Tested and Triumphed to Support our Wounded Veterans: Hoka Hey and @iWarriors

Despite battling extreme weather and challenging terrains, retired moldmaker Larry Patten's determination and the encouragement of his supporters propelled him to finish in the top 20. His journey shows the power of community and the ongoing mission to support those who have sacrificed for our freedom.

Check-in 1: Ready to Roll

As Larry prepared to set off from Florida, the excitement was palpable. "I’m here at the start and ready to roll," he wrote. With 239 bikes filling the parking lot, riders were busy making last-minute adjustments, exchanging tips and admiring the myriad of creative setups. The weather forecast, however, was less than ideal, with a tropical storm predicted to hit the following day, promising a challenging start to the journey.

Check-in 2: Battling the Elements

By Day 3, Larry had already experienced the wild extremes that the Hoka Hey Challenge is known for. "Riding through the rain was quite stressful," he shared, recounting his experience with Tropical Storm Debby. "There were trees and branches blowing on the road, but then the rain stopped and the sun came out!" Despite the challenges, Larry found moments of pure joy, like flying through the hills of Georgia at night with fellow riders. By the end of the day, he had covered 1,900 miles and 157 turns, a testament to the grueling nature of the ride.

Check-in 3: A Thank You to Supporters

On Day 4, Larry had traveled more than 3,500 miles and reached Arizona, with Utah and Wyoming on the horizon. He took a moment to express his gratitude to everyone supporting his ride for iWarriors, saying, "Our soldiers have to push through fatigue while they protect us. If you are enjoying following along on this adventure, please consider supporting the charity I’m riding for."

Check-in 4: Reaching the Halfway Point

Larry hit the halfway mark on August 10, blasting across the stunning landscapes of Wyoming. After a much-needed nap, he felt rejuvenated and ready to tackle the second half of his journey. "Good morning from Wyoming!" he wrote, inviting followers to continue supporting iWarriors.

Check-in 5: Montana's Rough Roads

By August 12, Larry had crossed into Montana, having made it to the third checkpoint. Despite the beautiful scenery, the roads proved challenging and the constant threat of deer on the roads after dark added to the stress. Larry, however, kept pushing forward, determined to complete the last 3,000 miles.

Check-in 6: Welcome to Alaska

Finally, on August 14, after 100 miles of rain and the roughest stretch of the AlCan Highway, Larry made it to Alaska. "Next stop, Homer!" he announced, eager to bring his journey to a triumphant close.

Check-in 7: Mission Accomplished

After riding over 1,100 miles in 22 hours, he arrived safely in Homer, Alaska. "Right now, it's hard to put into words how this feels. My brain’s a bit foggy, so I'll save that for later. But one thing is crystal clear—the encouragement from all of you who followed along kept me pushing till the end."

Larry achieved his goal of finishing in the top 20, coming in 16th place with a total time of 10 days and 54 minutes. He surpassed his fundraising goal, raising more than $20,000 for iWarriors!

Larry’s epic ride is a testament to the power of determination, community support and the deep respect we owe to our veterans. His journey may have ended, but the mission to support our wounded warriors continues.

Larry's ride may be over, but there's still time to support iWarriors. 100% of the donations go directly to the charity.

Visit iWarriors.org to learn more and make a donation.

Background on Larry’s Ride for iWarriors: Read More