Meet The Rider Robert Talbett Sr. # 832

Semi retired roofer from Albiano, NY. Dad gets to spend much more of his free time on the road. His first vehicle was a bike. Something that until lately he and son Robert Jr. did not have in common. Now that they have a Hoka Hey Motorcycle challenge behind them and have an idea of what to expect the plan is to finish. "Do the best you can and just stay strong." Thinking this was not going to be that big of a deal  for Rob Sr. and he was going to "BREEZE RIGHT THROUGH IT!" He is prepared to finish alone if he has to.

Assisting a fellow rider the first day of the challenge after she lost the shift lever somewhere in one of the three deserts we went across that first day of the 2016 challenge

was how Rob Jr and Sr. started the challenge. And finished with just as much integrity as they left with that first morning. Dad admits his son pushed him into riding the challenge but he didn't resist much.  The challenge has brought a bond between these two men that was missing and now they not only have each other but a whole new family.

Meet The New Rider Rick McLeod # 875

Rick is from Arkansas and served in the Army for 8 years. Because he  loves to travel and try new things the Hoka Hey Motorcycle Challenge has all that to offer and he is looking forward to participating. Long distances hasn't been an obstacle after riding to Alaska but finding a Hoka Hey Hotel has got Rick concerned. He likes what Adam Sandoval had to say about sleeping next to a church or somewhere like that, he said "If you don't put up a tent it doesn't feel like trespassing."

Rick learned about the challenge from his Dad who saw a brochure on a bulletin board close to the house. Rick read no electronics, turn by turn directions, stay with the bike and was interested immediately. He has no doubt this will be a physical challenge but that is fun to Rick.

Rick will be raising money for Northwest Arkansas Children's Shelter

 

Meet The New rider Brian Deml # 874

Brian Deml is from Owatonna, MN and is not "A main stream kind of guy." Growing up on two wheels, 4 hour adventures to his Grandpas cabin are one of the fond memories he has about motorcycle riding. No set route just " here's a road I never been on let's see where it goes."

Mentally preparing for the Hoka Hey Motorcycle challenge since 2010 but unable to get away from a family owned business, Brian's biggest obstacle is hoping the business will be fine while he is gone. Ground support from the tracker will allow the family and friends to keep track of him too.Advice Brian has received such as pay attention to the directions and eat well stick in his mind as things to be heeded. "You can get away with eating badly for a couple days but not long.

Being very involved with the CMA       Hoka Hey Run for the Son  as a member and an officer in the past made it easy to choose a great group of motorcyclist to help. Making transportation possible for pastors in foreign countries is the main focus on Brian's friends. Canoes, motorcycles, bicycles, what ever they need.

Meet The New Rider Bob Nelson # 873

"There is so much more I want to see," says Bob Nelson of Dayton, NV. That is one reason he decided to take the Hoka Hey Motorcycle challenge. Having a long ancestry with the Knights Templar and the warrior spirit in his blood could be another. Bob is not one who just ignores the urge to do something and waits for someone else to do it.

At one point in Bob's riding a motorcycle was his only means of transportation. He remembers going back and forth across the Treasure Island Bay bridge.   One of his favorite events to participate in is the Run For The Wall. Supporting veterans is were he will focus his fund raising efforts for the HHMC. Spending lots of time on the bike will prepare Bob for what he is facing in July but is very confident he will see the finish line.

 Bob will be doing his fund raising efforts for   Advocates to End Domestic Violence, a women's shelter that helps women free themselves from a domestic abuse environment and become self supporting.  They are located in Carson City, NV and all donations are utilized locally and  Northern Nevada Veterans Resource Center,  they provide veterans assistance through the Department of Veterans Affairs Supportive Services for veterans and families (SSVF) which focuses on homelessness.

Meet The New Rider Charlie WIlson # 883

While searching the internet looked for a thrill to fill the summers riding calendar Charlie and his wife Vernice along with long time riding buddy Brian stumbled onto a link to the Hoka Hey Motorcycle challenge. Being from Fort Pierce, Fl. many a mile are put on every year. None where they had to give up that hotel bed and shower but for a couple weeks Vernice is willing. Charlie rode sport bikes as a younger person but took a break to have a family and promised himself to get back out and ride. Long days with bikes loaded to practice are planned to prepare for the July kick off.

ALS which stands for amyotrophic lateral sclerosis. He has become more educated about this disease and how it affects his friends and family. ALS Association Charlie has set up an account to make donations to them directly. Family is very important to Charlie and Vernice. No one wants to set any land speed records, they will be happy to finish together.

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.