I’m a lifelong motorcycle rider who recently took up long-distance endurance riding over the past few years, turning a childhood passion into a pursuit of extreme endurance challenges. After a transformative solo trip to the Arctic Ocean in 2023, I am now preparing for the ultimate test: The 2026 Hoka Hey Motorcycle Challenge™.
Six months from today I’ll be at the starting line for the 2026 Hoka Hey Motorcycle Challenge starting in Woodstock, IL on August 2.
This grueling 10,000-mile endurance ride across North America demands traditional navigation...no GPS allowed, and requires riders to sleep outside next to their motorcycles...inside sleeping or hotels are not permitted. The Challenge calls for respect toward the land, communities, and Native Nations along the route. The challenge embodies values like honor, integrity, compassion, perseverance, and sacrifice...principles that resonate deeply with how I live and ride.
My plan is to complete my ride in less than 14 days. Our bikes will be equipped with GPS tracking devices and a website will be available where you can follow along to see where the riders are at any given time (Just make sure not to tell us how we’re doing or where we are in the list).
This year I am proud to raise funds for 2 charities:
The Child Cancer Fund, a compassionate organization that has provided vital relief to families in Northeast Florida battling childhood cancer for over 30 years, offering support ranging from medical expenses to emotional care.
You can donate to Child Cancer Fund using my link here:
https://childcancerfund.org/motorcycle-ride-donations/
My other charity is Mile Monsters, Inc. You’ve seen me do various fundraising rides for them over the past year. Mile Monsters raise both awareness and money to fight Duchenne Muscular Dystrophy(DMD). DMD is a very aggressive form of MD which typically affects young boys. This is a devastating disease that slowly robs young boys of their strength, taking away their ability to run, walk, climb stairs, and eventually breathe on their own. These kids are facing battles far tougher than any ride I’ll ever take.
You can donate to Mile Monsters using my link here:
https://givebutter.com/HH2026/erikazar
Your contributions will empower me to prepare for and participate in this extraordinary adventure while helping the Child Cancer Fund and Mile Monsters continue their crucial work. Together, we can turn each mile into a step toward hope and healing for these brave children and their families.
Please consider supporting my fundraising effort -- let’s ride with purpose, push limits, and make a lasting difference. You can also make your donation count twice as much. Check with your employer to see if they offer a Donation Matching Program.
If you would like to buy me a tank of gas (I’ll use around 50 tank fulls about 300 gallons) you can donate at
https://www.venmo.com/u/Erik-Azar
To learn more about the Hoka Hey visit
https://www.hokaheychallenge.com/Pages/2026_challenge.htm
To learn more about the Child Cancer Fund visit:
https://childcancerfund.org
To learn more about the Mile Monsters visit:
https://www.milemonstersinc.com
