Meet The New Rider # 1196 Jarrod Maloney

 

My name is Jarrod " Jrod" Maloney. Im 46 yrs old from Clarksville, TN. Got my first motorcycle at 15 and haven't looked back since. I'm an US Army Veteran and was medically retired from the military in 2011. I then went to MMI and became a motorcycle technician  for 12 years. I'm currently a Industrial Maintenance Technician.

 

  

My current bikes are 2021 Indian Challenger and a 2022 Harley Pan America. Ill be using the Indian for the Hoka Hey. I've ridden in every state in the lower 48 numerous times. I've been to just about every national forest, park , and every major scenic attraction there is in this country. I've been to all the oceans and every mountain range with my bikes. Riding brings me peace. 

 

 

I'm looking forward to putting my skills to the test during this upcoming  Hoka Hey Motorcycle Challenge. This has been a 4 year wait for me to get into the challenge. I'm excited and nervous at the same time. This will be a true test to for me. All I want to do is just finish this challenge. Don't care about any other status or bragging rights, stickers, patches, or who did it the fastest. I want to do it correctly and cross that finish line. And raise some money for my charity. 

 

 

I look forward to meeting and riding  with y'all in the near future. 

Here's my charity I will be riding for. 

https://www.workingdogsforvets.org/

Meet The Returning Rider # 998 Jason Jenkins

 

In 2011, I stood at a dealership in Las Vegas and watched Hoka Hey riders with a mix of awe and a quiet, nagging thought: "I’m not that rider." I spent the next decade proving myself wrong, one mile at a time. After years of Iron Butt runs, cross-country trips, and a pandemic delay, I finally transitioned from a spectator to a participant in 2022.

 

That first challenge was my "masterclass" in the reality of the road. I learned that all the planning, lists, and time spent in my "happy place" (my garage) are just the foundation. The real work happens when there is no GPS, the rain is falling, and the only thing moving you forward is the advice I received years ago: "Ride YOUR ride, not someone else’s."

 

For the 2026 Challenge, I’m returning to the starting line in Woodstock on my 2016 Harley-Davidson Ultra Limited. This bike and I have shared many miles, but the Hoka Hey demands a different kind of partnership between man and machine. I’m back to refine what I’ve learned—to embrace the uncertainty, respect the technicality of the route, and find that unique clarity that only comes from 10,000 miles of back roads and sleeping under the stars.

 

My mission remains dedicated to the Nation of Patriots. As a 100% volunteer organization, they ensure every dollar raised goes directly to U.S. Veterans and their families in the local area. I’ve seen the direct impact this support has on those who served, and it is an honor to carry their cause on the back of my Ultra Limited.

 The one with Utah Highway Patrol is when my 2022 ride officially ended. 

The self-doubt of 2011 is long gone. Now, there is only the road and the resolve to see it through.

-Jason “Dr. Tiki” Jenkins

• Blog: www.DrTiki.com

• Instagram: @doctiki

• Charity: www.NationOfPatriots.com

Meet The Returning Rider # 902 Kenneth Brooks

 

The 2026 Hoka Hey Motorcycle Challenge will be my fifth Hoka Hey challenge. 

I look forward to each Hoka Hey for the challenge it provides. 

After retiring from the Army in 1994 and spending the next twenty years doing explosive and chemical weapons disposal jobs from Florida to Alaska and years spent in Afghanistan and Iraq, I miss the challenge of overcoming hardship and danger.

 

I have now been riding motorcycles since 1970.  I would say my confidence level is as high as it will ever be after finishing three Hoka Heys, while only experiencing a deer strike in 2022.

 

I find fund raising for the charities to be easier with an organized group rather than on an individual basis. My charity of choice is Mile Monsters Inc 

 

 

Until a Duchenne’s Muscular Dystrophy cure is available, helping the boys afflicted with DMD live their best lives is my small contribution. Any size donation for our cause is appreciated and can be made at : Mile Monsters Hoka Hey Team 2026 | Mile Monsters Inc,.

