Meet The Returning Rider # 1217 Dan Mitchell

 

Words From my wife as my mouth tends to get me into trouble:

Dan 1217

When I first met my husband, I didn’t just learn
his name; I learned that he was a rider. I didn't realize
then just how deeply it was in his blood. For twenty
years, I’ve watched him live by a singular philosophy:
“What a man can do, and what a man can’t do.” What
started as a love for curvy local roads evolved into a
passion for the long haul. After he built his first bobber
and eventually moved to a bagger, I jokingly
threatened him: he had better actually use that bike for its intended purpose. That
“subtle encouragement” was the start of his long-distance journey.

 

The Hoka Hey Motorcycle Challenge first entered our lives when Dan returned from Daytona in 2020.
At the time, it was a goal he shared with our youngest son—a dream they planned to
conquer together. After we lost our son in
2022, the ride was no longer just a challenge;
it became a sacred promise, making 2026
Dan’s year of redemption. It is the year he
carries that promise across the finish line,
embodying the epitome of what a man can
achieve and the freedom found in the pursuit.
To Dan, a motorcycle isn't just a frame, an
engine, and tires—and “Jolean” is more than
just a machine. She is the vessel for that redemption, carrying him through
the challenges and toward the peace he needs to keep his word to our
son.

 

Being the partner of a long-distance rider comes with its own set of
hurdles—the long days, the lonely nights, and the stretches of silence. But
supporting those goals is what a partner does.

 

For the 2026 Hoka Hey Motorcycle Challenge, 

Dan Mitchell will be riding in support of Project Harmony, a child protection center dedicated to ending the cycle of child abuse and neglect. Serving thousands of children and families across eastern Nebraska and southwest Iowa each year, Project Harmony provides a single, child-friendly location
where medical professionals, law enforcement, and social services collaborate so that a
child only has to tell their story once. From immediate crisis support and forensic
interviews to long-term mental health care and prevention training, they ensure that the
most vulnerable among us can move from crisis to courage. Dan isn't just riding for the
miles; he’s riding to honor a memory and ensure every child has a safe and promising
future.

Support the Mission and the Ride
There are two ways you can be a part of this journey of redemption:

● Support the Cause (Project Harmony): Make a tax-deductible donation directly to
Project Harmony’s Online Giving Page. Your contribution directly funds crisis
support and mental health care for vulnerable children.

● Support the Rider (Dan’s Ride Fund): The Hoka Hey is a grueling 10,000-mile
self-supported endurance test. To help Dan with "on-the-road" essentials like
fuel, emergency tires, and maintenance for Jolean, you can contribute to his
personal ride campaign on FreeFunder. Dans Ride Fund