My name is James “Teach” Roane and I’m from Morganton NC. Many years ago I earned the rank of Eagle Scout and got to spend two wonderful summers at Philmont Scout Ranch as a Ranger, leading eager Boy Scouts on their 1st Hi Adventure hikes. Shortly after that I spent 10 years in the Air Force, spending time in Alaska and Montana. It was there I fell in love with another passion, dirt track stock car racing. I spent 25 years racing stock cars on small tracks, 1st in Montana where I won my 1st track points championship, and later back in NC I earned two more local championships. These accomplishments required endless nights in the garage building, changing, fabricating race cars, trying different suspension setups, engine mods, and whatever else I could do to gain an edge over the competition.
After the Air Force, I started a career as a mechanic, eventually moving into transmission and drivelines, and went to work for a Chrysler dealer in NC honing my transmission skills.
Around 2010 a fellow racer introduced me to Harley Davidson motorcycles, a way to have fun without the high cost of local racing. Also about that time I managed to land a job at CVCC in Hickory NC as a part time Automotive Instructor, which eventually led to a full time position which I am currently at.
My motorcycle addiction took on new meaning when I prospected for the Boozefighters MC. I was at a National event listening to Jeff “Riot” Wyatt give a speech about riding our motorcycles long distance. I was already riding lots of solo miles and looking for more, when I heard about the Hoka Hey Motorcycle Challenge. I was hooked on the tracker, watching fellow Boozefighters complete the 2020, 2022, and 2024 Challenge. When the 2026 route was announced, I knew I had to apply. My wife worked with me on the application and when I got the email that I was accepted to the 2026 Challenge…that email has changed the course of my life.
As the 2026 Challenge nears, I have created a link to Samaritans Purse, helping them rebuild and provide disaster relief to Western NC, severely damaged by Hurricane Helene.
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