Meet The Rider # 844 Bruce Hippie Rimes

 

I’m 64 and a retired locomotive engineer after 42 yrs with the IC railroad. Married to my high school sweetheart for 49 yrs. Three daughters, one son and nine grandkids and one great granddaughter. This will be my 5th Hoka Hey Challenge. After finishing 13th in 2016 , 18th in 2018 , wrecking about halfway thru in 2020, 35th in 11days 16 hrs in 2022. I can’t wait for this year’s return.

 This year’s theme is"Chiqinik Gheli" (Chic-nik Gelly), which means "Many Thanks" . I’m thankful that I was not hurt in either wreck in 2018 and 2020. (MANY THANKS to JIM REDCLOUD for coming up with the challenge and to BETH for continuing it ❤️❤️) Looking forward again to the great roads and scenery that is in store for us. For the first timers, remember, it’s not about the destination. It’s about the journey that gets you there! My plans are to enjoy the journey and sites to be seen and hopefully make the finish party.

Hippie , the worlds most interesting Biker

Meet The New Rider # 1188 Mike Clark

 I guess my fascination with motorcycles started in my early childhood when my older brother
got an old school minibike with a 3 horse-power engine in it. Of course, it was "his" and I
couldn't ride it, but Mom and Dad over-ruled and I was eventually able to get it moving by
myself, pants caught in the open clutch and all. From that moment on, I was hooked on 2
wheels!

Growing up on a 22-acre horse farm and working on a 200-acre dairy farm led to many
opportunities to ride. My first real bike was a 1974 Honda XR 75. I think I rode it to the moon
and back about 3 times! I loved that little thing! As time went on, my friends and I got bigger
dirt bikes which turned into 3 wheelers then into 4 wheelers which led to racing motocross! I
never finished in the top 10 but I was having the time of my life. Once out of high school, cars
and women were the thing, I traded college for a big block 1970 Z28 Camaro, hindsight is a
killer when I think about that one!

One evening in the early 90's my brother brought home a 1985 Honda V45 Magna. At first, I
thought he was crazy, until he let me ride it! Holy schnikes! I had to have one! Beginning in
1995, my boys Austin (29) and Tyler (26) became my priority with sports, BMX, 4-wheelers, then
motocross, again, growing pains, grandchild, life in general. When the boys were racing, I got
the itch to race motocross again with them, which led me to breaking both ankles and put me in
a wheelchair for 3 months. In early in 2000, I had a grand-mal seizure, in bed next to my ex-wife
thank God, which led to the discovery of a malignant brain tumor. Surgery, radiation, chemo and
24 years later and I’m still stable! I didn't get the opportunity to buy my own street bike until
2005 when my neighbor bought a brand new 2004 Honda VTX 1800C. As a result of his new
purchase, I bought his old Suzuki VS800 Intruder. It was a great starter bike, and I learned a lot
about riding the streets. Things didn't work out for him financially and he ended up selling the
“X” to me. Feeling bad about his financial distress, I gave the keys to the Intruder back to him
and having almost nothing, he shed a few tears and so did I. I've put over 100K on the X since
October of 2005. I did a lot of local riding and bar hopping at first then in 2014, I decided I
wanted to stretch my wings a little farther.

There had been a poster of a covered bridge hanging on the wall at work for about 10 years so
and one day I said where is that? Turns out it was Watson Mill Covered Bridge in Comer, GA,
(675 miles 1 way). So, I made the decision to take a long weekend just to ride through it. As
“practice” before my first “solo” tour, I set out from Northern DE towards Western MD, maybe
300 miles round trip, easy peasy. I’m not scared to admit that I was scared and shaking going
around the Baltimore beltway the first time! All the “what ifs” passed through my mind and I
turned around, defeated, after 100 miles. A few weeks later, full of confidence, I set off on a
glorious 1900-mile round-trip tour of covered bridges and waterfalls throughout VA, GA, NC,
and WV.

A couple of months after my return from that beautiful 9-day trip, another grand-mal seizure,
behind the wheel at work this time. I rear-ended a 3500 series dually while stopped at a traffic
light. Thanks again to God that there were no injuries to anyone involved! Because of this
seizure, the doctor told me that I had leukemia and would need to be on chemo for the rest of
my life. It’s almost as if the seizures were telling me to go to the doctor because something was
critically wrong with me. I’m grateful that the seizures are under control, and I have a new
outlook on life.

