Meet The New Rider # 1270 Mike Swift

 

Hello from Sunny Central Florida. My name is Mike “Propane” Swift, rider #1270 in the 2026 Hoka Hey Motorcycle Challenge. I am a Navy Veteran, Husband and father as well as a member of the Boozefighters Motorcycle Club. I have been an avid rider for 32 years and have always loved long distance riding and never miss an opportunity to take a back road over an interstate.

 

I have traveled all around the US on my Harley, but when I heard about the Hoka Hey challenge, I immediately said this is something I must do. To shut all the outside noise off and go back to how it was many years ago and explore this great country using nothing but directions and the knowledge of riders and coordinators before me had me ready right away. My goal is not to win the Hoka Hey but to finish it and have a clarity and mindset at the end that I accomplished something so physically and mentally challenging for myself.

 

I am riding for the 2^nd Chances Cancer Team out of Milbank, SD. Cancer Sucks and I have lost many people in my life to it. 2^nd Chances Cancer Team has helped many people get through cancer and get back on their feet during and after treatment in the Grant County area.

 

2nd Chances Cancer Team

Meet The New Rider # 1292 George Thesing IV

 

I am George Thesing IV, rider number #1292, from southwest Minnesota, where riding is determined by the seasons. Winters are long and cold.  I spend that time ice fishing while the bike sits parked and new routes and trips are planned. When the roads finally clear, the shorter riding season makes every mile count. I am married with three kids—one grown and out on their own and two still in high school—so life stays busy with sports and school activities. I’m also a grandparent to one. Riding has been part of my life for over 20 years, though I stepped away for a time while raising a young family and got back into it about six years ago. Since then, the passion has only grown stronger.

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I first learned about the Hoka Hey Motorcycle Challenge in 2022 after seeing a group of riders pass through a nearby town. After looking into it, I knew it was something I had to take on. For me, this isn’t about certificates or recognition—it’s about pushing personal limits, building self-confidence, and proving to myself that I can finish what I start. The HHMC represents determination, endurance, and mental toughness, all things that drive me both on and off the bike. It’s about becoming better through the challenge, mile after mile.

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I am riding for Mile Monster's Inc., a nonprofit 501(c)(3) organization dedicated to inspiring and motivating people while making a real difference. I chose Mile Monsters because their mission aligns with what riding means to me—using something you love to create a positive impact. The funds raised go directly to helping children affected by Duchenne Muscular Dystrophy.  These kids are fighting battles they didn’t choose, and Mile Monsters steps in to support them when they need it most. The money raised helps provide resources, support, and hope—giving these kids a “monster” in their corner to help fight alongside them.

 

 

Meet The New Rider # 1334 George Russell

 

 

 Hello, my name is George Russell, rider #1334. I’m 56 years old, I’m from Levittown Pa. I’ve been married to my wife Tina for 30 years. We have 2 awesome daughters ages 29 and 27. I met my wife when I was 18 and that crazy roller coaster ride is still going. I love spending time with my family, whether it’s hanging out watching tv or going for a drive to get out of the house for a while.

I like to travel, I’ve been to Ireland, Germany, and the Bahamas. We rode the sportster to Woodstock 94’, and I  rode it to Myrtle Beach bike week. I purchased the 05’ Softail    for my first trip to Sturgis. Since then there have been 3 more Sturgis trips, a Florida trip, a few toys for tots runs, and numerous family organized runs over the past 20 years.

Like a lot of others I started riding dirt bikes when I was 10 years old. Started out on a Suzuki RM 50. My cousins and I would go riding in the woods, or racing on the makeshift track in the open area of the woods. When I turned 16 I got my first street bike, an 82’ Suzuki GS450T, had that for about 3 years then got my first Harley, an 87 Sportster. Now I have my 2005 Softail Standard that I’ll be riding for this adventure.

        
I first heard about the Hoka Hey Motorcycle Challenge from my cousin Les. He knows a rider that participated in the 2024 challenge. During that event, I followed her and a few other riders and started doing research to learn more about the Hoka Hey Motorcycle Challenge. When I read that it was a cross country ride, that assimilated the warriors ride to battle, I was Intrigued. I told my family I wanted to apply for this year’s challenge and they all responded the same way, you’re crazy, so I knew I had to try. Thank you for the opportunity to participate in this challenge.

The charity I chose to support for the 2026 Hoka Hey Motorcycle Challenge will be the National Center for Missing and Exploited Children NCMEC. I chose this organization to honor my daughter who was in the ICAC (Internet Crimes Against Children) unit for the local prosecutor. The ICAC unit is responsible for investigating the cyber tips submitted by NCMEC. During her tenure with the ICAC unit she personally helped numerous children escape their abusive situations.

