Hoka Hey Motorcycle Challenge
02. Dec, 2008 
35 Comments
As you’ve probably noticed by my posts and stories in IronWorks magazine, I like to get out on the road and ride, a lot. I like hearing about and talking to other riders who go for rides longer than around the block. There are rides and then there are rides. This sounds like a ride. It’s the Hoka Hey Motorcycle Challenge.
In a true test of man and machine the participants of this long distance ride will be shooting for gold and glory (and probably Epsom salts). We’re talking about a 7,000 mile ride through some of the most scenic and desolate areas of 2 counties. The challenge starts June 20, 2010 in Key West, Florida. The first rider to arrive at the final checkpoint on the Kenai Peninsula, Alaska gets the prize, in Alaskan Gold on July 4, 2010. The runner up receives a slap on the back and a wait till next time. They don’t give second place trophies in NASCAR do they?
Participation in the Hoka Hey Motorcycle Challenge is open to riders of motorcycles with air cooled V-twin Harley engines who fill out an entry form and pay the $1000 entry fee. The ride starts in Key West where riders will receive a map to the next checkpoint. The route then winds through the US and Canada with checkpoints at various places. You get new route maps at each checkpoint.
Your entry fee only gets you into the challenge. All expenses for each rider and support team; gas, food, lodging are the responsibility of the rider! Each rider should pack with him whatever he/she needs i.e. meds, clothes, cameras, cell phones, tools, passport, etc. You will need to have a helmet.
So, do you think you are you up to it? If you are and want more info about all the rules or just curious http://www.hokaheychallenge.com
The organizers of this event have tried for several years to get it off the ground.
Some riders in the Long Distance Community were intrigued by the prospect. However, there are several phrases in the fine print that make this event appear iffy.
It is very difficult to tell if this event is merely poorly organised or if it borders on being some sort of scam?
Nobody wants to send in an entry fee with no hint that everything is ligit.
Anybody with experience trying to participate in this event should post a report of their progress and what has become of their entry fees. Naming names would be useful.
Motorcycle rallies have been around a long time. Organizing one shouldn’t be this difficult. Organizing such a rally with a payout at the end demands some clarity.
Finally, riders who I consider a lot smarter than me are shying away from this event. I would like to see the event run once before I get interested in participating. If I had money enough to ante the entrance fee plus a few dollars to hire the lawyer to follow the money, I would enjoy calling the organizers bluff and see what cards he holds.
This is an event that most riders would love to perticipate in but are very scepital of the ligitimacy of. If it is truly a ligit ride and gets enough entrants, it may be the biggest thing since Sturgis. There has to be a way to make everyone happy as to where the money is and who is behind the ride, names, places, and ph #’s. I know that I would love the chance to ride in the event but probably won’t because the entry fee is too high. I fail to see the reason of the high fee and wonder if someone is not planning on getting rich off of the people that will blindly pay there money in a rush to be one of the first to get entered.
I hope that they work out the kinks and lower the fee so many like me that can’t afford the $1,000.00 can enter and test our indurance and wit along with the ones that would’nt think twice about the money.
It definitely is an interesting concept. I hope the organizers can satisfy all the concerns of potential entrants. The costs would have been prohibitive for me to enter even before I lost my real job.
I am one of the organizers of the Hoka Hey Motorcycle Challenge and I believe I can respond to many of QuesyRider’s concerns.
First of all, I am not sure where QuesyRider got his information but the Challenge has only been in the works for a matter of months – not years. In fact, our website hit the internet during the last week of June and we got our first rider signed up in August. We have been welcoming riders on board ever since.
I am also unclear about what you find “iffy” in our documents. But you have to recognize that nothing like the Hoka Hey Motorcycle Challenge could move forward (and a number of sponsors would never get involved) without the legalese that seems to be so confounding. Truth be told, a very famous race that takes place annually among luxury sport vehicles has been operated successfully for several years while using very similar terminology. And their documents and waivers seem to have served them well.
In an effort to put the matter into perspective; the event I have just described charges its participants about 57 times what we are charging for entry into the Hoka Hey Motorcycle Challenge. Certainly this is a different genre altogether but our entry fee might not appear to be so daunting when you realize that while the Challenge will be a great ride with a great prize for the winner, we are also raising money for several worth while causes. We will have the honor on July 4th, 2010 to celebrate, with all of our participants, sponsors, and friends, the competition and completion of the Challenge itself. Equally important, we will celebrate the fact that we (the organizers, participants and sponsors) will be able to make a difference in someones life by way of our donations and – we will celebrate our Great Nations Birthday!
Finally, for the record, this is not a scam. We are a fairly small group of people and we have had to overcome a few hurdles along the way. But, to be told that we appear to be so poorly organized that “it borders on being some sort of scam?” I’m not sure what you’re looking for but if you have looked at the Hoka Hey web site, you will see that we have a long list of sponsors and investors that are backing our play. These are all reputable companies with trustworthy businesses that believe in the true spirit of this event.
