Meet The Returning Rider # 913 Joe Mears

 

My name is Joe Mears #913. My wife, Beverly, and are known as “The Tennessee Two”. I’m a welder/ fabricator by trade.  We live in rural East Tennessee.  The Muscular Dystrophy Association is the foundation I raise money for.

My family and friends are my support system. I have been honored by family waiting for me at the finish line and supporting me throughout the journey. My Dad taught me to ride a dirt bike rather than a bicycle. I still have my first street bike, a 1971 Sportster gifted to me by my parents.

This will be my 3rd Hoka Hey Motorcycle Challenge. I totaled my 2012 ElectraGlide during the HHMC in 2018 by broadsiding an Idaho deer. This is when I first learned of the true Brotherhood of the HHMC. Several HHMC riders assisted me at the accident scene. One of the long time HHMC riders (Gabe Carrera) even carried one of my personal belongings to me in Tennessee.

I participated in the 2020 HHMC and finished 15th. I’m looking forward to the 2022 HHMC and meeting all the returning and new riders. The advice I always give riders is to find a place to sleep that you feel safe , pack light , hydrate , stop for gas every 125 miles and enjoy the ride. 

Meet The New Rider # 1062 Manny Duran

 My given name is William Manual Duran, AKA: Manny. My first motorcycle was a 1971 Honda 350 (April 1971). My first broken wing was 2 months later (June 1971). I am US Army Retired, service time 1972 to 1993. My time in the service I was engaged with 82nd 9th Infantry Berlin Brigade, 4th Infantry 1st Armored Division, and 7th Infantry Light Division. When I retired I attended MMI Phoenix Campus, I am Certified Tech from 1994 to Present. At this time I am retired, Disabled, Dysfunctional, and Medicated, "I am comfortable". When I am not riding, I am usually doing my "Honey Do" list or assisting with my grandchildren when needed.

Ever since I saw the ad for the Hoka Hey Motorcycle Challenge from Key West, FL to Homer, AK in the Scooter News, I have never forgotten the challenge and have been imagining the time I could join. I couldn't do it then, but I can do it now and I appreciate the opportunity.

My expectation is to finish the challenge. I have ridden through Canada, USA, Mexico, and Europe just to ride. I am looking forward to a new adventure in the Hoka Hey Challenge. I could not pass up the experience of this ride.

Only time I have spoken to a Hoka Hey riders was in Seguin, TX. I spoke to a few riders, but I listened more to their experiences and what worked for them.

I just had surgery on June 17, 2021 to repair nerve damage in my neck that was affecting my thumb and index finger on both hands. On August 14, 2021 I went for a 10 hour ride to feel the effects, happy to say all is well. The two rods and six screws stayed in place and are doing what they should do. I started my riding season late, I started with Veteran’s Rally in Cripple Creek, CO (Woodland Park, CO). I am getting 17 to 18 hours tank to tank. I will be ready for the Hoka Hay Challenge, you can count on that. “HOKA HEY”

I read about the Hoka Hey Challenge in Scooter News in Denver, CO.

Meet The Returning Rider # 785 Matt Wolf

 Returning Rider Matt Wolf 785 from Sierra Vista AZ
I retired from the Military this past December after 8 years in the Marines and 16 years in the Army with a 12 year break between the 2.  After 5 deployments and realizing I was becoming something of a Military fossil I realized it was time to move on. 

I'm now an instructor here at Fort Huachuca and will be returning for the 2022 Hoka Hey Motorcycle Challenge in an attempt to finish in the top 5. I have participated in the 2013 event where due to an unfortunate event I could not complete the event. 2014 I vindicated myself in a three way tie for 10th with Robert Sanooke and Dominick Sapola. In 2015 my sons Ben and Daniel joined me to provide a chase truck and event support for the Memorial event and in 2016 I finished 6th in the Pala to NY run. 2017 I rode in for the Hotdog run but haven't participated since because I was in South Korea from 2018 until Aug 2020.

This is very likely my last run as all those years in the Military have left their mark.
There is no other event like the Hoka Hey and for those that complete it you will learn a little bit about yourself that you would otherwise never know. 

