Real Steel Cowgirls. Real conversations. Every mile tells their story.
Welcome to Around The Campfire, where the Steel Cowgirl sisterhood gathers to share stories, adventures, and conversations with remarkable women from our community.
Every month we'll feature a different Steel Cowgirl because every journey has a story worth sharing. So pull up a camp chair, settle in, and enjoy the conversation.
Our first conversation is with Hawk (Brandi Parks), who is preparing to take on one of the world's toughest motorcycle endurance challenges. Before the journey begins, we sat down Around The Campfire to hear her story.
Featured Conversation — August 2026
Meet Hawk (Brandi Parks)
Preparing to take on the Hoka Hey Motorcycle Challenge
Before the jouney begins, we sat down to get to know the woman behind the helmet. Here's what she shared with us.
Tell us a little about yourself.
Well... nothing special in my opinion. I'm just a girl who found motorcycles, and they slowly became part of my identity—and even my livelihood.
Where do you call home?
West Virginia.
What do you ride, and why did you choose that motorcycle?
I ride a 2024 Harley-Davidson Road Glide. For the Hoka Hey Motorcycle Challenge, they require an American-made V-twin. My heart wanted an Indian Pursuit, but my checkbook politely reminded me I was buying a Harley.
How long have you been riding?
Since 2017.
What inspired you to take on the Hoka Hey Motorcycle Challenge?
When I first heard about Hoka Hey in 2017, I thought anyone who would do something like that was absolutely CRAZY. But the more I researched it, talked to riders who had completed it, and learned what it was really about, the more obsessed I became. You could say I hyper-focused on becoming a better rider, building my stamina, and seeing just how far I could push myself.
Was there a moment when it really hit you that you were actually doing this?
About 7,459 moments, honestly.
The biggest one was opening the "Congratulations" letter with my rider number. I screamed. I cried. Then excitement and anxiety teamed up and threw me into the biggest emotional whirlwind imaginable.
What excites you the most about the challenge?
The finish line.
I'm not doing this to win or prove anything to anyone else. I'm doing it to prove something to myself—that I really do have what it takes.
Many riders have told me Hoka Hey changes you. They say it's much more than a motorcycle ride. It strips away the noise of everyday life and forces you to discover who you really are. Much like the Native American vision quest, it's a journey of self-discovery. Long hours alone with your thoughts, difficult decisions, exhaustion, weather, uncertainty—it all reveals your true character.
What excites me most isn't simply crossing the finish line. It's knowing the person who reaches that finish line won't be the same person who left the starting line.
I can't wait to meet that version of myself.
What part of the journey makes you the most nervous?
Honestly... all of it.
The miles. Camping in random places. Riding turn-by-turn without GPS. The long days. The short nights.
But mostly... eating gas station sushi at 2:00 a.m. and praying everything works out.
How have you been preparing physically and mentally?
Physically: seat time and weightlifting.
Mentally: more seat time.
I've had to learn to get out of my own head, quiet the noise of doubt, and keep reminding myself...
I GOT THIS.
What do you think will be your biggest challenge during the ride?
No GPS.
Normally I ride with two GPS units. They tell me where to turn, the speed limit... umm... I mean the suggested speed... where the next gas station is, where to eat, road hazards, traffic, and even where the police are hiding.
We've become way too dependent on GPS.
Time to go back to the '90s.
When things get difficult, what keeps you motivated?
The Steel Cowgirls.
When I'm feeling defeated, I know I can jump onto the page, be completely honest about how I'm feeling, and there will be hundreds of Steel Cowgirls lifting me up and giving me enough encouragement to ride another thousand miles.
What has riding motorcycles taught you about yourself?
That I'm far stronger than I ever imagined.
On a motorcycle I feel completely free, while still keeping eyes like a hawk.
What's the most memorable ride you've ever taken?
My first 1,000 miles in under 24 hours.
It was packed with adventure, built my confidence, and made me realize this is truly my thing.
What does life look like when you're not riding?
Family comes first—my husband, two dogs, and more chickens than I've bothered counting.
I also crochet. It calms my mind and keeps my hands busy.
For work, I'm a foodservice sales representative with AF Wendling's Foodservice, which keeps me busy six days a week.
I'm also the award designer for Mile Monsters, a long-distance riding organization that raises money to help boys living with Duchenne Muscular Dystrophy (DMD). Riders complete incredible adventures and earn awards while helping these amazing kids live their best lives.
And of course... Steel Cowgirls. Whether I'm watching the page, shopping, or chatting with some of the most incredible women I know, it's become a huge part of my life.
What's something most people don't know about you?
I'd never even sat on a motorcycle before my husband bought me one.
I faint at the sight of a tick—and I get a little queasy even typing the word.
Oh... and I sometimes eat popcorn with a spoon.
What's one item you never leave home without on a ride?
My Gopher Getter-Up motorcycle lift.
I've owned five motorcycles and never dropped one... until my Road Glide. He's taken five naps.
Before anyone judges me, I've lost over 100 pounds because of medical issues, along with a lot of muscle. Sometimes I simply don't have the strength to save him. I also have a habit of getting myself into loose gravel, terrible road conditions, and other questionable situations.
Without that jack, I'd have been in serious trouble.
What's one thing packed on your motorcycle that people might be surprised to find?
Pickle juice.
It's amazing for leg cramps.
Oh... and a tourniquet.
Because you never know.
If you could ride anywhere in the world, where would you go?
Anywhere.
Everywhere.
If you could ride with anyone—past or present—who would it be and why?
Honestly?
Every single Steel Cowgirl.
What's your favorite road trip snack?
Jerky and candy.
Coffee order?
Caramel Crunch Frappuccino with three shots of espresso.
Favorite song or artist to ride to?
Wolf Totem and Yuve Yuve Yu by The HU.
Or Underneath These Georgia Stars by Stephen Hafer.
I know... my playlist is all over..
Sunrise rides or sunset rides?
Both.
Don't make me choose.
Mountains, beaches, or desert?
MOUNTAINS!!!
What's your favorite quote or words to live by?
"Riding Through the Noise."
It's become my personal reminder during some of my worst anxiety attacks on the road.
What does being a Steel Cowgirl mean to you?
Everything.
What would you say to another woman who's thinking about taking her first big adventure?
Do it.
Don't overthink it.
Don't overplan it.
Don't get trapped in your own head.
Just go.
You'll discover you're stronger than you ever imagined. Reach out to me or another rider and we will help you work through anything.
When you cross the Hoka Hey finish line, what do you hope you'll have learned about yourself?
That I truly have what it takes to complete the World's Toughest Motorcycle Challenge.
Finish this sentence:
"Every mile tells my story because..."
...I'm out there in the wind, becoming the person I was meant to be.
Just for Fun ⚡
Coffee or Tea?
Coffee.
Sweet or Salty?
Both... I've been called both.
Camping or Hotel?
After Hoka Hey... definitely HOTEL.
Curvy Roads or Long Highways?
Curvy roads when I'm feeling spunky.
Long highways when I need to clear the cobwebs from my mind.
Solo Ride or Group Ride?
Solo, every time.
When I ride with a group, I'm a total mama bear. I'm constantly wondering if everyone is comfortable, hungry, tired, needs fuel, or needs a bathroom break.
Plus, when I get a wild hair, I like to dive off the road for some random, ridiculous photo. That's much easier to do when it's just me.
Dogs or Cats?
Dogs.
Cats don't seem to like me.
Early Bird or Night Owl?
Night owl... all the way.
Favorite Guilty Pleasure?
Popcorn.
Pass the spoon.
...and chocolate ice cream.