Meet The New Rider # 1156 Craig Tooley

 I'm 52 years old, U.S. Navy veteran, submarines, with several years and miles of riding experience.  One of my earliest memories was riding on the back of a motorcycle with my Mom as she dropped me off to be babysat by my Grandparents...I've had the riding bug ever since.  I've been riding off and on since 2009, got my first bike while attending MMI in Arizona.  She was a 2009 Nightster, black and orange, named her Milla after Milla Jovovich.....I digress.  Cut my teeth riding in the Phoenix area and hot sun, put at least 35K miles on her before having to let her go....poor financial decision.  Rode pretty much everything Harley has made since then as a Harley-Davidson technician.  Did that from 2012 to 2015 at two different dealerships. I now have a different career that helps me keep riding my 2020 Road King Special named Rogue after one of my favorite X-Men characters. When I'm not riding or working you can find me spending time with my doggo Maverick on different adventures.

  

  

     The Hoka Hey Motorcycle Challenge first popped up on my radar several years ago when my Mom brought it to my attention.  She really wanted to participate in it and told me all she knew about it.  I then looked into it and also got to meet a couple of different riders that had come through Carson City dealership, now better known as Battle Born Harley-Davidson. I don't remember their names, unfortunately, but they helped stoke my interest.  Then my Mom rode in 2020, she stopped by to see me on her way east......ask for the story when you see me. Hahaha  She had to drop out unfortunately, we "rescued" her in Arkansas.  Then my sister decided to accompany my Mom in 2022, unfortunately they both dropped out.  So now I too want to ride in this challenge, I've secretly always wanted to since my Mom first told me about it.  This will be a great challenge for the 3 of us and each of us individually. Oh yeah, you might know them, Gypsy #985 and Tooley #1066.   The fact that this brings awareness and helps out so many is icing on the cake. I truly want to do this to test my mettle and see if I can rise to the challenge that so many before have done. "Do, or do not, there is no try."

     The non-profit I will be riding for is Mile Monsters Inc.!  Helping boys with Duchenne Muscular Dystrophy live their best life.  Also to bring awareness to this disease to hopefully garner attention to someday discover a cure!  I'm humbled to be a part of this team that does so much for these boys and their families.
 

Meet The Rider # 1027 Cheyenne Beatty

My name is Cheyenne Beatty, Hoka Hey rider 1027, from Owenton, Ky. I’m 56 years old. I have been
married for 23 years. I have 3 children and 3 grandchildren. I’ve been riding motorcycles for over 20
years. I love exploring God’s creation any way I can but, especially while riding long distances on my
bike. I ride 10 to 15,000 miles a year usually incorporating Sturgis Motorcycle Rally. I wish that number
was higher but, I work a lot and enjoy supporting my family in their endeavors. I am Iron Butt
Association member number: IBA72997. I’ve ridden in 43 states and Canada. Other than riding, my
interests are God, family, traveling and any outdoor adventures. While my family and friends are
incredibly supportive, they just don’t understand why I or anybody else would want to sleep outside
next to their bike or ride so many miles a day for consecutive days in all kinds of weather. Most of them
don’t ride either so it is like the adage: “if I have to explain you wouldn’t understand”. I am forever
grateful for their support, even more so because they don’t understand. I try to explain it’s like
Cannonball Run meets Amazing Race. I crave the solitude, freedom, adventure, and comradery. You
could say I have a “Seize the day”, “We’re not getting out of here alive” approach to living life. This fits
perfectly with the Hoka Hey, “It’s a good day to die” moto. I prefer great experiences over great
possessions.

I first heard about the Hoka Hey Motorcycle Challenge in 2009, when I rode from Kentucky to Key West,
FL. I stopped at a Harley Davidson dealership where, I saw a man laying out some Hoka Hey patches on
a vest. I’m always up for a challenge or new adventure especially on my motorcycle. As soon as I got
home, I started researching the Challenge. I even completed an application! Then life happened, and it
just didn’t work out. In 2015, I was able to participate in the Memorial Ride. Getting to meet some of the
riders and organizers was great! More than 100 riders riding as one group over 500 miles from Red
Cloud, NE into the Black Hills of South Dakota!

I was finally able to officially participate for the first time in 2020 and was a finisher in 2022. I have also
attended the Annual Taco Run in Medicine Park, OK 2021, 2022, 2024 and the Hoka Hey Rendezvous in
2021 and 2023. I was blessed to receive the Honor award in 2021. What an incredible experience
topped only by the people involved! It truly is a Hoka Hey family. Supporting each other and meeting to
ride and riding to meet regardless of the distance.
Like most everyone else, the best advice I have received is ride your own ride and hydrate, hydrate,
hydrate. I would also add, take pictures, and enjoy every minute.

