My name is Jim Hollister…retired from the USAF in 2004 after 24 years of service…started my second career as a contractor supporting the USAF in 2005…still doing that. So, I have been serving my country since 1980 and I am extremely proud of that fact.
I have been following the Hoka Hey Motorcycle Challenge (HHMC) for several years now…and it has fascinated me to no end. The thought of taking off on a journey…not really knowing where you were going other than the first listed checkpoint…only being able to use provided directions-no electronic navigation aids such as GPS…camping next to your bike…staying on backroads and crisscrossing this great country…I mean really, given the opportunity to do it, how could one say no?
When I learned that the 2020 Challenge was going to start and end in Florida, I knew it was my time to go for it…and I am fortunate to say everything has fallen into place thus far. They only take 100 riders…and past riders have first priority, so I feel lucky just to be able to say I ma in. I am, and forever more will be, Hoka Hey rider #980.
In addition to being able to personally experience all the HHMC has to offer, it also provides an opportunity to help others! How’s that, you might ask?
Riders are encouraged to use this opportunity to raise funds for their favorite charity. This allows HHMC participants a chance to give back, throw their support somewhere, recognize and promote an organization…however you want to look at it. Bottom line, it just makes a great opportunity even better!
In 2018, HHMC riders collected over $225,000 for assorted charities. It is our intent to exceed that in 2020.
HOW CAN YOU HELP?
As a current member of Rolling Thunder® Chapter 1 NC, my goal is to use this opportunity to promote our mission and raise funds to support programs and events the chapter is involved in through out the year. Our chapter is actively engaged in programs with the NC USO at the Warrior Transition Battalion on Ft Bragg….we support the NC State Veterans Nursing Home in Fayetteville, NC, visiting residents monthly for bingo and sponsoring an annual supper picnic…we provide POW/MIA flags to businesses and organizations in our area…we conduct Missing Man Table Ceremonies at various events on request…and we support other veterans organizations that support our area’s veterans and active duty military.
My goal is to raise $5,000 for Rolling Thunder® Chapter 1 NC to help them accomplish their mission of POW/MIA awareness and providing suppor to veterans. ALL DONATION WILL GO DIRECTLY TO rtnc1…none will be used to defray any costs I will personally incur during the challenge.
Thank you for taking the time to read all of this, and if you are so inclined, thank you for your donation.
NEVER FORGET!
The 2020 Hoka Hey Motorcycle Challenge will be the 9th test of endurance, patience, and skill since the first Challenge in 2010. The 2020 Challenge is starting in Panama City Beach, FL on Sunday August 9th, 2020. The carefully laid out route will take riders to checkpoints in Arkansas, Vermont, and New Mexico (not necessarily in that order) and then back to Panama City Beach, FL for the “End of the Road” celebration to be held at the Wicked Wheel on Saturday August 22nd.
As with previous years, family and friends can watch the rider’s progress from the Hoak Hey web site. Each rider will have a GPS tracker which allows viewers to monitor their rider as well as the entire group.
“Challenges are what make life interesting…Overcoming them is what makes it meaningful.” – Joshua J. Marine