 

My wife, Kathy, is my biggest supporter in all that I do.  Be it the Hoka Hey challenge, the Ride to Eat scavenger hunt, the Tour of Honor and starting in Apr, the Mural Madness group.  I can always count on her for suggestions, and to have my back. I couldn’t succeed without her.    

Meet The New Rider # 1263 Dale Mentzel

    Hello all! My name is Dale Mentzel aka “Nugget” rider #1263.  

Riding began similar to a lot of folks; mini-bike to dirt-bike and then onto the street. I've no idea the why, but I've been in the world of motorcycling all of my life. From college to study motorcycle mechanics, to a career turning wrenches on them and now back to college to teach. 

 

 

    I first heard of the Hoka Hey Motorcycle Challenge in 2010 and was intrigued. Timing and circumstances in life weren't in alignment to even consider an attempt though.  Mileage up and mileage down years would go on by. Rooster #1116 came on board at my workplace. He had completed the 2022 HH and was preparing for the 2024. His wife Beaner #1117 would be attempting it with him. Listening to him go on and on about details, strategy, gear and an Amazon obsession was energetic (and sometimes annoying lol).

 

 

    Destination Daytona the day before the start was electric. You could feel it in the air. So i followed along on the ride tracker website. Tracker Addiction is a real thing!  That was it, I was hooked. What started as a curiosity turned into  self-evaluation.  To ask “Why do it” is just as difficult as “Why not do it?”.  With either answer, you will never be the same.

      +No one remembers the names of those who stepped aside, only those who are triumphant and of the fallen along the way.+ 

 

    The charity I will be riding and collecting donations for is the Mile Monsters.  For those who don't know of this charity please visit this link: Mile Monsters Inc   The goal is To help kids to live their best life. 

 

 

 

My Donate link   for Mile Monsters Inc any donation is greatly appreciated! Personally, I think the time in life is right for this challenge. It’s the allure of the unknown and a calling for all the right reasons. May the remainder of my days be for all the right reasons.

Meet The New Rider # 1353 Julius Harris

 

Hello, my name is Julius Harris.  I am 56 years young, married to my first real love Angela who met when I was 20.  I am the father of three young women ages 25 who is married, 22 and 14.  No grandchildren yet, but looking forward to it.  I have worked in the aviation industry for over thirty years and run a family-owned Tree Stump Grinding company for twenty-two years along with my wife and boy in-law.  I have been riding motorcycles since I was 11 or 12 years old. I have ridden all the lower 48 states many times over, Alaska and yes Hawaii too.  I have traveled all through Mexico, Belize, and six out of the eight provident of Canada a couple of times.  I ride a 2016 Harley Davidson Road Glide but looking really hard at the Indian Pursuit Dark Horse.

 

 

I want to ride in the Hoka Hey Motorcycle Challenge because that word "challenge".  Not only do I enjoy riding motorcycles but LOVE it.  This is something that I have never done.  Yes, I have had to use paper map at times, yes, I have camped out and slept on and under my bike at a rest stop or gas station.  But not all at the same time.  This will be epic.  And also, to be around like-minded people who love motorcycling.

 

 

The non-profit that I will be raising money for is The Sancof Achievement Center based in Nashville Tn.  I was drawn to them initially because the founder rides a motorcycle.  But the work they put in for the young boys in that community is so inspirational and deeply need.  They provide a safe place to learn and be truly mentored to grown into young productive caring men.  And now they are in the process of opening a K1-k12 school for boys and girls.  I want to be able to contribute even more by participating in the Hoka Hey Challenge.