Meet The Returning Rider # 908 Detta Deane

 

Meet The Returning Rider # 912 Dale Bundy

 

I entered the 2018 Hoka Hey Motorcycle Challenge but didn’t finish. An accident took me down on day 8. Fatigue and lack of sleep was the contributing factor. I had 3 cracked ribs, partially collapsed lung and cuts and bruises.

 

I came into the ride as an experienced rider. I have since lost a little confidence due to health issues. I would like to be a finisher in this challenge.

 

Raising money for this challenge is very difficult for me. I am not the type of person to ask for money.

 

My advice to newcomers is to listen to your body. It is one thing to push your limits, but understand your need for rest. Ride on your own schedule, not someone else’s. I rode with a friend at his pace and I couldn’t keep up. Fatigue took over and I fell asleep riding. I had an injury a week before the ride and was still dealing with pain. Make sure you are 100% ready for the challenge. Wear all the gear all the time.

Meet The New Rider # 1061 Dan Crowley

 

Hi, I'm Dan Crowley rider #1061 I live in Charlotte, NC where I raised 4 kids and pour concrete for my gas money. Because concrete waits for no man, I didn't get much time to ride so when I did get to ride, I wanted to make the most of it. While I was raising my family, I had the unique opportunity to fly and ride many different times on many different motorcycles as long as I got back before anyone knew I was gone. This led to an insatiable appetite for long distance motorcycle riding. 

Once the kids were grown and those flying benefits were no more, I had to settle down with 1 bike and ride it as far as I could. That led to long distance motorcycle rallying, Iron Butt Rides and multi day riding experiences. All along the way, I have ridden many miles and made many friends. All of these friends have unique riding experiences and are eager to share with you. 

This is where I first heard of the Hoka Hey Motorcycle Challenge . As the years passed and new opportunities arose, I found myself drawn to the challenge. 

  Since I didn't own a Harley and I always wanted a Buell, I thought, Hey! Hoka Hey, get a Buell and ride the heck out of it.

When asked why I want to ride the HH  The simplest answer I can give you is "duh!" why wouldn't anyone?

Not everyone is like me. but everyone has something that they like to do a lot and often. For me, that's motorcycling! 

All day in the saddle is a good day. Sniffing flowers, carving canyons or eating miles, it don't matter. 

More miles, more smiles!

Too many roads, not enough time. 

Hoka Hey forces you to open your eyes to see the beauty all around. With all the time you'll need to awaken the senses and revitalize the soul. 

I think it will be the best ride of my life.

 When traveling on my bike, I always have to adjust my sensors to risk, weather and machine. I have to be keenly aware of my surroundings like traffic, road conditions and weather. I have to monitor my machine and listen if it has something to tell me. 

One thing you can expect is the unexpected. Maybe you encounter some road rage or a bad accident where someone likely was killed. Maybe you witnessed some bad actions from some bad actors or got hustled at the gas station. I know as I ride down the road, I will pass someone in need or maybe I will be in need of some assistance.

Somewhere down this road, I expect something that will be moving. What will it be remains to be seem. 

I do expect it to be awesome!

 

But seriously, I am honored to be among this crowd and look forward to being in SD very soon.

 

Meet The New Rider # 1060 Charles Richardson

  

 My name is Charlie Richardson,  Hoka Hey Motorcycle Challenge  rider #1060. When I'm not working, I like to go camping, hiking, boating, and snow skiing. I started out riding dirt bikes when I was a teenager, and bought my first street bike in high school. I first heard about the Hoka Hey Motorcycle Challenge in a magazine and later on social media sites. After running across a group of riders and finding out more about the challenge and the people. I realized how much I wanted to be a part of this family.The best piece of advice I've come across is to "Ride your own Ride!" which is how I've always ridden.    

