Meet The New Rider David Narcomey # 1026

Estonko, hesci(Greeting, Hello), I am a citizen of the Seminole Nation of Oklahoma, member of the Fushutche Band, Bird Clan. Retired Navy, RN, Private Investigator, Political social activist, and a 12 year, former General to Council Representative for the Fushutche Band of the Seminole Nation of Oklahoma. I started riding motorcycles when I was about 13-14 years old. My first motorcycle was a Honda 50, which I purchased used with my own money I earned from mowing lawns, and odd jobs for people. I took a break from riding from 1980 to about 2012. I won a Honda motorcycle in a raffle, and immediately came back to riding, as ifI never missed a beat. Even though, it had been decades, riding is like riding a bicycle, you don’t forget. I like to work maintaining my 3 acre yard, maintaining my equipment, working small projects, enjoying my family, and sometimes being involved in Tribal activities, and being politically/socially active within the Indigenous community.

                                                                                                                                                                       I first heard about the Hoka Hey Motorcycle Challenge from another biker colleague from within the Motorcycle club, (Oklahoma Indian Bikers, am also a member) and that interested me. We expect this to be difficult (Murphy’s law –if anything can go wrong, it will) and plan to proceed on our own agenda, finishing within the prescribed time frame. I have been riding long distance riding, and was very interested in participating, It will be great riding with my daughter, Adrianna Cascante, on this wonderful journey.  
 
To see sites that we have not had to opportunity to see otherwise, and to develop closer bonds as a father/daughter team. I am always interested in physical and mental challenges of many sorts, When I was younger, I participated in multiple marathons, such as running the USMC marathon in Washington DC. I will be supporting the “Domestic Violence Shelter” of the Seminole Nation of Oklahoma, and the “Murdered, Missing Indigenous Women” association.

Meet The New Rider Craig Watters # 1025

Hi everyone, I am new HHMC rider #1025 (Craig Watters) from Chatham, Ontario Canada. When asked the question –What do you do when you are not riding? Well that is easy, I work, yes,I have a JOB, a 40 hour a week job. When I’m not working or riding, I love to entertain. Hanging out with family and friends is important to me and it is usually, over some great food and drink. Conversations may go into the wee hours of the night talking about past bike trips,looking over old pictures. This is where most of our planning for future outings or vacations become a reality. When not working, riding, or entertaining you can bet that I have my next life experience already planned.
 


 I became aware of the HHMC back in 2015 while working for Harley Davidson. My boss John Ibbitson rider # 640 told me about this challenge he participated in back,in 2011. After listening to his adventure riding from Arizona to the Canadian East Coast and how he did it old school (no GPS, no Hotels) I was hooked.
 
I started following the HHMC web page, I would love to read all about how riders would prepare, how the new riders made out and what they would do differently, how riders dealt with weather, breakdowns and accidents.I could not get enough and imagined what I would do in each situation.Every rider seemed to get something different and personal out of this challenge, every rider knew entering the HHMC that it would be mentally and physically demanding. Not only that I am accepted into the HHMC, I am accepted into a new family of riders and I just hope that I won’t be too much of the runt, being Canadian and all.
 




 I must remember that:
 -$1.45 Canadian = $1.00 U.S. 
-1.6 kilometer = 1 mile 
-20 Celsius = 70 Fahrenheit 
 -3.79 Litres = 1 Gallon 
 Can’t wait to meet everyone in PCB! 
Craig

Meet The New Rider Keith Herve # 1023

My name is Keith (Bakedalaskan) and I have ridden motorcycles since I was 10 years old. I rode a 1967 Triumph Bonneville before I owned a car. I have owned many motorcycles from dirt bikes to cruisers. .

I have ridden a Harley Ultra Classic to Prudhoe Bay and Goose Bay Labrador.
I have ridden an adventure bike to: Prudhoe Bay, Inuvik, NWT, Yellowknife, NWT, Raddison ,QB, Goose Bay ,LB. I have completed the Trans America Trail and have ridden the LA-Barsto to Vegas dual sport event.

My longest single trip was 22,000 miles. Tampa, FL to St Johns, Newfoundland to Goose bay Labrador trans Canada Highway to Port Hardy, British Columbia to Prudhoe Bay then completing an Iron Butt Ultimate Coast to Coast ending in Key West, FL. Done on a Harley Ultra Classic.