I have done quite a bit of solo touring, week long vacations with small riding groups and
sightseeing since then. Now is the time for me to face the ultimate challenge. I cannot wait to
put myself to the ultimate test and find out what I’m really made of on the 2024 Hoka Hey Motorcycle Challenge ! In light of the physical and mental fears that I have faced in my lifetime and because of the
challenges that so many men and women face on a daily basis, I have chosen 2 non-profit
organizations to help show people that there is a light at the end of the tunnel and that they are
not alone. My fundraising contributions will go to the American Foundation for Suicide Prevention
and

                                                                                                        

Meet The Rider # 305 Kerry Nelson

My name is Kerry Nelson. I live in Sugar Land, TX, just outside of Houston. My finisher coin says that I was rider #305 in the 2010 Hoka Hey Motorcycle Challenge. I’m a retired Lutheran minister. My wife and I have four kids and three grandkids. She is a very supportive and understanding woman.

 

I entered the first challenge because…it was a challenge. And yes, it changed my life. I came home determined to seek a new job. I basically quit leading group rides and predominantly started riding by myself. And I started doing more motorcycle camping and all the long distance challenges the IBA sanctions that fit my schedule and tiny budget.

 

I’m riding in 2024 specifically to retrace the old route. I want to see those places again, especially now that I’m more prepared to have a great time. I’m not raising money for charity – although I respect all of you who are – because I spent my entire career asking people for money (see above) and I’m retired from that. See you all in August.

Meet The New Rider # 1174 Scott Smith

I started riding when I was 8 or 9 years old. My sister’s boyfriend Russ ( god rest his sole and fuck cancer) told me if I could start it I could ride it. I kicked that enduro until gas was flooding out of the carb. But somehow after what seemed like 1000 kicks, it started and I’ve been in love with motorcycles ever since. I am currently married. My amazing wife Rebecca for the past 10 years treats me like a king. I am truly the most blessed/luckiest man alive. Between us we have 3 kids( all grown and out of the nest) Ashley, Hayley, @  Skyler @ 1  granddaughter, Mazie Jay.  I attended The Motorcycle Mechanics Institute in Orlando Florida back in the mid 90’s. I graduated with degrees in early and late model classes. Life’s events led me out of the industry and have been a letter carrier for the usps for the past 17 years.

  

            I will be 55 years old at the start of the 2024 Hoka Hey Motorcycle Challenge. While following the challenge over the last few years I’ve heard riders say  things like “ the hoka hey will teach something about yourself real quick”.  With that said I’m hoping  the Hoka Hey will actually help me regain my old self as well find a new part of me I never knew was there…. I’ve become lost in the world of planning and strategizing and making sure every little thing is the way life says it’s to be. The younger me only needed my bike @ enough gas money to get there and back , and the rest would just fall into place and a great time was had…I NEED THAT PERSON BACK!! My mantra for the 2024 Hoka Hey Challenge is “NO HURRY NO WORRY”.  I would like to complete the challenge in a reasonable time and make the challenge a challenge but I also want to live every minute of it not chasing an end. 

   

        For the 2024 challenge I have chosen THE CHILDREN’S MIRACLE NETWORK at PENN STATE CHILDREN’S HOSPITAL in Hershey Pennsylvania. This charity is very close to my families heart as they ,(with experimental procedures that had only been done once in this country at the time) saved my sons life after a near fatal motocross accident while practising for the upcoming race season, at 12 years old.  His left femur was shattered above the knee and the main vein and artery leading down his left leg were destroyed in the accident . He had surgeries numbering in the teens and although he lost the toes on his left foot from the blood flow being lost for so long they were able to save his left leg from amputation. It as you can imagine if you’re a parent was the worst time in our family’s lives .. Thanks to the Dr.s  and nurses and that experimental procedure he has recovered and has grown into a big man with a big heart. We (my family and friends) have been raising money since the day I received the email confirming I had been accepted. Literally.. I started a sub sale that day. My goal was to raise $5000. As I’m writing this bio we’re at $4500 with 10 months of 2024 to go! 

 My contact with the Children's Miracle Network, (Angela Linton) has told me the money donated to this charity.

I'm supporting Children's Miracle Network at Penn State Hershey Children's Hospital!

be going directly to the children’s hospital in Hershey pa. A big percentage of the money raised locally  here in central Pennsylvania goes to the  Neonatal intensive care unit (NICU). Newborn / premature babies will get a better chance at life with this money!!!!!

