Meet The Returning Rider # 1237 Frank Stephens

Hello again Hoka Hey kinfolk…  My name is Frank Stephens #1237, still married with 3 daughters, two grandchildren, coming back for another round in 2026.   I still live on that Island on Lake Ontario (Prince Edward County), I'm retired now and enjoying the free time to ride anywhere and anytime. 

 

 

So I thought I'd ask Chat GPT to describe me… 

"You come across as a highly practical, detail-oriented person who likes to deeply understand how things work before making decisions. Your questions tend to focus on optimization, troubleshooting, and long-term value rather than surface-level answers.

• You enjoy technical systems and complex games,
•  You seem comfortable balancing technology with outdoors interests.
• Your motorcycle road-trip requests emphasizing twisty secondary roads, elevation changes, forests, streams, and lakes  — suggests you appreciate scenic experiences as much as technical detail.

Overall, you seem like someone who combines:

• analytical thinking,
• hands-on problem solving,
• curiosity about complex systems,
• and a strong independent streak."

…. Not a bad description…   BUT

 

What it didn't capture was that I enjoy the solitude of long rides, blues playing in the background, incredible scenery and the chance to connect with others along the way.

A wet 20 hour sightseeing ride to Cape Reinga NZ

 

 

Tires in the waters of Nunavut Canada

 

I have been active in Taekwondo for over 40 years which has helped keep me fit and centered..   I flew single engine airplanes,  raised salt water fish and corals, play darts, kayak, and am starting to boat.  I am involved with the local community group to help "safeguard" the health of our local bay. I enjoy hearing different points of view and respect that we all see the world a little differently. 

 

I am returning in 2026 to experience again the personal challenge of the  Hoka Hey Motorcycle Challenge .  I valued the personal connections made along the way, the support and comradery of the riders,  Beth, Junie and others who put this event together.  I  felt a kindship to this group who like myself like long challenging rides.    I'm hoping to bring a little more experience this time around and avoid those 100 mile wrong turns :)  I finally figured out where to put my Denali lights on my 2020 Roadmaster. (This should help with those dark rainy nights looking for road signs).

 

There were many memorable moments along the way in 2024.

• The Hurricane going into Key West (getting over the first bridge only to then come across the seven mile bridge    
• The 100 mile side trip toward Salt Lake City only to realize I missed the turn in the construction zone (it wasn't the only major sightseeing detour)
• Reading the 2nd last turn instruction from Missoula to Homer  thinking there must have been a typo on the mileage
• D| 29|>260

  U turn

  At Lands Ends Resort

• It was a looooong, cold 26 miles!!...    Thank you Beth and others for getting up in the middle of the night to welcome me in
• There were the friendly folks along the way who pulled up a piece of pavement alongside for a couple hours of rest or simple exchange at a gas/food stop

 

Waiting for service to open in Sturgis

 

So once again we will depart on a journey. The statement that is made multiple times "Ride your own ride" is so incredibly true and important to remember…   It will be even more prevalent in my mind in 2026.

 

See you in Woodstock

 

 

Cheers