I have done three 10,000-mile round trips from Fairbanks, AK to Tampa, Fl.

I rode a Kawasaki KLR 650 round trip from Bae-Comeau , Quebec to Cartwright, Labrador in February 2010. That was 1800 miles of ice road on studded tires. The temperature was -20F for three days in a row during this trip. Google 2010 Frozen Butt Tour and watch this video to get a feel for what it was like.  www.youtube.com/watch?v=B_nhGhDAVyc

I live in Alaska and like to do pretty much anything outdoors. I enjoy exploring remote places in Alaska and Northern Canada and would certainly be trying to catch lake trout on these adventures. I ride snowmobiles during the winter and prefer deep powder mountain riding the most. People want to know what I like to do and the answer is difficult because if it involves a challenge or traveling, I will do it. If you have a broken-down ARGO in the middle of nowhere, I will go get it. Want to build a cabin off the grid, I will help.

Now that I am retired what I seem to be doing most is traveling. I don’t mind burning fuel whether it is behind the handlebars or steering wheel. Sometimes two wheels will just not get the job done especially when it involves the grandchildren. My wife rides her own Street Glide and is my primary riding partner who has no problem knocking out 600-mile days. I enjoy watching the scenery change. It is fun to leave Alaska in April; if the roads have cleared up, and note when there is no more snow in the ditches and where you start to see green leaves starting to come out in the trees. Going from dairy farms to corn country to cattle country. Looking at the tractors, combines and all the other farm equipment along a route. Noticing that in this particular region most are driving Ford pickups when the next county over everybody is in a Dodge. I will say that I was amazed about how many Teslas I saw in Vancouver, British Columbia.

When I first learned about the Hoka Hey Motorcycle Challenge I was at a gathering in Kenai, Alaska. I had just arrived on my bike after riding up from Tampa, Florida. My friend said “ Dude you should do the Hoka Hey!” What the fox hat? It starts in Key West and follows a certain route and ends in Homer. First rider there gets a prize. I would love to do that. I have done that round trip several times but I am over the racing part. I would do it just for the adventure and what an excuse for a long trip. This was in 2010. The Hoka Hey has been in my sights ever since and I am finally able to spare the time in 2020.

I like the way the Hoka Hey has evolved from a race to an individual challenge. I have ridden many events using only turn by turn directions to include crossing the US on the Trans America trail. Living in Alaska, almost every ride is a long cross continent adventure. Camping is the easiest way to go in the North Country and I am well equipped for that. I have done so many long-distance rides that you can call me this afternoon and I can be on the road the next morning with no preparation. A question I always get after a long-distance ride is “I bet you are glad to be off of that bike?” The answer is no, not really. The adventure is over. For days I have listened to all kinds of music, daydreamed, solved the worlds problems and made up jokes. Now that I am not riding, what do I do? By the way, I told that story the other day at the zoo and the hyenas were laughing their asses off.

The Hoka Hey is an excuse for me to go for a long ride to who knows where by who knows what route. Following a specific route is an adventure and a fun challenge I look forward to. I know I will see amazing places and meet amazing people and have a great time.

I guess I have not been seeking advice for this ride mostly because I think too many try to overthink it. You can’t prepare for every situation and I know that anything I have spare parts for will not need to be fixed. Only the things I don’t have parts for will break. The only map I don’t have is the one I really need.

Much of my riding is in the far north and as a result, headlights are not necessary no matter what time of day. Staying awake while the sun is still up is generally not a problem. One of my concerns is animal encounters in the dark while riding. Another is having to maintain a strenuous pace to finish on time. Remember; I like long distances but don’t want to be on a time schedule. I think a lot of this is mental because I travel these distances all the time. Because I feel good and want to not because I have to. Lastly I worry about getting chewed out for sleeping some place I don’t belong.

I will be raising money for The Shiners Hospital. I have been an active Freemason and Shriner for 48 years. We are very proud of our hospitals and all our kids are treated free of charge no matter what their family background is.

