The Numbers Are In

It will come as no surprise to many that the number of participants is down this year from last.  But what surprises me is by how much.  I have to admit that the wind was completely removed from my sails after the disappointing results of last year’s event and I didn’t regain my momentum until late in the spring this year.  I didn’t promote this year’s event the way it deserved to be promoted and the results are telling. 

But I don’t think that is the whole of it.  I want to blame the economy because I know that it has had an effect on everyone.  I suppose I could blame it on the change in format that we are implementing this year; not everyone is in favor of splitting the purse equally.  Or, more likely, people are watching to see how this year goes before they take the leap themselves.  If that is the case then… So be it.

One of our “Fans” on Facebook commented that “It's never a ‘good day to die’ on a motorcycle ride to prove you're a ‘warrior’. It is a sad day indeed when something like this validates your worth.”  To him I say that the Hoka Hey Motorcycle Challenge doesn’t validate the rider but rather the rider validates the event.  Every man and woman that has ever ridden in the Hoka Hey Motorcycle Challenge is a warrior (war·ri·or [wawr-ee-er, wawr-yer, wor-ee-er, wor-yer]  noun 1. a person engaged or experienced in warfare; soldier. 2. a person who shows or has shown great vigor, courage, or aggressiveness, as in politics or athletics. 3. a person engaged in some struggle or conflict <poverty warriors>) and my personal belief is that as long as your struggle is for a worthy cause then there is nothing to regret. 

For my own part, I am saddened to know that there are those who are satisfied to live their lives without meaning or purpose.  Or that never become willing to take the risks necessary to make an improvement in their own lives or the lives of others.  For, you see; I feel that in order to make a change we have to be willing to move beyond simple complaint.  We have to be willing to act.

Our Hoka Hey warriors not only believe in our cause and our mission but are doing everything they can to make a difference in the world at large.  They aren’t satisfied to just sit back and wait for life to happen to them.  They are willing to grow as people and to adjust to the changes that inevitably come their way. 

Life brings many changes; some of which can be marvelous, but others may be terrifying or even dangerous.  However, it isn’t change per se that threatens our happiness, but what we do with it.  We must learn to work together to make changes for the better because, contrary to popular belief, life is not intended to be a competition but is meant to be a cooperative effort involving teamwork.   

I charge you, the reader, to reflect on your personal belief system.  Are you the kind to sit back and wait for life to happen?   Or are you the kind that gets out there and makes it happen?  The 107 people who have submitted their applications to be in this year’s Challenge are the latter and I respect and admire them for their willingness to make a stand!

The 2012 Hoka Hey Motorcycle Challenge may be shorter and it may be smaller in number but it promises to be the same kind of life altering event as past Hoka Hey Challenges.  The route and the parties in Vegas & NY will make it worth the trip but; that isn’t the point.  The participants know that they are in for the ride of their life.  They have decided to take that leap with full understanding that it may bring out a part of them that they never knew existed and they face that realization with courage and determination.  For, Hoka Hey Challenge participants understand better than most that…

“The unexamined life is not worth living.” (~Socrates)

