Meet Larry Patten, retired moldmaker turned road warrior for iWarriors! Follow on Facebook. Source: Larry Patten and Hoka Hey
Let's rev up this incredible story! Before we hit the road with Larry Patten's latest adventure, let's take a quick pit stop to fuel up on some thrilling backstory. Hang on tight - this recap is quite the ride!
2017: A New Chapter Begins
With his kids out of the house, Larry Patten, owner of Dramco Tool in Nebraska, decided it was time for a new adventure. He bought himself a shiny new motorcycle, not knowing it would soon become his trusty steed on an epic quest.
2018: The First Challenge
In a twist of fate, Larry stumbled upon the Hoka Hey Motorcycle Challenge. This wasn't your average Sunday ride - it was a 10,000-mile odyssey across 26 states, with no GPS and no cushy hotel stays. Talk about a wild ride!
Larry, aka "Not Paco," saddled up with rider number 941. His goal? To raise a modest $5,000 for iWarriors, a charity providing iPads to wounded veterans. Little did he know, he was about to blow that target out of the water!
For 14 grueling days, Larry rode like the wind. He battled fatigue, navigated tricky directions, and even had a close call with a texting driver.
But our hero persevered, driven by the thought of the brave warriors he was supporting.
The result? A whopping $15,000 raised for iWarriors and a newfound family in his fellow Hoka Hey riders. Larry had stretched himself to the extreme and came out victorious!
2020-2022: A Brief Pit Stop
Larry took a breather from the challenge but kept cheering on his Hoka Hey family from the sidelines. Sometimes, even road warriors need a rest!
2024: The Road Calls Again
Now retired and itching for another adventure, Larry is gearing up for the 2024 Hoka Hey Challenge. This time, he's following the route of the very first challenge from 2010 - a journey from Key West, Florida to Homer, Alaska!
Starting August 4th, Larry will once again push his limits, riding 20 hours a day for 10-14 days. His mission? To surpass his previous fundraising record for iWarriors.
Why does he do it? In Larry's words, "I had the opportunity to stretch myself to the extreme. It did not disappoint, as I found the ride a unique mental challenge. Much like our Wounded Warriors, who selflessly serve to protect us and many of whom return with emotional, physical, and psychological challenges to overcome."
So, gear up, folks! It's time to support our road warrior as he embarks on another thrilling adventure. Let's help Larry give back to those who have given so much for us. As they say in the iWarriors world: "They gave their all, let's give some back!"
Will Larry conquer the challenge once again? Will he break his fundraising record?
Stay tuned to find out in this exciting new chapter of Larry Patten's Hoka Hey saga!
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