Hi there, my name is Daniel "Dan" Dyell, and I am rider #1201.
I was born and raised in Detroit, MI the "Motor City". While growing up I used to spend summers at Harsen's Island. You must take a ferry to the island. My Uncle had a cabin there and had several bikes in the garage. Anything from minibikes (with no brakes), 3 wheelers, Honda Trail 90, Honda 125, and a few larger bikes. That's where I learned how to ride during the summers around the cabins and on the island. Later in my teens we moved to Fort Lauderdale, FL and my Dad had a 1979 HD 1200, I said one day I will own one like that. My Dad found an old 1979 Puch Moped, since I was only 15, we worked on it and got it running. I rode that Moped all over Fort Lauderdale and loved it (didn't need a license because it was less than 50cc). Later in life when I got a license, I rode a 1973 Yamaha Virago for a while then my life changed in my mid-twenties. I joined the United States Marine Corps and became an aviator flying as an Aerial Navigator on KC-130 Aircraft, after 2 years of schooling and living in several places I wasn't able to have a bike. I then moved and lived in Okinawa, Japan for 2 years, then moved to Stewart ANGB in Newburgh, NY. While there for 4 years I deployed to the Middle East in the Iraq war on 3 deployments and traveled all over the world, life was busy. I returned to Okinawa for 2 more years then back to NY to finish my career out for 10 more years. In that time, I refreshed my riding skills with the Motorcycle Safety Course, bought a Kawasaki Ninja 1000 and starting riding all over NY. After 20 years in the Marine Corps flying on KC-130 Aircraft, combat deployments, traveling to 51 countries and US Territories, going to 49 States, and earning several medals and ribbons, I retired as a Gunnery Sergeant and moved to East Tennessee.
I started riding all over East TN and found out that although I loved the speed and handling of a Ninja, I was ready to get a cruiser bike. I found a 2005 Honda 1300C and started working on it and transforming it into a great cruiser. I then took off for Sturgis in 2021 and after two weeks riding and meeting new friends, I chose to continue west to MT and WY. I thought why not I was retired. By the time I got home after 3 weeks I rode almost 6,000 miles and went through 10 states. It was so fulfilling to be out there traveling alone and unafraid. Since then, I have finally bought my Harley, 2015 CVO Street Glide, sold my Honda 1300C and returned to Sturgis annually and met many amazing biker friends from all over. I have met my wife who lived in East TN during this period and married her last year in Sept. 2023. She loves riding as a passenger and is my ride or die partner. I heard about the Hoka Hey Motorcycle Challenge from one of my friends who completed the 2022 challenge, rider #1108. During that year at the campground in Sturgis we talked all about the Hoka Hey and he suggested I sign up for the 2024 Hoka Hey and I was accepted to the 2024 challenge. I rode to the 2023 Hoka Hey Rendezvous in Eagles Nest, NM and met the coordinators, heard the stories of the other riders, and watched as they gave out awards to those so deserving of them. I am very excited to challenge myself for this event in 2024. I know I have the riding skills, the time, the patients and my Marine Corps training and combat deployments have prepared me physically, but more mentally for this challenge too. There will be tough times on the road ahead but with perseverance and a positive mental attitude, I know I can get through the 2024 Hoka Hey Motorcycle Challenge.
I haven't chosen a non-profit organization. I have thought a lot about many different military organizations to help other veterans, but I didn't. I belong to the VFW - Veterans of Foreign Wars and AMVETS - American Veterans. This event I will be riding for all those who I have served with who lost their lives in combat and peacetime over my 20 years of service. I will also be riding for my father who lost his battle with cancer in 2017 and my dog who recently passed away in May 2024 from a tumor and cancer. So, it was difficult to not just choose one organization, but I will not be alone on the open road this year. See you all at the starting line in August 2024.
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