# of Entries	Rider #	First Name	Last Name	Nickname
Competitor
1	5	KARL	NETHERLAND	BUBBA
2	8	Daniel	Buis
3	9	Roger	Buis	OTTO-PILOT
4	50	Robert	Crawford
5	67	Michael	Conner
6	85	Chuck	Marble
7	91	david	lutes
8	116	Jim	Herold
9	139	Alex	Hood
10	164	Gary	Trumper
11	175	Frank	Kelly
12	186	greg	shafer
13	190	Richard	Drake	Chris
14	207	Milton	Vincent	Bubba
15	290	Walter	Ledig
16	247	Damon	Breit	RUBBER
17	319	Marion	Ezell	Mickey
18	323	dale	martin
19	341	Robert	carlo
20	342	William	Reynolds
21	348	MARK	HODGE
22	373	Terry	Smith
23	383	Eula	Rose	Junie
24	600	Shaun	VanBeber
25	601	Michael	Fox	Mike
26	605	Mark E	James	Wheres Jesse
27	610	Dave	DuBord
28	618	Kenneth	Aston	KC
29	636	Stanley	Hoover
30	646	Thomas	Schmidt
31	648	George	Liebel
32	649	kc	withers
33	650	JANE	BIXBY
34	652	Schatzi	Brown
35	654	James	Howatson
36	664	Elvin	Angel	Al
37	665	Daniel	Dowell	Kelsey
38	680	Frank	Trevino
39	685	Wendy	Battles	TA-TE
40	691	Newton	Pereira	TON
41	705	paul   (rocky)	mazza	Rocky
42	706	Thomas	Hunter	tom
43	707	thomas	paff	tom
44	708	Darrin	Knode	Bootz
45	709	Bradley	Mathews
46	710	tim	laskowski	angry
47	711	Robert	Morse
48	712	David	Neef
49	713	Robert	Nichols	Robby
50	714	John	Parrish
51	715	Dennis	Elings
52	716	Michael	Dewildt	Moe
53	717	Jeffrey	Ausnow	Captain America
54	718	RONALD	MCARTHUR	MAC
55	719	Abagail	Van Vlerah
56	720	James	Van Vlerah
57	721	Joshua	Brace
58	722	Bret	Walters
59	723	MARTY	KOSTAWICH
60	724	Arthur	Pond
61	725	Richard	Griffith
62	726	James	Peterson
63	727	Donald	Trimble
64	730	Kelly	Quinn	Throttlegirl
65	731	Dominick	Zappola JR
66	732	Daniel	Certa
67	733	William	Buskell
68	734	Philip	Meintel
69	735	John	Levins
70	736	Billy	Fultz
71	737	John	Anderson
72	738	William (Bob)	Terrell	Capt Bob
73	739	Frank	Zygela
74	740	Tommy	Collins	TomCat
75	741	John	Lyles
76	742	David	Sanders	Hammer
77	743	Christopher	Cowden
78	744	James (Jim)	Carlson	Bison
79	745	Michael	Pulkkinen
80	746	Carl	Hubbard
81	747	Robert	Kumpe
82	748	Anthony	Aldridge	Tony
83	749	Wayne	Fields
84	750	George	Jackman
85	751	David	Elizondo
86	752	Mathew	Klebe
87	753	DANE	AXEN	Axman
Incomplete
88	92	David	Mauser
89	199	Joseph	Klan
90	201	Robbie	Vinson
91	264	Terry	Meyers
92	332	Heinz	Speilvogel
93	422	Arthur	Hrytzay	Lloyd
94	628	Larry	Murray
95	631	Paul	Bouros	Paulie
96	653	RON	WARREN	RON
97	670	Tim	Menzie
98	674	James	Geray
99		Jonathan	Burke	Bon Jurke
100		Scott	Phillips	Scooter
101		Edward	Rieken	Fast Eddie
102		Barry	Guidry	barue
103		daniel n	lee	BikerDude
104		Michael	Skovgaard	Skovy
105		Kerry	Talbot
106		Daniel	Thibodeaux
107		Michael	OBannon	MOB
Non-Compete
	6	William	Parry
	467	James	Red Cloud
	655	Robert	Scott
	728	John	King
	729	Dennis	Elsasser

Hoka Hey….It is a good day to Die. When I first heard about the ride that would eventually change the way I view life and those that share it with me I had no idea what laid in store. My first impression was it sounded like a way to prove to myself that I still had the balls to do something like that and I could possibly win some serious coin in the process.

It was not more than a couple of days after leaving the starting line in Key West Florida on June 20th 2010 that I began to have an Awakening of sorts. I cannot explain what happened to me as I rode through a Reservation in East Central Arizona on my way to Homer Alaska, but it has changed forever the way I look at and treat, all of my fellow man (and woman), along with all the living creatures that inhabit our planet.

