Meet The Returning Rider # 1190 Leroy Brewer

 

Hi, I am Lee Brewer returning rider #1190. Married to my wife,
Tammy for 36 years. We have four beautiful daughters, a great son-in-law, three wonderful grandchildren, and four dogs. I’m a Marine Corps Veteran and was stationed in Twentynine Palms, CA. 1989-1993. Served in Desert Shield/Desert Storm. I am self-employed and own a landscaping business. I love spending time outside with my family and this business gives me the opportunity to provide beautiful spaces for my clients to spend time outside with their families. On my off time, I enjoy riding my motorcycle, traveling, and barbecuing & grilling for family and friends. 

 

 

This will be my second Hoka Hey Motorcycle Challenge , my first being in 2024. It’s a privilege to ride among so many great riders and to be part of this Hoka Hey family. I am blessed to have such a supportive group of friends and family that allows me to participate again this year.

 

 

One thing I can say with certainty after riding the HHMC is: ride your own ride. Every rider has different skills, experience, and comfort levels, and it’s important not to push anyone beyond their limits—or let anyone push you beyond yours. This journey will challenge you mentally, physically, and emotionally, and you will not come out of it the same person you were when you started.

 

I will be riding for donations for my chosen charity of K9 For Warriors. K9 For Warriors was founded in 2011 by Shari Duval. The headquarters is located in Ponte Vedra FL (outside of Jacksonville). Inspired by a son who returned from 2 tours in Iraq and developed PTSD. K9 For Warriors mission is to end veteran suicide by providing highly trained service dogs to military veterans suffering from PTSD, traumatic brain injury and/or military sexual trauma. The majority of dogs come from high-kill rescue shelters and 80% of all donations go directly to support programs to rescue, train, and pair service dogs with veterans. I’ve seen firsthand the stressful situations involved in combat and it is unfortunate that an estimated 22 + veterans per day commit suicide. This paired with my love for dogs, makes this organization one that I am passionate about.

 

 

 

Meet The Returning Rider # 1151 Ron Krumenacker

My name is Ron Krumenacker…Rider 1151, I currently ride a 2024 RG. I have been riding for a
long time. I was born and raised in a small town in Pennsylvania. I enlisted into the United
States Marine Corps in 1995…Traveled the world and retired in 2016. Since then I have moved
back to the great state of Pennsylvania and am happily married to the love of my life, Heidi, of
12 years. I have 2 daughters and 2 grandsons. I currently work as a greeter for a local school
district.

 

I have decided to ride the 2026 Hoka Hey Motorcycle Challenge for one simple reason…It is
addicting! I rode in the 2024 Hoka Hey and was ready to run it again. Such an amazing rush!!
Also because of family-like riders that you meet. Everyone is suffering for the same reason
unless your bike breaks down. You all become exhausted, lonely for periods of time, definitely
lost for a time or two. It’s all part of the experience..then there is just the pure open road with just
you and your bike…and unless it breaks down, it never argues back during the many
conversations you have with it…and of course..the bragging rights of not being mentally sane!

 

My non-profit is “MILES AGAINST DARKNESS” donations can be made here.
I created this non profit to raise awareness for mental health and suicide prevention. During my
time serving in the Marine Corps I had the opportunity to serve as a recruiter. One of the young
men I enlisted was Jordan Ziniewicz. Jordan beat the odds at a very young age beating
cancer..later in life was accepted to Virginia Military Institute (VMI) but instead, chose to go
active duty. After serving his time honorably, he fell to his demons and took his own life…..thus
was born…”MILES AGAINST DARKNESS”. This ride will be in honor of my fallen Brother and
for all those who are still fighting the good fight. Semper Fi.

Meet The New Rider # 1379 Lee Wisniewski

Lee Wisniewski  I'm 70 yo. I've been riding my whole life. Started on a 90 Honda at 15. Then got a 450 Honda then at 18 a 650 Yamaha. Took a solo trip from Detroit to San Francisco down to Santa Anna.  Back through Vegas when it was still a strip. 

 

 

 

I did a fly and ride to Frankfurt.  Beautiful riding through the Alps. Neuschwanstein castle. Austria, Liechtenstein, Switzerland, France.  Done the iron butt, saddle sore and bun burner. I think this is the ultimate challenge.  Been wanting to do this since the finding out about it on the 3rd running. Just didn't own the bike to do it. Vrod won't cut it.