My chosen charity this year is the Stop Soldier Suicide which is a 501(c) (3) non-profit charity. The
mission is to reduce military suicide. With your generous support, at-risk veterans and service members
will receive free, trauma-informed mental health and wellness care from their trusted team of clinicians.
Please consider making a tax-deductible donation at  Stop Soldier Suicide

Meet One of the Original Riders # 74 Rodger Annicelli

Ok, I have been riding since the age of 15 & now I'm 50. I bought my first Harley Davidson in 09' for the very first Hoka Hey Motorcycle Challenge. I was introduced to the Hoka Hey by our founder Jim RedCloud during bike week of 2009. After listening to Jim talk for a little while I was immediately hooked. It was like the old Cannon Ball movie on Motorcycles.  I couldn't pass it up.

 

 Well, having such a great family & support group made it possible for me to take the time off of work to make this epic journey & dream possible. Thank you to my wife (Patty) & family ( Alexis & Angelina).

 

 Also for those who don't know, my daughter Alexis & I changed the rules for Hoka Hey forever. I apologize for that. Not really. We were the only two up in 2016 with a minor. My daughter was only 12 years old at the time. Most people thought it was great & a select few though it was borderline child abuse. LMAO 🤣

Meet The New Rider # 1139 Frank Orlando

My name is Frank Orlando. I am 59 years old and live in Yakima, Washington with my wife
Martha and three sons. I rode motorcycles in my teens and then again when I was in my
twenties but then with family obligations, the motorcycling just kind of took a place on the back
burner of my life for about 24 years when in 2017 I decided that I wanted to start riding again.

My brother was the Managing Partner at Smokin’ Harley-Davidson in Winston-Salem, North
Carolina. The day I was going to buy my plane ticket to fly there and choose a bike from his
store, the transmission went out in my car so I had to use my motorcycle money to buy a new
one. Three months later my two brothers had pity on me and pitched in together to get me a
2009 Harley Sportster 883 that was shipped to me from Smokin’.

 

 

 In March of 2018 I bought a 2012 Road King. A month later I made my first “long distance” trip from Yakima to Street Vibrations in Reno, Nevada. It was only a little over 800 miles each way. I handled it well enough that when a buddy of mine said that he was going to Sturgis and that I should meet him
there, I started to consider the Iron Butt idea. I only had 1 spare day of vacation so I decided to
do a SS 1000 from Yakima to Gillette, WY on a Friday. I met my friend in Sturgis on Saturday and
rode all over with him and then went back to my hotel in Gillette Saturday night and returned
home on Sunday. All-in-all I was gone 67 hours and I rode 2600 miles and earned my first Iron
Butt Certificate. My love for LD riding began.

Over the next few years I followed people like Ken Andrews, Chris Hopper and Riot Wyatt on
social media and read how they talked about the Hoka Hey Motorcycle Challenge. I was impressed by the sense of family that seemed to be prevalent between participants of the Challenge. I could tell there was
a deep camaraderie there. The concept of man and machine versus the elements and 10,000
miles of open road really appeals to me. At first, I thought it was a crazy idea that I could
participate as well. It became a real idea for me in January this year when I met a guy at a
Harley Owner’s Group Officer Training in Portland, Oregon named Greg Laird. Greg rode in 2010
and 2011. My biggest obstacle, I thought, was the financial commitment that would be required
to make this possible. I asked Greg how he dealt with that. He told me that he was able to
secure corporate sponsorship from his employer, as well as others. I also spoke to other past
riders that gave me other encouraging suggestions. So, the week after that Harley training, I
spoke to my employers. After explaining the Challenge as best as I could, they were very
supportive and told me that they would pay my entrance fee and give me all the time off that I
would need to complete the Challenge. I have since secured some other funding and in-kind
donations such as KLIM gear and Denali lights from remarkable sponsors!

