In February of 2011 I heard about the Hoka Hey Motorcycle Challenge. It consumed my every thought!! Ride the Pacific to the Atlantic, 10,000 plus miles, 48 states to the Finish line in Canada!  My problem was, I had no motorcycle endorsement, no motorcycle, and no experience other than a dirt bike I had as a child!

 

Hoka Hey Spirits still CONSUMED MY EVERY THOUGHT! May 25th of 2011 I bought a Harley! Still never ridden and no license, and I purchased the motorcycle in Calumet, IN!!  How was I to get her home to FL where I live?  RIDE IT OF COURSE!!! I took the Rider’s Edge Course, passed June 21st, got my endorsement June 22nd and flew to IN June 23rd to Ride HER HOME, 1,200 miles 1st trip, 1st ride!

When I got home, I went straight to the computer and registered for the 2011 Hoka Hey Challenge. I had 5 weeks to prepare before I leave! Nervous, scared, terrified, but SO EXCITED! I packed, repacked, and repacked (yes I even brought a curling iron) I was too newbie to all of this. I had no clue what to expect! I

 just knew I was going to go on an amazing adventure of a lifetime for ME! I was not able to complete the entire route, due to time and inexperience, but  I crossed the finish line and I logged 12,843 miles from leaving FL July 29th to my return home Aug 30th. It was the MOST AMAZING EXPERIENCE FOR ME! I met the MOST EXTRAORDINARY PEOPLE! Hoka Hey has changed my life in every way! My bike and my riding are now a year old, and I have a little over 25,000 miles logged! I so still hear the calling of Hoka Hey, and with more experience under me, I hope to be able to compete and complete the 2012 Challenge.

Wendy Battles #685

I am an avid motorcyclist who loves to ride with a passion. My husband and I do most of our vacations on the Harleys. I started on mini bikes with by cousins in the cow pastures of our families dairy farm when I was in elementary school.  A few bumps and bruises but they were learning curves.

So fast forward to married life when my husband comes home with a Harley.  Well the back seat on that machine was not big enough for my butt!  So he told me if I wanted to ride I would need to get my own. Little did he know what he was about to create....

Fast forward to the Hoka Hey Motorcycle challenge...  I saw the 2010 challenge advertised and thought... Key West to Alaska...I could do that or at least have fun trying.  I decided to wait and see how this ride went and consider it for the future. It was stored in the back of my mind without mention to anyone.

Then out comes the word... Hoka Hey 2011, 48 states and Canada!!  I've got to do this ride!! Mentioned it to the hubby, he thought I was crazy.  I needed to do this, the road was calling me.  This is a once in a life time chance!  So I pondered it and thought again who could I get to do this ride with me so my family would be comfortable with me out on the open road, sleeping roadside and traveling for many miles per day in all kinds of weather with possible less than adequate sleep.... hhmmm.... Then it came to me Schatzi Brown would be the only one that could complete this challenge with me. Why didn't I think of her sooner?  So when I mentioned it to her she was in!  She basically said "when do we leave?"

So we were off and ready to take on the most incredible journey of our lives! 

So to fill you in on the journey.  Not really knowing what to expect, how this journey would unfold, lots of butterflies in the stomach and lots to silver linings to dream about.  We all line up at Chester's Harley Davidson in Mesa, AZ in the wee hours of the morning, get our directions to our first check point and a blessing by Jim Red Cloud and family and off we go. Like a pack of dogs off to catch the one and only rabbit out there.

The day is hot and we are thirsty. Thirsty for the road and the miles we want to put under our tires, for the sights our eyes long to see and all the thoughts that will roll thru our heads.  Not to mention the free time we will get to do our soul searching.

We make it to the first check point, Las Vegas, it's over 100 degrees and we are drained from the heat.  The dealership/checkpoint is wonderful. Fruit, snacks, drinks and so accommodating.  We head out from there and head to Death Valley.  Wanting to get thru Death Valley in the coolness of the night we plug on.  We pass thru the valley in the dark at 105 degrees and are thankful it was not in the heat of the day.  Such awesome riding. Listening to sound of all the bikes roar and views we have taken in. Feeling like we could keep on riding into the wee hours of the morning we decide it is best to stop for the night and be fresh for the morning. We stop at midnight and find a safe spot behind a court house to put out our cots for the night. It's hard to fall asleep when all you can hear is bikes passing thru the town and knowing they are getting ahead of us.

We awake the next morning to snow covered mountains and cool temperatures.  What a refreshing site!  Just breathtaking! With a full day behind us and so many more miles to cover we waste no time and hit the road.  Everyday and every morning were the same.....Awesome scenery and great riding!!!

The entire challenge was way more than I could have ever expect.  When I started the challenge I did not know what to expect or even if I could physically and mentally finish the challenge. We had a few mechanical problems, which used up some of valuable time, But overall no real hardships.

The time that was available to open my mind and my eyes to SO many things was truly precious and the help and awareness that I hope we have brought forth for the cause I only pray for.

If you love to ride and what to help make a difference, Then the Hoka Hey Motorcycle Challenge is for you!!!  It is easy if you truly have faith and believe!

#650

Jane Bixby

It's Almost Time!

Get ready for another epic chapter of the Hoka Hey Motorcycle Challenge as we set out from Sin City and travel more of the most beautiful and scenic roads the USA has to offer! 

  

Whether you are getting to know your fellow riders at our Kick-Off Party, or getting to know yourself in the middle of the amazing route we have planned for you this year - you will realize that you are now part of something that has made a profound impact on everyone that participates!!