              I would also like to thank my sponsors for this event, Susquehanna Valley Harley Davidson and I just got...   High Strenth Vtwin  and also a special thanks to Leaman Signs for providing my rider number  decals.

Meet The New Rider # 1170 Lee Kibbee

​

The three most important and sacred things in my life are God, Country and Family.  God is always first, but much to my wife's dismay the other two are interchangeable because neither can flourish without the other. 

As an avid motorcycle rider I was introduced to the LDR community through the Tour of Honor, America’s Ultimate Long Distance Rider, Ride to Eat Across the USA and Mile Monster Inc., challenges.  I became a member of the Iron Butt Association and have assisted several other riders on their quest to become members as well.  

I watched the 2022 Hoka Hey Motorcycle Challenge from the sidelines as riders I knew were disqualified, forced to withdraw or fought tooth and nail to get to the finish line.  Their fortitude and dedication to the challenge along with some other fortunate events sparked an interest and I began reading everything I could about Hoka Hey.  The more I learned the more I knew it was something I had to be a part of.  

It has always been important to me that we as a community stand up and honor our heroes of yesterday, paying tribute to the sacrifices both they and their families made for us.  However, it is equally important to me that we work to ease the burden and sacrifices being made by our heroes of today while simultaneously educating, mentoring and leading the next generation into a position to become the heroes of tomorrow.  As closely as these beliefs align with the vision of the Hoka Hey Motorcycle Challenger I knew my charity needed to have a similar mission.  

                                                      

Friends In Service of Heroes (FISH) is a 501c3 non profit organization that does just that.  To date FISH has provided over 40 Service Dogs, 38 mobility devices, and 9 all terrain track chairs to Veterans to help them live their daily lives.  In addition FISH has assisted over 1,200 veterans financially and adopted over 600 military families during the holiday seasons.  However, FISH originally started as Food Industry Serving  Heroes with the goal of feeding our service men and women who were struggling.  This remains a pivotal part of FISH’s mission with over 8,000 meals provided to date with many of these meals going to disabled veterans and some of the 24% of active duty families who face food shortages each year.   

My campaign, Fill the Pantry with FISH, will be raising funds for FISH to stock food pantries on military installations in Kansas and Missouri.  The veterans and service members standing up for us shouldn’t have to worry about where their families' next meal is going to come from.  Let's help ease their burden.  Donations can be made for FISH right here!

Meet The New Rider # 1231 Sonya Williams

 I’m Sonya Williams and I go by the riding name Kosher. I am rider
#1231. I work for the state of Illinois counseling teachers on their retirement
benefits. I have done this for almost 25 years. I considered retiring but as you
know, this motorcycle life-style is not cheap so I think I will be here a few more
years. In my spare time I like spending time with family and friends, traveling and
of course riding Sparkle, my 2018 Harley Davidson Road Glide. After turning 40, I
decided I wanted to try something new so I learned to ride a motorcycle. I have
been riding for 14 years. Kathy Geary, a co-worker, told me about an annual all
female ride headed to Killeen TX. I had never rode long distance before but I was
up for the challenge and she trusted me enough to get us there and back. Her
trust fueled my confidence and I have been going strong ever since. Kathy is no
longer here but I know she peeks on me from time to time.

Why the Hoka Hey Motorcycle Challenge? I rode to South Dakota in 2022 to support a friend that was
participating. First off, the beautiful landscapes I rode through to get there were
breath taking. I think doing the Hoka Hey would take me through areas just as
beautiful. Secondly, the men and women I met, of all ages from all walks of life
were intriguing. I’m sure the 100 new riders picked to participate in the 2024 ride
will be just as intriguing and ambitious. The camaraderie among them was like none
other. I could see some of the primary objectives of the Hoka Hey right away;
community, peace, friendship and respect to name a few. Sit around with some of
the participants and just listen to their stories and it will be evident to you as well.
A large part of the ride is to raise awareness of Social issues and fundraising for
the Indigenous population.

