Every rider knows that when riding a motorcycle we put
ourselves at risk. We can infer from our
own personal experience that our biggest hazard is distracted drivers. The simple fact is the only practical thing
we can do about distracted drivers is to reduce the number of them by not being
distracted while we operate our own vehicles; whether it’s our car or
motorcycle. However, a distracted driver
is not our only nemesis.
For those of us who have participated in the Hoka Hey we
know it involves many consecutive days of long hours while riding endless
miles. The Hoka Hey Challenge is just
that; a Challenge, not to be confused by any stretch of the imagination with a
race. If it were not a challenge we
would have to change the name to something like “The Hoka Hey Meander.” I think we can all agree that doesn’t quite
cut it.
The Challenge requires that you push the envelope and exceed
your perceived limit, but you are the only one who can determine where your outer-most
limit is. Most of us can put on our big
boy pants and ride for miles and miles day after day, but at what point do we
exceed our outer-most limitations. When
does clarity of thought and responsible riding attitude get clouded by pride
resulting in us doing something we would not normally do that exceed safe
limits? The Hoka Hey Challenge is not an
exercise for the weak or those easily discouraged, but it is an exercise in
stamina.
Distracted cagers may be our biggest foe, but it is not our
only foe. If you fail to ride with
Honor, Integrity and Respect you may be your own worst enemy. Ride
safely, ride responsibly and when pushing the limit do so with an understanding
that at some point that limit can be exceeded.
As mentioned many times the Hoka hey Challenge is not a
race. To bring that fact to light we
have eliminated cash winnings as a prize for those who reach the finish line
first and we have also re-affirmed the Hoka Hey Terms and Conditions. That is not to say the first to ride across
the finish line is the winner; winners are those who ride with Honor, Integrity
and Respect throughout the course.
