Hoka Hey Motorcycle Challenge route, generally
Do you ever get the yen to ride your Harley-Davidson between the two most distant possible points of the U.S.? Do you ever get the yen to go home after that ride with half a million dollars in gold? Dude! You should have signed up for the Hoka Hey Motorcycle Challenge! It's too late now, the race is underway.
That's right. Early this morning the up to 1,000 riders participating in this one-time event started out on the first leg of a 7,000 mile ride. The rules of the event require that the riders be on air-cooled V-twin Harleys, which leaves out all non-Harley bikes as well as Harley V-Rods.
Riders are expected to do their sleeping close to their bike, although the organizers note that this is only necessary if you actually want to win. They acknowledge that for some riders, "These participants know they won't win and don't plan to kill themselves trying. For them, a slower pace and hotels rooms are in their plans. We say 'Good on you! - At least you are trying!'"
The winner of the race--and there is only one winner, no runners-up or anything like that--will be the rider who completes the race in the shortest period of time. There will be stages and each rider's departure time and arrival time will be tracked. To win then, say the organizers, "So, if you can ride harder and longer (not faster) than the others; and if you can take fewer (or shorter) pit stops; and if you can read a map; and you don't wimp out when the temperature rises to 110 in the desert or falls the very next day to near zero in the mountains; and you can eat less, sleep less, or pee less... you might be our winner."
The prize for the winner is $500,000 in Alaskan gold. With an entry fee of $1,000, and a limit of 1,000 riders, a full slate will pay the winner's prize and leave the organizers with an equal amount to cover expenses, make contributions to a variety of charities assisting American veterans, and presumably pocket a bit for themselves for their efforts.
The finale of the race, in Homer, AK, the farthest west point in Alaska reachable by land on a Harley-Davidson cruiser, is planned for July 4. Along the way the route will be announced each day. Today's checkpoint is somewhere in Mississippi.
And what about the name? What is Hoka Hey? As explained on the group's website, "Meaning – It’s a Good Day to Die – 'HOKA HEY' was the roar of every warrior that rode into battle with Crazy Horse." Modified just a bit for the race, the Hoka Hey banner reads, "It's a good day to ride."
So settle in for the ride. We'll be following Robert Peterson, a Canadian from Quebec, who is on his 2006 Fat Boy, and viewing the event through his eyes.
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
We at Lake Weir Living (www.lakeweirliving.com), America's Toy-Friendly Residential Community in Central Florida, are proud to sponsor Hoka Hey Challenger, the Friction Zone Warrior (FZW) from Anchorage, Alaska. Brody McNeill, FZW, left Alaska on 5/20 on a Harley DYNA WG to arrived in FL on 6/15. Within a matter of days he turnarounded today (Father's Day) to race among warriors from around the global for a chance of Alaska Gold valued at $500K!
According to McNeill, the Friction Zone Warrior, the race is more about bringing back what has been lost or missing among Native Americans. The Ride among warriors, but today they ride on iron horses, to bring awareness about the Lakota people of Pine Ridge. Chief Red Cloud opened today's ceremony reminding the riders that the ride is more than the Gold winnings at the finish line in Homer--Alaska, but about the solidarity in collecting the souls of the warriors who rode the trail 200 years ago. Blog: frictionzonewarrior.blogspot.com
I will be following Heinz, a guy Abby met and told us about.
A boat load of people are waiting to hear from Jeff Kohn that he has won the prize. Go Jeff "In it to win it!"
First, while Homer *may* be the farthest west you can ride on a Harley, Fairbanks is another 600 miles north and accessible via Interstate highways (A1 & A3) - certainly hope a Harley could negotiate those little byways. It's interesting that by the rules, no prize need be awarded now. According to the rules they do not need to pay the winner if ANYONE gets in an accident or gets a ticket. There have already been several accidents as of this afternoon so it is entirely possible the riders will continue on for naught. Another disturbing point is that one of the "charities" targeted for funds is the Red Cloud Foundation whose relationship to Hoka Hey co-founder Big Jim "Chief" Red Cloud is unclear. If any of the participants really want to test their mettle they should try to ride the biennial Iron Butt Rally...of course there's no money, just fame & glory attached to that little ride of 11,000 miles in 11 days :-)
Glad your covering the ride, and I'm sure Robert is a great guy and a cool cat, but would have liked to see you chronicle a local rider. Not to mention an American one...not that there is anything wrong with Canadians. Just a local paper, a local rider. Seems logical. Oh, and one that speaks english would have been truely logical. Let me know if you'd like to talk to one ;-) Or 10.
Thanks for the article, Ken. This is a tremendous race, and I wish more folks were covering it. I agree with Sara that it would have been neat to follow a local rider. My friend Marty, from Seattle, is riding and raising money for Autism Speaks and vets charities. I'm sure you'll be hearing more about him as the race progresses (go, Marty!). His family and friends are extremely proud of him, and personally, he inspires me, so I'm not sure what the negativity is about, Jim. To Neil & everyone else who is supporting a rider, my blessings. Good luck to all the brave, amazing warriors of Hoka Hey!
Sara--I'd be happy to touch in with some other riders along the way. Unfortunately I have no way to reach you, other than replying here. You can email me at kenbingenheimer@yahoo.com.
The way I connected with Robert was through my motorcyclecolorado.com website. He contacted me asking about going over Rabbit Ears pass, what with his bike tuned to a lower elevation and all. Following him in the race just evolved from that. But I'd be happy to get reports from other riders as well.
They are headed to South Haven Mississippi. I sent you an email about another Colorado rider
The first I heard of collecting souls was Saturday evening at the mandatory meeting.
There is a rider in this challenge from Niwot. Even if this is a scam and there is no proze money. I can assure you that this rider is in it for the challenge. He's a Harley lover and biker to his core. Safe and have fun my friend!
Lake Weir Living from Florida sponsored HH rider, Brody McNeill. We r in Homer for the finish posting daily videos on our blog about the biker brewing controversy. Who won? Will they let 2 riders win? Is that allowed? Let the Controversy Begin! See Monday's (6/28) video on our Blog: lakeweirlivingblog.com Check Blog for daily video updates.
Im an alaskan, and ran into several participants, first three in a gas stop. They parked their bikes at the pump, were eating, and blocking the way for anyone to get to the pumps. Inconsiderate. Then, at the border of CA/US, one was ahead of us, and the two we had passed were behind, they cut in front of us to be the the other guy. Rude again. (Same guys-one from Colorado, one from WI and one from NC.) Hey dudes-how about the other three people in our group cutting in front of you??? Then we saw another biker in Tok AK, flipping a guy off who turned onto the road before he did. Another nice one of you. Why don't yaall just go home????
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