Being the grand-daughter of a Cherokee freedman, I want to give something back
to the Cherokee Nation. I think this is a great way to honor my grand-father and
Jim Red Cloud. The Cherokee Nation is the organization that I'm choosing to raise
money for. The money collected on my behalf will go towards education services.
Education services provide educational, history, cultural, language, scholarships
and youth leadership opportunities for eligible Cherokee Nation citizens.
Donations can be mailed to: Cherokee Nation, C/O Treasurer Janees Taylor, P.O.
Box 809, Tahlequah, Oklahoma 74465. Please put my name, Sonya Williams
HH#1231, on the memo of the check. You can also make a donation on line at this
site: Cherokee Nation/Online Giving/Donations/create Make
donation in Memory of: Sonya Williams HH#1231

Meet The Rider # 1023 Keith Herve

Hello brothers and sisters,
2024 will mark my third Hoka Hey Motorcycle Challenge. I did complete the 2020 and 2022 Challenges. I live in Alaska and heard about the Hoka Hey from an Alaskan friend who attempted the first challenge in 2010, without success. At one point in my life, I had a home in Florida and one in Alaska and have done many motorcycle round trips back and forth so this distance was nothing new to me. The Hoka Hey gives me a purpose to explore the country.

The reasons I want to do it again are:
1. I have no idea where I am going until 5 am the morning of the start. The navigation challenge is
a big part of the adventure for me.
2. I know I am going to see parts of the country I would probably not explore on my own.
3. Finding a place to park and sleep with the bike makes for an interesting challenge and adds an
extra level of adventure.
4. Following a predetermined route is a great challenge and is probably the most exciting part for
me.
5. I want to finish faster than the 2022 challenge.
6. I enjoy the challenge of pushing myself to finish as fast as I can. It is an endurance challenge and
is a different riding style than my normal long-distance rides.
7. I have made some of my best friends in this challenge and look forward to expanding my riding
family.
My nonprofit is Shriners Childrens Hospital. I have been involved with Shriners for over 50 years.
Shriners Hospitals are the world leaders in childhood neuromusculoskeletal conditions, burn
injuries and other special health care needs. All children are eligible for admission and there
is no charge to the family for the care.

Love To The Rescue donations can be made here

Meet The New Rider # 1119 Rocky Sheaffer

Rocky Sheaffer Hoka Hey Rookie #1119.
Age: 54
Hometown: Cabot, Pennsylvania (My Hometown about 1 Hour North of Pittsburgh)
Married to my Best Friend Carol for 32 Years Unique fact we were actually Married on Leap
Year 2/29/1992
We have no children except for our Very Spoiled Pets Brandi a 10 year old Sheppard Mix, Sami
our 15 year old spoiled House Kitty, and Mittens our 4 Year old Wild and Crazy outside Cat. Our
Household also consists of my Wonderful supportive Mother in Law Connie and my Brother In
Law Rusty.
I work Full time for Limbach Company as a Special Projects Manager. We primarily perform
HVAC, Plumbing, and Controls Work for Healthcare and Mission Critical Customers. I am very
Fortunate to have the Full Support of this Awesome Company for My Hoka Hey Journey in
2024.

I grew up in a Foster Home due to some severe heath challenges I had growing up. And
although sometimes those are not the best situations, I was lucky enough to have Great Foster
Parents that were both supportive and loving in a stable home for my entire childhood with
them. My passion for Motorcycles began at the age of 7 when my Foster Dad bought me a
Honda Z50. It was in fact on that very mini bike I got pulled over my very first time for
unauthorized operation on a public highway. This particular office and I became very good
friends as a result of that encounter and until his passing several years ago kept in touch. It
wasn’t until around my 17th birthday that I started riding motorcycles more seriously. And from
then on I always had a motorcycle of some sort in the garage. My passion for the open road
only grew with time and now is often referred to as an obsession. I have participated in
different Challenges throughout the last few years such a Tour of Honor which allowed me to
expand my long distance efforts and actually secure a 1st Place Trophy for Pennsylvania and 10th
place overall finish in 2023. I completed my First Certified IBA Ride SS1K In 2022 and my most
recent BB1500 in 2024 and continue to hone my Long Distance skills with the help of many
seasoned veterans I have become friends with along the way.

Around 2019 my curiosity about bigger things began to spark and though following The Hoka
Hey Motorcycle Challenge and Iron Butt Rally I began to want for more in my Riding life. I am
fortunate to have a Close friend and Mentor in Rob Keller who has a long history with Hoka
Hey. After several conversations about Hoka Hey with Rob during different local events, and
hearing all of his Inspiring stories I decided that I wanted to give it my Best and Apply for the
2024 Challenge. Now that I have been accepted I am looking forward to this ride of a lifetime
and all that it holds in store for me.

