Hoka Hey Motorcycle Challenge: St. Monica

Hello! My name is Christopher McCann, and I will be participating in the 2024 Hoka Hey Motorcycle Challenge. I’ve been riding for 10 years. I was drawn to riding by the freedom and adventure that accompanies it. I wanted to start riding 20 years ago, but my wife told me that she was pregnant with our second child. I have been working as a carpenter since 2001 and began my own carpentry business since 2003. I’ll ride from Pittsburgh, PA to Daytona, FL; Daytona, FL to Homer, AK; and Homer, AK back to Pittsburgh for a total of 16,387 miles. I will complete this challenge utilizing only paper maps and no lodging.

I am excited to participate in the Hoka Hey Motorcycle Challenge next summer as rider number 1145. Throughout the journey I will learn more about myself as a rider, and I am looking forward to the obstacles and difficulties along the way, which will build and strengthen my soul on and off the bike. I’m also excited to make new friends and expand my rider circle.

Through this challenge, I will be giving to three nonprofits: Easterseals, The American Heart Association, and St. Monica Catholic Academy. Easterseals provide for children and adults with disabilities as well as veterans and older adults to help them live, learn, and play within their communities. Growing up, my three brothers had special needs. I watched them struggle, and I’m hoping to help others with disabilities.

The American Heart Association provides education and support to fight heart disease and stroke. My mother passed away in 2015 from cardiovascular disease. My brother passed away shortly after in 2016 from the same disease, as a complication from uncontrolled diabetes. I am hoping that the donation to the American Heart Association will fund research for improved treatments and preventative measures for heart disease and stroke.

St. Monica Catholic Academy is a local Catholic school in the Pittsburgh Diocese. My two daughters, Morgan and Courtney, both attended this school, when it was called Divine Mercy Academy. While they were students there, my wife was back in school for education and completed her student teaching here. After teaching GED classes, and third grade in Ohio, she found her way back to the small Catholic school that provided a phenomenal education to our children. Morgan went on to study biochemistry and music at Bucknell University, and Courtney is currently studying early and special education at Bloomsburg University. With the donations from the Hoka Hey Motorcycle Challenge I hope to help provide necessary tools to improve education for years to come.

Please consider donating to the Hoka Hey Motorcycle Challenge for me, rider number 1145, as I make the journey from Daytona, Florida to Homer, Alaska in 14 days to support these three nonprofits.