 

 

 

 

 Open road. Just you and your thoughts. Seeing God's country. 

My hope is to be an elite finisher.  Looking forward to meeting and making new friends.  

 

 

Meet The New Rider #1244 Paul Hutsell

 

 

My name is Paul "Maker" Hutsell, rider #1244, and live in Savannah,GA. I was born in Paraguay, South America (right in the middle). I've been riding for about 20 years and have found one of my favorite things in the world to be in the wind. Some of my greatest stories and memories I have occurred because of 2 wheels. Chasing sunsets, ideals of brotherhood and the feelings conquering the wild west are what made me get into riding. 

 

 

I first heard of the Hoka Hey Motorcycle Challenge 2 years ago and was hooked instantly by how wild it sounded. As they took off on the challenge and being able to follow along I dreamed of being able to be a part of the next one! I planned and prepared to apply the minute the applications opened, and I got in!!! I've been hooked on LDR since I first experienced it! As we get older we have fewer and fewer opportunities that truly test what we are made of and the Hoka Hey is just that... the ultimate test of what I am made of. It's all about the stories and I can't wait for the stories I will have after this experience!

 

 

I am riding to raise funds for the local chapter of Bikers Against Child Abuse in Savannah, GA named Two Rivers. I have seen first hand the impact that they make on children and empower them to not feel afraid of the world in which they live. Any funds raised will go to this local chapter and to the positive effects they have on East Georgia! 

 

DONATE  

 

 

Meet The Returning Rider # 1025 Craig Watters

This will be my third run at Hoka Hey Motorcycle Challenge . I’m a long-time rider out of Chatham, Ontario, Canada, and I’ve spent years chasing the kind of freedom only the open road can give—the kind that clears your head and puts life into perspective. 

 

 

The first time I rode Hoka Hey, I thought it was about endurance and miles. The second time, I realized it was about something deeper—mental toughness, patience, and learning how to push through when everything in you says to stop. Both rides tested me in ways I didn’t expect, and both left me with lessons that stuck long after the engine cooled.

 

 

 

I keep coming back for the challenge, the unknown, and the miles that force you to dig a little deeper into yourself. The ride gives me time to reflect, to reset, and to step away from the noise of everyday life. It’s also a chance to be part of something bigger—raising money for charity and riding with purpose. 

 

 

 

But what truly keeps me coming back is the camaraderie. The people you meet, the stories you share, and the family you build along the way—that’s what lasts. Somewhere between the long days, the tough miles, and the quiet moments, you find a version of yourself you didn’t know was there. Every Hoka Hey has taught me something new… lessons I didn’t even know I needed. And that’s why I’m back again.

 

Craig "PeeWee" Watters Rider #1025

 

 

Meet The New Rider # 1267 Paul Krugler

 

My name is Paul Krugler, I am from Northwest Arkansas. I grew up with my uncles and father riding motorcycles. I personally started riding 10 years ago on an 800 Vulcan Classic and have been totally hooked ever since.  My “small” upgrade in 2020 put me on a 2016 Indian Roadmaster as my own BD present, where I started to enjoy the open road in a new light. I really started enjoying the longer distance riding through the country with this new bike and my youngest son started riding with me as well. I earned the road name “Stalker” from a fellow rider while I was on the way back from a vacation trip in Pigeon Forge, Tn where I met up with our local chapter group weekend ride at their lunch stop. 

 

I started following the Hoka Hey Motorcycle Challenge after meeting a fellow rider and asking him about the donation jar he had set up in his shop.  After talking to him, and following during the ’22 & ’24 runs, I knew this was something I wanted to get involved in.  I feel it a privilege and honor to have been accepted to participate in this, 2026 Hoka Hey Motorcycle Challenge.  This will be a spiritual journey and challenge for myself that I am looking forward to.

 

I have chosen to ride for the kids at St Jude Children’s Hospital as my charity contribution for the HH Challenge.  I have been involved with supporting them in the past by being involved with the Talimena Rally that happens in May of each year, raising charity donations through other riding clubs.

 

What is St Jude known for?

St Jude specializes in care for some of the toughest pediatric cases, all while investing in resources and technologies for cutting-edge scientific research.  Families never receive a bill from St. Jude for treatment, travel, housing, or food – so they can focus on the care of their child. 

Unlike most other hospitals, most of the funding for St. Jude comes from generous donors.

 

Here is the link to my DONATIONS

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