The Hoka Hey Challenge
#11
08-06-2010 | 10:41 AM
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Joined: Apr 2010
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From: Marina del Rey
good post
lh, I hadn't heard all that.
Some of those 'lies', as you put it, may not have been intentional but rather things someone thought they could instill before thinking it through, such as each bike being fitted with gps. Maybe it was supposed to be a race similar to the gold rush of '49, or the ride of the Pony Express.....
But those things would be quite a costly. It was open to the first 1000 who signed up, but it sounds like only 500 or so did. Only 300 or so made it to Homer Alaska by the 4th of July, the day the winner was supposed to be announced in a big 4th of July celebration there. I guess Homer had to be reimbursed for their expenditures in this event. Someone had to pay for the checkpoints and their being manned. Sounds like some weren't but at least provisions were in place so participants could get their maps for the next leg. Either way, they were 'checked in' for following the prescribed route.
So what about where the profits went. Think any of the riders were there due to where the money went, or were they there for the ride and a chance to win?
I think the winner said it all when he gave his opinion on it, and yes its always easier for the winner to say things like this. Part of what makes this ride so significant was the fact that everything wasn't so set up that it took away from a rider having to adapt, modify and endure. On a ride like that all sorts of potential problems could, and for some, did arise. But wasn't it the same for everyone? Its sad some lost their lives, but everyone participating should have known the risk. Another thing the guy said, was that riding a Harley, it seemed to fit the whole personna of a ride like this. Riders like that and who would take on a challenge like this are fall backs.....falling back to a time when people didn't whine about everything but rather took a challenge, and saw it through bucking up to the daily obstacles they encountered.....without whining. Today everyone wants everything given to them, wants someone else to do the dirty work like setting up every little iota of a detail so the riders might not have to overcome anything other than the ride. And I'll bet there are many of the losers who are doing just that-whining about every little thing they can and blaming that on why they didn't win. Tood bad, but thats how things are today. Not many gracious winners or losers anymore, although this winner seemed pretty well grounded in reality. Maybe thats a reason why he did win. Preparation.
So next year they say there will be another race, maybe open to all bikes. Probably have 1000 riders, gps for everyone, manned checkpoints everywhere, everything regulated, every move scrutinized...............and the race will have lost that which the name really means, "it is a good day to die", an American Indian battle cry, which, imho, is a fall back to a time when men took on a challenge and all of the obstacles he encountered along the way knowing full well it might mean dying trying to get there.
Sorry for the rant......
Some of those 'lies', as you put it, may not have been intentional but rather things someone thought they could instill before thinking it through, such as each bike being fitted with gps. Maybe it was supposed to be a race similar to the gold rush of '49, or the ride of the Pony Express.....
But those things would be quite a costly. It was open to the first 1000 who signed up, but it sounds like only 500 or so did. Only 300 or so made it to Homer Alaska by the 4th of July, the day the winner was supposed to be announced in a big 4th of July celebration there. I guess Homer had to be reimbursed for their expenditures in this event. Someone had to pay for the checkpoints and their being manned. Sounds like some weren't but at least provisions were in place so participants could get their maps for the next leg. Either way, they were 'checked in' for following the prescribed route.
So what about where the profits went. Think any of the riders were there due to where the money went, or were they there for the ride and a chance to win?
I think the winner said it all when he gave his opinion on it, and yes its always easier for the winner to say things like this. Part of what makes this ride so significant was the fact that everything wasn't so set up that it took away from a rider having to adapt, modify and endure. On a ride like that all sorts of potential problems could, and for some, did arise. But wasn't it the same for everyone? Its sad some lost their lives, but everyone participating should have known the risk. Another thing the guy said, was that riding a Harley, it seemed to fit the whole personna of a ride like this. Riders like that and who would take on a challenge like this are fall backs.....falling back to a time when people didn't whine about everything but rather took a challenge, and saw it through bucking up to the daily obstacles they encountered.....without whining. Today everyone wants everything given to them, wants someone else to do the dirty work like setting up every little iota of a detail so the riders might not have to overcome anything other than the ride. And I'll bet there are many of the losers who are doing just that-whining about every little thing they can and blaming that on why they didn't win. Tood bad, but thats how things are today. Not many gracious winners or losers anymore, although this winner seemed pretty well grounded in reality. Maybe thats a reason why he did win. Preparation.
So next year they say there will be another race, maybe open to all bikes. Probably have 1000 riders, gps for everyone, manned checkpoints everywhere, everything regulated, every move scrutinized...............and the race will have lost that which the name really means, "it is a good day to die", an American Indian battle cry, which, imho, is a fall back to a time when men took on a challenge and all of the obstacles he encountered along the way knowing full well it might mean dying trying to get there.
