Riding for a mission

By Aimee Norton

Published: June 24, 2008

He’ll travel 7,000 miles in just 13 days. Guenther Hofen is halfway through his cross country trip, making a stop in Lynchburg.

“I did this many, many years ago, but I was 25 years younger and the bike was a lot newer,“ said Hofen.

He’s now 62 years old, riding a 1984 BMW motorcycle.

“Guenther is an adventurer and anything he can do to kind of live on the edge, he’s willing to do that.,“ said Daniel Henderson.

Henderson met Hofen more than 15 years ago in Sacremento.  Henderson now lives in Lynchburg where he runs a program to help pastors find counseling and support.  Hofen is on what he calls the “Helpin’ Hurtin’ Pastors” tour to raise money for the ministry.

“People say what’s that all about and I have a chance to share with them what this fantastic ministry is about,“ Hofen said.

The biggest challenge so far… finding a new tire for his motorcycle in the middle of Montana.

“I found a used one in Sturgis, South Dakota, took a 200 mile detour, got a new tire, got back on the road again,“ he said.

Hofen has driven through six thunderstorms; even suffered frost bite to his fingers. Now he will head south, through Texas and New Mexico.

“It’s been fun and exciting all the way, especially all the new people I’ve met, people from all walks of life, every size, shape and description, out in the middle of nowhere,“ he said.

“Guenther just had a passion.  If he was going to drive out here, he was going to do with a purpose,“ said Henderson.