The Attitude of Thanksgiving

The Thanksgiving season is upon us.  However, Thanksgiving is not a date on the calendar; it is an attitude.  When you complain about your lot in life do you do it in the comfort of your own home?  When you talk to a friend about how horrible you have it do you do it on your new iPhone?  While watching TV on your flat screen plasma do you sulk about the things you do not have?  When you complain "on-line" do you do it with your very own computer?  Do you complain because you have to get up in the morning and go to work?  Are you seeing a trend here?

If you have these things (computer, iPhone, house, job, TV) and you are not happy then you have no concept of what poverty is.  If you place your happiness in the acquisition of material things then you have missed the point of life and will never find happiness.  If your “thankful for” comments include these things (computer, iPhone, house, job, TV) then again, you are missing the point.

Some of the happiest people I know have nothing because they do not place their happiness in tangible objects.  Their happiness is based on those things that, apparently, elude many of us.

Be thankful for the things that matter; health, family and freedom.  Do not strive to acquire material things; strive to attain honor, integrity and compassion.

It is who we are that matters, not what we have.  This was said best by Chief Red Cloud, Chief of the Oglala Lakota of the Sioux Nation.

“I am poor and naked, but I am the Chief of the Nation.  We do not want riches, but we do want to train our children right.  Riches would do us no good. We could not take them with us to the other world.  We do not want riches.
We want peace and love.”

Chief Red Cloud (1822 - 1909)

 

Native American Heritage Month

November is Native American Heritage month.  I guess it is good that a month is set aside to honor Native Americans but I would submit if we do not honor the Native American every month then we have fallen short of our obligations.  The trials and level of oppression suffered by the Native American cannot be measured.  I challenge you to name a treaty signed in good faith by the Native American that was not broken directly or indirectly by the Government of the United States.

It would be impossible to repay the debt we owe.  Subsequently, I do not believe the Native American expects this debt to be paid, but they do want to be recognized as valued citizens and be acknowledged for the efforts they put forth that advanced this nation.

Before contact with Europeans the Native Americans had cities larger than many of the European cities of the time.  They had functional sanitation systems when Europeans were dumping chamber pots into the streets.  In Europe, while the rich feasted and the poor starved, the Native American successfully created a culture where all, from the very young to the old and inform, were well cared for.  The Native American had complex forms of government; the Haudenasaunee People’s Confederacy (Iroquois) served as a base line for our Constitution.  Even today, 70% of the worlds crops originated in the pre-European Americas.  Native American women were equal to their male counterpart a thousand years before European women began to fight for their equal rights.  I think it important to add here the Native American women did not have to "fight" for their rights.  Surely the first European settlers would have died that first winder were it not for the charitable efforts of the Native American.  The list is endless.

Without the endeavors of the Native American this country may very well have fallen years ago.  Notably the Native American Code Talkers; many are aware of the Code Talkers of WWII, but many are not aware that the “Code Talkers” were implemented in WWI.  In 1917 the 10,000+ Native Americans who served in the Expeditionary Force were not considered citizens of the United States; their native language considered obsolete.  However, within 24 hours after the Choctaw Code Talkers sent their first message during WWI the tide of battle turned and the U.S. drove the Germans out of Foret Ferme, France?  The implementation of the Choctaw language as “code” was so great that all 18 Choctaw Code Talkers were promised medals for their valor and ingenuity; but medals were not given when promised and only in 1986 were the families of these brave men finally recognized with much deserved citations by the U.S. Government.  In 1989 the French Government followed through with honors by presenting the “Chevalier de L’Ordre National du Merite” which is the highest honor the French Government presents; equal to the U.S. Congressional Medal of Honor. 

Much of history has re-written the fact that it was the Native American who invented the calculator, the calendar, pyramids, rubber, kayaks and many natural medicines in use today can be traced back to the Native American.  Native Americans invented the wheel, snowshoes as well as 12 writing systems.   Again, the list goes on and on.

Over the past 200 years the great nations of the Native American have been reduced to patches of land in some of the worst and most inhospitable areas of the U.S. due to lies, greed and deceit.  Paying tribute is only the first step; join Hoka Hey in our efforts to rhelp ebuild the Native American Heritage.

Pay tribute where tribute is due.

To Our Veterans

The 11th hour of the 11th day of the 11th month of 1918 a cessation of hostilities was declared between Germany and the Allied nations.  The Great War, the war to end all wars had ended.  And, as they say, the rest is history.  All who walked away from that war, both veterans and the families of the thousands that never came home, believed they had actually fought the last war.  Sadly, we know that to be inaccurate.

