They compare themselves to great Native American warriors of the past, riding their trusty steeds and sleeping under the stars.
The participants of the "Hoka Hey Motorcycle Challenge" left Key West at sunrise on Sunday on the backs of their iron horses. Their destination: Homer, Alaska, about 7,000 miles and two weeks away.
"Whoever gets to Homer, Alaska first gets half-million dollars in Alaska gold," said 55-year-old Jim Redcloud of South Dakota, one of the challenge organizers.
Redcloud said 1,000 riders are participating — thousands more wanted in — riding their American-made bikes across two countries along two-lane back roads. They each paid $1,000 to ride, and are "literally making history," Redcloud said.
There are some concerns, however, that the large pot could entice the riders to take unnecessary risks. Others worry that rules banning the riders from staying in hotels — they are supposed to sleep on the ground next to their bike — could lead to them being too tired to drive safely.
"It can be very dangerous when you’ve got people that are trying to stay on the road for long periods of time without rest," said Florida Highway Patrol Lt. Chris Miller, who was aware of the challenge.
On Sunday morning, just hours after their Key West send-off, the trip ended early for four riders who were involved in three crashes near the intersection of Oil Well Road and State Road 29 in Collier County.
Two riders, Joseph L. Johnson, 49, of New York, and Michael Joseph Rodger, whose age was not released, of British Columbia, collided just before 11 a.m. after Johnson attempted a U-turn in front of Rodger, according to an FHP report.
About a half hour later, Charles E. Marble, 59, and Jerry D. James, 63, both of Alaska, lost control of their Harley Davidsons in two separate crashes while rounding a curve in the road, reports said. All four riders were wearing helmets.
Johnson, Marble and James were transported to local hospitals in serious condition. Johnson was in fair condition at Lee Memorial Hospital on Monday, while Marble and James were discharged.
When asked if the crashes concerned him, Redcloud said, simply, "Hoka Hey," which he said means "It’s a good day to die" in Sioux. The riders know the danger and the difficulty, he said.
"These people are warriors," Redcloud said. "These people have come from all over the world to stand up and be counted. They are real men."
When asked if he expects more wrecks along the way, Redcloud said "probably."
"These men and women are proud to be different than the rest of you," he said. "They’re the best the world has got to offer, as far as we’re concerned. These are the kind of people that make this country great."
Redcloud said there is a check point every 1,000 miles along the route. Once a rider makes it to a check point, he or she is given a map with the route for the next 1,000 miles.
It’s not about speed — it’s against the rules to break any traffic laws — but endurance, Redcloud said. It’s not a race, but an endurance challenge, he said.
The winner will be given a polygraph test to make sure he or she didn’t break any laws, and a drug test for performance enhancing drugs, Redcloud said.
"It’s illegal to race in America," Redcloud said. "It’s not illegal to have a challenge in America."
Miller said the FHP didn’t "approve" the challenge, but said that as long as riders obey the law, and organizers don’t encourage them to break the law, there’s nothing illegal about it.
Michael Kneebone, president of the Iron Butt Association, which hosts several long-distance rides around the country, said the Hoka Hey Challenge seems to be unique among motorcycle rallies; bigger in size and scope and more competitive. Like most rallies, the Iron Butt rides don’t offer a cash award to the winner.
"Nothing like this that I know of has gone off in at least 25 years," Kneebone said of Hoka Hey. "We’re mostly concerned about the prize money and the expectations of people that they’re going to keep it in check and not do crazy things because they want a bucket of gold."
Connect with Ryan Mills at www.naplesnews.com/staff/ryan-mills/
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Comments » 53
Max_Headroom writes:
Since when does a trip from Key West to Alaska take you through Immokalee?
Colliercounty0101 writes:
So some idiot designed a motorcycle RACE through rural streets and highways????
savethewhalz writes:
Max, there is a daily route preassigned which I suspect is to make the ride more scenic since it includes many national parks and mountain ranges. 0101, the ride is not a race but more so an endurance. A single speeding ticket will get a rider disqualified.
Max_Headroom writes:
I don't see any mountain ranger around here....
echobay writes:
Suspiciously in first place are Dick Dastardly and Muttley in the Mean Machine.
naplesred writes:
Save, you are absolutely correct. Those who participate in this test of endurance are indeed disqualified if they get ANY ticket (parking ticket included).
They never know where the route will take them until they get to the next checkpoint. They are not allowed to stay in hotels (they all have tents and sleeping bags).
This is truly a test of extreme endurance. Travelling 7,000 miles on a bike does not sound like my kind of fun.
tried_n_true writes:
you just dated yourself.....lol.
Oops, so did I.....
Bramble writes:
Another lesson on why you shouldn't drink before you get on your bike.
Ghostrider19 writes:
Even if it was a race, its not nearly the first one of its kind. The Gumball 3000 goes from Miami to LA, mostly exotic cars. I have pics of some state's troopers riding next to the car taking pics of us at a buck forty.
timewarp writes:
They should have an I.Q. test to enter the race and require a double diget to enter, that would stop it cold.
livinginnaples writes:
Was there oil on Oil Well Road? Why did they crash in the same spot?