Sorry for the rant......
#12
08-06-2010 | 04:34 PM
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Joined: Dec 2007
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From: Illinois
Even though there was major deficiencies in the presentation. The ride was worth it to all who did it. They could do the ride without putting up $1K.
With about 20 accidents and two dead, there could be law suits to emerge yet. The signed agreements did state that speeding was not allowed. The case could be made that even with the disclaimers any ordinary person would conclude that offering a half million dollar prize to the first rider in was a willful and wanton disregard for the safety of the riders and the public. It would not take much imagination that many would try to get there first by any means possible.
When they announced a mass start and were questioned that that was reckless, they came back with the answer that tracking devices were going to be issued so that each persons start time would be recorded not just at the start but each check point. In addition they stated that the Key West police would provide an escort out of town. The police department was contacted and reported that no they were not going to provide an escort and the riders better behave themselves when they leave. All now know that there was not one penny spent on tracking devices which were also to identify if the riders stayed on course. That clearly shows that the promoter did not care about safety and lied about it to get more entry fees.
None of the charities have reported receiving any money yet.
The whole mess is not over. The fat lady is not even warming up yet.
With about 20 accidents and two dead, there could be law suits to emerge yet. The signed agreements did state that speeding was not allowed. The case could be made that even with the disclaimers any ordinary person would conclude that offering a half million dollar prize to the first rider in was a willful and wanton disregard for the safety of the riders and the public. It would not take much imagination that many would try to get there first by any means possible.
When they announced a mass start and were questioned that that was reckless, they came back with the answer that tracking devices were going to be issued so that each persons start time would be recorded not just at the start but each check point. In addition they stated that the Key West police would provide an escort out of town. The police department was contacted and reported that no they were not going to provide an escort and the riders better behave themselves when they leave. All now know that there was not one penny spent on tracking devices which were also to identify if the riders stayed on course. That clearly shows that the promoter did not care about safety and lied about it to get more entry fees.
None of the charities have reported receiving any money yet.
The whole mess is not over. The fat lady is not even warming up yet.
#13
08-06-2010 | 05:38 PM
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From: back home in Michigan
Entry fee of $1000 each, just over 500 entrants, so lets say 550. This would be $550,000, right? With a prize of $500,000 that would leave about $50k to be spread out to cover all the rest of the costs. Think the manned checkpoints were volunteers and the dealerships involved did everything for free too? Advertising? I don't know, just throwing this out.
I'll bet the organizer was figuring on a full house equaling $500,000 (left after paying the winner) to be spread out to pay for everything including whatever charities were mentioned.
I know in the town in Michigan I moved from they started a one night event for hot rods and bikes where they closed off the downtown area for them. This required the police to be involved and they wouldn't do it for free. Not so sure other pd's would or not, but Homer Alaska reportedly wasn't doing their end for free. I'll also bet the organizer only getting approx 1/10th of what was expected caused a real stir to those with their hands out.
Like I said, if they have it again, it won't be the same. Too bad things like this have to be so pc to work anymore. No one can be trusted, and you're right, people are sue happy anymore and will probably take this to court, maybe ensuring the race won't happen again
I'll bet the organizer was figuring on a full house equaling $500,000 (left after paying the winner) to be spread out to pay for everything including whatever charities were mentioned.
I know in the town in Michigan I moved from they started a one night event for hot rods and bikes where they closed off the downtown area for them. This required the police to be involved and they wouldn't do it for free. Not so sure other pd's would or not, but Homer Alaska reportedly wasn't doing their end for free. I'll also bet the organizer only getting approx 1/10th of what was expected caused a real stir to those with their hands out.
Like I said, if they have it again, it won't be the same. Too bad things like this have to be so pc to work anymore. No one can be trusted, and you're right, people are sue happy anymore and will probably take this to court, maybe ensuring the race won't happen again
#14
08-07-2010 | 04:29 PM
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Joined: Dec 2007
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From: Illinois
Jim Red Cloud first stated that the $500,000 in "Alaskan Gold" was donated by an anonymous donor. Later he said the donor was the Lakota Nation. The Lakota's countered that they were not the donors. Red Cloud responded that he meant a Lakota individual.
The idea was to foster a belief that the prize was in place and not needed from entrants fees or the money the 13 episode reality show would bring. The same as the 6 charities that were to receive money. It was all part of the scheme to get people to fork over their entry fee. As was the statement that the starting order would follow the dates that entrants paid their fee.