As part of my 2024 Hoka Hey Challenge I have chosen Two Charities that are near and dear to
me. I have always chosen to Honor our Veterans, Active Military, and Fallen Soldiers. By riding
in different events honoring those that have done so much for us and allow us to enjoy the
Freedoms that we have. To that end I have chosen a local organization “Hero’s Angels” as one
of my 2024 Charities. Hero’s Angels is a 501c3 Non-Profit organization that raises money and
shows our appreciation for Deployed Troops and Other veterans by sending Care Packages to
them during their deployments. Hero’s Angels is run completely by Volunteers and their
Mission is dear to me.
Heros Angels Page 

 My qrcode
My second Charity of Choice is Mile Monsters Inc. Mile Monsters Inc. is a Non Profit 501c3
which hopes to Inspire and Motivate people to join us. We compete in crazy challenges and
races to raise both awareness and money to fight Duchenne Muscular Dystrophy (DMD) DMD is
a very aggressive form of MD which typically affects young boys. It attacks their muscle groups
and will take their ability to climb stairs, run and even walk. It is our hope that by competing in
seemingly impossible events we can help these kids! We just want the kids to be kids. We work
very hard to showcase these kids. They may need some special equipment or Hero Hauling vans
to get them around town. Or they may need a new game console. It could be all they need is a
Biker in their corner. Whatever they need, we work to get. We support both the kids and the
families affected by DMD. WE ARE CHARITY RIDERS WHO STRIVE TO MOTIVATE AND INSPIRE!
Mile Monsters Inc.
HH24/Rocky Sheaffer
Facebook Profile page
I look forward to the Starting Line on Daytona and all the challenges along the open Road.
Rocky Sheaffer,
Hoka Hey Rookie #1119

Meet The New Rider # 905 William Coan

 I am William 'CONAN' Coan, U.S. Navy (Ret.), growing up in rural Michigan and enlisting
at 17. Earned my call sign 'CONAN' while serving in the Navy. With eight deployments
across 21 countries and personal travel to 49 states, my love for adventure endures.
Alaska will be my 50th state.

From a Honda C50 at age 7 to a Kawasaki Vulcan 750 in Florida, my motorcycle journey
evolved. In 2011, I adopted a FatBoy Lo and joined the veteran riding group 'Sons of
Poseidon.' My passion deepened in 2019 with the purchase of ‘Grimace’ a '19 CVO
Limited, perfect for long distant excursions.
In 2021, facing COVID challenges, Grimace and I embarked on a 6,200 miles trip from
Virginia Beach to Sacramento, CA, via HWY50. In 2023, I learned about the Hoka Hey Motorcycle Challenge and eagerly signed up. After a suspenseful 11-month wait, I was
selected and assigned rider #905.

I don't believe in coincidences; there's always a purpose. At the Harley-Davidson
dealership to share my selection with friends, where I was introduced to Cory. Cory, who
would've been #905 in the ’24 Hoka Hey, had to withdraw due to his wife's health issues
that are very similar to my wife's past struggles. I've decided to fund raise to help Cory's
family with their expenses. This experience has reaffirmed my belief in meaningful
connections and the importance of offering support when needed.

My goal for the '24 Hoka Hey Motorcycle Challenge is clear: to savor the ride, embrace
the challenges, forge new connections, earn the coveted patch, and share the
adventure—a testament to a life abundantly blessed with family values and a cherished
circle of authentic friends.

 Angelina's Great Fight

 

Meet The New Rider # 1213 Ryan Brady

 My name is Ryan Brady, I live in the greater Spokane, Wa. area. I enjoy outside activities like
riding motorcycles and building things. I’m married to a beautiful loving wife, we have 5
grown children and 4 grandchildren. I have worked in the electrical industry for 34 years
around the Pacific Northwest.
I heard about long distance riding listening to the Wild Ass Podcast. Craig has interviewed
many of the top LD riders and just listening to their stories intrigued me. I took notes from
various interviews and Google searched my way to the Hoka Hey Motorcycle Challenge. I have always
wanted to do something that others thought was nuts and is considered epic. I think this
motorcycle challenge will fit the bill and will test my skills.

                                        

I am a passionate supporter of the Spokane Fantasy Flight event and Northwest North Pole
Adventures organization that brings this event to life each year. For 27 years, Northwest North Pole Adventures has provided impoverished and at-risk children with a day of joy and
safety by leveraging the magic of Christmas. Upon their arrival at the North Pole, over 250
Elves and Guards bring celebration and much-needed essentials to these little ones. The
high point of their day includes a trip to sit with Santa on his sleigh and receive the bag of
gifts that Santa has selected for them from their actual wish list. At the end of their evening,
the visiting children and I listen as Mrs. Claus reads “The Polar Express” by American
author Chris Van Allsburg reminding everyone of the spirit of giving and the magic of belief.
It is at that moment that I am reminded that my Hoka Hey challenge is like the challenges
experienced by these children. I ride for the more than sixteen hundred (1600) children that
have been embraced by this event.

