2022 Wolakota Awards |
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2022 Wolakota Awards
As with years past, the 2022 Awards are based on:
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Selecting the top nominations for these awards is one of the hardest things the Board of Directors must accomplish at the conclusion of each Challenge.
In recognition of their demonstration of these Core Values we’d like to acknowledge the following riders of the 2022 Hoka Hey Motorcycle Challenge™.
RESPECT – Kelly Cooke, #215
Nominated by rider #980, James Hollister, Kelly was chosen because:
“it came to me that this person “got it.” She was being the mentor, guide and teacher. She was out there riding and connecting with her surroundings. She was out there doing it right, man. I admired and appreciated that. She understood what this was all about…she was doing it old school…and she was loving it! To me, she embodied the spirit and intent of the Hoka Hey Motorcycle Challenge. In the sea of $1,500 riding suits, clipboards and other paraphernalia strapped to handlebars and the finish as quickly as possible mentality, she was certainly a breath of fresh air.
I don’t know when she finished…but of course that isn’t what is important. Her goal, as she told me, was to finish safely and respectfully. She wanted a solid ride…and she wanted to enjoy the ride and all it laid out before her. I pray she got what she was looking for. And I feel she is more than worthy and representative of any of the Hoka Hey awards.”
HONOR – Lee Smith - #83
Nominated by the Board of Directors:
Lee Smith honored every single person that participated in the 2022 Challenge by asking them all to help carry his son’s ashes to some of the most beautiful places in the world. He spoke at the Riders’ Briefing and shared his reasons for doing this – begging his Hoka Hey family to help him move forward by releasing August’s spirit. Lee touched us all, not only with his eloquent plea, but by entrusting the riders to carry out this noble task. In so doing he underscored what the Hoka Hey Motorcycle Challenge is all about… We do not live in a vacuum and there are some things we cannot do alone. Lee showed the organization and it’s participants great honor by sharing this burden and by believing in us to carry it out with respect and sincerity.
INTEGRITY – Joe "Chicken Joe" Connors - #842
Nominated by Abby Speadt (#846):
Joe was nominated because he won’t leave anyone behind. There have been numerous stories of Chicken Joe going above and beyond in helping others on many occasions but while this may seem deserving of the award for compassion, we note that Joe doesn’t cut corners and has the capacity to exercise will, make choices, and communicate desires.
“Joe came upon me when I was stopped because my bike had randomly stalled (the first time) in Vermillion, SD. While he was there, I pulled the tank bag off my bike and discovered that the tab holding the left gas tank to the frame had broken. Chicken Joe went inside the convenience store and learned there was a welder down the street. I duct taped my gas tanks together, thankfully the bike started, and Joe escorted me to the welding shop. I quickly learned that the welder had zero interest in helping or even talking to me. While Joe was going to continue on while my bike was getting fixed, I was out of there so quickly that I got on the road before him. He ended up following me into Nebraska at my turtle pace. At an intersection just west of Iowa, I had to beg Chicken Joe to go on ahead of me. I finally convinced him that my choice to ride my '55 on the Hoka Hey did not mean that he needed to slow his pace to a crawl to ensure I made it safely.”
COMPASSION – Kory Wilson - #1001
Nominated by David Gately:
“I shared over 3,000 miles of this journey with Kory. In that time I personally saw him stop to help at least 3 riders with mechanical difficulties. Kory would get out his tools and try to help or offer suggestions on repairs/options. He helped any rider we came across who seemed in need and was constantly checking on his own group of riders to ensure we were all ok. Multiple times he would stop and recommend to a tired rider that they nap and rest for a bit before continuing and one time Kory even suggested that our whole party bed down due to the challenging nature of the roads we were on the fatigue some of our group. In all my miles with Kory I saw him demonstrate the core values of Hoka Hey over & over again.”
PERSEVERANCE – Tracey Bailey - #1009
When Tracey showed up in Panama City Beach in 2020 she immediately drew the attention of several Board Members and volunteers and not perhaps in the best way possible. Clearly a bundle of nerves she nearly dropped her bike just trying to manage a U-turn after bike inspection. But, she commented at registration, that she had “found her tribe”. She was home, with family and she felt safe. Tracey managed to get nearly half way thru the 2020 Challenge route before an accident and broken finger sent her home. But she was undeterred…
Overcoming her nerves and beset by mechanical issues, Tracey came back in 2022 and finished! Her’s was not the best time but it was the most determined. Nothing was going to stop her from reaching this goal and we are proud to call her family.
SACRIFICE
To the daughter of fallen rider Philip Grove (#1083), Jennifer Grove
To the daughter of fallen rider Paul Denton (1093), Kendra Denton
Nominated by the Board of Directors:
Lee Smith honored every single person that participated in the 2022 Challenge by asking them all to help carry his son’s ashes to some of the most beautiful places in the world. He spoke at the Riders’ Briefing and shared his reasons for doing this – begging his Hoka Hey family to help him move forward by releasing August’s spirit. Lee touched us all, not only with his eloquent plea, but by entrusting the riders to carry out this noble task. In so doing he underscored what the Hoka Hey Motorcycle Challenge is all about… We do not live in a vacuum and there are some things we cannot do alone. Lee showed the organization and it’s participants great honor by sharing this burden and by believing in us to carry it out with respect and sincerity.