The non-profit I have chosen is Mile Monsters Inc. I joined MM in the summer of 2022when I
did Monsters over Mountains with 8 other guys. We rode a little over 1500 miles in 36 hours
and traversed 9 Cascade Mountain passes. We even slept for a couple of hours, Hoka Hey style,
next to our bikes in a parking lot in Arlington, OR. We raised around $7500 for the organization
during that event. Mile Monsters uses the funds to help kids with Duchenne Muscular
Dystrophy “live their best life”. Riot has started something truly great, in my opinion. I have
done many rides for Mile Monsters now. One that changed my life was to Turbo’s home town,
Irvine, CA. I got to meet and hang out with him and his family and arrange something truly
special for him that really made a difference in his life. It was actually the most worthwhile
thing I have done in an awfully long time. We try to help the kids live their best lives.
Sometimes that means doing something big but other times it can be as small as buying them
battery powered heated socks because their feet are cold all the time.
They have become part of my family. That is why I will continue to ride for Mile Monsters. It is
almost as much for me as it is for the heroes we help.
Frank Orlando Rider #1139
Mega Monster #51

Meet The Rider # 1060 Charlie Richardson

Charlie Richardson, Hoka Hey rider #1060. I started riding dirt bikes as a teenager. I got my first street bike while in high school and I have been riding ever since.

This will be my second Hoka Hey Motorcycle Challenge. In the 2022 Hoka Hey, my personal challenge was one of endurance. In the 2024 Hoka Hey, my personal challenge will be one of fulfillment.

 My charity is Hoagy's Heroes

 

Meet The New Rider # 1237 Frank Stephens

Well, hello Hoka Hey Motorcycle Challenge kinfolk. I'm not sure what to say about myself…  I'm married, have 3 daughters, 2 grandsons. I live in Carrying Place Ontario Canada (about 2 hours east of Toronto), on an island in Lake Ontario as it turns out :), wine country :).  I’m pretty laid back I’m still working, but by this time next year I'll have retired and have more time to take leisurely rides (no race to get back for Monday morning).   I ride a 2020 Indian Roadmaster, it has been a good horse.

 

I've been riding all my life.  I love extreme things…  cold, heat, long distance riding (in short periods of time lol).  So,  when I heard about HH from by barber I thought "I'm in…",  "This sounds like a good run… " .    I like Bourbon, Rye Whisky, and beer…,   Scotch…not so much.  I'm looking forward to a new challenge, meeting new friends and seeing some new country.   

 

See you in Florida.  

Cheers

 

 

 

Meet The New Rider # 1171 Jamner Moreno

My name is Jamner Moreno, I was born in Cuba and was raised there until I was 13 years old. Growing up I always had a passion for driving cars and motorcycles. I remember I started riding my cousin bike and that’s where my love for the bike started growing. When I came to this country after getting my first car at 18 then I wanted a motorcycle. It was until 2016 that I bought my first motorcycle a 750cc 2000 Honda shadow. I started doing short trips and started riding with a group.

 

 In this group almost everyone had road glides and street glides and when I saw this bikes I fell in love and told my self that’s the bike I wanted. Almost a year after my first bike I got myself a 2014 street glide limited which is my current bike. After getting this bike I started riding longer trips my first one been from Miami, fl to Savannah, GA then to New Orleans, I loved every minute of it. Ever since then I been riding including Iron Butt Association challenges like coast to coast less than 50 hours, 1500 miles under 24 hours, all around Florida less than 36 hours. Thanks to my bike I’ve meet great friends and breathe taking places of this beautiful country, and I’m grateful for that.

While on this trips I have done and those people I have meet, I started hearing about Hoka Hey Motorcycle Challenge and everything it involves and told my self one day I would like to complete this challenge. The reason why I would like to complete this ride is because I like challenges and this one is the toughest I have seen. My friends and I started talking about doing it and decided to sign up. I’m excited and nervous at the same time we doing this amazing ride, the ride of my life. I understand this challenge is like not any other and is going to require a lot of physical and mental effort to get ready for it, I can’t wait for the challenge.

Meet The Rider # 990 Carl Harris

 

 Let's welcome back the returning Hoka Hey Motorcycle Challenger Champion from 2022, Carl (KSolo DaRyder) Harris (#990). This will be his third time riding the Hoka Hey Motorcycle Challenge, finishing 3rd in 2020. 

KSolo has completed all 50 states ride (twice); rode as far north on a solo trip to 'The Top of the World' (Prudhoe Bay, Alaska, a.k.a. Deadhorse); and as far south as Cabo San Lucas, Mexico, on a Harley Davidson Road Glide.  

KSolo is Iron Butt Rider # 652, with more than 100 certified rides through the Iron Butt Association. KSolo completed 100,000+ miles in a calendar year in 2019 and again in 2021. KSolo is the face of the Iron Elite and the 2022 Titan Award recipient. 

KSolo is also an active member of the Southern California Motorcycle Association (SCMA) #46192, a Triple Crown recipient, and a member of the AZRATPack, Titanium recipient.

 

 KSolo is the co-founder of the Reef & KSolo's official RTE. 

