Meet The Marketing John Levins # 735

Hello my name is John Levins HOKA  HEY family member & rider #735 and proud father of Abigail Jane Levins. I had my 1st hoka Hey experience in 2012. From that day I have been hooked on the adventures that this HHMC family brings to the table I am also a long distance charity rider, HHMC board member/partner and creator of the  annual taco run (ATR) in Medicine Park Oklahoma. 

For years I rode motorcycles with no other purpose than to enjoy the freedom a motorcycle gives you things changed for the better once I found this awesome group of people. Founder brother and mentor of the Hoka Hey Jim Red Cloud told me one day when we were talking I was 1 of the lost boys I immediately teared up knowing I was home. Thank you for taking a moment and reading my bio I can't wait to meet you if we are not already family. 

Meet The Director of Logistical Operations Steve Briscoe # 779

Steve, Hoka Hey Rider #779, is not only a rider but is also the Director of
Logistical Operations for the Hoka Hey Motorcycle Challenge Board of
Directors. So yes, this is the guy you will have to love or hate depending
on how you enjoyed the route. Steve stumbled onto the HHMC while doing a
google search and was disappointed to learn the 2010 Challenge had left
three days earlier heading to Homer, Alaska. Continuing his research about
the ride he decided this was a ride he had to do, wanting to prove to
himself "that he still had it." It was not until 2013, due to a couple of
back to back deployments to serve his country, that Steve finally got his
chance. One of his best memories of that ride was a rain soaked, hail
riddled New Mexico morning were he pulled up in front of a restaurant
thinking he would get a hot cup of coffee and warm his bones.  He remembers
the look from an elderly couple who, after coming out the front door, took
one look at Steve and turned around and went back inside. Thinking the
couple was "concerned" by what looked like a drowned rat on a grungy
motorcycle that they had probably gone back inside to warn their friends and
call 911.  Instead, Steve was amazed, surprised and humbled when the couple
came back out with a cup of coffee for him and a smile on their faces.
Another fond memory for him was in Arkansas was when he ended up going 50
miles the wrong way on a perfect road with sweeping curves, smooth pavement,
no traffic, and no wildlife.  Upon realizing he was going the wrong way he
was not at all irritated because now he could ride the perfect road again.
Scary trees that looked like flying dragons and lions with wings was part of
the mental game Steve dealt with at 2:00AM in Northern Minnesota after an
1100 mile day.  The Challenge will try to break you, but it will entertain
you as well.

He loves the integrity of the riders and says if you are riding the HHMC for
personal gain you probably missed the point of the ride. Exhilarating,
frustrating and awestruck are just a few words Steve would use to describe
his experience, but he had determined failure was not an option.  He is the author of
"Solitary - Without the Confinement" which is a narrative of self-discovery
that was born during the 2013 Challenge.

Meet The Legal Officer 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 Safety Officer Gary "Blackie" Barnes # 662

I made my first Hoka Hey Challenge on the 2011 run from Mesa, Arizona to Nova Scotia...just happened to be the longest Challenge to date...I rode 19,087 miles in 22 days from my house until my return home.  It was definitely the Greatest Adventure and Achievement in my life....i tell everyone I've always been a God fearing man, but in 2011 HHMC I found God....♡♡♡

After meeting Jim Red Cloud & Beth, Jim asked me to join them in the promotion of the Challenge....being retired and loving the entire reasoning behind the Challenge,  I accepted...I've been with Hoka Hey ever since.....to all my Hoka Hey Oyates (family) and our new riders I always stress the point of "Ride Your Own Ride"  ....you'll be amazed at the things you'll find out about yourself when it's only you, your bike and the road running in sync...."HOKA HEY" !!!!

Meet The Director of Rider Relations Junie Rose # 383

For me this all started in 2010 with a vision to ride to Alaska. Fast forward 10Yrs. and 7 Hoka Hey Motorcycle Challenges later,  what a way to celebrate my 60th birthday. I have the very fun job as DRR of interviewing riders and helping them get questions answered they may have.


 The common thread that runs through most of the applicants is they are looking for like minded riders. Long distance but not jumping on the interstates, technically challenging roads that take you the scenic routes, roughing it next to your steed to sleep getting just a taste of what it might feel like to be homeless. Building a better more compassionate outlook on the less fortunate by taking on a fund raising effort and using the 10K mile challenge as a catalyst to their efforts.

I like not only being a board member but also a rider. I asked the route planners not to share info about the route in our group text because I don't want any more of an advantage over other riders. I want to have to figure the directions out just like everyone else.  Probably how I earned the name Wrong Way Junie.

Another fun responsibility I have is helping the riders with this BLOG. Some are my words, others theirs. They are asked to share what they like to do for fun besides ride, why the want to ride the challenge and who they are going to help. The ability to reach globally with internet efforts really helps the rider. SO I hope you enjoy reading about our returning riders and the ones who have decided to take this on for the first time. Encourage them with your comments and follow us this August as US Fleet Tracking will continue to help us bring this to your computer.

Hoka Hey!!!

Meet The Director of Operations Beth Durham

Beth I was born in Ft. Sill, OK and was not only and “Army Brat” but a “Preacher’s Kid” and finally a “Shrink’s Daughter”!  Some might think this would mean I’m crazy but, what it really means is that I am strong…  Strong enough to hike the entire Appalachian Trail, strong Navy veteran.

          Motorcycling has played a huge part of my life for over 40 years and has influenced who and what I am today.  Through the years, Jim and I owned several businesses, along with real estate investments and other ventures.  And, I am a proud Navy veteran; having served from ’92 to ’98.  Still, there is almost nothing that can rival the creation and promotion of the Hoka Hey Motorcycle Challenge.  This event is the result of Jim’s inspiration and my determination.  I’ve always known that hard work and perseverance is necessary in order to get by in this world and the HHMC has demanded that of both it’s riders as well as its founders!!

          Since Jim passed away in 2017, I have had to rely on every ounce of strength and determination I could muster.  Still…  In my weaker moments, it has been my family – both my biological family and my Hoka Hey family – that has carried me through. 

 

Meet The Founder Jim Red Cloud

1955 - 2017

The concept of the Hoka Hey Motorcycle Challenge came to Jim in the form of a dream—one thousand warriors riding one thousand horses charging into battle to defend the weak and innocent, to be a force that would bring justice to those wronged, and to stand in the gap between despair and hope.

Jim was an artist and created some truly amazing pieces of work.  His creativity and drive knew no bounds.  It brought many amazing things and took him to many amazing places in his lifetime.

To say Jim Red Cloud, was controversial would be an understatement. Sometimes that controversy would be thrust upon him through no fault of his own while at other times he would boldly step into the fray to fight a battle he believed in; he was a force to be reckoned with. Another truth about Jim that cannot be denied was the size of his heart. He was compassionate about what he believed in and stood his ground when faced with an immovable obstacle. He portrayed this level of determination with regard to the Hoka Hey Motorcycle Challenge. He ensured the Challenge was not just another motorcycle event but rather formulated a concept that sharpened iron. He ensured any who participated in the Challenge would cross the finish line a better person; it was his guidance, direction, and support that made the Challenge what it is. By his actions he created a family that spans the globe and we are a better people because of it. He restored hope in those who needed it and gave us all a venue whereby we could accept a responsibility, recognize a determination, and acknowledge a courage we did not know we possessed.

To any who participated in the Challenge Jim was more than just the event organizer; he was a friend, a brother, and a mentor and he gave a piece of himself to all who knew him. Jim is gone but that piece of him that lives in all who knew him drives us; we take that responsibility seriously.