The whole thing keep changing and being made up as it went along.
The application even had non compete clauses that an entrant could not set up a similar event. You signed an agreement that within 30 days of the event you were to turn over any and all pictures taken during the event as they were property of Hoka Hey.
Again none of that was real it was part of looking like it was a very legitimate operation.
One of the rules was that you were disqualified if you went off course. The winner has admitted that he went off course for a couple hours.
Red Cloud told the media the day the two guys that crossed the line together were disqualified. Around July 4th he said the first 200 were disqualified.
The whole set up is questionable.
The idea was to foster a belief that the prize was in place and not needed from entrants fees or the money the 13 episode reality show would bring. The same as the 6 charities that were to receive money. It was all part of the scheme to get people to fork over their entry fee. As was the statement that the starting order would follow the dates that entrants paid their fee.
The whole thing keep changing and being made up as it went along.
The application even had non compete clauses that an entrant could not set up a similar event. You signed an agreement that within 30 days of the event you were to turn over any and all pictures taken during the event as they were property of Hoka Hey.
Again none of that was real it was part of looking like it was a very legitimate operation.
One of the rules was that you were disqualified if you went off course. The winner has admitted that he went off course for a couple hours.
Red Cloud told the media the day the two guys that crossed the line together were disqualified. Around July 4th he said the first 200 were disqualified.
The whole set up is questionable.
#15
08-11-2010 | 09:33 PM
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Joined: Jul 2010
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From: NE TN
The winner seems to be a genuine dude. Hell, he rode RE's, that's enough for me. As for the crap with the race, the first time anything is done it looks more like a turd. They'll get it figured out in time. I do agree, though, that part of it was the "challange." Too many mamby pambies out there. Give them a lensatic compass, and point them in the general direction...that's all they need to do. Land nav challenge on a bike? I'd do it ! (20 years ago, that is...)
#16
10-17-2010 | 10:20 PM
Nice RE there, I still have three of them. i wish they were fast enough to ride in the Hoka Hey challenge but they are not happy doing the speed limit on fast American roads. I will have to ride it again next year on a Harley although they are letting in other makes next year in their own class.
#17
10-21-2010 | 10:58 PM
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Joined: Aug 2009
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From: Lakeland Florida
The Hoka Hey Challenge
My wife and I where riding our motorcycles from Florida to Alaska during the same time this ride was going on. We started before them and did our trip on our own time following our own route. We didn't run into anyone in the race until we got on the Cassair highway going up through British Columbia in Smithers. We probably were not on the same route they where taking earlier. When we got up to Whitehorse on Canada Day (July 1) we talked to many Hoka Hey riders camped out in front of the HD dealer waiting to get tires changed. This is an old school shop like they used to be here in the states. Shop was closed on Canada Day and they were screwed trying to find a tire anywhere else for hundreds of miles in any direction. All were really tired and kinda pissed about the route and how vague a lot of the directions were. Everyone seemed to be doing what they liked best though and that was riding motorcycles. All seemed proud to have been in the race and having the experience. When we were coming back south we took the Alaskan ferry back down from Haines to Bellingham and ran into about 10 more on their way home. Kinda the same feedback, good road stories doing a once in a lifetime thing for most. To win an event like this you have to prep just like the winner did. He basically trained all the time in some form to do an endurance test like this. I can appreciate that. The guys that I met didn't. They were just Harley riders with a dream of winning. I also met a few desperate people doing this race that bet all they had on it to win and that was a shame because they did not prepare. Probably didn't know how. Their macho harley rider attitude screwed them and their families they left broke back home over. I'd gladly do this cross country ride again in a heartbeat but not on a race like that. Sort of like our ride up the haul road to the arctic circle and getting caught in a rain storm on the way back down on 60 miles of gravel road. Sounds good until you get caught up in the middle of it. I enjoy just riding too much, that's too much like work.
Later
Tom
Later
Tom
#18
10-30-2010 | 10:22 PM
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From: Conroe Texas
So true, kind of funny but so true, land nav at 60+ mph on a Harley hehehe. Was a great ride.
The winner seems to be a genuine dude. Hell, he rode RE's, that's enough for me. As for the crap with the race, the first time anything is done it looks more like a turd. They'll get it figured out in time. I do agree, though, that part of it was the "challange." Too many mamby pambies out there. Give them a lensatic compass, and point them in the general direction...that's all they need to do. Land nav challenge on a bike? I'd do it ! (20 years ago, that is...)
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