 

 

 

Meet The New Rider # 1340 Alex Alpert

 

My name is Alex Alpert, Rider #1340 from Groton, MA. Motorcycles have been part of my life for as long as I can remember. I started out tearing through trails on dirt bikes as a kid, but it was a close family friend, Sonny Chouinard, who truly set my path in motion. Sonny "brainwashed" me early on into becoming a loyal Harley-Davidson enthusiast, and by the time I turned twenty, I had my first Harley road bike. For twenty-five years, I was a casual rider, hitting the open road whenever I could but everything changed when I found a group of like-minded riders at my local Framingham 1264 Elks Lodge. That community reignited my passion and pushed me to start putting on serious miles. In 2020, I discovered endurance riding and realized it was more than just a test of stamina, it was a journey of self-discovery. Along the way, long-distance riding has introduced me to some of the greatest people on the planet, riders whose determination, humility, and heart inspire me to ride more and live life to the fullest. As a father to my two adult children, Jake and Zoe, I strive to show them what it means to live fully, to chase dreams, embrace challenges, and find freedom in the journey.

Over the past few years, I've developed a deep passion for long-distance and scavenger-style rallies, events that demand strategy, focus, and grit as much as endurance. Each rally is a mental and physical puzzle, pushing me to ride smarter, think faster, and adapt to whatever the road throws my way. That drive led me to the ultimate challenge, the 2025 Iron Butt Rally, a grueling test of skill, precision, and perseverance. Completing that event only fueled my desire to go further and dig deeper. The Hoka Hey Motorcycle Challenge feels like the next evolution of that journey. It's a ride that tests not only endurance but heart, integrity, and resilience. I want Jake and Zoe to see that growth doesn't stop when you reach a goal, it's a lifelong pursuit that begins again at every new starting line.

This year, my ride carries a deeper meaning. I'm riding to support the Boston Bear Cubs, a local hockey program for athletes with special needs, and a family friend, Matty Marcone, whose strength, determination, and heart inspire everyone around him. Hockey has always held a special place in my life. I grew up playing it and later watched my son Jake fall in love with the game just as I did. Supporting Matty and the Bear Cubs allows me to combine that lifelong connection with a cause centered on teamwork, inclusion, and perseverance. Riding for them reminds me that every challenge can serve a greater purpose. Each mile of the Hoka Hey will be dedicated to Matty, the Bear Cubs, and to showing Jake and Zoe that the best rides in life are the ones that help lift others up along the way.

 

 

 

 

Meet The New Rider # 1303 Mike Kozicki

 

I grew up on Long Island, New York, and served seven years in the US Navy as a Hospital Corpsman, including overseas assignments and participation in NASA’s Transatlantic Abort Landing Team. While in the Navy, I studied Information Technology and specialized in custom Navy medical programs. After my service, I settled in Frederick, MD and was employed by Department of Defense. Currently I work at the Bureau of Labor and Statistics in Washington DC. My wife Jennifer and I have been together since 2007 and married since 2010; we have three dogs, Izzi (Norwich Terrier) , Olivia and Lillibet (Norfolk Terriers). 

 

Inspired by my father's love for motorcycles, I began riding early, with long-distance trips starting in 2016. A simple invitation to Sturgis from Bill Karitis sparked my passion for exploring small towns and open roads. 

 

I became aware of the Hoka Hey Motorcycle Challenge in 2016; however, I waited to apply until I had accumulated several years of long distance riding experience. With the support of my lovely bride, family, and friends, I am looking forward to riding my own ride in August.

 

My charity choice for this Hoka Hey is Brunswick Beacon. The BEACON is a non-profit, ecumenical body, established primarily to provide food and emergency financial assistance to those in need, to include providing for the social, physical, and emotional needs of the most vulnerable citizens of the Greater Brunswick Community. https://www.brunswickbeacon.org DONATE TO THE BEACON

 

 

Meet The Returning Rider # 1113 Eric Cameron

My name is Eric Cameron.  I am a 53-year-old Hoka Hey Motorcycle Challenge rider.  I started riding motorcycles 37 years ago.  I started with café cruisers, and then progressed to street bikes, and finally Harley Davidson’s.   I have been with my beautiful bride for over 25 years.  We have raised four children and now have two grandchildren as well.  I served almost 25 years in the US Army as an Airborne Infantryman.  After retirement I entered the Government contracting world, where I now run my own company managing various Government contracts for the military, veteran’s affairs and various other Government entities.  