Thousands upon thousands of American Soldiers have fought and died in armed conflict since that day in 1918; and it continues today.  This is neither the time nor the forum to discuss the virtues or evils of war, but it is the time to honor those who willingly stood in harm's way as well as those who still stand in harm's way.

Only those who have served and who have walked in that valley of death that is a war zone know the true cost of service.  Fighting for our country is part of what we do, but the true purpose for our efforts while in that valley is to fight beside and protect the brother and sister who serve with us.  I salute my brothers and sisters who have stood and are still standing in the line of fire.

Take a moment this week and seek out a veteran.  No words need be spoken - no pat on the back is required, no grandiose jesters please.  Just a nod of the head and a quick shake of the hand to let the veterans know they are still appreciated and their efforts have not been forgotten.

You can also Sponsor a Veteran for the Hoka Hey Challenge.  Sponsoring a Veteran tells them and their family that they have not been forgotten and that their service is appreciated.  As a business, if you sponsor a Veteran, your logo will be prominently displayed on the Veteran's motorcycle throughout the challenge.  For more information go to Sponsor a Veteran.

The Dark Days Are Coming

     As much as we try to force our will on the seasons we will never be able to eliminate the cold months and adverse road conditions of winter.  Some, based on your location, are immune to such horrible things.  However, for those of us in the nether regions, we stand at our window and stare in disbelief as the first snow flake gently falls to the ground.  We hear it laughing at us as it passes by the window pane.  We defiantly stare it in the face and quietly whisper, "you suck."  We mope around the house with no direction or focus in life.  We seek counsel from our friends in an effort to gain from them a sense of understanding - why is the happening?  You think, "Perhaps if we band together as we do in the summer we can survive the dark days."  But they are in no better shape than you; pitifully staring at the walls with no chance of happiness.  We walk to the garage and console our ride; we assure it that the upcoming storage is not due to any infraction of the rules; it is not being punished.  We assure our faithful partner that those things that do not kill us make us stronger.  We remind it that life as we know it has not ended, just put on hold for a short time.

     OK, a little melodramatic there so we'll stop.  However, winter is coming which means our rides are going to get stuck in a corner of the garage for a few months.  This is the time to prepare our motorcycles for storage.  We'll not get into how to do that; most already know how.  If you don't know how to winterize your ride then the ever-popular Google search will prove helpful.  Gas, battery, tires and oil will all need a little TLC; a good cleaning and coat of wax maybe.  The more you do now the less you will have to do on the first good riding day that will come in a few months.

     Winter is the perfect time to change tires, brakes and filters.  Maybe a paint job is in order.  Preventative maintenance will keep you upright and riding next season and provides a barrier between you and an unexpected breakdown.  The most important thing to do is not spend money un-necessarily... you need to tuck that money away so you can use it during the 2014 Hoka Hey.

     Several initiatives are in the works for the Hoka Hey Family and we will be asking assistance from some of you.  In fact, we have enough "irons in the fire" that we can give every Hoka Hey Rider a small project to do during the winter; that is, if you are a willing warrior.  Route planning, marketing, spreading the word, fund raising, pictures, short stories, videos... just a short list.  If you want to be a part of what we are planning then please contact us.  You will not regret it - the winter will not be wasted.

     Oh yea, one last thing.  Don't let anyone stack boxes on your ride or use the handle bar grips as a cloths hanger.  Your ride has feelings and it too is suffering during the dark days.

The Warrior Rides Again

Introducing Akicita (ah-kee-chee-dah) which is the Lakota word for Warrior.

Akicita joined the Hoka Hey family in 2010 when it was presented to us by a Veteran that we sponsored through the Sponsor a Veteran program.  Rider #322, Barry Goldweber (Bear), was the last rider to cross the finish line in Homer, AK; arriving there on the 8^th of July after spending 18 days on the road!

Since that time, this extraordinary expression of gratitude has been sitting on a shelf in Jim’s man cave.  And while being seen and appreciated by us is nice, it is not what a true Hoka Hey warrior is meant to do.  So, the time has come for Akicita to hit the road…

Traveling to Milwaukee with Jeff Kohn (#168) will be just the beginning of his adventure.  From there, Jeff will hand Akicita off to a worthy Hoka Hey Challenger who will get to carry him home.  That rider will have one month or less to show him off and to show him around.  Traveling by bike, Akicita will venture cross country and perhaps around the world – taking pictures and telling stories as he goes.  Passing from one Challenger to the next, Akicita should change hands no less than 11 times before arriving in Homer, AK again in 2014!! 