Meet The New Rider # 1131 Jimmy Burns

My name is Jimmy Burns and my road name is “Taco.” I was born and raised in Midland Arkansas and moved to Mississippi in 1994. I have 3 fabulous kids, Payton, Allison and Jax and married to the love of my life and Pillion Toni Burns. My favorite past time is riding my motorcycles and being outdoors. I am a Freemason and branded Widows Son and act as the current Secretary for my Mississippi Chapter, Solomons Iron Knights.

I discovered the Hoka Hey Motorcycle Challenge though the Annual Taco Run in 2022. My good friends Mark & Karen Campbell invited Toni and I along on the ride to Medicine Park and when we arrived I saw all the “Hoka Hey” cuts being worn and inquired what that was, as I had no idea. I spoke to and got to meet several of the Hoka Hey family while I was there and learned a lot about what it was. Of course, I then started following the challenge closely on social media, and followed the 2022 Hoka Hey Challenge very closely. This is when the Challenge called to me, drawing me to enter my name into the hat for the 2024 challenge. I made it through the interviews and got accepted to ride the 2024 challenge as rider #1131. I know it sounds funny, but just being accepted to ride in the challenge with all the veteran Hoka Hey and long distance riders was mind blowing, and took me a minute for it to sink in that I was going to be able to ride it. I then made arrangements to travel to Eagle Nest New Mexico in 2023 for the meet and greet there and again met a lot of challengers and learned a lot about what I needed to do to prepare. And then again in 2023, we made the trip to Medicine Park  for the Annual Taco Run and now felt like I actually fit in with the group, as I had now made several acquaintances and friends over the last year. Since then, I have kept up with the Hoka Hey riders and friendships I have made since the adventure started and are now less than 4 months to the starting line! I can’t wait….

                                                                

My charity to support is Mile Monsters Inc. I discovered the charity organization when I started following Riot in the 2022 Hoka Hey. I looked him up on social media and started following his journey, and what the cause was that he was riding for. We knew right away that this was an organization that we wanted to be part of, helping kids live their best lives. As a Freemason and Shriner myself, helping kids hits me deep to my core. Once we started following, we made plans to meet some of the boys, and traveled northeast and met Drew at his home. We got to hear his story from him and his parents and sister and knew we had made the right decision. Drew inspired us even more and is a huge part of why we continue to support Mile Monsters Inc. We also got the opportunity to meet another DMD boy, Ethan Pyles while on that trip and formed a good relationship with him. Ethan is very knowledgeable on DMD and is a great advocate for the disease. I had the honor of traveling to Texas for Gaven’s Texas Tour Premier and met him and his family as well as continuing to form that bond with the Mile Monsters and Hoka Hey Riders.  Over the past 2 years I have gotten to meet Riot, Hop, Twister, Wrongway, Mooney, Frank Orlando and several other monsters (forgive me if I left ya out) along the way. All who just reassured us that this was the organization to support. We know where the funds are going, and that is to support our current 5 hero’s, Turbo, Goat , Alfie, Jack & Drew on their fight against DMD. We will continue to support this charity long after the Hoka Hey Challenge.

 

Get out and do something Epic, and “Be The Example.”

~Taco

Meet The New Rider # 1191 Matt Hertel

I'm someone who has always been about responsibility to my job to my family and others. I make sure things and others are taken care of when they have a need and as the years go by I have realized it's time to do the same for myself. I've seen this country for 35 years through the window of my truck earning a living and not getting to ride my bikes as often as I'd like due to not being home earning a living. As the years go by I started to realize life goes by so fast. So this is the one big thing I'm doing for me. I've rode cross country before but in a very leisurely way compared to the Hoka hey . I rode my little 80cc Honda from Germany to the Mediterraneans when I was 16 and that's pretty much where the bike bug bit me. 

Once I migrated to the states I got another bike pretty quick , my first full sized bike, it was my commuter throughout the year , great to live in the south lol the weather cooperates.

Then life hit me and the bike got sold for a living room set , we all know the rest of that story I assume

Now I own 5 and I only have one rear end and nearly zero time , once a year I ride to bikes blues and bbq , roughly 900 from my house.