 

Meet The New Rider # 1293 Matthew Kimes

 
Hi my name is Matthew Kimes, rider #1293 from Belding, MI. I'm a diesel fleet technician and US Army Veteran. I served as a Combat Engineer for over 6 1/2 yrs (2004-2010) with two deployments to Iraq. I have always been interested in motorcycles and bought my first bike in August 2011 while attending Wyotech in Blairsville, PA. Once I bought that first bike (1998 Vstar 650) I was hooked on riding. I started riding long distance relatively quickly, it became my therapy/happy place. I have been an active Tour of Honor rider since 2019.

I have had a growing interest in riding the Hoka Hey Motorcycle Challenge since shortly after I stated riding in 2011. I kept reading and hearing about the HHMC on Facebook riding groups and forums off and on for those first few years. As time has progressed and my riding experience expanded I came to know riders that had taken on the challenge. I listened to the stories and observed, I even started to see friends take on the challenge for the first time. I started thinking to myself that the HHMC was a lifetime goal, it wasn't an if but a when.

I have chosen to ride for Mile Monsters Inc. a non-profit that aims to help kids with Duchenne Muscular Dystrophy. Better known as DMD, live their best life. I have participated in the Monster 1k event in Lebanon, KS and supported other events. When I was selected for the 2026 HHMC I decided I would ride for Mile Monsters Inc. and continue the support for a great cause.

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

DONATIONS can be made here

Meet The New Rider # 1227 Jonathan Kennemore

My name is Jonathan Kennemore  aka Jo-nathan from Mayfield, Kentucky, and I’ve been riding for 19 years. It all started when I was 17 years old, after my dad bought a Kawasaki Vulcan for us to share. At the time, he probably had no idea he was lighting a spark that would turn into a lifelong passion.

 

 

 

Over the years, that passion grew. I spent time riding sport bikes while commuting through college, but everything changed when I got my first Harley-Davidson and started taking longer rides. That’s when I truly fell in love with the road.

 

 

 

When I first heard about the Hoka Hey Motorcycle Challenge, I thought the people doing it were insane. But the more I learned about it—the purpose, the challenge, and especially the impact it has through charity—the more I realized it was something I needed to be part of.

 

 

 

I’m riding in the Hoka Hey to push myself beyond what I thought was possible, but more importantly, to give back. I am raising money for  Action for Autism  in Fenton, Missouri, which provides therapy and education for individuals with autism, primarily ages 2 to 21. Their work helps build life skills, support families, and create real, lasting change.

This ride isn’t just about the miles for me—it’s about purpose.

DONATE: Everything helps!

Meet The Returning Rider # 966 Jonathan Santos

 

Hey everyone, Jon Santos here. This year’s 2026 Hoka Hey Motorcycle Challenge will be my second. When I first learned about Hoka Hey in 2018, I knew that I had to try it. I completed the 2020 Hoka Hey in 24^th place and made it to the end of the road party with a couple of days to spare. I am proud of my achievement. I enjoyed my journey and the challenge that it gave me. I got to meet a lot of new people, and some I now consider family. I am looking forward to this year’s ride. I am excited to reconnect with my fellow riders, nature, and this year’s journey wherever it may take us.

My biggest take away from the 2020 challenge was that no matter how prepared you are, you are not.

I do as many long-distance rides as I can but sometimes work gets in the way. I also try to get out and explore the country with my wife Carrie on the bike. Last year was her 1^st 1000 miler.

We have 4 children and 2 grandchildren, and they all know how to ride and enjoy it. I love to ride and I am glad that I can share my love of riding with my family and friends.

This year, I am riding for the Cure Alzheimer’s Fund. https://give.curealz.org/fundraiser/6514561

Thanks, and I am looking forward to seeing everyone out there!

Meet The New Rider # 1196 Jarrod Maloney

 

My name is Jarrod " Jrod" Maloney. Im 46 yrs old from Clarksville, TN. Got my first motorcycle at 15 and haven't looked back since. I'm an US Army Veteran and was medically retired from the military in 2011. I then went to MMI and became a motorcycle technician  for 12 years. I'm currently a Industrial Maintenance Technician.

 

  

My current bikes are 2021 Indian Challenger and a 2022 Harley Pan America. Ill be using the Indian for the Hoka Hey. I've ridden in every state in the lower 48 numerous times. I've been to just about every national forest, park , and every major scenic attraction there is in this country. I've been to all the oceans and every mountain range with my bikes. Riding brings me peace. 

 

 

I'm looking forward to putting my skills to the test during this upcoming  Hoka Hey Motorcycle Challenge. This has been a 4 year wait for me to get into the challenge. I'm excited and nervous at the same time. This will be a true test to for me. All I want to do is just finish this challenge. Don't care about any other status or bragging rights, stickers, patches, or who did it the fastest. I want to do it correctly and cross that finish line. And raise some money for my charity. 

 

 

I look forward to meeting and riding  with y'all in the near future. 

Here's my charity I will be riding for. 

https://www.workingdogsforvets.org/