As in life; every participant takes
the Challenge at his or her own pace.
Some are in it for the competition; some are in it for the ride and yet
others are in it for the cause. The truth of this statement is exemplified by the handful of riders that are sitting at Gowanda Harley-Davidson some
10 miles short of the finish line already.
Even though this year's HHMC is
different from year's prior, we still have some very competitive riders out there. In 2010 and 2011 we offered a large purse to
the Challenger(s) who reached the finish line first and thereby inadvertently
created a bit of a Cannonball Run. It seems that no matter how many times we said
that the HHMC is a test of endurance, a select group of riders would push for speed. This year however, participants will be disqualified if they cross the finish
line before the minimum time. The riders also know
that the prize money will be split equally among everyone that finishes within
the 14 hour window which opens at 6:30pm on Sunday (as long as they followed the
route according to the driving directions, hit all of the checkpoints and did
not receive any moving violations along the way). The intent is to avoid giving the
participants any incentive whatsoever to approach so closely so quickly. BUT… They rode the route at their own pace
and will now have to wait to reach the finish line.
US Fleet Tracking provides
a means for organizers to validate the finishers’ routes and we will be doing
so before we recognize the winners at the "End of the Road" party on
the 18th. Regardless of that outcome
though, there is no doubt but that the field of participants this year is full of some first rate competitors
and some hard core riders! We salute them all!!
“Life should not be a journey to the
grave with the intention of arriving safely in a pretty and well preserved
body, but rather to skid in broadside in a cloud of smoke, thoroughly used up,
totally worn out, and loudly proclaiming 'WOW! WHAT A RIDE!!'”
~ Hunter S. Thompson
The finish line and the End of the
Road party are located at Wolf’s Run 12795 Hwy 438 Irving, NY. Please join us to welcome the riders as they
start rolling in @ 6:30 on Sunday August 12th.
A Meet and Greet is being held at
Gowanda HD on Wednesday from noon to 4.
Join us and meet the Hoka Hey Challengers and our hosts from Wolf’s Run
and Gowanda Harley-Davidson!!
As I watch Challengers arriving at the finish and those still making their way, I feel both pride in their accomlishment, and a bit of sadness in that I am not among them this year. To all my Hoka Hey Brothers and Sisters. Great job and I Love you all!
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