 

I have nearly no desire to ride around locally.....let's get to why the Hoka Hey Motorcycle Challenge

It's a structured ride I can do on my own , I like the morals that come with it to keep everyone right n tight. I like it because it'll be a fantastic memory, it's a long ride and it's definitely a challenge and it's certainly not local. Years ago I heard about it and called Beth asking if Alaska was coming back, somehow I missed one but, I'm not missing this one.  I want the patch and once completed and only then will I order the derby cover, my own trophy so to speak. 

 

My personal trip to the left coast was nearly all US highways and I loved every minute of it so it comes naturally that I need the Hoka Hey.  Driving a truck I pound out miles after miles on the boring interstate system seemingly designed to see the least possible of this country.  The people I met on my trip were all friendly and I couldn't imagine the Hoka hey crowd to be any different, especially the ones that have done it several times, I believe it instills something inside you that you know no strangers and you get the road compassion to know how it feels broke down on the side and you're compelled to stop.

Obviously I don't know anyone of you guys but I have this feeling that it's a place where I belong.

Thanks to all who had an input on accepting my entry form.

I'll do my best to uphold the cause and respect the ride.

Matt aka Road Toad 

Rider # MCXCI....or 1191

Meet The New Rider # 1159 Tim Dickerson

 Tim Dickerson here, on the road though, I’m more commonly known as Loko. I’ve been riding motorcycles for 15 years and only in the last few have I been dabbling in the long distance genre of riding. I find it exhilarating and incredibly enjoyable to cover so many miles, terrains, and climates in such a short time period. Over the last decade and a half I’ve owned several different Harley Davidson motorcycles but the bike that I’ll be riding in the 24’ Hoka Hey Motorcycle Challenge is a 2023 Road Glide Limited bearing my rider number 1159. 

                                                                        

For me, the Hoka Hey is about two things, 1) challenging myself; 2) doing charitable things while doing it like fundraising. If it wasn’t a challenge, would it be worth doing? And if it wasn’t, there’d have to be some other mechanism for raising money. The combination of such an incredible quest to find ones self and overcome difficult obstacles for the sake of serving a greater purpose and not for ones self is the reason I applied for a rider number. 

I’m thankful I was chosen to be able to participate and raise money for charity. This year I’ll be doing double duty as I will be raising money for the Wildland Firefighter Foundation, while simultaneously riding every single day of 2024 for kids with Duchenne Muscular Dystrophy (DMD) and the Mile Monsters Inc.. While the Wildland Firefighter Foundation helps and supports the families of firefighters killed in the line of duty through their tragedy, the Mile Monsters help young kids with DMD live their best life by doing epic shit. Both charities are fitting as I once was a Wildland Firefighter and have seen the effects of a loss of a fireman, but I also love doing epic shit. Perfect combination. I’m looking forward to all the people I’ll meet and experiences I’ll have during the challenge and am beyond thankful to have been chosen.

Meet The New Rider # 1180 Forest Leas

I was born January 17,1961 at USMC Base Camp Pendleton, California. We moved to
Veedersburg, Indiana in 1963. I grew up in Veedersburg Indiana. Veedersburg has a history
with the Indianapolis Motor Speedway Corporation. On September 14, 1909, the
Indianapolis Motor Speedway Corp. contracts with the Wabash Clay Co. which was
located-in Veedersburg for 3,200,000 brick pavers. The first time I can remember riding was
when my dad would take me a ride on his Cushman Scooter. I got my first motorcycle when
I was 10 years old for Christmas. It was a Yamaha 60. I had a couple other motorcycles and
started riding my dad’s 450 Honda when I turned 15 years old. I got a 550 Honda of my own
and rode it until I graduated high school. Went to work for GM out of high school. I bought a
77 Honda Goldwing that summer. I took my first solo trip to West Virginia that summer. The
summer of 1980 my dad asked if I wanted to ride out to see my uncle in Oregon. My dad
didn’t even have a motorcycle, but he bought a 750 Honda and within 2 weeks we were off.
We left Veedersburg Indiana rode to Waldport Oregon. Stayed with my uncle for 10 days
and headed south to Carlsbad California and then back to Veedersburg. We were gone for
29 days. I moved to West Columbia, South Carolina that year and got married. My next
motorcycle trip I rode my first 1000-mile day from West Columbia to Albany, NY. A couple of
years later I sold my Goldwing and did not ride for the next 23 years. I got divorced in 2008
and bought my first Harley Davidson. A 2007 Rode King Classic. In 2017 I found my current
bike. A 2011 Road Glide. I got married to Lisa Paugsch in 2019.