BackcountryBill writes:
OK, so it's a 7000 mile trip and we have 3 crashes in the first 200 miles. Good luck, guys.
RoadKing writes:
.. a double "diget?"
You failed the IQ test.
swfljim writes:
This race is co-sponsored by those that benefit the most from motorcycle riding-America's trauma centers and funeral homes. At least they have the correct name for the event.
tonywojo writes:
I just wonder why they were on Oil Well Road East of 29? Maybe they were going to the prison.
usertom166 writes:
Helmets?
You know it's so stupid that seat belts are required but helmets aren't. Since the collier commision is so worried about raod saftey they should make helmet use a county code. Think of all the lives they will save.
Naplesbuckeye writes:
I know a guy from Naples that is riding in it and thankfully he was not hurt. I am glad that the others are okay.
multi_million_heir writes:
Sorry you can't afford one. The reason most municipalities that utilize motorcycle patrols use Harleys is? The reason that Harleys maintain their value for decades is? Your 2006 metric bike is worth what? Exactly. But since you are so knowledgeable on the dependability of Harley, what will cause it to break down in 7000 miles? Hint, they are made of mostly metric parts anymore genius. Oh yeah, btw, I worked in a motorcycle shop for years servicing all makes and models and shipped parts worldwide from one of the largest motorcycle recyclers in the country at the time. What parts do you suppose were the hot item? Keep saving, maybe someday.
multi_million_heir writes:
Oh yeah, after owning and riding more than 30 Harleys in the 40+ years that I have been, I have broken down twice. Once the little nub that opens the points cracked. Quick trip to the parts store for 6 cyl chevy points and I was on the road again, about 500 miles from home. The second time I broke an inner primary belt. When you run stroker motors in a bagger, and beat the livin snot out of them, you can only expect stock parts to do so much. Miles ridden over the years? Several hundred thousand. Back to work for me, I have one empty space in the garage and have my eye on that new bagger....
sunburnt writes:
If that can't get of oil well rd wait till they get to the ALCAN. their going to have problems
Naplestango writes:
Harley Hoka-Key Davidson
That has a catchy ring to it.
But untrue as so many biker crashes result in debilitating back and brain injuries, handicapping the rider and putting a strain on family and social services.
grouper25 writes:
sounds like you rode b---h alot.
joeblow writes:
Sounds dumb...
Max_Headroom writes:
I'll translate for the folks out there who didn't understand what 'sunburnt' was trying to say........
"If 'THEY' can't get 'OFF' of Oil Well Road, 'JUST' wait till they get to the ALCAN (I have now idea what she's referring to when she says ALCAN). 'THEY'RE' going to have trouble."
beetlejuice writes:
HOKA HEY IT'S MIDLIFE CRISIS BIKER DAY
JackStraw writes:
ALCAN = Alaskan Canadian Highway
mangy_coon writes:
That's really catchy Beetle
HOKA HEY
HOKA HEY
IT'S MIDLIFE CRISIS BIKER DAY
crazyeyes writes:
"These people are warriors," Redcloud said. "These people have come from all over the world to stand up and be counted. They are real men."
"These men and women are proud to be different than the rest of you," he said. "They’re the best the world has got to offer, as far as we’re concerned. These are the kind of people that make this country great."
Warriors? Real men? What are they being counted for? Where does he come up with this crap? If he wants to see warriors and real men, go to Afghanistan and Iraq and Walter Reed Medical Center.
sunburnt writes:
Max..Im a he.... And Thanks Jack straw the term "the ALCAN" is short for Alaska-Canadian highway. It can be brutal. While it is paved they have to work on it all the time so you might have stretches of 100 miles or more of dirt road and gravel. if you are extremely lucky you might do the alcan without getting a chip or crack in your windshield. If it rains you might be in 100 or more miles of mud road. And their on motorcycles. And those guys that are down here from Alaska already know this and their betting that all the lower 48 bikers will bail when the going gets tough in the Yukon territory. I wish them all a safe trip. Even if they are crazy.
ArgoArgonaut writes:
Absolutely! well said.
ldrider writes:
fvc 316.191
(c) "Race" means the use of one or more motor vehicles in competition, arising from a challenge to demonstrate superiority of a motor vehicle or driver and the acceptance or competitive response to that challenge, either through a prior arrangement or in immediate response, in which the competitor attempts to outgain or outdistance another motor vehicle, to prevent another motor vehicle from passing, to arrive at a given destination ahead of another motor vehicle or motor vehicles, or to test the physical stamina or endurance of drivers over long-distance driving routes. A race may be prearranged or may occur through a competitive response to conduct on the part of one or more drivers which, under the totality of the circumstances, can reasonably be interpreted as a challenge to race.
How isn't this a race?
Ignaciob writes:
I wonder what the Sioux phrase is for "It's a bad day to be Stupid"?
