Meet The Returning Rider # 1029 Michael Torres

 

Back in 2018, a friend of mine told me a story about how a 2016 Hoka Hey Motorcycle Challenger came through town. That rider told him about the challenge and all of the trial and tribulations that he had endured up to that point. Intrigued, I researched the challenge.

Being a fan endurance contests and tests of will, I decided I might attempt the challenge in 2019. Unfortunately, there was no challenge that year. So, I had to wait another year. During that next year, I tried to get my friend to come with me for the 2020 challenge. Due to life changing circumstances, he was unable to participate. Fortunately, he is on the wait list for the 2022 challenge, YAY!

During the 2020 challenge, I faced many tests of will and faith. I’ve slept on the side of the highway with cars and trucks zipping past. I’ve gotten baked in sunlight and drenched in the same day. I was frozen to the bones on two occasions. I even crashed once in Colorado. Luckily, my injury was minor and a 24-hour rest fixed me up.

They say that, “You need to ride YOUR own ride.” That statement can’t be any further from the truth. Early on in the challenge, I found myself trying to keep up with other riders. Screw that! Everyone’s pace is different. Ride within your abilities and TAKE YOUR TIME. I crashed because I a reached my limit. Now, I knew what my limit was by then and I was looking for a place to stop. However, due to my exhausted state, my awareness and reaction time were impaired. So, I guess was riding just beyond my limit (/smirk). But I digress. Riders, please ride within your limits and at your own pace. It’s not worth dying over.

Other than the above sentiment, there are probably a few other things that a new rider might want to bring.

1st: Pack light. Packing light applies to both weight and illumination. You will not need much weight on the bike. Wet weather gear, cold weather gear, sleep system, and shelter. Now, there are different philosophies about sleeping bags and sleeping mats. Any small 3 season sleeping bag should work just fine. Sleeping mats preferences are completely up to the individual. I chose the largest/most luxurious mat from Thermarest I could find. Some people love hammocks. To each his own, I say. Find what works for you. For shelter, I found that for a single rider, a two-person backpackers tent worked great. If you go the tent route, I recommend a free-standing tent. I hate staking things down.

2nd: Have plenty of water. It doesn’t matter if the water is bottled or in a Camelback. Just have it on you. The water is for both hydration and cooling. Water is a must.

3rd: Get AAA. If the bike breaks down, just call AAA. It may take a while for a tow. So, what? Do you really want to try fixing the bike while your exhausted? Now, please keep in mind, I’m referring to major problems. A small tire leak is easy to plug and fix. So, having some simple tools (tire kit and inflation device) is recommended.

4th: Have a way to charge your phone. There is no reason to elaborate. Everyone should understand this.

Lastly, try for an authentic experience. Went I completed the challenge on my Fatbob, I didn’t have much in the way of luxury. No radio, stock seat, riding gear, shelter, two wheels and an engine. I found

that by depriving myself of some of the comforts, I had a more spiritual experience. Now, I’m not going to preach, mostly because I don’t know how religious the readers are. But I did find myself in many situations asking for His help and he provided it. Having distractions may have taken that away from me. And I wouldn’t trade my Hoka Hey 2020 experiences, real or spiritual, for a thing.

Meet The Returning Rider # 1027 Cheyenne Beatty

 

My name is Cheyenne Beatty, Hoka Hey rider 1027, from Owenton, Ky.  I’m 54 years old. I have been married for 21 years. I have 3 children and 3 grandchildren. I’ve been riding motorcycles for over 20 years. I love exploring God’s creation any way I can but, especially while riding long distances on my bike. I ride 10 to 15,000 miles a year usually incorporating Sturgis Motorcycle Rally. I wish that number was higher but, I work a lot and enjoy supporting my family in their endeavors. I am Iron Butt Association member number: IBA72997. I’ve ridden in 43 states and Canada. Other than riding, my interests are: God, family, traveling and any outdoor adventures. While my family and friends are incredibly supportive, they just don’t understand. I try to explain it’s like Cannonball Run meets Amazing Race. I crave the solitude, freedom, adventure, and comradery. You could say I have a “Seize the day”, “We’re not getting out of here alive” approach to living life. This fits perfectly with the Hoka Hey, “It’s a good day to die” moto. I prefer great experiences over great possessions.

I first heard about the Hoka Hey Motorcycle Challenge in 2009, when I rode from Kentucky to Key West, FL.  I stopped at a Harley Davidson dealership where, I saw a man laying out some Hoka Hey patches on a vest. I’m always up for a challenge or new adventure especially on my motorcycle. As soon as I got home, I started researching the Challenge. I even completed an application! Then life happened, and it just didn’t work out. In 2015, I was able to participate in the Memorial Ride. Getting to meet some of the riders and organizers was great! More than 100 riders riding as one group over 500 miles from Red Cloud, NE into the Black Hills of South Dakota!