 

My wife and I rode to the Sturgis rally that year. In August 2020 we rode to Yellow Stone and on our way back to South Carolina we stop to get gas in Conyers, GA. We fill up and pulled up next to another bikerand parked to get a drink. We came out and started talking to this other guy who had been
riding that day. His name is Kory Wilson Hoka Hey #1001 and he started telling us about the Hoka Hey Motorcycle Challenge. We must have talked for an hour. We told him we were heading east and so was he. So, we rode out together for a short distance.

Riding the Hoka Hey Motorcycle Challenge will be a unique experience. Not only do you get to ride your motorcycle across this beautiful country. You get to ride for a charity of your own choosing to help other people. The ride alone will be a great experience and to raise money for the charity I choose to help other people in need will be a great accomplishment.

 The charity I chose is Cancer of many Colors.
• Offering support to all cancer patients, regardless of race, gender, age, ethnicity,
national origin, and socioeconomic status to all counties in South Carolina. Small
Gift Program was created to help patients undergoing treatment that cannot work
needing help with basic living expenses such as rent, utility bills, food, car payment,
and transportation to and from treatment.
• Giving HOPE to families through financial assistance from our Small Gift Program to
help patients undergoing treatment that cannot work needing help with basic living
expenses. Bringing awareness to our communities that we are all a link in the chain
of HOPE and cancer impacts all of us.

Meet The New Rider # 1219 Joyce Oliphant

                                                     

Growing up in Northern Ohio, the 3rd of 4 kids. I was very much of a tomboy. Playing baseball, football, badminton and climbing trees with my brothers. In high school, I ran track.

I have always had a special connection with animals. At the age of 4, I found 3 beagle puppies and an adult St Barnard. My mom said she was afraid the St Barnard would hurt me since it was much bigger than me. The owner of the St Barnard walked up and asked my mom to keep me away from the dog, that he was very aggressive and didn’t like kids. My mom said, well, she slapped the dog on the nose and told it to stay, and it did. From that moment on, my mom said I would have a life with animals.

 In 1987, I rode on the back of my husband's motorcycle and  wanted my own. Making my want a reality, I purchased my own bike and have been riding since then.

When I learned the Hoka Hey Motorcycle Challenge raises money for Indian reservations, it just warmed my heart. After learning I am more Indian then anything else, I want to be a part of something so awesome. Being at the end of the ride in 2022, everyone there was willing to help each other in every way possible. Sitting and talking to Blackie and John Levin


made me feel like part of the family. I like being a part of a family of members like them. I'm competitive and like challenges, believing the Hoka Hey will be one of my greatest challenges for a worthy cause. 

My charity will either be for helping find service animals for our Veterans, or for the Indian reservation of my family.

Meet The Rider # 895 Bill Ryan

 Greetings from Louisiana, I have ridden in the 2018, 2020 and 2022 Hoka Hey Motorcycle Challenges and finished the first 2, but fall short in 2022, more on that later. As I look forward to 2024 as I will be riding with a fellow alumnus, David Beard, who I meet in 18 and we completed both 18 and 20 together.
If you are a new rider, remember it is not a race, but a challenge, so ride your ride. Remember
to eat and drink water, then more water, keep yourself hydrated. No matter how much you
prepare for this ride, the unknown, the unwanted situations will happen when you least expect
them. You will get tired, frustrated and at times upset, take a depth breath, stop, get off your
bike, walk around and remember why you are doing this.

As for the unknown or unwanted, in 2022, I was on day 11, well rested and feeling good, less
than 1100 miles from the finish when at dusk a mule deer decide we need to perform the
tango. We both finished last in that contest. Not the way I wanted to end 2022, but 6 months
later I was back on a bike, as for the deer, he ended up as food for some other critters in the
woods. This ride earned me the “"Ozuya Toapi" (Wounded Warrior) patch, I highly recommend
NOT trying to achieve this one.

Most importantly, my wife, Laura, provides the support and motivation for me to keep riding!
While some friends think I am crazy, I get nothing but positive support from my family and
friends. I always post the tracker so family and friends can follow along.
Once again, I am riding for “Stand Up To Cancer”, I have lost family, friends, fellow service
members to different cancers over the years. And yes, I am also a cancer survivor.