Meet The Rider Matt Klebe # 752

Matt has ridden in 3 Hoka Hey Motorcycle Challenge events after already loving the challenge of a long distance ride and actual thought the HHMC would be easy but admits maybe not. He read about the HHMC in a HOG magazine before the 2010 event and the 2011 event went right past his house. So Matt decided to try the ride because he like the idea of riding, sleeping, repeat.

With the 2012 HHMC being his first challenge and it only being a few thousand miles Matt thought he would have no problem finishing the challenge. Ends up it was a lot tougher then he thought but did make the finish line in New York.

Meet The New Rider Eric Sprague # 879

This is a man who lives the Hoka Hey Motorcycle Challenge life style. Traveling for months at a time sleeping next to his bike, "the way it should be." Riding, navigating without GPS, sleeping next to his stead are not a problem at all. He expects to see the finish line without concern for what that will take. He has been riding for 52 yrs. and has done it all. The longest ride he has ever done was 3 months where he never saw the inside of a hotel.

The experience of the HHMC brings thoughts of a brotherhood. He heard about the HHMC from a fellow Floridian and HHMC rider Chris. Eric knows this is not going to be easy but loves a good challenge. The only obstacle he has found is raising the money to do the challenge. Most of his friends are HHMC riders and they are encouraging him to do the event, the rest of his friends think he's crazy.

Meet The Rider Jimmy Milas # 848

Jimmy is one of the Hoka Hey Motorcycle Challenges returning Canadian riders who rode his first event in 2016. Others consider him adventurous. "I'm not scared to go somewhere I've never been." Hearing about the HHMC way back in 2011 when some of his friends mentioned and then running into a HHMC rider on a ferry who told him more about it. Starting out a little nervous in 2016 he forgot to fill up his bike before the challenge. But as these trials sometimes do he ended up connecting with a seasoned rider who help him calm his nerves and helping him to successfully reach the finish line as the 18th person across.

Preparing for the challenge can sometimes be difficult in Canada because of the weather. Maintenance for the bike can be an obstacle he has had to overcome. He ended up having to deviate up into New Brunswick in 2016 to get a new tire. That cost him 17 hrs.

In 2016 he thought he was going to just race through the country but that wasn't much fun. He plans on taking the time to stop and have a good meal each day and not riding the challenge so much at night. Converting mileage to kilometers was a constant battle and road signs are different in the US then they are in Canada hoping he won't make as many mistakes as he did in 2016.

Jimmy's friends think he lost is mind but his nephew wants to do the challenge one day.

 

Meet The New Rider Dick Gudowski # 890

While searching the internet for the meaning of the word Hoka Hey, Dick stumbled onto the Hoka Hey Motorcycle Challenge. After reading what that was he thought it sounded interesting and applied for the challenge. He will be riding a 2001 Ultra and has been doing some work on it to modify it to make changes he thinks will help during the challenge. His mental stability has been question about his desire to undertake a challenge of this magnitude but when he puts his mind to something he gets it done.

Dick will be riding a per mile sponsorship for the Shriner Hospital for Children. He has been involved with the Shiners since 1972.

Meet The Rider Kennneth Andrews # 863

This will be Kenneth's second Hoka Hey Motorcycle Challenge. He feels this is a spiritual journey for him and loves the community he has found in the riders. He says he has some unfinished business to do with his challenge earning the privileged to display his rider number proudly on his bike and three piece patch. Because his wife loves him "intently" keeping her from fearing for him is one of his biggest obstacle. She recognizes his passion to ride but he admits he is his biggest obstacle.

1000% adventurous and is trying to do 50 iron butt rides this year. He would like to ride the IBR as well. Comparing this type of rider to the HHMC he says the HHMC is a tribe of people who are not competing against each other but against themselves. "A tribe I wants to be a part of." "I am Hoka Hey."  It has opened him to ride 88K miles this past year. Hungry to see his Hoka Hey family he rides to Florida for lunch.

Something that will are always bring a smile to Kenneth face was an encounter him and two other riders had being pulled over for speeding. He ended up making friends with the police officer and rather than getting a ticket the officer signed his memory book.

Kenneth will be raising money for Tahlequah Men's Shelter  Working with them in the past HHMC has taught him about love and contentedness.





 

Meet the New Rider Jason Miller # 878

Jason started riding motorcycles at the young age of 5.   Not really sure what to expect from the Hoka Hey Motorcycle Challenge riders he wasn't sure this was for him. He quickly learned his fears of not fitting in was unfounded because the HHMC riders are a family.

Since his acceptance to the challenge he has been riding a lot. Working to stay in shape over the long cold winter in Iowa has been his goal. His biggest obstacle is being away from his family for as long as he will be to ride the challenge. He feels that may be a huge hurtle while on the challenge for him mentally.

He plans to try packing the bike and heading out for long distance excursions prior to the challenge and practice reading directions and sleeping next to his stead. The best advice he has been given is to sleep when you need to and to stay hydrated, all great advice.

   Jason will be raising support for Rider Football Club. They provide leadership, sportsmanship, and building strong minds and bodies, and provide after school activities. The money raised provides scholarships to players who need financial assistance. Rider Club does not turn any kid away.

Meet The Rider Heinz Speilvogel # 332

Heinz has participated in all the Hoka Hey Motorcycle challenges except 2012 because he had a broken ankle. In the 2016 event it took him a year and a week to complete but not wanting to leave loose ends he went back to where he had the unfortunate incident that almost cost him his life and completed where he left off. Staying healthy and strong enough to participate has been an obstacle physically and mentally.  He always keeps his bike in top shape.

The challenge to get to Alaska on a motorcycle was on his bucket list. He feels the rewards you get from riding HHMC is a small cost compared to what you get out of it.While training for the 2010 event He met future rider Abby in Mc Donald's and shared what the HHMC was and in 2016 she rode her first challenge.


Nothing Heinz has ever ridden has been like the HHMC. He hears quite often the question "you're not going to do that again are you?"  He likes that we are not riding for a prize. He feels it brings out a more dedicated rider.