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The motorcycling fraternity in the Unites Sates, especially the long distance riders (colloquially referred to as LD Riders) have something unusual in their midst these days. The Hoka Hey Challenge Ride - 2010Road warriors: 4 motorcyclists crash in Collier during Hoka Hey Key West-to-Alaska challenge Naples Daily News
There are deep and valid concerns all across the LD Rider community, personified by the Iron Butt Association that organize long-distance rallies across the American continent. Mishaps, unsafe riding and general lawlessness spread around during events like the Hoka Hey Challenge create a negative impression about motorcycling across the spectrum. This affects legitimate organizations who enforce and ensure safe riding practices during any and every event organized by them. The media, at times the law-enforcement agencies and the general public paint the entire motorcycling fraternity with a single brush as a consequence and motorcycling as an activity suffers.
The purpose of posting this here on the forum is to discuss how a small and seemingly innocent inclusion of 'prize money' as a reward changes the whole fabric and context of long distance motorcycling. The Iron Butt Association in contrast has a Rally every two years and it is a 11 day 11000+ miles event that has earned the respect of both the media and the law-enforcers over the years. The 'prize' at the end of this grueling marathon is a mention in the Roll-of-Honour' and a certificate!
Grouping the relevant links below for convenience:
Hoka Hey Challenge Ride - 2010
Latest News Report on Hoka Hey Ride
Iron Butt Association
Iron Butt Rally
Injuries sustained in a crash during the Hoka Hey
There are deep and valid concerns all across the LD Rider community, personified by the Iron Butt Association that organize long-distance rallies across the American continent. Mishaps, unsafe riding and general lawlessness spread around during events like the Hoka Hey Challenge create a negative impression about motorcycling across the spectrum. This affects legitimate organizations who enforce and ensure safe riding practices during any and every event organized by them. The media, at times the law-enforcement agencies and the general public paint the entire motorcycling fraternity with a single brush as a consequence and motorcycling as an activity suffers.
The purpose of posting this here on the forum is to discuss how a small and seemingly innocent inclusion of 'prize money' as a reward changes the whole fabric and context of long distance motorcycling. The Iron Butt Association in contrast has a Rally every two years and it is a 11 day 11000+ miles event that has earned the respect of both the media and the law-enforcers over the years. The 'prize' at the end of this grueling marathon is a mention in the Roll-of-Honour' and a certificate!
Grouping the relevant links below for convenience:
Hoka Hey Challenge Ride - 2010
Latest News Report on Hoka Hey Ride
Iron Butt Association
Iron Butt Rally
Injuries sustained in a crash during the Hoka Hey
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