I completed the Challenge in 2010 and that is something that I am indeed proud of but…it takes a back seat to the impact the experience has had on me. All I can say to those that have not yet experienced all that the Hoka Hey can do to bring out a part of you that you never knew existed is…..If you haven’t done it, you wouldn’t understand. I am sure that all my Hoka Hey Brothers and Sister know exactly what I am talking about.

If you have the resources to pull it off, all I can say is: See it, Dream it, Do it and put all you have within you into completing it. I guarantee, you will never be the same again and the change will be for the better. Not only for you, but for all those that you know, love, or come in contact with. If you don't have the resources to do it now, start now to get the resources you need to do it in the future. You won't be sorry!

Thumper.

Proud Hoka Challenger #59. 2010 and 2011.

The Hoka Hey Motorcycle Challenge is just that at every possible level – a challenge. It stretches the human ability and spirit to a point of personal growth.

This includes not only the challengers, but those behind the scene. We at US Fleet Tracking are privileged to work alongside some of the greatest people whose sole goal is to provide an experience unmatched by any other.

Being part of the overall logistics provided its challenges, and the employees of US Fleet Tracking met head on, through the creation of a version of our software that works best for the unique opportunities of the Hoka Hey Motorcycle Challenge.

It’s with humble honor that US Fleet Tracking is again the live GPS tracking company for the Hoka Hey Motorcycle Challenge.   We take great delight in providing an unprecedented level of safety to the riders and an in-the-saddle aspect to the nationwide spectators.

Sam Sims,

Director of Public Relations & Marketing, US Fleet Tracking

The Challenge coverage will be live on the

Hoka Hey web page starting August 1st!! 

 

I love riding. The open road provides me with nothing but possibility and adventure. I have had the opportunity to see our great country from the seat of an American Made Legend and I have felt the power and serenity that comes from that experience. I participated in the 2011 Hoka Hey Motorcycle Challenge which allowed me to see parts of our homeland that most Americans will never see in their entire lifetime. It was one of the most amazing things I have done in my life. 48 states and parts of northeastern Canada, what a ride is was. Not without difficulty, but still an adventure of epic proportion.

Once you realize that you're not doing it for yourself, that you participating in something that is bigger and greater than you could ever imagine, you start to realize its importance. I started preparing for the Hoka Hey in 2011 with nothing in mind but winning the top prize. Somewhere between Miami and Nova Scotia, maybe across the Indian reservations of South Dakota I realized that I have already obtained the American Dream, and I am ready, willing, and able to share it with those that are less fortunate than me in our country.

Get off your ass quit talking about it and do it, join me and some of the best riders in the world on the 2012 Hoka Hey Motorcycle Challenge in an effort to bring some hope, possibility and maybe some understanding to a group of Americans that live right here with us. You might also find yourself out on the road in the mist a of truly American event.

Shaun VanBeber

Hoka Hey Rider 600

2nd Place Finisher in 2011

Attention all 2010 & 2011 Challengers...

I will be ordering the 2012 Challenge coins on Monday (7/16/12) so, even though the deadline to register has been extended until the 4th of August, I have to know of your intention to ride by the 15th if you hope to have a coin with your original rider number!  Please contact me now if you aren't already registered.

Register now for the event that continues

to change lives & shape ideas!

Beth Durham

Director of Operations

Phone# 605-890-0386

Email: beth.durham@hokaheychallenge.com

Bucket List

The Hoka Hey for me started out as a bucket list thing. I always wanted to ride to Alaska so reading about the adventure that had been proposed the first year my interest was peeked. Sitting in a cancer center in Illinois in March of 2010 I asked my oncologist if I would be strong enough to do this his response was "Go live your life." That being said I started telling a few friends about the ride and the next thing I knew they were planning a benefit with a band and a bar and as any biker knows that is a good formula to raise money. Thinking this was about me I headed to Key West and on June 19th, 2010 I found out the Hoka Hey Motorcycle Challenge was so much more. I was going to be a voice for a group of people who were shouting to the Black Hills and like the noise my Vance and Hines make the voice was simply just a noise in the wind.