KSolo's most notable affirmations are: 'Aspire to inspire' and 'be legendary'. 

KSolo will be riding a 2024 Harley Davidson Road Glide in the 2024 Hoka Hey Challenge, sponsored by his hometown dealership Boneyard Harley-Davidson of Winterville, N.C. This year he will be riding for the Pride of Washington Masonic Lodge #98, Benny “Pop’s McCraney” Scholarship Fund

Meet The New Rider # 1175 Pat Smith

 I rode mini-bikes as a kid, then bought my first real bike, a Honda Shadow 600, when I was 25. Sold it to
get married. 2 kids and 1 divorce later, I bought my first Harley, a 1996 Heritage Softail, when I was 40.
It wasn’t until I went on an all-day ride with some friends that I realized what I had been missing! I’ve
been through 3 more bikes and almost 100k miles since then (child’s play by HH standards, I know!).

I don’t recall exactly how I heard about the Hoka Hey Motorcycle Challenge (probably a Facebook post),
but when I looked it up, I knew I had to do it. I was too late for 2022 registration, so you can bet as soon
as it opened up for ’24, I was on it! As for why I want to ride: to see just what I’m made of! I know some
of you veterans are probably saying “well get ready, ‘cause you will!”.

As for my non-profit, I finally chose the Fisher House Foundation , specifically the house in Kansas City
(my nearest metro). They offer a “home away from home” for families of
veterans who are receiving treatment at the nearby VA hospital. I took an advanced rider class this year,
and I was the only non-military student. I was also the only local student, which got me thinking how
most vets never end their career the same place they inducted. I also wanted to go with something
military-related, as I have a 25 yr-old Marine daughter.
Fundraiser link: Fisher House Foundation

Meet The Rider # 1052 Derek Iltis

This is my 2nd Hoka Hey Motorcycle Challenge. Rode my first Hoka Hey in 2022. I listened to a retired Navy Seal giving me his story about riding his Hoka Hey and after he passed away, I decided to ride the Hoka Hey in his honor. Hooyah Retired Master Chief, SEAL Mike Martin.

Me: Age 62, Male, US Navy Deep Sea Diver, Retired. Currently working for US Navy as a Government
Civilian. Married to a wonderful Red Head. I have two children remaining (daughter and son). We
currently live in Norfolk Virginia. I speak several languages some fluently (French, Italian, Spanish,
a little Greek, a little German, and some Chinese, Thai and Japanese (enough to order a beer and
say ‘thank you and you’re welcome’).

I was born and raised abroad and after graduating from Secondary School with my ‘O’ Levels
(Scottish way of saying ‘graduating High School’) left Europe for the USA for the first time (1980) at
the tender age of 18, when I joined the US Navy in Holy Loch Scotland. I attended US Navy
bootcamp in Orlando and after 20 years of honorable service retired in 2000. I’ve lived in France,
Holland, Scotland, Hawaii, Sardegna, Indian Head Maryland, San Diego and Norfolk VA.

 

I’ve been riding a motorcycle off and on since 1969 and loving every moment of the Journey. I
currently own a HD 2021 Electra Glide and love my ride. The Hoka Hey: The best part of this journey are the friends you make along the way. I’ve travelled the World but have yet to see the USA in all its splendor and glory. Riding the Hoka Hey will allow me to see much more of this beautiful country of ours, including Canada. Get some!

Meet The Rider # 953 Jesse Alexander

Hello, my name is Jesse Alexander, rider #953.


I have had the pleasure of finishing the Hoka Hey Motorcycle Challenge in 2020 and look forward to this year.  I was all set for 2022 and even got as close as York, NE, while heading to the start in SD, but was just still too sick from Covid I caught ten days earlier.

Like many other riders, I have spent a lot of time on two wheels, starting with bicycles and racing BMX, then onto street motorcycles (but not racing).

This year, I am riding to support Veterans through The Dog Alliance Hounds for Heroes.

https://milesoftexas.com/hhmc

I look forward to seeing everyone in Daytona!

Meet The Rider # 814 Robert Saunooke through his Wifes Eyes

1. 

   
   Have you seen any change in Your rider since they started riding the Hoka Hey Motorcycle Challenge? If yes, what?
    
   Rob's first Hoka Hey was 2014 to Alaska.  He had never done anything like it before and was of what to expect.  He would call at the end of each day and would basically say "things are going good, I am closer to the next checkpoint than home so I guess I will just keep going."   By the time he got to Montana he was a different person.  His calls changed to calls of thankfulness, gratitude and emotion.  Each day he made it to the next stop he found miracles and perspective he did not have before.  The ride changed him for the better.  He was more peaceful, humble, and forgiving.  He found an appreciation for the things that he had forgotten or gotten distracted from in the past.   His approach to all aspects of life have been so much different and his love for the world, people, and things around him increased.

