After months of planning and preparation, DJ and the road crew took off for Key West on June 16th. They spent a few days relaxing before the official Hoka Hey party and riders meeting. Early on the morning of June 20th, approximately 361 riders left Key West for an adventure across the United States and Canada in search of $500,000. DJ traveled from Florida, through Alabama, to Arkansas and all the way down to Arizona before heading back north through Utah to Wyoming. From there he went east to South Dakota and then back to Montana before heading to Canada. He traveled the treacherous Alaska Hwy through Canada and to Fairbanks. He then headed south to Homer. Sometime on the evening of June 30th, (about 9 days after the start of the race in Key West) DJ crossed the finish line in Homer, Alaska. The finisher’s places have been moved around quite a bit. At first we heard that DJ was 13th, but now it looks as if he’s officially finished 8th because of other riders disqualifications. He spent several days riding with the “Fastest Man on Two Wheels”, Chris Carr, and got to see some of the beautiful sites across the US. There have been reports that there will be another Hoka Hey Challenge in 2011. DJ does plan to attend this event as well. With his experience and determination, we hope that DJ will cross the finish line 1st!
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This summer 1,000 riders will test their mental and physical endurance as they leave Key West, Florida and head on an undetermined route across the United States, through Canada and on to Homer, Alaska located on the Kenai Peninsula. The Hoka Hey Challenge is a 7,000-mile adventure that will probably be the longest motorcycle run any of the Harley-Davidson enthusiasts have ever participated in. Each rider will move from checkpoint to checkpoint on a journey where drive and determination are a must and sleep is only an option. The first combatant to cross the finish line will be rewarded with a half-million dollars in Alaskan Gold.
A local biker, disabled veteran and father of 4 will be among the chosen few to make the trip. DJ began riding as a teenager in Southern California and quickly fell in love with the culture surrounding American motorcycles. As an experienced motorcycle rider with tens of thousands of miles under his belt, he has ridden in 30 of the 50 states and hopes to add several more by participating in the Hoka Hey run. He spent 15 years as an active duty Airborne Ranger and after his years of military service, he decided to settle in North Georgia to start his family. He’s been blessed with a supportive wife and 4 loving children.
In 2000, one of DJ's children was diagnosed with Aspergers Syndrome, a mild form of Autism. He has learned first hand the struggles presented to parents raising a child with the disorder and has committed to help educate other parents and the public about Aspergers. Additionally, as a disabled veteran, DJ has organized many rides to benefit his local Veterans Committee, which has raised money to build a memorial wall. He is also a member of the Mountain Rangers Association and works with them to raise funds for various charities. He has also been an avid supporter of the Wounded Warrior Project; an organization that helps to modify legislation and policies associated with severely wounded service members. With his sites set on winning, DJ has committed to donate $10,000 of the winnings to the North Georgia Autisim Center and an additional $10,000 to the Wounded Warrior Project.
DJ is raising money to support his cross-country trek by enlisting help and sponsorship from different motorcycle vendors such as Hawg Halters Inc. and Custom Colors. He is also raffling off a 12 gauge shot gun to be given away on June 6th at the Dawson County Wingmen Clubhouse on Harmony Church Road in Dawsonville, Ga. That afternoon there will also be a Bike Show and a 50/50 Drawing to help DJ collect the necessary funds to complete his journey. He is accepting donations from anyone who would like to help him cross the finish line first. If you would like to help him or donate to his cause, please contact him at DJ@Ride2Help.com. You can find out more about DJ’s journey on www.Ride2Help.com.
A local biker, disabled veteran and father of 4 will be among the chosen few to make the trip. DJ began riding as a teenager in Southern California and quickly fell in love with the culture surrounding American motorcycles. As an experienced motorcycle rider with tens of thousands of miles under his belt, he has ridden in 30 of the 50 states and hopes to add several more by participating in the Hoka Hey run. He spent 15 years as an active duty Airborne Ranger and after his years of military service, he decided to settle in North Georgia to start his family. He’s been blessed with a supportive wife and 4 loving children.
In 2000, one of DJ's children was diagnosed with Aspergers Syndrome, a mild form of Autism. He has learned first hand the struggles presented to parents raising a child with the disorder and has committed to help educate other parents and the public about Aspergers. Additionally, as a disabled veteran, DJ has organized many rides to benefit his local Veterans Committee, which has raised money to build a memorial wall. He is also a member of the Mountain Rangers Association and works with them to raise funds for various charities. He has also been an avid supporter of the Wounded Warrior Project; an organization that helps to modify legislation and policies associated with severely wounded service members. With his sites set on winning, DJ has committed to donate $10,000 of the winnings to the North Georgia Autisim Center and an additional $10,000 to the Wounded Warrior Project.
DJ is raising money to support his cross-country trek by enlisting help and sponsorship from different motorcycle vendors such as Hawg Halters Inc. and Custom Colors. He is also raffling off a 12 gauge shot gun to be given away on June 6th at the Dawson County Wingmen Clubhouse on Harmony Church Road in Dawsonville, Ga. That afternoon there will also be a Bike Show and a 50/50 Drawing to help DJ collect the necessary funds to complete his journey. He is accepting donations from anyone who would like to help him cross the finish line first. If you would like to help him or donate to his cause, please contact him at DJ@Ride2Help.com. You can find out more about DJ’s journey on www.Ride2Help.com.