My journey took me from Key West Fl. to Oroville, Wa. and on to the Mexican boarder. You see I did not make it to Homer, Ak. like the 211 warrior brothers and sisters of mine so riding coast to coast through 48 states and 2 provinces I was determined to complete my goal this time. I came in 50th of 51 finishers in 2011 but it takes a long time to tell all those different people about the Lakota Indians.

I know there are a few more people who know who Junie Rose is but there are a whole lot more people who know about the poverty and problems of the Lakota people. And if my voice among the many Hoka Hey warriors telling the same story can make any difference I will continue to ride Lucie any where the road takes me.

Hoka Hey
Junie Rose #383

Facing Adversity

A few hours ago we completed the live Q&A on the Hoka Hey Motorcycle Challenge business page on Facebook and I wanted to be sure to let everyone know that if you weren't able to join us in real time the threads from yesterday and today remain for your review. However, if you are not a member of Facebook I want to repeat some things that (I feel) are important to note.

First let me start by reiterating that we are attempting to build a brand with the Hoka Hey Motorcycle Challenge and this has been a test of our own fortitude as much as any of our riders and we are grateful to everyone that supports us in this endeavor. As I've said before, I am an Environmental Scientist and Jim is a Tribal Attorney. Until we started promoting the Hoka Hey Motorcycle Challenge in 2008 we neither one had any experience in promotions or in long distance motorcycle events. Admittedly, we have been on a bit learning curve but we are getting most of the bugs worked out in an effort to make the Challenge a world class event.

But it is not just about us, or the event.  Sometimes in the hype of dealing with the good, the bad and the ugly; people forget about our ultimate mission which is to bring awareness to the plight of the Indian people on the remote reservations. Most specifically, Pine Ridge Reservation since it is the poorest region in the country and it is right in our own back yard! So, while we may not agree on everything that has happened in the past as it regards the event, let us all agree that something needs to be done about the poverty within the boundaries of the United States and that the grim statistics surrounding the reservations present a compelling argument for our unbending desire to use the HHMC to make some small difference.

There were a couple of doubters online with us during the Q&A, and I tried to address their concerns but I know that we are probably never going to convince the nay-sayers and the haters. Some people will believe everything they read on the internet without any proof one way or the other. They choose what they want to believe. We acknowledge that the HHMC does go against the grain and not everyone likes that about us. But that is OK... To each his own.

On the other hand, I have to say "Thanks" to everyone who does believe in the HHMC. I want you to know that we are doing our best to earn your trust and belief. But, I say again... This is not about us; it is about the people on the Indian Reservations who need something to hope for. Maybe the actual controversy over the HHMC doesn't help the young people on Pine Ridge but perhaps, without trying, the HHMC has allowed us to become an example of how difficult it can be to stand for what you feel is right. At a great deal of personal cost to us and our families; the HHMC hasn't come cheap.  And it certainly hasn't been easy to carry on in the face of so much adversity. But, I suppose that is one of life's hardest lessons after all. 

When I signed off today; I tried to put my finger on the most critical aspect of the HHMC and I don't know that I was able to convey the sentiment adequately. What I tried to say is that the HHMC IS about facing adversity. It is about carrying on no matter how difficult things become. The teenage suicide rate on the Pine Ridge Reservation is 150% higher than the U.S. national average for this age group and these young people NEED something to hope for. If we can serve as an example of what it means to adapt and overcome then so be it. We admit to our mistakes and try to correct them if we can. But the HHMC will not reward cheating nor condone bending the rules to get ahead. People ask what's wrong with the youth today? Well, I have a clue.  I feel that it is because too few adults set the correct example. Right or wrong, the example we intend to set is one of perseverance and dedication. Hard work and commitment. Honor and integrity. If that is too difficult to understand then this event is not for you.

Hoka Hey!

If it is for you then we still have space available with just 30 days to gear up!

  

Contact us now to register for the event that continues

to change lives & shape ideas.

 *Please read all forms carefully before submitting your application package.

BETH DURHAM

Director of Operations

Phone # 605-890-0386 

Email: Beth.Durham@hokaheychallenge.com