Where do I start?
In a nutshell, I grew up riding mini-bikes, 3 wheelers, 4 wheelers, raced motocross, and showed horses. I started riding on the street in 2005 and gradually worked my way up from bar hopping to weeklong group vacations. In 2014, I decided to take my first 2,000-mile solo trip to explore covered bridges and waterfalls in the Appalachian Region. That's when I really fell in love with the adventure and freedom of the open road and being on 2 wheels.
Stepping back several years to the beginning of 2000, I was diagnosed with a malignant brain tumor and was told by the "local" surgeon that I had 2-5 years to live. Great! Just what a 30-year-old man in his prime wants hear. My world had just imploded. What would my kids, family, and friends do without me? But, thanks to a second opinion and an amazing team at Jefferson, we made a plan of action that would include surgery, 30 radiation treatments and a year of chemo. I'm happy to say It's been over 26 years and I'm currently stable. Not too long after my solo trip, following a routine visit with my neurologist, I was diagnosed
with leukemia, a type of blood cancer called CML. Again...Really? Fortunately, for me, and with the right lifetime medication, I'm once again stable. Cancer doesn't care who you are or when it attacks. It just rears its ugly head and destroys lives. Several of my friends have not been as fortunate as me. I've heard countless stories about all of the different types of cancer and the traumatic effect it has on everyone.
This year I'll be riding to raise DONATIONS for the American Cancer Society so that they can continue making groundbreaking advances in research and early detection and hopefully find a cure for this horrible disease. Please visit my fundraising page here:
2026 Hoka Hey Motorcycle Challenge - Fundraising For American Cancer Society, Inc
The 2024 Hoka Hey Motorcycle Challenge really changed my outlook on life. I was just living in a monotonous world following the endless cycle of eat, sleep, work, repeat. Then, after seeing all of the incredible places that this country has to offer, I realized that there is more to life than just the routine. If you want to do something or go somewhere, make it a priority and do it! At the start of the 2024 challenge, I was pretty nervous to be riding into Hurricane Debby, but after I adopted the saying “when will I ever get to do this again?” it became a little easier. I used that
motivation throughout the challenge because I was doing something that I was committed to, and only a select few riders even get the opportunity.
For the 2026 Challenge, I'm going to build on my experiences from 2024 and make it to the after party this time. My plan is to stay focused on the finish line, try not to get lost, drop my bike, ride through another hurricane and remember to ATL. I look forward to making more friends along the way and offering advice to the new riders. I also look forward to seeing everyone at the starting line and at the finish line. Remember, life isn’t guaranteed, so, make the best of today!
See you down the road,
Mike Clark #1188
No comments:
Post a Comment