After months of planning and preparation time to head out on the road comes early Sunday morning July 31st. I've loaded and unloaded the "Little Brother" at a half dozen times and I believe I've things where I want and need them. Pack up the final few pieces of clothing is all that is left. The good thing about it is I have from here to Mesa AZ to fiddle and adjust the load if it's not right. For those that haven't traveled by bike you want to make sure the weight is as evenly divided as possible from side to side. An unbalanced load will affect cornering and handling. Too much of a difference and you upset the natural balance causing you to be constantly holding the bike up.
I'd like to thank all of the well wishers that have come by the shop the last few weeks as well as all the folks at St Charles HD, my HOG Chapter, supporters and family, The organizers of Hoka Hey Challenge will be putting a link on their web site on August 5th for anyone that would like to follow along. As I understand it you will be able to follow me and see where I am in regards to the rest of the challengers. I'm rider 607.
This will be my last post until after I get back from the challenge. I won't have time to blog once we start and I really don't have the space to carry my laptop. I will be keeping a Journal and hope to share some of my experience after I get back.. Apparently there is a good chance that this adventure will be taped by film crews all along the way. I know we are to be interviewed at check in time for possible use in an upcoming documentary.
Until we meet again........ Happy Trails to you and HOKA KEY!!!
Friday, July 29, 2011
Tuesday, July 19, 2011
Sponsor's & Contributors
Well we're down to less than 2 weeks before I head to Mesa AZ. These last 10 days or so have been very busy. The bike "Little Brother" is about ready to go, all service work and new tires are on and complete. Thank you to Brad Holzhauer owner of St Charles Harley Davidson for that and a donation that will help with numerous expenses. Brad and his crew of managers and employees has done tremendous things with this dealership in just under 3 years of operation. I am proud to be associated with the #1 dealer in our area. If you need a new Harley, service work, parts, accessories or motorclothes this is the dealership to go to.
Team Svoboda has made a generous donation that is greatly appreciated and has a special place in my heart. You see team Svoboda is my baby sisters family and they are almost as excited about the challenge as I am.
Hoka Hey little sister!
Ridetek industries has donated a set of "LidHaulers" and "LidSaks". This product is unique and is of the best quality. The LidHauler fits on the top of a standard Harley Davidson hard saddlebag and has a pair of straps sewn into it. These straps enable you to hold the LidSak, which is pretty much a small duffel bag, to the top of the bag. They are designed to hold soft items like rain suits, jackets, clothing and sleeping bags. If you have ever traveled any length of time on a bike you will love these things. Go to Ridetek.com and check them out. Bill at Ridetek has been very easy to deal with and I recommend him, this company and their product highly.
Deb Colburn, co-owner of Prudential Select Properties, has made a donation that will help out with travel expenses and day to day stuff like food and gas. Thank you Deb! I have known Deb from the real estate business for about 18 years, 10 of which I have worked at her office. If you or anyone you know ever needs real estate assistance call Deb and she will see to it you are taken care of. If you have ever thought about real estate as a career Deb's company and her office in particular have the best tools and training available. You can reach her at 636-720-1100. Or online at PrudentialSelectProperties.com/DebColburn.
Greg Daughtery from St Peters MO and a friend from the St Charles HOG Chapter has made a donation to help with expenses also. Thanks Greg , hope we can ride later this summer!
I'd also like to thank all of my friends, co-workers and family that have given me well wishes and support. Your encouragement has meant a lot to me and helps me be motivated to do the best I can.
Be sure to check out the Hoka Hey web site. The announcement this morning is they have signed a deal with a producer of several TV shows and documentary films to interview and follow us during the challenge. they have options apparently for films and reality TV shows etc.
Thanks to all, Happy Trails & Hoka Hey!
Team Svoboda has made a generous donation that is greatly appreciated and has a special place in my heart. You see team Svoboda is my baby sisters family and they are almost as excited about the challenge as I am.
Hoka Hey little sister!
Ridetek industries has donated a set of "LidHaulers" and "LidSaks". This product is unique and is of the best quality. The LidHauler fits on the top of a standard Harley Davidson hard saddlebag and has a pair of straps sewn into it. These straps enable you to hold the LidSak, which is pretty much a small duffel bag, to the top of the bag. They are designed to hold soft items like rain suits, jackets, clothing and sleeping bags. If you have ever traveled any length of time on a bike you will love these things. Go to Ridetek.com and check them out. Bill at Ridetek has been very easy to deal with and I recommend him, this company and their product highly.
