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
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