Meet The New Rider Larry Robertson # 1012

I’m an enrolled member of the Sisseton-Wahpeton Oyate, originally from the Lake Traverse Reservation in Northeast South Dakota, I’m a veteran and have four children and have never missed a child support payment! Actually I have my two youngest that live with me currently in Albuquerque NM, I’ve been in public service all of my career starting in military as a Navy Corpsman, worked in EMS after leaving active duty and have been in law enforcement 29 years. Aside from riding I have several activities that I enjoy, I have several drones that I fly and do photography and videos from a different perspective.  I enjoy traveling by any means-bike, vehicle or plane and have been to many amazing places. I also enjoy taking my kids to concerts, the artists that are from my era-the ones who play actual instruments, nothing more thrilling for my kids and I than to be on the front row for AC/DC after driving from Albuquerque to Fargo ND!

Many years ago, my friends and I heard about the first Hoka Hey Challenge and I was intrigued, and I’ve followed each year, hoping someday I would have the time to apply and hopefully ride the challenge. I am a divorced Dad who got primary custody of my two kids and they’ve always come first in my life, but now they’re older, so it’s time. As a first year rider, I know it’s not going to be easy, but I’ve always enjoyed just getting out on the bike and ride for days, no destination; it’s where I find my solace in this crazy world. The attraction for me is that the HHMC is more than just getting on a bike and going; it will challenge me to stay on task, face the elements, leave behind comforts, work toward the goal of finishing and enjoying the ride in the process. 

The words “Hoka hey” have a special meaning to me, to hear it gives me strength and there are people who read this that will know exactly what I’m speaking of. I will carry that as I make my way through each day of the HHMC. I have chosen to ride for the families that  fallen Akicita have left behind. Throughout the years, I’ve known warriors who’ve made the ultimate sacrifice protecting their communities and they’re at peace; but the spouses and children must continue life without them and that’s who I ride for. Concerns of Police Survivors is the charity I have chosen here is the link and I encourage everyone to donate https://www.concernsofpolicesurvivors.org/aboutcops

Meet The New Rider Carlos Caycedo # 1011

Motorcycles have always played a huge role in my life. Growing up, my dad would take me to the annual Daytona Bike Week and that pilgrimage was like a religious experience. At the age of 18, I got my motorcycle license but would really only frequent bike nights at the local watering hole. In 2010, it was at one of those bike nights where I first heard of the Hoka Hey; I thought about how cool participating in something like that would be one day! In 2015, I made an attempt at long distance motorcycle riding by completing my first ss1k. Needless to say, I was hooked! In 2016, at the IBA Bike Week party, I met a few Hoka Hey riders and the rest is history.

I want to ride the Hoka Hey Motorcycle Challenge because, since 2010 when I first heard about it, it has been a goal of mine to finish it and really test my limits as a rider. I expect to push both my physical and mental limits throughout the challenge and I also expect to successfully complete it.

The best piece of advice I have received from a previous rider was to: “ride your own ride, hydrate, and rest when you are tired.”

Since first hearing of the challenge, one obstacle or another had prevented me from competing.  It wasn’t until mid 2019, when the stars aligned for me to be able to participate in the 2020 challenge. When COVID 19 brought the country to its knees, the one thing I kept repeating was: “I’ll be damned if this keeps me from riding.” I feel that the difficult nature of the challenge and the “life changing experience” that everyone talks about is something that I have been seeking since starting my LDR career. I’m both anxious and excited to see what the 2020 Hoka Hey holds for me!

This year I chose to support the Fisher House Foundation. I first heard of this charity while doing a clinical rotation in graduate school at the Miami VA. Veterans have given so much to this country and supporting them and their families while they are being medically treated is not only necessary, but the least we can do. I think Fisher House’s contribution to vets, in providing housing for their families while they are hospitalized, is worth my support and yours as well.

See you in PCB!