Lodging, Registration and Kick-Off Party:

  

Our host hotel in Las Vegas is Sam's Town Hotel & Gaming Hall located at 5111 Boulder Highway Las Vegas, Nevada 89122. Riders and their supporters can make their reservations by calling 1-877- 593-5993 or going to http://www.samstownlv.com/ and providing the Group code: HOKH12A to get the best rates.

Rider registrations will be held on the 3rd & 4th of August in the Silver City Room at Sam's Town.  

A party for Challengers and guests is being held in the Sam's Town Live from 6:00 to 10:00pm on August 3rd. We will have a cash bar and hors d'oeuvres, a DJ and door prizes! Be sure to join us and get to know your fellow Challengers before you hit the highway! Sam's Town has been long known as the friendliest casino in Las Vegas and Sam's Town Live rocks the house.

The mandatory rider briefing will be held from 4:00-6:00pm at the MGM Grand on August 4th.

Starting Line:

Join us at the starting line at 6:00am on the morning of August 5th to send the riders on their way! The starting line will be located at Las Vegas Harley-Davidson at 2605 S. Eastern Ave. Las Vegas, NV 89169 (1-888-218-0744). Las Vegas Harley-Davidson, serves more than 200,000 visitors each year, is the proud recipient of many awards for humanitarian commitment and excellence including the Dealer News Top 100 Dealer Award and the 2003 Muscular Dystrophy Association Humanitarian of the Year Award.

The Route:

According to the time established by our rider during the pre-ride; Challengers will have just 7 days to arrive at the finish line and be considered eligible for prizes. Participants can get to the finish line too early so they should pay attention to their speed and make sure they take some time to rest along the way.

Although the route is LESS THAN 6,000 miles this year the strategy for keeping the course challenging was to establish just two checkpoints along the way. This means that there will be some long and lonely stretches of highway to cover between stops. If you didn't know your own mind before you start - you will have discovered what you are made of by the time you reach the finish line!!

Our two Hoka Hey 2012 checkpoints are:

 

         

Doc's Harley-Davidson in Kirkwood, MO

Renegade Harley-Davidson in Alexandria, LA

                

To be eligible for prizes, riders must follow the driving directions provided, must stop and check in at every checkpoint (yes - there will be at least one surprise checkpoint along the way), arrive at the finish line within the allotted time and be able to certify that they did not receive a moving violation along the way. The winner's purse will be split equally among the contenders that arrive during the window of time and will be based on the entry fees received. The number of riders participating in the 2012 Hoka Hey Motorcycle Challenge will be announced after the July 15 deadline.

The Finish Line and End of the Road Party:

The finish line and the End of the Road Party will be located at Wolf's Run in Irving, NY. Both are being hosted by Wolf's Run Transport and Gowanda Harley-Davidson. The finish line will be open as long as we have riders on the road. But you will want to try to make it there by the 18th in order to be on hand for the End of the Road party!! Contenders will be recognized then with an Honors & Awards ceremony.  There will be plenty of food and live entertainment to make this one of the most memorable experiences of your life! You won't want to miss it!! 

We have limited spots still open with less than 60 days to gear up!

Bring a friend and share in the glory of Hoka Hey.

17 National Forests...18 Reservations...25 State Parks...and countless memories.

We would love to see you at the starting line this August!!!

Contact us now to register for the event that continues

to change lives & shape ideas.

BETH DURHAM

Director of Operations

Phone # 605-890-0386

Email: Beth.Durham@hokaheychallenge.com

I will be live on the Hoka Hey Motorcycle Challenge Facebook page from 11:00-12:00 Eastern Time on Sunday 7/1 and again Monday 7/2 in order to answer questions about this year's event.

Please join us and share your thoughts!

Hoka Hey Motorcycle Challenge 

Beth Durham

Director of Operations

Hoka Hey 2011 has to be one of the toughest but rewarding things - mentally, physically, and emotionally - that has ever been done in any type of endurance event.  I am sitting here trying to find words to explain it but there are no words. After 15 days and 15,000 miles on a motorcycle I think your mind, body, and soul go to places that few people have ever been.  I believe when the movie comes out we may be able to understand it a little better because it will show the real deal of people pushing themselves past the limit, but I can not articulate it in words. I know it brought out the best in me.  It took all I had to give and left me extremely sad when it was over. I can not wait to do it again and I invite anyone who is even thinking about it to quit making excuses and just do it because you only live once and it truly is "All About the Ride"!

See ya in Vegas!

Mike Fox
Rider # 601

HH1 stands as one of the best adventures in my life. The roads were the best but I've done that before. What stands out the most were the lifetime friends that I made along the way and the great people along all the small towns that waved us on as we went. I was always planning on riding to Alaska, but you know how that goes.  When HH1 came along this was the chance and it wasn't only from my home but from Key West! What an opportunity!!

With the support from family, friends and people I work for, I raised the money for the trip.  And the event was just the way I like to ride... Hundreds of miles a day; really stopping nowhere but just enjoying the ride.  Memories for a lifetime!  A big THANK YOU to the Hoka Hey for this experience!

Bob N (Smiley Bob)

The Hoka Hey Motorcycle Challenge is by far the hardest, and most rewarding, thing I've ever done in my life.  From the start, meeting such extraordinary people from all walks of life, to crossing the finish line, totally exhausted of all physical and mental strength.  Seeing the true reason behind the birth of the HHMC, meeting the people of Pine Ridge, South Dakota and the Native American Spirits has changed my life forever.    

The Hoka Hey Motorcycle Challenge gives one the  sense of total control of one's self, mind, body & spirit.  It gives one the Awareness that anything is possible if one puts their all into their Challenge.  It separates the "Warriors" from the "Whiners"!!!  And to My Warrior Brothers  & Sisters..."HOKA HEY"! 

Your Hoka Hey Brother Forever,

Blackie