Meet The New Rider Timothy Bardin # 1021

What do I like to do when not riding? Well there are several things that peak my interests the first is just time with family and friends. Life is short and we need to appreciate those that God has placed in our lives. After that I love to hunt and shoot guns of all types, I particularly am interested in getting into precision rifle shooting. I also love working on our home doing repairs and renovations as time allows. My wife and I also pastor a church and have for 23 years. God is so good!

The reason that I want to ride the Hoka Hey Motorcycle Challenge is really a two part answer. Firstly because I love to ride…period! My love for motorcycle riding is stronger than I ever imagined it would be. I dream of someday being able to ride all over the U.S. and Canada and maybe even Mexico. Second, is the reputation of the Hoka Hey. It’s reportedly the mother of all long distance rides in the states. I’ve watched video after video on YouTube about how awesome the experience is and how grueling it is. How it taxes your will and determination to persevere, how its test man and machine alike to the limit and I like a test!!

I really have only one expectation coming into this challenge. That is to simply finish it at all cost! I want to ride the ride with integrity and abide by and adhere to the rules. In other words “Ride it like it was meant to be ridden!” Ride it in a manner that honors the creator of the ride, Jim Red Cloud as well as the other riders who have ridden it before me. And to continue the example of excellence for those that will come after me. Like my Dad would always tell me growing up, “If its worth doing it’s worth doing right!”

And as far as advice I have received for riding the Hoka Hey, I would say that the best I have received came from Junie Rose. Who told me when I asked what should I be doing to prepare for August? Her reply “Get as much saddle time as possible between now and then.” So that’s what I’m trying to do… ride, but not just the usual causal around town kind of riding, I’m talking about hours at a time in the saddle breaking in my motorcycle seat or maybe it’s my backside that I’m breaking in or both? Haha.

As far as over coming obstacles to participate in the Hoka Hey goes, I’m sure that other people like those coming from other countries have had to overcome much more serious obstacles than I could ever imagine. But for me it was the time away from family and work. Family because, unless it’s for work, they have always gone with me. And work because this will eat up allot of my vacation time (but it’s so worth it!) and I’ll have to be back in Kentucky and ready for work right after I finish! (I’m speaking prophetically here about finishing and not taking anything lightly) There is allot that can go wrong on this endeavor, allot that can happen to delay or even take me out! But I still believe that the end will justify the means.

The way I found out about the Hoka Hey was through a co-worker. We became fast friends he and I and have ridden many miles in each other’s company. He is a far superior rider in every way and makes riding that much more pleasurable. He would rail for hours about this ride. “It’s on my bucket list” he would say, and go on and on about how he’d hoped to ride it someday. He talked about a ride he did in 2015 with the alumni of the Hoka Hey and how awesome they were and friendly. All of this peaked my interest greatly. So in 2019 went decided to do the longest ride I’ve done to date and ride to Sturgis. Well needless to say it sealed the deal for me and I applied to ride the Hoka Hey immediately when I returned home. 

The thing that I heard personally about the Hoka Hey that made me what to ride it was I a mentioned earlier, It’s the mother of all long endurance rides! You’ve entered the big leagues when you get to ride this, and no…”you’re not in Kansas anymore Dorothy!”  Oh wait yes we are! The reputation alone causes me to pause and weigh everything in the balance. This isn’t going to be easy by any stretch of the imagination. Hoka Hey!!

Meet The New Rider Jason Rodden # 1020

I started riding in 2005 while serving in the Marine Corps. Since then, my travels have taken me many places and brought many challenges. I enjoy the thrill of a good adventure with like minded people so when I heard about the Hoka Hey Motorcycle Challenge I couldn’t pass up the opportunity to participate. When I’m not scootin’ down the road on two wheels, I enjoy the view from a good hunting stand and the time spent with friends and family. I am a first time Hoka Hey challenger so as you can imagine I have been obsessing over past video and the thought of hitting the open road without a gps and truly discovering myself. I would venture to say the best advice I have heard is to ride your own ride and everyone returning seems to have a common theme of “packing lighter.” I will be partnering up the Semper Fi Fund to raise awareness and charitable donations that go toward wounded, ill and injured Marines as they face difficulty recovering. I was one of those Marines in 2010 as I faced a hard recovery from a terrible event.

I feel it is my turn to give back and what better way than from a Motorcycle riding across our beautiful country. I look forward to getting to meet many of you as we embark on a great adventure.