I will be pleased to forward your post to our riders and if any one of them sees fit to dignify your request, they will be at liberty to lend voice to this blog.
Your mention of another “very famous race” seems to conflict with the rules on your website. The website is careful to state that you have to ride within posted speed limits on all roads… What punishment standards do you have set for those who bend this rule? How will it be enforced?
The details on the prize aren’t very specific – My understanding is that the winner will be given gold with a market value of $500,000.00 US Dollars. Is this correct?
When reading the rules and waivers on the application it occurred to me that this is a perfect waiver for a TV show. Is this going to be used as a reality TV show?
Also, could we get some name/bio information on the organizers? It would be much easier to judge if this is a safe investment if we knew more about the organizers.
Thanks you in advance, I hope I get to join in the fun!
M
I dont understand what is so complicated about it, You pay your entry fee ride to alaska and if you are first you get 500k, Why do you need to know the orginizers phone# i dont ask delta for the CEOs # before i fly with them. I have sent in my application and entry fee and will hanging on all the way to alaska, I may win and i may not, the 500k is not why i am doing this i am doing this because i would like to be part of something great. And for me this is beyond great. PS the orginizers phone # is on the website call them about your concerns.
Hey have a little faith… Ive talked with the orginizers, sent in my application and entry fee.. both for me and my son were going and its gonna be a hell-of-a good time.. all seems ligit! Keep waiting and they entries will be filled and you won’t be going.
It appears the rally has been pushed back by a year. The reason given makes me believe that many riders are backing out. Looks like there is no big rush on spots or they would be going strong with the rally regardless of the economy. I know the Iron Butt Rally is still going strong regardless of the economy and the entry fee on that one is well over 1000.
Aloha I am coming all the way from honolulu to do this ride so for the folks who think this is a scam or or something don’t come I don’t want to ride with a whining pussy anyway—ride to live or get off the road!
I was recently at sturgis and saw the Challenge stand outside of Black Hills Harley so i decided to find out what it was all about. I cannot beleive it! this is the greatest thing to happen to HD in fifty years. I am so excited to ride with some people who really get what its all about “at least for me and many others” It has always been a drem of mine to ride across the continent. And to know the company has taken such great pains to make it a even playing feild and to keep it to endurance man and machine against his own soul. Thank you and i hope to get my acceptance letter soon. I cant wait to see my brothers and sisters of like minds in the keys. HOKA HEY
There are too many ways the organizers can cancel the event and keep all the money. If it’s lightening they can cancel it and not refund your money. If they see you exceeding the speed limit, you’re out.
If you want a personal challenge, do an Iron Butt Association ride such as a Butt Burner Gold (1,500 miles under 24 hours) or 50CC (Coast to Coast in less than 50 hours).
Oh yeah, any pictures you take during this must be turned over to them and belong to them if they want them. Sounds too fishy for me or my friends to even consider.
You sound like my grandma, Have a lawyer read that contract, genius. It is only in regards to things out of the organizers control. It is in the gumball contract as well. The IBA rides are weak, actually it is better you and your girlfriends dont sign up. I have been accepted and cannot wait for this event.
People, many of those above messages are ‘canned’ and contrived. I can see this scam coming from Key West all the way to Alaska.
Well I guess a lot of these issues and concerns could be true. I have been un-employed for soon to be a year now and that money sounds very nice. In the little time I have been riding, I have put more miles on 2 bikes than the average guy does. This thing is right up my alley. Yea, I could set up a website, advertise and offer a prize for an entry fee. Think about it. $1,000 per biker for an estimated 1000 bikers….$1,000,000.00 folks. I would gladly pay for real, the $500,000.00 prize and by the time I paid all involved and other bills associated with this, I could possibly earn $250,000.00 for a years worth of work. Not bad retirement and I’m only 48. Yes, it could be some sort as this, it is ashame though. Sounds way cool. Just like bowling in leagues, I would pay what I do into the prize fund to win it all, no paying for second, after all, everyone involved is going for 1st place or the “Gold” in this situation. Yea, I think I’m going to do it, get sponsors and any other help financially. But, the ride would be fantastic. Just my two cents worth.
I am still looking to see where the *Challenge* is. 7,000 miles in 14 days? That’s 6 days worth of riding. 500 miles a day is less than my girlfriend and I ride when we are just vacationing. If it were all on dirt roads, then, maybe it would have a minor challenge to it. I suspect the challenges will be following all the goofy rules and tricks they will throw at the rider. Where is the freedom in that?
I hope this ride turns out to be all that the participants hope it is, but for me, I will stick with the IronButt Rally where there are some real challenges.
Come on Bob it’s not a straight shot to Alaska. I figured it up and if you are riding hard it would easily take ten days. It’s not all highway. It sounds like the Iron Butt Rally may be more suited to you and your girlfriend.
Mike, I realize it is not a straight shot. A straight shot would be 5,300 miles, much of which is highway. That would be a 5 day relatively relaxed ride. The web site says 7,000 miles. 14 days would be 500 miles a day. Maybe you have more info than I can get on the web site, but ten days to do 7,000 miles is not exactly very challenging. Now, if you were doing it on one of those Aermacchi Harleys, that would be something.
