opinion and an amazing team at Jefferson, we made a plan of action that would include surgery, 30 radiation treatments and a year of chemo. I'm happy to say It's been over 26 years and I'm currently stable. Not too long after my solo trip, following a routine visit with my neurologist, I was diagnosed
with leukemia, a type of blood cancer called CML. Again...Really? Fortunately, for me, and with the right lifetime medication, I'm once again stable. Cancer doesn't care who you are or when it attacks. It just rears its ugly head and destroys lives. Several of my friends have not been as fortunate as me. I've heard countless stories about all of the different types of cancer and the traumatic effect it has on everyone.

 

This year I'll be riding to raise  DONATIONS for the American Cancer Society so that they can continue making groundbreaking advances in research and early detection and hopefully find a cure for this horrible disease. Please visit my fundraising page here:
2026 Hoka Hey Motorcycle Challenge - Fundraising For American Cancer Society, Inc

The 2024 Hoka Hey Motorcycle Challenge really changed my outlook on life. I was just living in a monotonous world following the endless cycle of eat, sleep, work, repeat. Then, after seeing all of the incredible places that this country has to offer, I realized that there is more to life than just the routine. If you want to do something or go somewhere, make it a priority and do it! At the start of the 2024 challenge, I was pretty nervous to be riding into Hurricane Debby, but after I adopted the saying “when will I ever get to do this again?” it became a little easier. I used that
motivation throughout the challenge because I was doing something that I was committed to, and only a select few riders even get the opportunity.

For the 2026 Challenge, I'm going to build on my experiences from 2024 and make it to the after party this time. My plan is to stay focused on the finish line, try not to get lost, drop my bike, ride through another hurricane and remember to ATL. I look forward to making more friends along the way and offering advice to the new riders. I also look forward to seeing everyone at the starting line and at the finish line. Remember, life isn’t guaranteed, so, make the best of today!

See you down the road,
Mike Clark #1188

Meet The Returning Rider # 910 Steve Prior

 

 

 

 Greetings from Calgary Alberta!  My name is Steve Prior and 2026 will be the third time I participate in the Challenge, having achieved Finisher status in 2018 and 2024. I have been married to the love of my life for 43 years and we have two  wonderful daughters. In the past two years my wife Bonnie and our youngest took the course and started riding, and this has introduced a new and interesting element to my favourite pastime.

 

Participation in the Hoka Hey Motorcycle Challenge helps me to know more about who I am and the privilege I have. I think about how lucky I am to have the health, resources and support that allow me to undertake something of this magnitude. The Challenge makes me test my own limits and provides opportunity for personal reflection and camaraderie with similarly motivated people, all while giving me a chance to do some good and experience great roads and communities.

 

The fundraising cause I have chosen is the Boys and Girls Club of the Prairie Band Potawatomi Nation. Supporting our youth and honouring Indigenous culture are central to my values and this cause encapsulates both.

DONATE 

 

 

 

Meet The Returning Rider # 1062 Manny Duran

 

 

  Retired , disabled, dysfunctional, and medicated. 21 1/2 years in the US army as an infantry platoon sergeant. Living comfortably off the grid in Colorado with my significant other Debbie. 

 

    Third time's a charm for the Hoka Hey Motorcycle Challenge, 2022-wreck, 2024 blown motor, 2026 this awesome adventure continues with awesome people and an awesome organization. 

 

     My nonprofit is PAWS for Life animal shelter Pueblo Colorado. PAWS is a no-kill animal shelter which helps not only dogs and cats but all animals ducks, minx, chickens etc.etc.. all donations help cover medical supplies and treatment, feed, and of course training and shelter which leads to adoptions to good home

s and good families.