Meet The Rider Jon Fredrickson # 1019

I am an Eagle scout.  My whole family is involved in Scouts.  I am an Assistant Scoutmaster, merit badge counselor, and Shooting Sports instructor.  I was Scoutmaster for a National Youth Leadership Training.  I instructed Shooting Sports for the National Jamboree.  I am an IT Manager for Oshkosh Corporation (we make Big Trucks and not jeans).  I love camping and riding my motorcycle, therefore the Hoka Hey Motorcycle Challenge is my idea of a fun.

I want to ride the HHMC because I enjoy traveling the country by motorcycle and camping.  I am looking forward to the HHMC because of the challenge it will present me. My only expectation is to be challenged and to have a fun time. The only advice I've heard is "Are you crazy?"  And my answer is "probably".  But when I think of the challenge ahead, I think of Yoda and his words of wisdom.  "Do or Do not, there is no try".  I will do the HHMC until I do or I do not.

The hardest challenge I will face is being gone from my family for almost a month.  I will miss my four kids and wife while gone.  They are excited to be able to watch where I go using the GPS tracking unit.  I also take pictures of small stuffed animals and send to my daughters so they can feel like they are with me.

 I had done some long distance rides and someone asked me if I had heard of the HHMC.  I said I hadn't.  So I went home looked it up and told my wife I'm doing that next.  So I saved my pennies and paid the full entrance fee and applied as soon as I could.I think I was attracted to the HHMC by the 10k miles and no gps and no hotel.  I'm expecting to see parts of the US that I haven't seen yet and can't wait.  I'm also excited about the possibility of interacting with the locals and other HHMC riders.  I love going to the local eatery to see/hear what they are thinking/doing.

My non-profit is my Scouts BSA troops 77 and 177.   Scouts gave me a foundation and family when I was growing up.  My kids are now getting the experience of Scouting.  The skills, abilities, and opportunities the kids get being part Scouts is priceless.  I want to make sure that Scouting is there for future generations.

This is my first HHMC!  And I don't think I can wait till August.

Meet The New Rider Andy Norrie #1018

Hello everyone, my name is Andy Norrie (Hoka Hey Motorcycle Challenge Rider # 1018) and I live just outside Toronto Canada and have been riding for 40 of my 54 years. I have been a follower and fan of the Hoka Hey Challenge for about 8 years.  The timing has aligned for me to take on this epic challenge. 

I have just retired from a 35 year year career in law enforcement where I was fortunate enough to be involved in police motorcycle operations.  My last year in my policing career was spent embedded with the International Military Coalition in Baghdad Iraq as part of Operation Inherent Resolve. 

In the last few years I have embarked on pursuing more adventuresome rides like riding to destinations like Waskaganish on James Bay and Yellowknife in the North West Territories. You will likely pick me out pretty quickly as I will be one of the rare riders not riding a cruiser motorcycle. My ride will be a 2009 Buell Ulysses. 

I believe in a personal philosophy of life learning and enrichment through physical, emotional and psychological challenges that push us outside of comfort zone. I have been fortunate to successfully complete a marathon race and summit Mount Kilimanjaro in this life quest.  I have learned a lot about myself and the world in the process. The Hoka Hey Challenge is a perfect fit for my next effort. 

My personal values of respect, honour, integrity and compassion align with those of the Hoka Hey Motorcycle Challenge . I strive to leave the people and places I encounter in the world a little better than when I found them. 

I feel fortunate to belong to the motorcycle community and honoured to be among those that have risen to take on the HHMC.  I look forward to meeting and bonding with my fellow challengers. 

I have been fortunate to have completed my career in policing but many of my colleagues have made the ultimate sacrifice in the performance of their duty.  For that reason my fundraising charity will be the Ontario Police Memorial Foundation

which maintains a Wall of Honour with the names of all known fallen officers inscribed upon it.  I further dedicate my HHMC ride to the 32 police motorcycle officers who’s names are memorialized on the wall.

I have secured the support of the following companies, without whom this quest would not be possible:

Motolight.com

Twinpegs.no

Stpaulhd.com

Aagaardmotofoundry.bigcartel.com

Markhamoutdoorpower.com

I will be riding for Ontario Police Memorial Foundation

I have heard the call! Hoka Hey!