Sage Words from Chris Callen

During an extended discussion with Chris Callen late yesterday afternoon Chris explained that, as this ride unfolded, certain Hoka Hey truths have been revealed.   Chris reported that, like many, regular, long-distance riders, he and Rob Keller believed themselves to have an excellent shot at not only finishing this event early, but possibly winning that Alaskan gold.  Chris then explained that he quickly realized, before the end of Hoka Hey day two, this Challenge had nothing to do with open-road, or even back-road rallying from checkpoint to checkpoint.  This wouldn’t just be a test of a motorcyclists physical endurance or a rider’s ability to make runs without sleep, or sustenance.

While all of those elements are being tested, the crux of the Challenge of the Hoka Hey is the challenge of not succumbing to the spirit of self-doubt.  You see, the directions given to these riders are so incredibly cryptic that riders find themselves traveling at a snail’s pace, back and forth searching for the next leg of the trip.

Imaging, if you will, a MapQuest direction sheet with step-by-step instructions of how to navigate from checkpoint to checkpoint.  Well, it’s sort of like that, however; the Challenge direction sheet, as described to me by Chris, doesn’t include the names of towns, or exit numbers, or those handy miles-to-travel-per-road data that make MapQuest and similar types of directions the invaluable travel tools we all know them to be.

So, think about yourself traveling with those directions.  You’re sheet tells you to turn left onto 1st Street.  The next instruction is to continue on 1st Street, then make a right onto West Main Street.  No problem, right?  Well, wait a minute.  How far to 1st Street?  It could be the very next left or maybe its 2 miles down the road.  Hell, it could be 200 miles down the road.  After the frustration of finally finding 1st Street, this process starts all over as your quest for West Main Street begins.  Now extrapolate carrying out this proposition all the way from Key West, Florida to Homer, Alaska.

What becomes immediately apparent about the Hoka Hey Challenge is the tremendous mental frustration and spiritual defeat these riders must feel as they strive to run-down each and every turn in the Hoka Hey maze.

Chris explains that he and Rob knew prior to this event that they may have to dig pretty deep and push themselves pretty far to get this ride done, but never did he imagine how much he would actually be tested or how far his limits pushed.  Chris admits that, at one point, the Challenge of the Hoka Hey had taxed him so much that he felt it necessary to stop for a bit and recollect his thoughts.  He also very much needed to rest his tired body, mind, and spirit before returning to his ultimate task of completing this once-in-a-lifetime journey, providing the best coverage possible for the Cycle Source readership that means so very much to all of us here at Cycle Source.  Truth!

Chris also really feels that the advantage those in the front have over the rest of the pack may be their intentional disregard or indifference to the chatter going on between the other riders and the folks following along back home.  Chris explains that, doing this run is frustrating enough, without buying into all of the online conjecture or the frustrations of those who have either become downtrodden or quit altogether.

Chris plans to continue his ride, moving throughout the pack, interviewing riders along the way, gathering photos of our beautiful land, and maybe even taking in a few must see sights along the way.

Ride safe Chris, my brother!  I wish I was on my ‘06 Road Glide right there with you!