Only Harley-Davidson motorcycles can compete in the Hoka Hey Motorcycle Challenge (Photo: Ken Bingenheimer)
Initial reports coming from riders in the Hoka Hey Motorcycle Challenge, which began yesterday, indicate a bit of confusion and a few crashes in the beginning. Robert Peterson, who we are following in this race, was not among those involved.
According to a report from the Naples (FL) Daily News, there were two, and possibly three separate accidents "at about the same time and place" in Immokalee, a small town southeast of Fort Myers. Later another accident occurred at the same location, indicating some hazard at that spot. At least one of the crashes involved a rider who was making a U-turn when a second rider crashed into him.
The first checkpoint on the race was Bruce Rossmeyer's Harley-Davidson in Daytona, and the next was at Southern Thunder HD, in Southaven, MS. Riders must check in at each checkpoint, where they are given a coin indicating that they were the third, eighth, etc. rider to reach that spot.
Bob Peterson reported that he reached the Daytona checkpoint after 16 and one-half hours of riding. Heinz Spielvogel, another rider, reported arriving there in under 14 hours.
The Hoka Hey Motorcycle Challenge is a race of more than 7,000 miles from Key West, FL, to Homer, AK. Arrival at Homer is planned for July 4. The first-place winner is to receive $500,000 in Alaskan gold.
Related articles:
Hoka Hey Challenge launches from Key West, headed for Homer, Alaska
Quebec City's Robert Peterson sole(?) Canadian in Hoka Hey Motorcycle Challenge
Quick update on Hoka Hey; first day crashes
Hoka Hey Motorcycle Challenge generates controversy, skepticism
Friends and families connect in search for info about Hoka Hey riders
First Hoka Hey riders reach Homer; first to arrive not necessarily winner
Hoka Hey organizers call event successful, planning party
For most riders, Hoka Hey Motorcycle Challenge was about the ride
No winner named for Hoka Hey on July 4
Redcloud says Hoka Hey winner will be named Aug. 11 in Sturgis
No Hoka Hey award ceremony to be held at Black Hills Harley-Davidson
FBI will have no involvement in determining Hoka Hey winner
Ogalala Sioux disavow connection with Hoka Hey
Hoka Hey award to winner key to potential fraud investigation -- FBI
William Barclay declared winner of Hoka Hey, to receive cash via wire
Hoka Hey award ceremony held at Broken Spoke at Sturgis rally
Comments
The only way that Bob Peterson made it to Southhaven in 16.5 hours is if he cut the course and took major highways. You must mean from Daytona
The only way that Bob Peterson made it to Southhaven in 16.5 hours is if he cut the course and took major highways. You must mean from Daytona
Jim, I'm sure you know better than I do. It can be hard working remotely like this to get some things clear. I'm used to being on the scene or speaking directly to the person involved. That's not the case this time around. I spoke to Bob a week ago but not since.
one Guy made it to the firt check point yesterday of over 700 miles in 5 hours something funny is going on with the times it's a shame if some people are cutting the corners and not following the designated routes. They were all Supposed to be equipped with GPS but for some reason they were not. So now it basically turns into a free for all it seems.
Ken, thanks so much for article. Those of us with friends and loved ones on the ride are thirsty for news; I've searched extensively and you seem to be providing the most in-depth coverage! Do you know of any other news source following this story? I am very disturbed to hear about folks who may be following a shortened route & I wish I could get more than hearsay... Thanks much.
I too searched for some info on the Hoka Hey and Google pointed directly at Ken's article.
I've been following a friend that is in the event on his spot tracker. He rode yesterday (6/20) criss-crossing the state of FL on all the back roads known to man. He made the Daytona Check Point and continued to to a point near the Okefenokee area where after 20 hours of riding he took a 3 hour rest break ... back on the road at 5 am today (6/21). Now at 8:30 EDT he is just outside Anniston AL. From the course that he has ridden, there is no way that anyone could have made the checkpoint times noted in the above comments without using the interstate. After following the route that he has ridden the past two days, I believe the organizres planned it that way to eliminate as many riders as possible in the Florida heat, so that they will only have to keep track of a few riders after the MS checkpoint.
Thank you for your coverage, you seem to be the only reliable source. I notice that some others that promised daily video updates have not posted since the event started.
Ken, my dad is in the race and I have been following him on his spotracker as well. He got to the Southaven checkpoint a few hours ago and informed me that he was in 14th place. He also said that five riders have been disqualified due to cutting the course. So, it is not a free for all, and the promoters are enforcing the rules, which is nice for a guy like my dad who has been sweating it out with only two hours of sleep. I will continue to check your site, and help out too. Good luck to all the riders!
Ken, my dad is in the race and I have been following him on his spotracker as well. He got to the Southaven checkpoint a few hours ago and informed me that he was in 14th place. He also said that five riders have been disqualified due to cutting the course. So, it is not a free for all, and the promoters are enforcing the rules, which is nice for a guy like my dad who has been sweating it out with only two hours of sleep. I will continue to check your site, and help out too. Good luck to all the riders!
Each rider is required to keep their gas receipts to prove they followed the map they were given. They were told Saturday evening during the mandatory meeting that they would be required to turn them in at each check point. Apparently that changed. They were told at Destination that they would hold all their receipts until they cross the finish line in Homer. If one guy made it to Southhaven in 16.5 hours...he better be disqualified!
As usual, you've hit on a great story that we can follow along with. Thanks
Check out the Alaska/Canada (AlCan) map.
Out of Fort Saint John, Their is only one road that gets
you to Homer. Highway #97. Highway #2 Alaska,
turn South on Alaska #1 to Homer, Alaska. check out the WWII histry Ill be shooting, Broadcast video footage fo Anchorage's, #1 Tv station.
Ill wait for the leaders 50 miles South of Wonowon, BC the first of next week and follow them to Alaska. "Have Sony Broadcast HDCAM, and will Travel" My slogan
I drive the AlCan twice yearly. This is NOT a easy ride in a Subaru, and I would think it would beat someboby up driving this road. LOTS of bad road,(sharp rocks and gravel on the roads) with these BIGASS trucks wanting to do 75 while, passing some body in a 40 foot camper. and """NO cellphone service. Satellite phone is a must have!!!. I feel the race will start somewhere out of Ft. Nelson where their is no night speed limits. West of Watson Lake theirs 24 hour of daylight and some body will break away from
the pack.
Video Ralph
I live in Homer and I am having a difficult time finding any information about the race.. Is "spot-check" , or this page the only sources for race updates??
I just spoke with my dad, who is up front. He said that there are a couple riders in front of him that are taking down vital road signs. He was looking for a road and could not find it. He went to the nearest gas station and the attendant told him where it was, and that there was a big sign for it. Well, when he got there, he found the big sign on the ground. That doesn't sound very sportsmanlike to me. Destruction of public property should be an automatic DQ.
Jim Lahey, e-mail me as I just drove down the AlCan from Alaska (last week)and
ill be heading back north this weekend to cover the race from Ft. Saint James to Homer for KTUU Channel 2 NBC Anchorage, and can give you updates to get to your Dad about what to expect on the AlCan.
Video Ralph itzeecat@yahoo.com include your # and I will phone you.
CORRECTION::: sorry it's
Ft. Saint John. Not Ft. Saint James
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