 

I'm looking forward to this ride, to meeting everyone, and to the challenge. I'm hoping that the HHMC will take me to new places, to new roads, and give me a new clarity of life. Also, to see if I still have what it takes to be a Hoka Hey finisher

 

Meet The Returning Rider # 896 Kenny Brown

 Name is Kenny Brown but my HOKA HEY Family calls me Kenworth .. this will be my 2nd Hoka Hey Motorcycle Challenge an can’t wait to see everyone in June

Meet The New Rider # 1059 Lucas Harvey

 

My name is Lucas Harvey “Luke”. I’m 35 years old. I recently got married and now have two step boys. Being a father is completely new for me. Outside of riding motorcycle I spend time with the boys. Most go my free time is spent going to their sporting events. I everything I know about baseball and football I have learned from watching Little League and PeeWee football. I also purchased them dirt bikes and am really enjoying watching their love for riding grow. My youngest will be as obsessed with riding as I am, I can tell already. He has ridden to a few of the Tour of Honor locations with me.

 I heard about Hoka Hey Motorcycle Challenge through Facebook. I am a member of several long distance riding groups and the topic kept popping up so I did some digging. I have always sought out challenges for myself. I believe Hoka Hey will be the hardest test of my mental and physical ability yet. I expect that the challenge will force me to dig deep and push hard. I think each day will be harder then the last as fatigue sets in and it will give me a chance to prove to myself what I’m made of. I look forward to the opportunity to live in this time frame. To push everything else out of my mind and enjoy the ride and challenge. I also look forward to becoming part of the family and camaraderie. The best advice I keep hearing is to ride your own ride. This is not a race and if you treat it as such there is a much higher risk for getting hurt and for missing out on being in the moment. 

The hardest part of this challenge for me is leaving my family. I have focused most of my energy over the last few years on being the best husband and father I can possibly be. Leaving home for such a long time will be hard for me to justify in my mind. To work through this, I have already started having regular conversations with my wife about the importance of this to me and she has been fully supportive. As the boys get older I think it’ll be easier for me to get away for extended periods of time. I hope to participate in the Hoka Hey Challenge every other year moving forward.

 

Meet The Returning Rider # 83 Lee Smith

 

Lee Smith aka .. (Problem Child #83 ) 

Born and bred in the great state of Texas. Left for 40 years and have recently moved back . I’ve been riding since I was fourteen, every bike you could imagine but 20 years ago I sat on my first Harley and haven’t been on anything since.

This year will be my 6th Hoka Hey Motorcycle Challenge .. Nothing and I mean nothing can EVER replace 2010. I would go on to ride 11, 12 , 13 then take a break because over night I became a single parent. But HH and my friends never left my mind . 

I would return in 2020 and was pleased to see all the changes with the challenge and all the new people.

This year I am returning and plan to use all my HH knowledge to run the challenge. I plan to start last just to challenge myself. Also I am going to handle some unfinished business which brought me to HH in 2010.

 

I will be riding for the Pine Ridge Area Chamber of Commerce donations can be made here.

I hope everyone has a safe ride this year and remembers why we all do this challenge. Take time to dig deep within ourselves and challenge ourselves to bring out the true meaning of Hoka Hey.

See you all in your mirrors …

Problem Child #83

Meet The New Rider # 1058 Aaron Potter

 

I grew up in rural New York, four-wheelers and dirt bikes were never far. I was bitten by the motorcycle bug in the early 80’s as a youth, I remember a motorcycle club driving by as I waited to cross the road with my mother. I was awe struck, the noise and the number of bikes passing was mesmerizing. Fast forward to 2000 while serving in the Marines on a WESTPAC deployment aboard the USS Bonhomme Richard, service members were eligible to purchase US vehicles and motorcycles factory direct. A slow night on night crew led me to me talking with an AAFES salesman and my first Harley-Davidson was purchased, 2000 FXSTD Deuce. This led to a few friends purchasing bikes and all of us riding together locally and strengthening the bond we already shared. In 2005 while working in Guam I once again found myself talking with the AAFES representative before I returned CONUS, my ’05 Road Glide was purchased. Once home, I was having some aftermarket work done, was talking with the owner and two months later I was headed to Laconia, NH from Oceanside, CA with the shop owner. This was riding, I wanted to see more. In a few years to follow, one of my best friends and I began doing trips all over North America.

