Hoka Hey riders in a meeting before the start of the race (Photo: David Stephens)
Contrary to what had previously been planned, no winner of the Hoka Hey Motorcycle Challenge was announced last night. The announcement was to have been made in Homer, AK, at a party celebrating the event. There have been many who were skeptical of this event all along and this latest delay has made skeptics of even more.
Details are still sketchy and the following reports are unconfirmed as of yet.
Hoka Hey organizer Big Jim Redcloud reportedly has announced that each rider who claims to have won the $500,000 prize must submit to an interview with an FBI agent. Making false statements in the interview would be considered fraud. According to this claim, several riders have declined to participate in the interviews.
Skeptics dispute the claim about an FBI agent doing the interviews, arguing that the FBI does not involve itself in such matters.
By another report, Frank Kelly and Will Barclay, the first two riders to reach Homer, have been disqualified because they reportedly missed a checkpoint in South Dakota.
Also, reports are circulating that another Hoka Hey rider on his way to Homer has died in a crash. Ken Greene is the name given for the rider.
We will continue to update this report as more information becomes available.
Update 4:30 p.m. MST, July 5
We have received confirmation that Ken Greene of Ocala, FL, was indeed killed in a motorcycle accident on his way to Homer. Greene was riding in the Hoka Hey. Greene is the second Hoka Hey rider killed on the ride.
Update 2:00 p.m. MST, July 7
We have confirmed that Big Jim Redcloud did say that potential Hoka Hey winners must submit to a polygraph test administered by an FBI agent. Also, KBBI Radio News Director Aaron Selbig confirms that Redcloud told him on Thursday, July 1, that the winner would be announced on Aug. 11 at the Sturgis Bike Week rally. More details here.
Update 3:15 p.m. MST, July 9
An article in the Homer Tribune confirms that Hoka Hey organizers have eliminated one of the first two riders to reach the finish line, though it was not clear which one. The article said, "The second guy who finished missed a checkpoint,' Compton confirmed. 'He was disqualified.'" Jon Compton identified himself to the Tribune as "acting publicist for Hoka Hey."
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
Location: Mile 107 Glenn Highway
Case number: 10-59949
Type: MVC-Fatal
Text: On 7/4/2010 at approximately 1230 hours the Alaska State Troopers
received a report of a motorcycle that had gone off the Glenn Highway
near mile 107 and crashed. The AST Bureau of Highway Patrol responded to
the scene. Investigation determined Kenneth J. Greene age 63 of Ocala,
Florida, was traveling southbound on his 1998 Harley Davidson motorcycle
when he drove onto the shoulder, lost control and crashed. Greene was
ejected from the motorcycle. EMS responded to the scene and Life Med was
launched however, Greene died at the scene. Greene was not wearing a
helmet at the time of the crash. The Alaska State Medical Examiner
responded to the scene and the Next-of-Kin was notified. Greene was a
participant in the Hoka Hey Challenge, a motorcycle challenge ride from
Key West Florida to Homer Alaska.
Author: MCL1
Received Monday, July 05, 2010 12:05 AM and posted Monday, July 05, 2010
I can't believe that anyone is falling for the FBI thing.
Ken Green is my dad. He loved riding...it was his passion! A great man, father and grandfather has been lost. But he died doing what he loved in his "trip of a life time". I love you dad and will miss you always it was just too soon
All they had to do was have the IBA officiate this thing and there'd be no question. Now it's fraught with allegations of fraud and being a bogus deal from the get-go. The "FBI" thing is a joke.
IMO, the only way such an undertaking of this magnitude would be legit would be if the IBA were handling it.
On another note, condolences to the family of Ken Greene.
God Bless your your father Robyn. You are correct in saying he was doing something that he loved when he was taken from his family. It is a shame his memory will be scarred by the ugly mess and legacy of deceit this(so called) organizer has created. I am am sure your father deserved better as did the other unfortunate fallen riders and their family's. God speed.
It must have been very difficult to post quotes from Jim Durham. Most of his statement are obvious BS. Call the FBI and see if they would even bother with determining an 'honest' winner.... Really?
And to even think that I would believe ANY RIDER who survived this race to the end would rather decline an interview than possibly be determined the winner of $500,000!!!! I truly am ROFLMFAO!!!!!!
Ken Green is my dad. He loved riding...it was his passion! A great man, father and grandfather has been lost. But he died doing what he loved in his "trip of a life time". I love you dad and will miss you always it was just too soon
Ken Green is my dad. He loved riding...it was his passion! A great man, father and grandfather has been lost. But he died doing what he loved in his "trip of a life time". I love you dad and will miss you always it was just too soon
Nobody wants to hear more about the IBA. Bunch a BMW riding prima donna's.
I'm sure this was 'the ride of a lifetime' for all the participants, however, so sad it was tarnished by fraudulent conduct of the organizers.
Robyn, stay strong and don't let anything tarnish the memories you have of your father doing what he loved.
Condolences to the family of Mr. Greene.
This is very sad to see. Two known lost with possible others and many honorable riders who didn't deserve this. Sad.
There are still many out on the road trying to make it in to the finish line just to say they did it. WHat a shame that this is all a scam. My prayers go out to Mr. Greenes family and friends
This is such a HOAX, first the FBI is not going to get involved in some motorcycle race fiasco, simply because they have no jurisdiction over who wins the race and no legal reason to interview anyone, so lying to the FBI would mean nothing, well unless they interviewed the race organizer, to see if maybe he cheated a thousand people out of money, in an event that started in FL and ended in Alaska, posibly taking money from a fradulant raffle or lottery/race across state lines for personal gain, kinda like a bike raffle with no winner.....
As more develops about the Hoka Hey, for those interested, we have videos on our Blog of the Hoka Hey Send Off in Key West, FL to riders at the Finish Line in Homer, Alaska embracing loved ones to the Closing Celebration in Homer on July 4th at: www.lakeweirlivingblog.com/
Tah-Dah!..Our Day In The Life video! Adriana and I show you how we're building America's Toy-Friendly Community in Central Florida! We work 24/7 & love what we do--Building dream homes for Boomers who love Big Toys and play hard (motorcycles, boats, RVs...). Also have many Hoka Hey videos of warrior riders from FLA to Homer, AK. Enjoy! www.lakeweirlivingblog.com/
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