 

I ride the Hoka Hey as a personal journey and an opportunity to raise money for charity.  For many years I knew I was well honed machine that could survive in the woods, the side of a road, or in the worst combat conditions imaginable.  Now I use the Hoka Hey and other Long Distance Riding events to see if I still have the capability to push myself past what would be normal limits.  To see if I have what it takes to complete a spiritual journey, that will literally take me from one end of the continent to the other.  Not only will I be able to do good for others through my fundraising, but I will also be able to do a spiritual journey at the same time. 

 

This Hoka Hey I will be riding in remembrance of SFC Larry B. Pelham who recently lost his final battle from combat.  For that reason, I chose to ride for Veteran Suicide prevention.  The charity that I chose to raise money for during the Hoka Hey is called 22Mohawks.  This organization is established to help Veterans in various ways, but mainly to help them deal with their PTSD so that we can stop losing 22 of our Veterans every day.  As a Veteran with five combat deployments, who has been fighting PTSD for years, I understand how difficult the struggle they face is, and I want to give them every opportunity to heal and make it through a couple more days.  We owe our veterans the greatest debt of gratitude.  This is just one way that we can help pay that debt back.  The link to my charity is https://donorbox.org/hoka-hey-2026-riding-for-purpose-riding-for-lives.  All monies go directly to my charity. 

Meet The New Rider # 1343 Daniel Henry

My name is Daniel Henry from Bremen Ga. I’m proud to be taking on the 2026  Hoka Hey Motorcycle Challenge as rider #1343. I’ve been married to my amazing wife, Anna, for 34 years. We have 2 wonderful daughters & 3 beautiful  grandkids who inspire me everyday. For the past 25 years I’ve worked as a locomotive engineer on the railroad, a career that has instilled in me discipline, endurance & focus, all qualities I’ll carry with me on this incredible journey. 

I’ll be riding in support of The Til Valhalla Project. TVP has made and donated over 4500 memorial plaques, donated $1.5 million to assist with Veteran Suicide, and donated over 10,000 hours of therapy for those in need. Unfortunately, they only utilize the funds earned from their merchandise to create their plaques & they recommend that direct donations be made to STOP SOLDIER SUICIDE which is a fantastic nonprofit organization. SSS is the only national nonprofit focused solely on solving the issue of suicide among U.S. veterans and service members. They have an aggressive goal to reduce the military suicide rate by 40% no later than 2030. SSS has assisted over 3400 service members to date, and of these, over 90% completed a crisis plan, and 73% experienced a decrease in thoughts of suicide over their course of treatment.

Being chosen to ride in the Hoka Hey Motorcycle Challenge is a true honor and I'm proud to take part in something that tests not only endurance, but heart and purpose. Although I am not a veteran, I have several friends & family that are & I'm riding in support of a cause that means a great deal to me. Every mile I ride is for those who served and for the families who carry their memory forward. It's a privilege to represent something bigger than myself, and I'm grateful for the opportunity to stand for our veterans and help make a difference. Every donation made through this ride goes directly to the mission of preventing soldier suicide & supporting those who have served. 

Meet The Returning Rider # 618 KC Aston

 

 

 My name is K.C. Aston, Hoka Hey Rider #618. This will be my 9th Hoka Hey Challenge. I was drawn to the Hoka Hey because of the attention it was to bring to the Pine Ridge Reservation.

 

 The past Hoka Hey Motorcycle Challenge have supported many native American tribes and I'm eager to help the Prairie Band Potawatomi Band, specifically the Boys & Girls Club (this years HHMC's chosen charity).

 

 

 I'm looking forward to seeing my HH family of riders and meeting all the new riders for their first challenge.

 

 If I have any pearls of wisdom, it would be REST WHEN YOU'RE TIRED, DON'T WAIT UNTIL YOU'RE EXHAUSTED. This journey will bring new incite to your lives and perhaps the way you live. See you in Woodstock. Be safe and ride safe!