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.

 

 

Meet The Returning Rider # 1132 Rick Dukehart

 

Ricky D     #1132      returning rider from 2024

   I'm a grandfather to five girls.  Each amazing in their own way.  My son just sent me a video of his three year old Ember sitting on the tank of his dirt bike riding around his lower field.  He says she loved it. 

    Motorcycles, I started with go karts and mini bikes as a kid like most of us here I suppose.  I've been riding off and on since then. My most recent years I've found the long distance community and it's like having a new family.

     

My best friend Ronnie and I had been planning riding off into the sunset on our bikes with retirement.  When we didn't have bikes we were sending each other pictures and ads of bikes we were thinking of.  His nieces husband sold him a Yamaha cruiser and I followed with a VTX 1800 not too long after. We made a bunch of trips back and forth for long weekends to each of our homes.  He in Columbus and I in Pittsburgh.  He was diagnosed with cancer and was gone within 6 months.

    It was then that I realized there was nothing left to wait for.  Tomorrow isn't promised and it was time to start doing those things that I always wanted to do.  I developed friendships with the VTX riders and started attending some of their get togethers.  I made it to their annual events and found a new family I just hadn't met yet.

    

After some long rides with my new found friends to Sturgis, Daytona, the Dragon etc. I thought about trying an Iron Butt.  I have a sister Karin transplanted in Denver. I decided to head out there to visit  by motorcycle. I completed my first Saddle Sore 1000 and Bun Burner 1500 Silver.

    I did several of those and filed the required documentation got my patch. I've done a few where I seemed to fail getting the correct receipts required. Completed as many say but not documented.

    I don't remember where I first heard of the Hoka Hey Motorcycle Challenge but I was familiar with it.  I recall a finish line video after reading about it and thinking I wanted to do that. Um, could I do that?  I forgot about it till 2023 when Mike Clark #1188 mentioned it to me at one of our winter lunch get togethers. I sent an application in but was late and put on a waiting list.  Luckily I made it.

    I went to the Taco Lunch Run with Mike and we met up with the folks that wore the Hoka Hey patch set.  We found everyone helpful with the million questions we had.  I figured out rather quickly that there is no secret sauce to completing the Hoka Hey.  It's an individual endeavor and your going to make mistakes. It was designed that way.  It's meant to be a CHALLENGE!

Hopefully what doesn't kill ya makes ya stronger.

    Everyday was a new adventure. Riding in a Hurricane. Seeing a Tornado warning pop up a mile ahead while your watching the Hurricane make landfall just ahead of you. The rainbows coming off the mountains in Utah while riding switchbacks down to sea level again. The wildlife Bears, Eagles, Bison, snakes. 

     Most memorable for me were people. Everyone everywhere were helpful and friendly.  Though there was someone who's boss told him to turn a leaf blower on us for sleeping in their parking lot. He didn't, he had his phone make alarm clock noises. I think he was afraid of the big bad bikers.

    Statistics are what helped me select Shatterproof. I wanted something that was important to me personally. Something that I  felt strongly about. It seemed to me everybody was raising money for some type of Cancer or Nationally known charity.  I chose Shatterproof.

     Me 26 stories up
In 2015 I rappelled from the Westin in Pittsburgh 26 stories. Then in 2024 for the Hoka Hey and now in 2026. 

    The Why?  I have a bunch of dead friends.  I lost count.  I've had two friends reach out to me before they committed suicide. I live with those last conversations.  Addiction is a disease that has stigma attached to it.  It's hidden in plain sight. You know someone with a problem, everybody does.  Yet no one talks about it. Shatterproof wants to help change that and so do I.

Some amazing statistics.  

49 million people over age 12 are living with addiction

One in every three American adults has lost someone to addiction

87,000 people died from a drug overdose in 2024

Fentanyl is the top cause of death for Americans 18-49

Alcohol is the third leading cause of preventable Cancer

On any given day more than 360,000 people are incarcerated for drug offenses

How many do you know?

https://cyof.shatterproof.org/campaigns/Hoka-Hey-Challenge-2026-RickyD

 

 

Meet The Returning Rider # 1079 Angelique Dilmore

 

 

I’ve been called many things in my life: daughter, Soldier, medic, mom, biker — and a few names I probably shouldn’t repeat. One title that means a lot to me is my road name, Twitch. It was given to me because of a neurological condition that causes tremors and makes my hands shake. I know… can you believe they still gave me a motorcycle license?

 

 

My condition is degenerative and will continue to worsen as I get older. Because of that, I’ve adopted a now-or-never approach to life and adventure.

 

My journey may look different from others, but I’ve never let my disability stop me from pursuing my goals. Hoka Hey Motorcycle Challenge 2024 was my first challenge, and while I didn’t finish, there is beauty in the challenges we face — both on and off the road. Challenges expose our raw, unpolished parts and give us perspective. They make life feel richer.

 

When I first considered applying for Hoka Hey, I knew I would need to grow as both a rider and a person before I could cross that finish line. Hoka Hey 2024 taught me to embrace the unknown and become comfortable with vulnerability. My hope for Hoka Hey 2026 is that it teaches me new strength and deepens my confidence in myself.

 

I’ve chosen the Missing in America Project as my fundraiser. The Missing in America Project works to locate, identify, and honor the unclaimed remains of American veterans, ensuring they receive the burial and respect they earned through their service to this country. No veteran should ever be forgotten, left on a shelf, or abandoned without recognition.

 

As riders, we understand brotherhood, sisterhood, sacrifice, loyalty, and honor. Those values don’t stop when the ride ends — and they certainly shouldn’t stop for the men and women who served our nation. DONATE