 

I learned of the Hoka Hey Motorcycle Challenge after I moved back to NY 2 years ago. I met a few guys; they knew I rode and would invite me on rides. On one ride in particular, I saw a HHMC sticker, looked it up, asked the gentleman I was with if they were familiar with the challenge and was introduced to Rob Talbett. After talking with Rob, I wanted to participate in the HHMC. I had done long rides, but this wasn’t any of that, this was different and I wanted to participate.

 

My ultimate expectation is to finish the challenge. Moreso, I want to push myself, find my limitations as a rider and as a person. The bike is a machine or the tool to get me from A to B, it doesn’t know if I’m fatigued, didn’t sleep well, am stressed or are simply not feeling it. It alone is only as good as the person controlling it and I want to bring my best self to the HHMC and to every aspect of my life. The HHMC will become be part of my personal growth and I look forward to meeting the HHMC family.

 

Meet The Returning Rider # 903 Dave Uhl

 I’ve entered and finished two Hoka Hey Motorcycle Challenges, 2018 and 2020.  2018 was an amazing journey as I rode some days by myself and with my thoughts, while others, I rode with new friends for life.

  2020 was a challenge due to a blown motor and three other mechanical failures resulting in 72 hours off the clock, but it was important for me personally to cross that finish line!  I find that since participating in my first challenge that I ride more and with a purpose.  I host a charity ride on alternate years and love the Hoka Hey family that contribute to our great causes.  Additionally, I now have a great group of friends around the US that I can visit. 

 For new riders I encourage you to make the most of your journey instead of rushing to the finish, it will be complete before you know it so make every day count.  I plan my charity events year round to ensure that the in person drawings are a success and the online community has plenty of engagement with me to make them feel like a part of our success.  My family and friends are great supporters of my HHMC rides, I couldn’t do it without them.     Hoagy's Heros will be my charity.

 

Meet The New Rider # 1057 Tim Owens

 Hi my name Tim Owens I am 44 years I have been married for 22 years to my high school sweetheart. We have three boys 24,20,13 they keep me really busy I coached football and baseball for all my boys as they were growing up. As a family we love go going hunting, fishing,camping, exploring. We love being outside working in dirt bikes and vehicles.

I am really excited about riding in the Hoka Hey Motorcycle Challenge for the Adventure and seeing new places. I always push myself to see how far I can go and I will come home with stories and memories to tell my family.

My wife came home from work one day and told me about the HHMC one of our friends rode 4 years ago. Ever since then I have been researching and looking into it.

The best advice I have heard is have fun and enjoy it for myself and not the Challenge

 

Meet The Returning Rider # 902 Kenneth Brooks

 

The 2022 Hoka Hey challenge will be my third Hoka Hey.

 Since riding my first Hoka Hey Motorcycle Challenge in 2018, my long-distance riding trips have increased.  So, although my riding style may not have changed much, my attention to detail has sharpened.  Packing only essentials and keeping weight to a minimum while also keeping my center of gravity as low helps keep handling as nimble as possible.

 I’d say my confidence level is as high as it will ever be after finishing my first two Hoka Hey rides.  I’d caution the new riders to take care of their bikes, watch the gas level and get rest when it’s needed.  Also, bring a road atlas and know how to use it.

 I find fund raising to for the charities to be easier with an organized group rather than on an individual basis.  My charity of choice is the Mile Monsters Inc..  Helping to find a cure for Duchenne’s muscular dystrophy is personal for me as I have two grandsons with the disease. 

 I look forward to the next Hoka Hey because of the challenge.  After retiring from the Army and spending the next twenty years doing explosive and chemical weapons disposal jobs from Florida to Alaska and years spent in Afghanistan and Iraq, I miss the challenge of overcoming hardship and danger.

 Fortunate smiled on me during the last two runs and I avoided the many opportunities to prematurely end the ride.  Others were not as lucky.

 My wife is my biggest supported in all that I do.  Be it the Hoka Hey challenge, the Tour of Honor and Ride to Eat scavenger hunt groups or a ride from Florida to Alaska.  I can always count on her to have my back.