Meet The New Rider Jeff Bourdage #872

Jeff feels he has gotten himself in the best shape he has ever been in his life. He wants to be able to say "I did it" when it comes to finishing the Hoka Hey Motorcycle Challenge. He contributes his success to riding a lot. Helping with the endurance he knows it will take to do this. One of the things he liked  about the challenge he heard from a fellow Michigan resident about sleeping next to the bike was instead of a 33 ft. toy hauler Jeff saves a ton of money by hauling his $100 bedroll.

He knows this challenge will "step up his game to the next level." Feels he is among an elite group of riders. His warrior spirit of hunkering down and give what you have and realize what you have inside you will be what it takes to get to the finish line. After watching Brian's tracker and catching up with him 5 miles from the finish line in 2016 gave Jeff a taste of what the Hoka Hey rider endures. He plans to roll at his own pace.

The Amvets Post 29 has already been hard at work with fund raising efforts that go to Camp Liberty in Adien, MI. They help wounded soldiers and very local.  Spontaneous needs have become a year round effort. Two other places they help are Mc Care house and Wyatts Warriors.

Meet the New Rider Aaron Doty # 871

50 Miles East of Detroit in Macomb, MI is where Aaron rides in from. A very long and rewarding carrier in the United States Air Force, 40 yrs. 8 months and 13 days to be exact calls the Hoka Hey Motorcycle challenge a personal challenge. Aaron is very focused although he has never done anything like this but has a never quit attitude. He believes the definition of a warrior is someone who doesn't give up.

Spending extended times without the creature comforts is something Aaron understands all to well after spending 30 days in the woods on a practice mission, eating rabbits and chipmunks and worms and bugs. Physically, he feels very ready to ride 10K miles on his 2017 Limited. He knows it is not a race but more about endurance. Eating properly while riding long days is important.

Working with others for the Amvets Post 29 has really made him aware that there are lots of people in need. "Sometimes pride gets in the way of them taking the help but you just have to try to give them help anyway." Aaron learned about the challenge through a fellow member Brian Edwards who was very excited about his experience and found lots of encouragement to give this year a try.

Meet the Rider Michael Conner # 67

A resident of Gilbert, AZ Michael has ridden many, many miles. But prior to the Hoka Hey Motorcycle Challenge putting him in a  "zone he probably would not have gone on his own." Encouraged to see the pot of gold at the end of the rainbow in 2010 the wind was really knocked out of his sails when he learned while still in Montana there were riders already in Alaska.

Oh how your perspective changes over a few thousand miles in the saddle seeing the long and winding road to the finish line.  Pride, strength and determination are what it takes to accomplish that. Spending some hard miles lost and cold can make a rider want to quit. "You have to do your own soul searching." Reminded that we are all riding the same route and struggling with the same directions, one curve at a time.  "Ride your own ride."

     Teaming up with friend and Hoka Hey Brother Jim Herold #116 always brings a smile to Michael's face remembering the 68 miles with the gas light glowing up in Canada and Jim flying past. Sitting in a rest area with the promise of bears based on the signs Michael was seeing,  A renewed enthusiasm to keep going after Jim turned around to help his brother pick up his bike reiterates what the challenge is about to begin with. Over the 8 years the Hoka Hey has been taking place this kinship has been formed.

Michael is using the ride not only for this family but for other families who are can benefit through the  JDRF

2018 Board of Directors Team

 Beth Durham







 

 Annie Malloy

 Gary Blackie Barnes









 Eric Buskell
         

  



John Levins                                                    

         



           



Junie Rose

  

Steve Briscoe

Meet The Board Member Annie Malloy

I was born and raised in Bethlehem, Pennsylvania and moved to California many years ago.  I just happened to be one of the lucky people who met Beth and Jim long ago through other people in the motorcycle community.  Being part of The Hoka Hey Motorcycle Challenge from its inception has been such a great privileged.   Every story from the thousands and thousand of miles our riders have traveled are etched in my heart and I treasure the wonderfully amazing people Hoka Hey has brought into my life.   My favorite place during a Challenge will always be the finish line and I look forward to continuing to watch our Hoka Hey family grow.  

Meet the Board: Risk Management Officer;John Levins, Rider #735

Father of Abigail Jane Levins and motorcycle enthusiast. I also serve as risk management officer on the board of the Hoka Hey Motorcycle Challenge. My Hoka Hey family journey started in 2012. The same year I lost my Father. August 5th I found myself on the starting line of the 3rd Annual HHMC in sunny Las Vegas, Nevada. Just three months after my Father's passing and boy did I need this escape from reality.

Standing by my side was my brother from another mother Eric Buskell rider # 733. We have been friends for over 30 yrs. This morning would change my life forever. We would be riding for 13 days nonstop. Over those 13 days I had quite a few deep spiritual events.

On a Hoka Hey high I decided to ride the 2014 event as well. This ride I would find myself riding through British Columbia where I hit a deer at about 70 mph. Not good for me or the deer, landing myself in the hospital in BC. Once I was stabilized I was flown to Spokane, Washington where I received 1st class care at Sacred Heart Hospital of Spokane Valley.

The Hoka Hey family has become my family. Jim Red Cloud took me as his son after I lost my biological father. He said I was one of the lost boys.  The passing of Big Jim Red Cloud has really hurt because I feel like I have lost two fathers. He was a great mentor to me. I will be riding the 2018 TSAATU-NATSU Good Medicine challenge in his honor. Remembering him as a mentor, brother and Father.

See y'all in Medicine Park, Oklahoma for the adventure of a lifetime!

Meet The Board: Merchandising Manager; Eric Buskell , Rider #733

Eric from Panama City Beach, Florida, is an experienced Challenger with the 2012 and 2014 Hoka Hey Motorcycle Challenges under his belt. He first learned about the event after reading about it in Full Throttle Magazine. The finish line was his most memorable moment of each of the rides. He felt like he pushed himself to get there and finds it very rewarding. It gave him the confidence he lacked to get out on his own and ride. He says, “Now I’m a guy who can go out into the world by myself.” In the 2014 HHMC, his riding partner, John Levins # 735, was injured in Canada and Eric was required to go on by himself. Getting to Alaska really boosted his confidence.  One of his scariest experiences was waking up to a police officer and a drawn gun in his face. Once the officer was satisfied with his explanation, Eric was allowed to go back to sleep. By then he was wide awake and rode on.

Smelling the breath of a moose in the Rockies and riding through Glacier National Park in Montana are two of many exceptional moments Eric experienced.  Through the rides in 2012 & 2014, Eric learned how much he had missed in the past when travelling by interstates. Since his first Hoka Hey Motorcycle Challenge in 2012, he enjoys the twisties and back roads at every opportunity. 

Eric joined the HHMC board of directors in 2017. He plans on supporting Panama City Beach Paws and Claws during his 2018 ride.