Any one who would thinks they are worthy of carrying Akicita forward should meet Jeff at 7:00am by the Hill Climber sculpture at the Harley Museum in Milwaukee on Saturday August 31^st (be sure to bring your Challenge coin).   

It is time for Akicita to see and be seen.  Who will be the one to carry him next?  

Moving On

As many of you already know, planning for the 2014 Hoka Hey Motorcycle Challenge™ is currently underway and applications will soon be accepted for participation in this extraordinary endurance rally. 

   

While planning for the 2014 event, we have carefully reviewed the last four years to identify improvements to be made going forward.  We are doing everything in our power to position the Hoka Hey Motorcycle Challenge as an annual, iconic experience that makes history in the annals of American motorcycling and, in order to do that, we intend to assemble a Board of Directors that will be responsible to make decisions and carry out the day-to-day operations of the Challenge from now on. 

Before founding the Hoka Hey Motorcycle Challenge™, Jim Red Cloud led a

 Pine Ridge, South Dakota, legal practice known as the Red Cloud Law Firm and in a note written to Challengers and their supporters, Jim said "My involvement with the firm is expected to escalate and I will not be able to give enough of my attention to the Hoka Hey Motorcycle Challenge going forward".  Please see the letter to read more about the reasoning behind Jim's decision to move on.  

The 2014 event begins on July 20, 2014 and covers approximately 7,500 miles between Key West, FL and Homer, AK - using a new route to connect two favorite destinations.  This year, all riders who follow the rules of engagement and arrive at the finish line by the 2nd of August, will be eligible for the prize drawings that will take place at the "End of the Road" party in Homer.  PLUS; following the  precedent set in 2013, trophies will be awarded to the four 

riders that participate in the true spirit of the Challenge and exhibit RESPECT, HONOR, INTEGRITY and COMPASSION during the event.  

Although there will be other changes like these, the Board of Directors promises to uphold the same mission of the event along with the hard-core intensity that everyone has come to expect from the Hoka Hey Motorcycle Challenge!  

Be sure to keep an eye on the website (www.hokaheychallenge.com) for applications or call me at 605-890-0386 to get more information about the Hoka Hey Motorcycle Challenge™.  

  

Hoka Hey! 

 

  

     

Bring your friends and share in the glory!  

 Sign Up Early for 2014!!

We would love to see more riders at the starting line on July 20th, 2014

so tell your friends & family to contact us now to register for the event that continues to change lives & shape ideas!  

Are you prepared to lose yourself in order to find yourself?  

Are you at peace within?  

Or are you still seeking!?!

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

Hoka Hey 2014 - Unfinished Business

At one time or another, we have all either left a task uncompleted; avoided a responsibility; forgotten a promise or left a relationship in need of mending. In each instance, we lose a tiny bit of ourselves – until eventually we are left searching. Searching for the pieces we've left behind.

Billed as UNFINISHED BUSINESS – the 2014 Hoka Hey Motorcycle Challenge will follow a new route to cover some old ground between Key West, FL and Homer, AK. Unfinished Business is a journey that will convince participants that the things we have avoided are the things that have the power to transform, enrich, and even complete us. Long stretches of open highway and dark, cold, rainy nights will encourage participants not only to be mindful of what is most important in life, but to act on it. By taking honest and courageous stock of our own unfinished business, we all can live lives that honor our best selves.

In keeping with the Lakota ideal of ‘Wolakota’; Unfinished Business will open new paths for both personal and spiritual growth because it will not only opens the eyes of riders to the deplorable conditions on remote Indian reservations around America, but it will also bring out the riders’ own true character! At some point during their ride, the Challenge transforms itself from a long distance motorcycle ride into a life changing event and not one participant has been able to hide the true nature within them if they struggle and persevere. The goodness, the strength, and the warrior spirit will always surface for any one that runs the Challenge with integrity, tenacity and heart.

Unfinished Business may prove to be the perfect antidote to those tortured nights when we toss and turn over the shoulda-coulda-wouldas. Still... There should be no doubt:

• The Hoka Hey Motorcycle Challenge is not your local poker run! 
• It will try your tolerance for ambiguity. 
• It will test your determination, your resolve and your stamina. 
• It is not for the faint of heart. 
• It is not for any one afraid of getting lost. 
• It is not for those that can’t handle uncertainty. 
• It is not for the weak. 
• Riders must be able to adjust to change and to amend their thinking from day to day; minute to minute; mile to mile.
• This is the toughest motorcycle ride on Earth!!

What if tomorrow never comes? Will you be left with Unfinished Business?