Meet The New Rider # 1347 Michelle King

 

Michelle “Cali T” King here, HH# 1347.  Born in South Central Los Angeles.  Currently residing in San Bernardino County.  Servant of the Lord Jesus Christ.  Wife, mother of four, grandmother of ten and great grandmother of two.  Started riding at age 39.  Took a ten-year hiatus. Started riding again at 51 and haven’t looked back.  Retired June 30, 2023.  I embarked on my first solo cross-country ride in July of that year.  Since then, I have travelled extensively throughout the states.  There are a few states I have yet to travel but they are on my bucket list.  Looking forward to the  Hoka Hey Motorcycle Challenge.

 

Came across the Hoka Hey Challenge on the internet.   Due to my competitive nature to challenge myself and my love to defy time and space, I fell in love with the idea of riding so many miles in a short time frame and sleeping next to my bike.  It is a personal challenge for me to determine if I have the perseverance and endurance to complete this ride safely.   I was completely unaware of Jim Red Cloud’s Dream at the time.  After learning more about the original purpose of the challenge, I now view it as an honor to participate in something that brings awareness to an issue that is close to my heart.  I have always felt hurt inside for how our Native American brothers and sisters were robbed of their land and placed on reservations and how they have been mistreated over the years.  My little contribution to Mr. Red Cloud’s dream by participating in the Hoka Hey Challenge makes me feel like I am doing something to help no matter how minimum.  I know it is not a systemic change which we desperately need but it is my small contribution to shed light on a social injustice that most people choose to shun.

 

I must confess that I have only raised money for charities as a group effort never as an individual. I never had to select a charity on my own.   As such, I found it difficult to select a charity for which to raise money.  There are so many worthy causes out there which made it that much more difficult to select just one.  I researched several before selecting St. Judes Children’s Research Hospital.  After learning that the children’s treatment is covered free of charge and that the families don’t have to worry about paying for their housing or food it grabbed my interest.  My decision was further confirmed after learning that the cancer survival rate went from 20% to 80% with treatment.  St. Judes Children’s Research Hospital is a worthy charity that is making a real difference in the lives of children with cancer, and I want to be part of it.  So, I am dedicating my fundraising efforts during the 2026 Hoka Hey to St Judes Childrens Research Hospital.