 I was finally able to officially participate for the first time in 2020. Once being accepted, I became obsessed. I read every printed word and watched every video I could find on the Challenge. I was trying to learn as much as possible in a short period of time. My attempt was cut short so I have unfinished business you might say. I have also attended the Annual Taco Run in Medicine Park, OK 2021, 2022 and the Hoka Hey Rendezvous in Seguin, TX in 2021. Where I received the Honor award. What an incredible experience topped only by the people involved! It truly is a Hoka Hey family. Supporting each other and meeting to ride and riding to meet regardless of the distance.

Like most everyone else, the best advice I have received is ride your own ride and hydrate, hydrate, hydrate. I would also add, take pictures, and enjoy every minute.

 

My chosen charity this year is the Kentucky National Guard Memorial which is a 501(c) (3) non-profit charity. The mission is to honor the memory of those men and women of the Ky National Guard who perished in the line of duty in service to our Country and Commonwealth. I joined the Ky Army National Guard when I was 17 and served for 6 years as a helicopter powertrain technician and later worked as a DOD contractor on National Guard fixed wing aircraft for 14 years supporting their missions at home and abroad. I feel a deep sense of pride for being associated with such great professionals and consider many of them family.

 

 

Meet The Returning Rider # 1024 Jeff Larsen

 One of my earliest memories is of riding with my dad on his 1946 Harley Knucklehead.  You could say that I've been hooked on motorcycles ever since.  The Hoka Hey Motorcycle Challenge had been on my bucket list for years and I'm thankful for the opportunity to participate with so many great riders.  My goal is simple, to finish safely and within the time requirements.  At the age of 65 and being retired, an adventure like Hoka Hey keeps life interesting.  Over the years motorcycles enabled me to see many interesting places including a lot of remote areas of northern Canada and Alaska with my friend and fellow Hoka Hey rider Keith Herve. This will be my second Hoka Hey Challenge.  The first was in 2020.  It was interesting how we coped with all the covid closures and mandates. The best part was all the new places and scenery we passed through.  The worst was being tired, riding through the twistys at night in the rain. The Hoka Hey family is awesome.  I spent 26 years in the Air Force and Air National Guard, both in the enlisted and officer ranks. Most of that time was as a navigator on KC-135 air refueling tankers.  It was a great job that provided worldwide travel.   The biggest joy in my life is family, and the time I can spend with my 10 year old grandson Keven and my grown children Nici, Ben, his wife Kristen, and Kyle. My brothers are avid motorcyclists and we do motorcycle camping trips at least a couple times per summer.  I'm thankful for the support of my family and my lady Patti in this endeavor.  Fundraising will be for the Shriner's hospitals for children.

Meet The New Rider # 1106 Bill Lynn

 

 

My name is Bill Lynn and I currently live-in sunny Florida and work at Gator Harley Davidson in Leesburg Fl in shipping and receiving.  I’ve been there since Sep 2015 and have decided to call it quits and retire full time in March 2022.  I also retired from the USAF after 22 years then started my 2^nd career with the Greenville County Sheriff’s Office in SC. After retiring from the sheriff’s office, we moved to Florida.

Living in Florida we enjoy going to the beaches but avoid going into the water, to many shark bites. I’ll leave that for the tourists, and I don’t even think of going into the lakes or rivers, to many alligators. We only swim in a body of water that has a cement bottom…our pool. My wife and I enjoy traveling and seeing other places.

 

I want to ride the Hoka Hey Motorcycle Challenge because it’s hard and it’s going to be a challenge. I tell my friends about it, and they all say I’m crazy. I want to ride and finish it knowing I’ve done something not very many people have done, and I hope one day to encourage others to step out of their comfort zone and do something very few have done.

I know the ride will be hard. Everyday riding and navigating where you’re going hoping not to get lost. I can imagine how great the feeling will be once I’ve successfully finished.

Best advice I think I’ve gotten was to ride your ride, don’t let someone tell you how to do this and enjoy the experience.

 

In March 2021 my wife and I rode to Daytona Beach for bike week. We met a guy from South Africa who was wearing Hoke Hey back patches. I never heard of it and asked him about it. The thing he told me I remember most was that the Hoka Hey will forever change the way you ride and the way you think about riding. That night I went online and registered.

 

I will be riding for the Gary Sinise Foundation donations can be made here! Thank You for Your support.

Meet The Returning Rider # 1023 Keith Herve

 

Hello brothers and sisters

2022 will be my second Hoka Hey Motorcycle Challenge. I did finish in 2020 and what an adventure.

 Being from Alaska; long distance riding is nothing new for me. Sleeping next to the bike is not new either but having the sun set and getting dark is not part of my normal summer riding experience. The Hoka Hey has not really changed my long-distance riding routine. The sad part is still getting off the bike after a trip and wishing you were still on the road.

The reasons I want to do it again are:

1.      I have no idea where I am going until 5 am the morning of the start and it really does not matter. It is the joy of the ride that counts.

2.      I know I am going to see parts of the country I would probably not explore on my own.

3.      Finding a place to park and sleep with the bike makes for an interesting challenge and adds an extra level of adventure.

