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Tuesday, July 6, 2010

FZW's Personal Closing Statement...

Thank you, Brody McNeill, for doing your best during the 2010 Hoka Hey Motorcycle Challenge. - Lake Weir Living





Tuesday, June 29, 2010

Brody is on his way...

here's an update from the finish line...

Comin' to meet and cheer our Warrior...

Some might say, "Riders or Liars..."


Saturday, June 26, 2010

Go Boys!..Com'on Home to Homer!!

"Now in rock springs on my way to pine ridge south Dakota... I'll sleep when I'm dead" says Brody (6/26 6pm)

Riders ride like the wind, and keep themselves and "it" all together!

Sponsored by Lake Weir Living. The 2010 Hoka Hey Motorcycle Challenge Rider, Friction Zone Warrior (Brody McNeill), is sponsored by Lake Weir Living/Live Where You Ride. For more information, call 352-304-0027 or visit www.LakeWeirLiving.com

Friday, June 25, 2010

A Letter from Beth (Competitive Touring Reality Check)

Beth Durham, HH Director of Operations

June 24, 2010

Thanks Adriana,

I assume from the tenor of your email & voice mail that Brody's review isn't what I would hope and I can respect and understand that view point.

Brody is in the group of Challengers that have been affected by the individuals who have stolen, destroyed or moved street signs in order to impede the progress of our riders. When we validated the route, all of the signs were present, the roads do exist and our rider progressed through the route as expected. However, a number of riders who would otherwise have a shot at the prize, have been stuck searching hours on end for a sign that no longer exists.

As for how the Challenge itself is progressing, we are getting mixed reviews. Several people forgot (or never fully understood) that "we won't be giving that half million dollars away - they are going to have to earn it!" This was never meant to be a joy ride. It was never supposed to be easy. It was intended to be a Challenge of navigation, wit and perseverence. And now, through the outbursts, anger and the tears people have expressed their disappointment at realizing it is everything we said it would be... A "challenge" in every sense of the word.

On the other hand, we have had people thanking us for putting this together. One man told me that he has crisscrossed Alabama a hundred times but he has never been in a place like he had been that day. Early on, I had said that there were two schools of thought as it regards the Challenge - those that are in it for the prize money and those that are in it for the ride. The ones racing for the gold are absolutely MISERABLE while the ones that are taking the time to really search for the roads and who are willing to back track 100 miles in order to pick the route up again, are the ones who seem to be enjoying themselves the most. They are glad they decided to join the Challenge and have been the majority of the people I've talked to.

These men & women understand something that they never even considered before. These are the ones who get it.

Thanks for listening, Beth


Beth Durham
Director of Operations
Hoka Hey Motorcycle Challenge

-------------------------------------------
Dear Beth,
Thank you so much for sharing...
We had imagined that in these economic times, that the best and unfortunately the worst of people came out...
Neil and I both agree that winning $500k would be no easy task. When I asked Brody two days ago how he was doing. He responded, "I'm not doing this for the money,..doing this for the experience and for what I was asked to do...doing right by the people of Pine Ridge." Chief Red Cloud left a deep impression on him in Key West.

We believe your letter is informative, and will help rest the confusion and frustration for competitors and their families.

Thank you again!
God bless & the Great Spirit Guidance.
-Adriana
-----------------------------------------------------

June 25, 2010

Adriana,

This might help too.
Thanks, Beth

In case you missed the Send Off, here's the link:

Sponsored by Lake Weir Living. The 2010 Hoka Hey Motorcycle Challenge Rider, Friction Zone Warrior (Brody McNeill), is sponsored by Lake Weir Living/Live Where You Ride. For more information, call 352-304-0027 or visitwww.LakeWeirLiving.com

Tuesday, June 22, 2010

Somewhere btw Nowhere and Anywhere...

Brody updates us in pieces...
Because that's all he's got,..bits and pieces of time during the Hoka Hey Challenge.
(And what a challenge!..
Here's some texts between us, followed by his brief video update.
Guiding Spirit be with you, Brody.)


Jun 20, 2010 9:49 PM
"Dude!..txt us as soon as you can. Wanna know ur ok!"

Jun 21, 2010 12:51 AM
"all is well, got lost as a muther f@#cker but in the race..."

Jun 21, 2010 12:53 AM
"God bless! We're all thnking about U!"

Jun 21, 2010 10:54 PM
"Brody!..FB postings indicate that some riders are hurt and upset about the directions. R U ok?..How's the FZW doin'??"