    

   

   
    
   
   
2. Why do You continue to support their efforts?
    
   The relationship between Rob and the other riders means so much to him.  He truly cares about each of them.  Rob feels each rider that goes down or gets hurt.  It is literally a physical part of him now.  I cannot remove it from him and support him simply because it is a part of him.  Each ride he does returns to me a better person.

    

   

   
    
   
   
3. What part if any do you have in their adventure?
    
   I make sure everything is ready for his trip.  During the ride I simply let him ride his ride and find myself primarily providing emotional support and words of encouragement.  In 2014 as he crossed into Canada he was doubting himself.  I got all of his friends to send him facebook messages and text messages to keep him going and lift his spirits.  It worked and he finished the journey.

    

   

   
    
   
   
4. Why do you think they keep coming back?
    
   I think that when you do the Hoka Hey and complete the journey it becomes a part of you that you cannot remove.  I used to think it was more for the challenge, but now I think it is more for time to heal, recharge your soul, and allow you to reconnect with yourself.  I think Rob keeps coming back to try and recreate what he felt and experienced on the first Hoka Hey.   It also helps him clear his head from all the stress and pressure of his job so that he can come back and really do what he needs to do.

    

   Rob will be riding for Mile Monsters Inc. donations can be made here.
   

Meet The Rider # 618 KC Aston

My wife & I were on a ride of our own doing the Route 66 with a different group of Harley riders awhile ago. We stopped for fuel in Flagstaff AZ and while fueling up we came across a different group of riders. They said they were riding the Hoka Hey. I asked "What's that?" They said they were on a cross-country ride from Key West FL and ending in Homer Alaska. I thought "that's a long way" and they said that's over 12,000 miles, which they were hoping to accomplish within the next 14 days. My wife & I continued our trip on the Route 66 to San Diego CA. On finishing our ride, I started to look up information on the Hoka Hey and found that it was a fundraiser for the Pine Ridge Reservation, the Lakotas. I became interested in finding out more about it and found they were doing another ride the following year.

I got online & found out what needed to be done to become a participant, and filled out all the paperwork & paid my entry fee & patiently waited for the ride to begin from Mesa AZ to Nova Scotia. I rode from Denver to Mesa & prepared myself for the adventure to come. Not knowing what to expect, I was eager to see if I was able to ride 1,000 miles a day & sleep on the rode & to complete the ride. My intentions were good. After 7 days of riding, I found myself in Colorado going to Grand Junction for one of the stops where we got our next set of directions. After a 5-hour rest, I headed off back towards Denver following the route to the next stop, but I had motorcycle issues & broke down & since I lived in Colorado, I went home & said I was still going to complete the ride, although I had to do it in my pickup truck. I continued in my truck & drove to Nova Scotia following the directions I was given. I was able to be at the finish line about 1/2 a day before the first rider appeared who had ridden the route in full on his motorcycle.

From that trip, I found that this was some challenge that I wanted to try again and waited for the next information for the next ride which was the following year. I signed up & rode that ride & found finishing enhanced my spirituality & my faith in myself that I could accomplish these things. The people I rode with for periods of time, the people I met have become friends that I look forward to seeing at each Hoka Hey challenge in the future. I am looking forward to finally being able to do the Homer Alaska Challenge this year so I can say I have done one of the three that they've done. Hope to see everyone in Daytona for this 2024 challenge. I am thankful to be able to support the Kenaitze People.

Rider 618 K.C. Aston  Thank you all for your support and friendship.

Meet The Rider # 1057 Tim Owens

Hi I am Tim Owens Hoka Hey 1057!  I am 46 years old married with 3 boy the ages 26, 22, 15. I enjoy spend time with my family going moto camping, fishing, and of course riding motorcycles. IMG_1314
I have rode and completed the Hoka Hey Motorcycle Challenge in 2022 but when I heard about going to Alaska this was an adventure that I had to jump on quickly! 

 

I will be riding to raise money for LRMC making Christmas Happen! They raise money to provide Christmas for Burleson County for kids in need. They also provide Christmas to the two nursing homes and the assisted living. Which all proceeds are raised through non profit. The Line Riders have been providing Christmas for 20 years with the help and generosity of others! Thank You! Any of these links can be used yo make donations.


Tim Owens Venmo

Tim Owens PayPal