Deb Colburn, co-owner of Prudential Select Properties, has made a donation that will help out with travel expenses and day to day stuff like food and gas. Thank you Deb! I have known Deb from the real estate business for about 18 years, 10 of which I have worked at her office. If you or anyone you know ever needs real estate assistance call Deb and she will see to it you are taken care of. If you have ever thought about real estate as a career Deb's company and her office in particular have the best tools and training available. You can reach her at 636-720-1100. Or online at PrudentialSelectProperties.com/DebColburn.
Greg Daughtery from St Peters MO and a friend from the St Charles HOG Chapter has made a donation to help with expenses also. Thanks Greg , hope we can ride later this summer!
I'd also like to thank all of my friends, co-workers and family that have given me well wishes and support. Your encouragement has meant a lot to me and helps me be motivated to do the best I can.
Be sure to check out the Hoka Hey web site. The announcement this morning is they have signed a deal with a producer of several TV shows and documentary films to interview and follow us during the challenge. they have options apparently for films and reality TV shows etc.
Thanks to all, Happy Trails & Hoka Hey!
Tuesday, July 12, 2011
Rules of the Road & Your Mind
Well as one of my fellow riders put it earlier: at 5:00 AM there are 476 hours to take off in Mesa. By the chatter on our Yahoo group email chain that is getting busier and busier as time grows closer, all of the fellow challengers or "warriors" as we and the organizers refer to each other are getting very excited. This is going to be an amazing event both in the challenge and in my life. The brotherhood and camaraderie that is starting to develop among those that are taking part in the yahoo group on facebook and phone calls is second to none and we haven't even met face to face yet. More on this in a minute.
I have this same type of camaraderie in the local HOG (Harley Owners Group) chapter of which I am a member. I have to admit that I read an article by a friend, Roger Akester, that will be in our next monthly newsletter that sparked my thoughts on this subject and I thought I would try to express this feeling that we share. When a group of members or friends get together and goes for a ride this brotherhood or bond grows between the riders that are there. The longer the ride, like a vacation for 10 days, the stronger the bond as the trip goes on. You know you have someone with you that has your back. If there are bike troubles someone is there to make sure you get taken care of. This security this provides is a main reason the bond is as strong as it is. The peace of mind is one of the reasons it is so much fun to take these trips.
This same relationship exists among riders on the road. If you are riding by yourself and happen to stop on the side of the road just about every person on a bike will slow down to see if you are okay or if you need help. If you are a true rider or biker and you are in your car you will stop to help a stranded biker. If you don't..... you just don't get "it". Now, more on above... This is where a true check of your fortitude your ingrained behavior is tested. Imagine riding in the Hoka Hey, up to 1,000 riders, 18 days on the road, no hotels, no GPS units, none of the comforts you would have on any other ride,only the other warriors. The only people you know are those you had a day or two to get to know before the start of the challenge. Do you ride in a group? Do you want to place in the money? Do you take advantage of others weakness to get ahead? Do you erase what years and years of riding has branded in to your soul and mind as to what bikers do to help each other? Do you stop for another rider that has trouble? Are you in this to make friends or do the very best you can? Remember you have already started to make friendships and form a bond online and through a few phone calls with others. What would you do?
Happy Trails & Hoka Hey!
I have this same type of camaraderie in the local HOG (Harley Owners Group) chapter of which I am a member. I have to admit that I read an article by a friend, Roger Akester, that will be in our next monthly newsletter that sparked my thoughts on this subject and I thought I would try to express this feeling that we share. When a group of members or friends get together and goes for a ride this brotherhood or bond grows between the riders that are there. The longer the ride, like a vacation for 10 days, the stronger the bond as the trip goes on. You know you have someone with you that has your back. If there are bike troubles someone is there to make sure you get taken care of. This security this provides is a main reason the bond is as strong as it is. The peace of mind is one of the reasons it is so much fun to take these trips.
This same relationship exists among riders on the road. If you are riding by yourself and happen to stop on the side of the road just about every person on a bike will slow down to see if you are okay or if you need help. If you are a true rider or biker and you are in your car you will stop to help a stranded biker. If you don't..... you just don't get "it". Now, more on above... This is where a true check of your fortitude your ingrained behavior is tested. Imagine riding in the Hoka Hey, up to 1,000 riders, 18 days on the road, no hotels, no GPS units, none of the comforts you would have on any other ride,only the other warriors. The only people you know are those you had a day or two to get to know before the start of the challenge. Do you ride in a group? Do you want to place in the money? Do you take advantage of others weakness to get ahead? Do you erase what years and years of riding has branded in to your soul and mind as to what bikers do to help each other? Do you stop for another rider that has trouble? Are you in this to make friends or do the very best you can? Remember you have already started to make friendships and form a bond online and through a few phone calls with others. What would you do?
Happy Trails & Hoka Hey!
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