Jun 22, 2010 4:54 PM
"Holy shit! You really gotta be able to think on your feet!!! And put the pieces together using everything you got. I'm still in it and charging through..."

Jun 22, 2010 4:55 PM
"It's much harder than I could ever imagine..."

Jun 22, 2010 5:20 PM
"Brody, I'm so sorry. Hang in there!..if anyone can do this, you can! You've always proven to be someone with great ability and strength! We believe in you! We're all thnking of you!!"

Jun 22, 2010 5:22 PM
"Neil says, 'Go for it! You got this!!'"

Jun 22, 2010 7:11 PM
"My goal is more about completing than winning, and doing it right!!! But I'm still gonna ride hard."

Jun 22, 2010 7:12 PM
"You'll make it! We know it! We blieve!!!"


(Keep the Hoka Hey Riders in your thoughts and prayers!..This ain't an easy task.
It's a Warrior's Mission!)

Brody calls this "77 and 44...One Step at a Time"



Sponsored by Lake Weir Living. The 2010 Hoka Hey Motorcycle Challenge Rider, Friction Zone Warrior (Brody McNeill), is sponsored by Lake Weir Living/Live Where You Ride. For more information, call 352-304-0027 or visitwww.LakeWeirLiving.com

Monday, June 21, 2010

More than Gold,..it's a Ride to Restore Life...




My stay here at the end of the road in Key West was short and sweet. Riding down this highway is a trip to say the least. You just can't imagine how a road can just go on and on out to sea. In Key West you've tipped into the Ocean; it's where the Gulf and the Atlantic meet...Amazing!




I really enjoyed diving on the Vandenberg. She’s a 500-feet long and sits at 140-feet of warm water. The visibility was crystal clear today and there was barely any current. The crew at Subtropic Dive Center did a great job helping us to explore this new artificial reef. An incredible day.




As you should know by now, I came down here to participate in the Hoka Hey Motorcycle Challenge. Tonight was the pre-race meeting with Chief Jim Red Cloud. He called upon us for this challenge and told us why. The Lakota people of Pine Ridge, SD, are a people in struggle. Chief Jim is pulling us in from all over the Country to ride with him to sacred places during the race to collect the souls of the dead, and bring them to the Lakotas to help fix the Broken Wheel of Life. The souls are those of warriors from battles lost long ago to the children and women killed during those battles. Bringing the un-rested souls home to their people, will restore hope to their nation and ensure their future here on earth. That's how I understand it, and I paraphrase in the utmost respect. Let that sink in for a while... It's changed my perspective,..as I'm sure it has yours...




So!..Whoa!!! Tomorrow at sunrise we ride..


I won't be posting much, if at all, for this part of the journey – as I'm sure you all understand.


Thank you all for supporting me during this and being there with me along the ride. I hold you all in my heart as I ride my way home. And thank you again Lake Weir Living for helping make this happen.



Hoka Hey!..

Today is a Good Day to______ !


Sponsored by Lake Weir Living. The 2010 Hoka Hey Motorcycle Challenge Rider, Friction Zone Warrior (Brody McNeill), is sponsored by Lake Weir Living/Live Where You Ride. For more information, call 352-304-0027 or visit www.lakeweirliving.com.


Sunday, June 20, 2010

Thursday, June 17, 2010

Harley-Davidson(R) Hospitality!



Well, time to hit the road first thing in the morning. This is the last leg of my southbound trip to Key West!!! I have a short window to service the bike, slap on new rubber and visit with my sponsor (Lake Weir Living) before getting myself back to Alaska. Now like I said, I have a short window, two days – get the bike ready and go…

Well, the guys at Harley-Davidson® of Ocala hooked-me-up right on the spot! Tom, David, and Dave got the ball rolling and had my tires ordered, delivered, and put on the bike along with an early 10,000-mile service – all within 48 hrs. (Isn’t that an NBC mystery series?) All that, plus a sweet test-ride on a badass V-Rod® made possible by Randy (HD’s Chrome Consultant). HD did it in 24 hrs! Now that's what I call customer service! It would’ve been quicker, but I put the guys on the spot with a special tire order. I highly recommend HD Ocala if you’re ever in the area.

While they worked on the bike, I kicked with friends and sponsors, Neil and Adriana.

We had some lunch at World-Famous Gator Joe’s on Lake Weir in Ocklawaha (Ackla-whatta?). This place is sweet right on the water, with great riding roads and right down the street from Lake Weir Living. The waitresses do a great job, and are freakin’ cute as hell.