INTEGRITY – Joe "Chicken Joe" Connors - #842
Nominated by Abby Speadt (#846):
Joe was nominated because he won’t leave anyone behind. There have been numerous stories of Chicken Joe going above and beyond in helping others on many occasions but while this may seem deserving of the award for compassion, we note that Joe doesn’t cut corners and has the capacity to exercise will, make choices, and communicate desires.
“Joe came upon me when I was stopped because my bike had randomly stalled (the first time) in Vermillion, SD. While he was there, I pulled the tank bag off my bike and discovered that the tab holding the left gas tank to the frame had broken. Chicken Joe went inside the convenience store and learned there was a welder down the street. I duct taped my gas tanks together, thankfully the bike started, and Joe escorted me to the welding shop. I quickly learned that the welder had zero interest in helping or even talking to me. While Joe was going to continue on while my bike was getting fixed, I was out of there so quickly that I got on the road before him. He ended up following me into Nebraska at my turtle pace. At an intersection just west of Iowa, I had to beg Chicken Joe to go on ahead of me. I finally convinced him that my choice to ride my '55 on the Hoka Hey did not mean that he needed to slow his pace to a crawl to ensure I made it safely.”
COMPASSION – Kory Wilson - #1001
Nominated by David Gately:
“I shared over 3,000 miles of this journey with Kory. In that time I personally saw him stop to help at least 3 riders with mechanical difficulties. Kory would get out his tools and try to help or offer suggestions on repairs/options. He helped any rider we came across who seemed in need and was constantly checking on his own group of riders to ensure we were all ok. Multiple times he would stop and recommend to a tired rider that they nap and rest for a bit before continuing and one time Kory even suggested that our whole party bed down due to the challenging nature of the roads we were on the fatigue some of our group. In all my miles with Kory I saw him demonstrate the core values of Hoka Hey over & over again.”
PERSEVERANCE – Tracey Bailey - #1009
When Tracey showed up in Panama City Beach in 2020 she immediately drew the attention of several Board Members and volunteers and not perhaps in the best way possible. Clearly a bundle of nerves she nearly dropped her bike just trying to manage a U-turn after bike inspection. But, she commented at registration, that she had “found her tribe”. She was home, with family and she felt safe. Tracey managed to get nearly half way thru the 2020 Challenge route before an accident and broken finger sent her home. But she was undeterred…
Overcoming her nerves and beset by mechanical issues, Tracey came back in 2022 and finished! Her’s was not the best time but it was the most determined. Nothing was going to stop her from reaching this goal and we are proud to call her family.
SACRIFICE
To the daughter of fallen rider Philip Grove (#1083), Jennifer Grove
To the daughter of fallen rider Paul Denton (1093), Kendra Denton
Nominated by David Gately:
“I shared over 3,000 miles of this journey with Kory. In that time I personally saw him stop to help at least 3 riders with mechanical difficulties. Kory would get out his tools and try to help or offer suggestions on repairs/options. He helped any rider we came across who seemed in need and was constantly checking on his own group of riders to ensure we were all ok. Multiple times he would stop and recommend to a tired rider that they nap and rest for a bit before continuing and one time Kory even suggested that our whole party bed down due to the challenging nature of the roads we were on the fatigue some of our group. In all my miles with Kory I saw him demonstrate the core values of Hoka Hey over & over again.”
PERSEVERANCE – Tracey Bailey - #1009
When Tracey showed up in Panama City Beach in 2020 she immediately drew the attention of several Board Members and volunteers and not perhaps in the best way possible. Clearly a bundle of nerves she nearly dropped her bike just trying to manage a U-turn after bike inspection. But, she commented at registration, that she had “found her tribe”. She was home, with family and she felt safe. Tracey managed to get nearly half way thru the 2020 Challenge route before an accident and broken finger sent her home. But she was undeterred…
Overcoming her nerves and beset by mechanical issues, Tracey came back in 2022 and finished! Her’s was not the best time but it was the most determined. Nothing was going to stop her from reaching this goal and we are proud to call her family.
SACRIFICE
To the daughter of fallen rider Philip Grove (#1083), Jennifer Grove
To the daughter of fallen rider Paul Denton (1093), Kendra Denton
To the daughter of fallen rider Philip Grove (#1083), Jennifer Grove
To the daughter of fallen rider Paul Denton (1093), Kendra Denton
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These were by no means the only Challengers who demonstrated these core values. Let us also remember the Founder of the Hoka Hey Motorcycle Challenge™ James Red Cloud – April 2, 1955 to June 29, 2017 and those whose lives are forever changed as a result of tragic accidents while participating in this formidable event.
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