4.      Following a predetermined route is a great challenge and is probably the most exciting part for me.

5.      I want to finish faster than the 2020 challenge.    

6.      I enjoy the challenge of pushing myself to finish as fast as I can. It is an endurance challenge and is a different riding style than my normal long-distance rides.

7.      I have made some of my best friends in this challenge and look forward to expanding my riding family.

The biggest disappointment in 2020 was about Covid nonsense. A lot of time got wasted trying to find places to eat and a place to use a bathroom.

My advice for new riders:

If you are new to motorcycle touring this is not for you. Not yet! The finishers are considered professional long riders for a reason. Do not think you will finish first or in the top of the pack unless you know and ride with the top riders already. You will put in 2 weeks of steady long days. You will be tired, will miss a lot riding at night, the roads will be a challenge, and you will make mistakes. You will have to assess risk and know when you need to rest. Sometimes a 30-minute nap will keep you going other times several hours of sleep will be needed.

My charity is Shriners Hospital. I have been a Shriner for almost 49 years and been involved with fundraising for them ever since. The Shriner's have great information about what they do on their website. You may make a direct donation to the Shriner's through this link

Fundraising is not easy for me. I find it hard to ask my friends for money. It may come from my school days of having to do fundraisers.

See you on the road!     

 

Meet The New Rider # 1105 Amanda Dannar

 

 

Hello everyone, I’m Amanda Dannar, Manda Panda, and rider  #1105. I am married to a wonderful, supportive husband who also happens to be a new Hoka Hey rider this year as well. We both ride our own motorcycles and put a lot of miles down together. We have a blended family with five grown children. They are in their early to mid-twenties now and are trying to find their ways in the world. We hope that we are supportive where we need to be, provide guidance when necessary and give tough love when essential. I am currently a social worker at a mental health crisis clinic. It is a challenging and rewarding occupation. I decided when I was 40 years old to go to school and finally get that degree I had been thinking about for so long. I guess I was in a hurry because I finished my Bachelor’s degree in 2 ½ years and went on to obtain my Master’s right after that. In short, I fast tracked two degrees in 4 ½ years. I put in a lot of hours, hard work and dedication. This was not done by myself since I had great support from my family, friends, employer, and co-workers. I joke and say that I have had ever job prior to this. I will not go into everything. However, I have worked in suicide prevention, drug testing, office management, accounting, and most proudly serving in the US Army. When not riding, I have been known to make baby quilts. They are not made for any specific babies. I just enjoy the craft of it and being creative. We also have several “honey-do” projects around the house that we are working on tackling when we get the chance.

I want to ride the Hoka Hey Motorcycle Challenge (HHMC) for several reasons. First, it is an amazing opportunity to do something for others. I have had the good fortune to volunteer several times over the years and appreciated the chance to give back. The HHMC provides multiple ways to do for others. There is the designated charity, riders get to choose a personal charity and there may be opportunities to give back while on the road. Secondly, the HHMC is a long ride that provide many obstacles, demanding conditions, and personal accountability. The HHMC is brimming with tradition, value, and possibility. As an Army Veteran, I am drawn to tradition and value. My expectations for the HHMC are long days and nights, failures and successes. I am trying to keep my mind free of expecting too much and let the experience be what it is, organically. I feel that I will be exhausted, thrilled, empowered, and abandonment.

The best advice I’ve been given about the HHMC is to trust myself and abilities. I am aware that others may ride differently than I do, and I expect them to. I am prepared to ride my own way and know what I am capable of and what my limitations are. My obstacles of riding the challenge are stress, fatigue, and exhaustion. As a mental health professional, I feel that I have learned a few tricks of the trade when it comes to recognizing stress. I plan to take appropriate breaks, utilize personal hygiene, and fuel myself mentally and physically with proper nutrition. My family and friends are supportive, and I can always lean on them for an additional “push.” I heard about the HHMC through my husband. He has known about it since the beginning. I have been following it for years and decided this was my year to challenge myself. 

 Want to join us in making a difference? We are raising money to benefit Tri-County Behavior Healthcare, and any donation will help make an impact. Thanks in advance for your contribution to this cause that means so much to us.

 

 

Meet The Returning Rider # 1020 Jason Rodden

 

I started riding in 2005 while serving in the Marine Corps.  Since then, my travels have taken me many places and brought many challenges.  I enjoy the thrill of a good adventure with like minded people so when I heard about the Hoka Hey Motorcycle Challenge I couldn’t pass up the opportunity to participate and this year I’ll be returning.  #1020.  When I’m not scootin’ down the road on two wheels, I enjoy the view from a good hunting stand and the time spent with friends and family.  

As a returning Hoka Hey Motorcycle Challenge I have been obsessing over 2020’s experience and the thought of riding this year's challenge with a different tactic.  I would venture to say the best advice I have heard is, “ride your own ride.”  

I will be partnering with the Semper Fi and America’s Fund to raise awareness and charitable donations that go toward wounded, ill and injured service members as they face difficulty recovering.  There is no better way to give back than by riding a motorcycle across the same nation those brave men and women elect to defend.  Semper Fi! Spear Project donations can be made here!

I look forward to seeing my family in South Dakota.