Neil might talk me into buying a place here. After sippin’ some cold beers and eating Alligator (it really does taste like chicken), it was time to pick up the bike and another ride around the area.

This is a great place to have a biker town, and it's toy-friendly! It’s right on the Hwy40-42 Daytona Loop that goes through the Ocala National Forest. The trees here are covered with Spanish moss makes for a nice ride...

Well, my next post will be from the starting line. See y'all!

(A little video with my friends.)

Sponsored by Lake Weir Living. The 2010 Hoka Hey Motorcycle Challenge Rider, Friction Zone Warrior (Brody McNeill), is sponsored by Lake Weir Living/Live Where You Ride. For more information, call 352-304-0027 or visit www.lakeweirliving.com

Tuesday, June 15, 2010

Gunpowder + Charm = St. Augustine

(Fire in the hole!)

Adriana did it again! She instructed me to St. Augustine, FL. So I went, in trusting faith of her suggestion. I rode in 1000-degree heat and 1000 percent humidity.

Funny, I say Alaska around here and people shudder thinking about the cold. I guess they don't realize they’re living in a broken swamp cooler hovering over a bed of burning coals. F@#$, oh dear!!! How do they do it? Ahhh, but I gotta say, I'm still loving it!!!

St. Augustine is a great place to visit. The oldest town in what is now the United States. I visited the Castillo de San Marcos, which is a badass fort. I arrived in time to catch the musket firing demonstration (very cool).

After checking out the Fort and imagining myself fighting off foreign attacking forces, I cruised around looking at the Spanish Quarter and Flagler College. Check out the pics.
Where are we? Europe? Nope, the good ol’U.S. of A!

(Echoes of our History)

Jackie runs and owns the 63 Orange Street Bed and Breakfast Inn, in St. Augustine, FL. If you’re looking for a great place to stay with real southern hospitality, and peaceful accommodations that’s surpassed by a petite 5’0" charm called Jackie? Then look no further than 63 Orange!




(My own private patio...sweet.)


Kelly (her assistant) and Jackie's son David (on hand for the handy-stuff) just added to the flare of her place. My stay offered escapism to the past and a belly of good eats.


(Oh yeah, my Harley fell in love with an old school Honda Passport [insert heart emoticon here].)


Jackie, thanks again!..I look forward to visiting again.

Thanks for the tip, A!


As You are now, so once was I As I am now, You shall be...


Sponsored by Lake Weir Living. The 2010 Hoka Hey Motorcycle Challenge Rider, Friction Zone Warrior (Brody McNeill), is sponsored by Lake Weir Living/Live Where You Ride. For more information, call 352-304-0027 or visit www.LakeWeirLiving.com

Monday, June 14, 2010

Rolling Through Americana...

A real nice place to stay, The Anchorage Inn. Charleston, SC.

After rolling through the better half of North Carolina, I woke up in Goldsboro and wondered what to do next. As I'm a Westerner through and through, I’m not really familiar with the Southeast US. I was out of ideas and before heading directly to Hoka Hey for my Thursday registration-in I needed to pick another’s brain. I called my good friend Adriana, who just so happens to be the reason why I’m writing all this stuff to y’all in the first place. (Quick Reminder: She’s the Marketing Director for Lake Weir Living – my Hoka Hey Sponsor.)


Adriana is no stranger to adventure and has definitely spent a good chunk of her life traveling around our beautiful country; from coast-to-coast that girl has lived -- a natural traveler like me.


Without skipping a beat, she points me in the direction of Charleston, SC. She set-it-all-up! A charming B&B called The Anchorage Inn. We both got a real kick out of that, seeing how I'm from Anchorage, and she once lived there (Alaska that is).



Anyway, like I mentioned before the towns seem to blur together however if you have visited Charleston even briefly like I have, you can't help but have a lasting impression. Just walking around brings you back in time and your thoughts wonder as you navigate narrow brick and stone lined streets. Looking all around, gawking – really – like a tourist at all the homes, buildings, and churches to name a few. Seeing places like this makes me want to return, and really spend some quality time getting to know Charleston and its folks better.


Thanks, Adriana, for the destination and the accommodations. Well done!!!



Sponsored by Lake Weir Living. The 2010 Hoka Hey Motorcycle Challenge Rider Friction Zone Warrior, Brody McNeill, is sponsored by Lake Weir Living/Live Where You Ride. For more information call 352-304-0027, or visitwww.LakeWeirLiving.com.