Hoka Hey death

[Wyomom]

A guy riding in the Hoka Hey Challenge died 4 miles north of town, at 2 a.m. on the 27th. They think he fell asleep, from what the tire marks and wreckage look like and he wasn't wearing a helmet. I don't think there were any other riders with him, the paper didn't say. I just read about it in our local paper (it comes out once a week, so I get delayed news )

I am very very sorry for his family, but I have to say I don't think that this Challenge was the smartest thing to do. From what I have been reading, it has to be about the most dangerous competition I have heard of. Sleep deprivation is the worst! They equate it with driving drunk!! So what would possess anyone to do that kind of thing on a motorcycle? I guess the money, but my life is worth more than that. At first I thought it was kinda cool, but the more I have read and found out, it's not something I would do. The promoters kept saying they weren't just going to give the money away, but was it worth all the lives that were lost?

DH's friend wants him to do an iron butt with him. DH was kind of iffy on what he wanted to do, but came down to saying no. Riding hell bent for leather and taking all those risks just wasn't worth a t-shirt and bragging rights. I am all for having fun, but that just doesn't sound like fun to me.

Has anyone ever done this kind of thing?

[softail02]

From what I got the Hoka Hey was about 500 miles a day riding a set course at posted speed limits.

500 miles a day is a pretty average day for some parts. Riders received the next mapped plan at each check point.

Probably pretty difficult to "win" first place, aside from being a really loooooong trip and camping it doesn't seem waaay out of the ordinary for a lot of seasoned riders that travel all over the country.

A lot of money spent to do the challenge since a rider can't stop and site see different places along the way like a normal vacation. A good chance at winning a lot of money.

[Wyomom]

I understand that 500 mi./day is pretty common, but these people weren't doing that. I think there is a big difference between doing it at your leisure/own pace and knowing that you have a deadline to meet and big money to win. The two guys who crossed the line first were days ahead of the intended end date. One commenter did the math and said they had to have been doing like 90+ mph/12 hours a day to get there in that time.


Check this out:

http://www.clutchandchrome.com/news/new ... at-sturgis

http://www.clutchandchrome.com/news/new ... ontroversy

They are saying the two guys that won didn't win! They missed a checkpoint in SD...things are really heatin' up!

[softail02]

I understand that 500 mi./day is pretty common, but these people weren't doing that. I think there is a big difference between doing it at your leisure/own pace and knowing that you have a deadline to meet and big money to win. The two guys who crossed the line first were days ahead of the intended end date. One commenter did the math and said they had to have been doing like 90+ mph/12 hours a day to get there in that time.


Check this out:

http://www.clutchandchrome.com/news/new ... at-sturgis

http://www.clutchandchrome.com/news/new ... ontroversy

They are saying the two guys that won didn't win! They missed a checkpoint in SD...things are really heatin' up!

Really hard to say since only ppl associated with the event know the routes required and total mileage of the set route.

A rider would definantely have to be a hard core rider and in great physical condition to withstand it. Along with great directional/map abilities. Following the exact mapped direction would get me right off, lol.

[softail02]

I understand that 500 mi./day is pretty common, but these people weren't doing that. I think there is a big difference between doing it at your leisure/own pace and knowing that you have a deadline to meet and big money to win. The two guys who crossed the line first were days ahead of the intended end date. One commenter did the math and said they had to have been doing like 90+ mph/12 hours a day to get there in that time.


Check this out:

http://www.clutchandchrome.com/news/new ... at-sturgis

http://www.clutchandchrome.com/news/new ... ontroversy

They are saying the two guys that won didn't win! They missed a checkpoint in SD...things are really heatin' up!

Really hard to say since only ppl associated with the event know the routes required and total mileage of the set route.

A rider would definantely have to be a hard core rider and in great physical condition to withstand it. Along with great directional/map abilities. Following the exact mapped direction would get me right off, lol.

Just read on HD dealership Facebook page that the customer they sponsored finished either 8th, 9th or 10th. He has been told all 3 finishes, won't know until Sturgis Rally his official finish placement.
He did say that he road 22 hours straight and can't grip much of anything except a throttle with his right hand.

[amethaelf]

Lots of folks do long distance riding all the time, but under those conditions its pretty tough going. Sleep deprivation combined with long distance fast riding isnt a good combination. Very sad news.

[susanL]

Riding hell bent for leather and taking all those risks just wasn't worth a t-shirt and bragging rights. I am all for having fun, but that just doesn't sound like fun to me.

I'm right there with you on this one! So sorry to hear of the passing of that man.

[Starlight]

500 miles a day isn't that bad, but it depends on how you're doing it. Iron butts shouldn't be too bad either, again depending on how you do it. My bf and step-dad are considering doing one this year. Not sure if it's something I'll join in on or not. Anything that requires sleep deprivation and being on a motorcycle is just not a good combination. Not at all safe!

[SFW]

Yeah I hear about that, what a tragedy. I also heard of another one related to the event and the guy was only a hundred miles from the finish line.

[Trish]

A guy riding in the Hoka Hey Challenge died 4 miles north of town, at 2 a.m. on the 27th. They think he fell asleep, from what the tire marks and wreckage look like and he wasn't wearing a helmet. I don't think there were any other riders with him, the paper didn't say. I just read about it in our local paper (it comes out once a week, so I get delayed news )

I am very very sorry for his family, but I have to say I don't think that this Challenge was the smartest thing to do. From what I have been reading, it has to be about the most dangerous competition I have heard of. Sleep deprivation is the worst! They equate it with driving drunk!! So what would possess anyone to do that kind of thing on a motorcycle? I guess the money, but my life is worth more than that. At first I thought it was kinda cool, but the more I have read and found out, it's not something I would do. The promoters kept saying they weren't just going to give the money away, but was it worth all the lives that were lost?

DH's friend wants him to do an iron butt with him. DH was kind of iffy on what he wanted to do, but came down to saying no. Riding hell bent for leather and taking all those risks just wasn't worth a t-shirt and bragging rights. I am all for having fun, but that just doesn't sound like fun to me.

Has anyone ever done this kind of thing?

I agree, extremism is not a healthy pastime. Iron butt-and other such rides are insane! Even truck drivers aren't allowed to do that-and for good reason. You're so right, it proves nothing real, and all you get is a t shirt and bragging. Not a good trade off.

[softail02]

Yeah I hear about that, what a tragedy. I also heard of another one related to the event and the guy was only a hundred miles from the finish line.

I keep hearing about a 2nd death also, but no details anywhere. Starting to wonder if the rider died somehow other than while riding.

[Zoom]

I keep hearing about a 2nd death also, but no details anywhere. Starting to wonder if the rider died somehow other than while riding.

Here is a little about both softail.

http://www.clutchandchrome.com/news/news/motorcycle-challenge-faces-controversy

Personally I would love to do the ironbutt and plan to. Some of the ladies in the group I am in have done it and when they do another one I will probably be one of them. It may just be a tshirt and bragging rights but it is still something to accomplish IMO and one of my goals. As far as the Hoka Hey, I wouldn't want to do it, but there were more that didn't get killed than did, there were approximately 700 participants and though some did drop off our out it was still a large number that crossed parts of the United States. People have to take care of themselves and be responsible when they are doing something like this. Anything can be dangerous if you don't get the rest you need. You have to build endurance. To me it's like any other competition, you prepare, you rest, you do your best.