These guys are bad news with cash prizes...it encourages people to ride fatigued and stupidly. It gives a bad name to the responsible motorcycle riders in the world...that far outnumber this batch of renegades.
Dumb, dumb, dumb.
multi_million_heir writes:
Yeah, it's too bad that so many wannabes found out how awesome the bikes are. Hilarious? Tell the folks who are cashing in at the bank. And some colleges actually use their marketing strategy to teach the class how to do it right. (That's the place where you go to further your education.) Go figure. As far as me, I have been riding them since way before it was cool, and somewhat dangerous depending where you went, the late 60's. The reason I owned so many is that it's been my addiction since I was young. You can never have too many. There are no t shirts, chain drive wallets etc. in my drawers. My money is in horsepower. You won't see me riding on 5th to get ice cream or with a bunch of pretenders at the bars either. You are welcome to join me in the everglades on any given day if you can get your hands on your sisters sporty for a spell, if you can ride that far. As far as proficiency in operations, you have that with any brand, and in most vehicles, and that is why I ride in the glades, puttin' on a show for the cows and gators.
savethewhalz writes:
Idrider, no speak legal though use your expertise describe how 1,000 potential contestants pay a $1,000 fee to win $500K. Entries, first balked at gold trinkets then organizers succumbed declaring a cash award is OK. Keep the deal going. To answer you question "How isn't this a race?" It's kinda a race. My quesiton is "How isn't this a fraud?" If you want to be serious ask the organizers if there is a $500K escrow account reserved for the winner? Best crash early before discovering no gold at the end of a painful rainbow. This ride is restricted to only Harleys and is not sponsored by the company. Smell a rat?
j.c.puckett#237413 writes:
The $500,000 prize money makes it a race. Even NASCAR superstars go all out for $0.5 million for 1st place.
smv writes:
"The reason most municipalities that utilize motorcycle patrols use Harleys is?"
Subsidies. They get them for pennies on the dollar.
"The reason that Harleys maintain their value for decades is?"
Idiots like you are willing to pay excessive amounts of money for antequated machinery.
Todd8080 writes:
Always has to be a Harley basher lurking. You can't mention the world's oldest, most revered & sought-after motorcycle without some jealous Asian-riding squid putting in his two yen.
I'd love to see anyone attempt such a journey on a disposable plastic oriental wheelie toy.
gismoz writes:
i don't know many people who would risk riding that far on a harley davidson death trap. i don't think those bikes were designed to be ridden faster that 55, take sharp turns, or go farther than 1000 miles without some wrenching. I'm sure the Sioux didn't make their grueling trek with inferior horses
gismoz writes:
patrols use harleys because they are forced to buy american
Todd8080 writes:
No brand of motorcycle is more reliable than Harley. Anyone who says otherwise simply has no experience with them and is repeating someone else's misinformation.
RoadKing writes:
I have to agree with you in what you said,
"i don't think."
________________
And those picking on Islandman4now or calling him the poster child, remember he is a well known neurologist here in Naples. You might one day be a patient of his.
BoulderBill (Inactive) writes:
Do you still win if you cross the finish line with your Harley in the back of Mommas pick up?
multi_million_heir writes:
Strike three! Meet was right, you don't think, or know!
BoulderBill (Inactive) writes:
Now this is the kind of cop that rides a Harley!!!!!!
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=IU2MRg...
There is a reason why.....
Bullbat writes:
If you want to be serious ask the organizers if there is a $500K escrow account reserved for the winner?
this makes the most sense of anything ive read so far,and i wont be surprised ,that if /when one of the riders does try to claim it,its nothing but a bucket of Fools Gold,,after all i dont think that they certified it to be Real Gold,,,,,,,,and ummm Except for the comment made about the superiority of the Metrics especially in the long run,,,,:-),^ 5's,,,,,,,but i Do have a real good friend that has over 150K on her lil ole HD sporty,,,,,,
multi_million_heir writes:
You can always count on billy to know where the gay sites are. His desktop is littered, literally.
StellaBlue (Inactive) writes:
For the record.....I have a friend who has put 140,000 miles on a harley is the last 6 or 7 years.
1 bike. Lots of rear tires.
Max_Headroom writes:
And what's wrong with buying American?
Please respond to the question.
But I doubt that you will.
gismoz writes:
theres nothing wrong with buying american. i rode a few harleys. i just don't prefer them i guess. i know i wouldn't ride one from florida to alaska. maybe i would like them more if they would cut into there marketing budget and invest a little more in their machine. but hey, some people like to look cool. fashion over function? kinda like women and coach
lightenup writes:
If you are hispanic and you are in any type of injury accident, the collier cops AUTOMATICALLY draw a blood alcohol level at the hospital.
If you are under 40 years of age and in any type of injury accident in collier county, the cops AUTOMATICALLY draw a blood alcohol level at the hospital.
Why is it that when there are a bunch of old reitred white guys in an injury accident, there is no blood alcohol level drawn or any mention of alcohol in the story?
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