Now, I suspect that there will be something challenging about it, but the organizers are basically asking you to just *trust them*. No history, no description, no reason to believe. I hope the riders enjoy themselves and are challenged. I hope the organizers put on one hell of a great ride. But for me, I will stay out of this one and wait for something that is guaranteed to be challenging. This one sounds too much like one of those goofy reality shows.
Hey Bob,
It reminds me of the UFC when it first started. It was a nobody organization. I watched the first one and was amazed… it’s popularity exploded and it’s international now… then they put rules in the game and now I hate it. The Ironbutt rally cost around $1800 and you don’t win NOTHING. This Hoka Hey entry fee is only $1000 and you have a chance at $500k… a heck of a lot better. I am sold on the idea. The Hoka Hey has a lot of potential to become a part of Amercan Culture… in my opinion.
And before you ask, no I am not an organizer and I have not applied to compete in the race. You are right it takes some trust to try something like this from people you don’t know. I really like the spirit of the competition.
The challenge does call me… and I have been thinking about it since I read about it.
Want to know about the organizer of this rally?
google THE GREAT BUFFALO CAPER by Maximillian Potter.
he wrote a factual piece for 5280 DENVERS MAGAZINE.
something everybody considering hoka hey should read.
Big Jim has an interesting history. Put that in yer peace pipe and smoke it.
I’m just getting back from my second tour in Iraq where I’ve gambled with my life and I agree with Michael from Hawaii. If it scares you, stay out of the way and watch it on TV
Stranger – If you actually read the story you refer to, there’s very little about Big Jim…it’s more about the buffoons who attempted a piss poor attempt at stealing a work of art. That now, I might mention, is owned by Ripley’s Believer or Not.
The story does not implicates Big Jim in any way.
aloha fritz welcome home and hope you can make the ride you sound like the right kind of guy for the challege aloha
Back on the home turf after my all expense paid vacation in Iraq and looking forward to putting some miles on with the Hoka Hey. Will start prepping the bike come March. April will see me logging the miles in all weather and temps and getting my bedroll squared away here in the northland. Good training. They got beer in Alaska???
Ironbutt and the Hoka Hey are completely different. if you are doing a CC or CCC or even a 48 state ride you can blast down the highways with an 11.5 gallon tank. from what I have read this looks like a tour of the country with some off the beaten roads that have to be taken. is this the first year this will actually take place? that is, 2010? if so, I’m sure there will be a test to organizers. ride safe.
casey Wrote:
“Ironbutt and the Hoka Hey are completely different. if you are doing a CC or CCC or even a 48 state ride you can blast down the highways with an 11.5 gallon tank. ”
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You are thinking of an Ironbutt Challenge. Try looking up the IronButt Rally. A bit different than what you are thinking.
I don’t know about y’all, but the first time I HEARD about the Hoka Hey, even BEFORE I looked at the website, I knew I HAD TO RIDE IN IT! How can you NOT? I since have lost my job, but still, I AM RIDING IN IT! I am raising the entry little by little-have found more than one reason to ride, and combine it with a fund-raising purpose.See you in Key West…and Alaska!
Welcome aboard Eli! I look forward to meeting you in Key West.
I going! For many reasons. The best reason though is just because riding is fun. Lots of riding is lots of fun. This sounds like fun. See you ther Eli and David, et al
Follow the TrampStamp chase crew as they follow their sponsored rider Terry Rogue in the Hoka Hey Challenge.
Terry has been racing since he was eight-years old. Terry turned pro Supermoto AMA in 2004. “Motorcross is my life – 100%,” says Terry. “I love sick choppers and beautiful women.”
Terry’s Motto is: “There’s nothing to be sad about, if you die doin’ what you love.”
Watch daily viral video updates from the road on http://www.TrampStampGear.com or http://www.GetRogue.com. (new videos of the event will be added daily!)
Best of luck to all you guys! Be safe, there’s alot of lonely road out there!
I am watching all of you with much anticipation and sending prayers for the safe arrival in Homer!
“It’s a journey of the sole guys – ride hard, live harder!!!”.
I heard that some of the riders already showed up in Homer and nobody was at the finish line to meet them. Also the riders didn’t receive a GPS tracking device like promissed.
Any updates? How did all the riders who posted on here do??
Hope everyone is safe.
Hey there, I live in Homer, Alaska where the Hoka Hey ended this year and I would just like to say it is a great event and the people have a lot of balls to make that trip. Our town however were afraid of the challenge of that many bikers in our town and reacted very poorly and quit rudely to the rides. So on behalf of those of us here that aren’t stuck up conservative assholes I would like to say I am so sorry all involved were treated so badly. You made an awesome ride and I truly hope the next hosting towns treat the rides better
Made the run, finished 102, great ride. It was a challenge to say the least but worth it. Sarah, the kind folks of Homer were just fine. Nice town ya have there, I will eb back for a more restful visit.