Meet The New Rider # 1182 Tom Steet

 

My name is Tom Steet, Hoka Hey Motorcycle Challenge rider #1182. I live in Virginia Beach, Virginia with my wife, Eve, and our three children. I retired in March 2016 as a Special Warfare Boat Operator Chief after 22 years of service in the U.S. Navy. Today, I continue supporting the mission as a military contractor, teaching and evaluating weapons and maritime operations. I’ve spent the past nine years riding with the 13 Rebels M/C, a historic AMA traditional motorcycle club built on legacy, respect, and brotherhood.

 

Motorcycles have been a part of my life since I was six years old, when I began racing motocross and flat track in Guam as a Navy brat. That early passion never left me. I started riding street bikes at 19 after joining the Navy, and from that point on, I was hooked on long-distance riding and life on two wheels.

 

In 2002, while living in Southern California, I took full advantage of the year-round riding environment. It was there I completed my first 1,000-mile ride in 24 hours—on a Buell 1125R—which sparked a long string of endurance rides to follow (though that particular bike only did one of them). Over the years, I’ve used work travel across the United States—especially throughout the Midwest and East Coast—to put serious miles on the road.

 

I’m proud to be riding in support of America’s Mighty Warriors—an organization that helped fund treatments that made a real difference in my life. This ride is my way of paying that forward and giving back, by raising awareness and support for others who need it.

 

I’m excited to finally take on the Hoka Hey Challenge in 2026 after life sidelined my attempts in 2022 and 2024. This ride represents more than just miles—it’s about perseverance, resilience, and purpose. I’m ready.