Meet The New Rider Joao Mendonca # 1010

I have been a motorcycle enthusiast since my earlier years back in my home country of Brazil; unfortunately, I could never afford one, the closest thing to a motorcycle was to subscribe to a motorcycle magazine. In 1990 my car broke down and a colleague told me that he could have an old bike that a friend had left behind, it was a 1981 Kawasaki LTD440 that was sitting outside for almost a year, after few push start I rode the bike home. It was my daily ride for the next 5 years.  

Few years ago, I found a 1981 Honda CB900C that I brought to life, and it is my long trip ride. I always am on the lookout for opportunities and three years ago I found a 1992 Daytona Dyna that I completely restored, it took me six months of hard working after work to bring this babe back to live.

I loves the old bikes and most of all taking them apart and putting it back together.  This is the best way to get to know your bike in and out and any little sound you may recognized any potential problem. 

            I am the Purchasing Manager for a huge plumbing company, in charge of over 200+ workers and 20 Job sites, When I am not working or riding, I am at home working at the house or restoring antique motorcycle. I also play guitar and bass with an original band, we normally go to the studio once a week to compose new songs, we are working on the repertory to start doing gigs. I also can play the drums and piano.  

I heard about the Hoka Hey Challenge while participating on the first Gabe’s 30-hours Ironman Challenge in 2017. I had in mind to climb Everest before the age of 40, things went different ways and I was hoping to do by the age of 50. Since I cannot climb Everest and I just turn 50, the Hoka Hey is the next big thing! 😊     Meeting new people, meet new places that normally I couldn’t have the opportunity to it, solidify the friendship with some already known HHMC riders. Put in practice all the experiences acquired throughout my motorcycle carrier. 

When asked what it was you heard about the HHMC that attracted you to want to ride such a tough challenge?  First was the challenge itself, than was the friendship from the HHMC riders that share the same interests.

I will be riding the 1989 Harley Davidson FLHTC Ultra Classic Electra Glide on this challenge and hope to raise $1 per mile for the Shriners Hospital for Children

          

Meet the New Rider Tracey Bailey # 1009

At a young age, I had an interest in motorcycle riding.  Later in life, I decided to pursue that interest in learning how to ride.  Once I had enough time in the seat, I decided to venture out and utilize my motorcycle as my mode of transportation for vacationing.  My first long distance ride was to Memphis, TN with my wind sisters.  That same year, I planned a solo trip to the Smoky Mountains and rode straight through from Davenport, IA to Stecoah, NC.  From that point on, I was hooked on long distance riding.  When I’m not riding, I enjoy live music, especially the blues.  Additionally, as a U.S. Navy veteran, I am passionate about advocating for fellow veterans’ welfare.

                                                                                                        

I learned of the Hoka Hey Motorcycle Challenge when I met Eric Sprague at the Moonshine luncheon run in Illinois in 2017.  Over breakfast consisting of a moon burger, Eric and a few of the HHMC riders explained the motorcycle challenge in detail.  The challenging aspects of the HHMC piqued my interest to participate. 

The expectations of the challenge are conducive to my previous long distance rides in which I preferred paper maps over GPS.  With someone else planning the route, I will be venturing into territory that I’ve never been.  On my previous solo trips, traveling different places has had a spiritual meaning and has been enlightening but not to the extent of HH.  I have discovered many different aspects of myself.

The HHMC is not going to be easy or a walk in the park and is a goal I have set for myself.  It will be an experience to challenge myself to meet that goal and my expectations.  The ride will also provide an opportunity to drive myself to overcome my limitations and attain the pride of completing such a challenge, thus giving me a clear vision of what challenge really means.  Recognizing that this will be a difficult challenge, succeeding will result in a greater belief in myself.  Even if I fail, I know I will not continue to fail and will learn from the experience.  Either way, it will have a profound effect on my life.  In preparation for the challenge, I have had to reason with myself not to over think it and not let any doubts consume me.  I can trust in myself and my abilities.

The non-profit organization that I’m supporting is the Quad City Veterans Outreach Center, which is run by volunteers.  I appreciate everything they do for fellow veterans, not only locally but nationwide.  Their motto “It is not a handout but a hand up” is a way of serving those who serve us.