98 Competitors on 1936 and earlier motorcycles, 265 people total (support crew and staff) 3 days of prep (1300 miles)- 17 days cross country from Daytona, FL to Tacoma , WA and 2000 miles to get home.
For the first time the Motorcycle Cannonball Run was very lucky to count amongst the support staff a trained RN and EMT for medical support.
You can read more about Vicki here:
http://www.bikernet.com/pages/Girls_Just_Want_to_Have_Fun.aspx
http://www.bikernet.com/pages/MOTORCYCLE_ACCIDENT_SCENE_MANAGEMENT.aspx
As she rode the route alongside the other Cannonball riders, she offered help along the way and recorded her own thoughts and experiences each night. This is her blog written daily, along with beautiful photographs taken by her which truly illustrate the intensity of this ride.
The riders had 17 days to ride from Daytona Beach, Florida all the way to Tacoma, Washington. This is Part One which covers from Day 1 to Day 8. There will be a Part Two to cover Day 9 to the end of the ride at the West Coast.
All of the following blog posts by Vicki are from mc-rag.com, Rider Activity Guide. Many thanks to mc-rag.com for letting us share these fascinating blog postings. “The most powerful free app for finding and listing motorcycle events”
Day One: 9/5/2014 – Daytona, FL to Lake City, FL
The official start of the Cannonball is from Daytona Beach, yes the beach! All 98 competitors in 3 classes will accumulate points as they travel across the country in a 17 day trek from the Atlantic Ocean to the Pacific Ocean.
Competitors have come from all over the world. Japan, Poland, Spain, United Kingdom and more! The group with staff and support totals 265 people!
Some people are riding in teams and others are traveling solo. The ride officially leaves from the beach after famous photographer Michael Lichter gets his staged photos at 10 am. Class one bikes ( smallest and oldest) leave first, Then medium bikes and then the class 3 larger motorcycles. No bikes newer than 1936 are allowed to compete and no support can help on the course between leave and check in time at 4pm.
Drama is sure to be a part of this historic ride! Motorcycle celebrities Pat and Cris Simmons (Doobie Brothers), Scott Jacobs and his wife Sharon (painter), Jeff Decker ( H-D museum sculptor) and many others will be on the course.
Video of first day:
End of Day One: 9/5/14 – Daytona, FL to Lake City, FL
The first Day of the Cannonball and the last day are “Short Days” with only 140 miles to ride. Partially that is due to the press and ceremony but some of the first day is to allow the riders to get used to the directions.
Some of us certainly found out the hard way that attention to detail is needed! I listened to all of the directions that were given Thursday night but my brain just didn’t understand that the miles written on the directions were odometer miles, not – turn in this many miles ______.
Somehow I found myself 30 miles off course before stopping to try to figure this out. PANIC!!!!! I’m the medic – we are only 1 hour into the ride and I’m 30 miles from the riders!!!! I looked for a short cut but there was none, so back I went. Somehow I managed to run into a group of riders at their lunch stop at 2pm. Whew, they didn’t even miss me! They had just finished eating and were heading out but Bean’re was still waiting for his deep fried gizzards so he hung around while I got a hamburger – you know you’re down south when the menu has grits, frog legs and gizzards.
The first day was challenging for many of the riders as the chase vehicles brought in 13 bikes that had broken down and could not be repaired roadside. Cannonball Riders can not call for help from their team without penalties.
The afternoon rain started about 2:30 and many of the riders had to seek shelter from the lightning. Everyone arrived safe at the ending reception at Interstate Cycles in Lake City, FL!
The riders are in, drying off and resting for their 250 mile ride tomorrow but the mechanics will be working much of the night to get the bikes ready for Day Two.
Day Two: 9/6/14 – Lake City, FL to Columbus, GA
What a day! We ended Day One wet with the rain coming down steady. I set my alarm for 6 am and when I got up I immediately went to the window – darn, it was still pouring! Turned on the TV and proceeded to make a cup of coffee when my phone started alarmed as was the TV. Flash Flood warnings! We had received 4-6 inches of rain overnight and were expected to get 1-3 more inches.
I quickly got my belongings together and headed for the breakfast room knowing there would be more information and people might need some help. After reviewing the situation and seeing 8 inches of standing water in the parking lot our “Course Marshall” John decided to pull out emergency instructions for the riders. All riders were to place their motorcycles on trailers and proceed to the lunch stop. Anyone who had a trailer and could fit more bikes and people in their rigs were to do so. They were to leave as soon as they could and the end time of 4 pm was null. Riders were expected to log the afternoon miles but would not be penalized for missing the 150 morning miles. We were in 5 hotels so communication was difficult, but the word spread like wildfire!
As riders were getting their bikes off trailers the sun came out and heated things up to over 90 degrees of hot humid air. We didn’t get far down the road before it started to rain again and it did that off and on all afternoon.
While I felt a bit useless yesterday, today I was involved in helping people push start bikes, siphon gas, transport parts that fell off and more. It was a good day and guess what – no u-turns!!!
Michel, #67 from France was terribly disappointed when one of his rods blew and took out his crank shaft. He had spent 4 months building his bike and came all the way over here with his friend from Ireland #66 Tom Hayes.
We have had a few heat related issues and some general first aid. One of the riders hit some oil coming off a ramp in the light rain and took a tumble, but other than scrapes and bruises he is OK. I’ll be checking on him in the morning!
The weather challenges are part of the adventure. I keep reminding people that we are dealing with warm rain now, be happy!
Day Three: 9/7/14 – Columbus, GA to Chattanooga, TN
It was dry outside (despite a heavy dew) and the temperature even that early in the morning was 75 and perfect. While a few of the previous days break downs were still being worked out the majority of the riders were able to get their machines running again. Pictures were being taken, videos and interviews were being done, trailers and support teams were packing up.
8:00 am rolled around and Class 1 (smaller older bikes) were off!
8:15 am and off went Class 2, 8:30 am Class 3 the Larger and Older model Bikes began to roll. I waited another 15 minutes and then left.
Only 4 blocks later was the first break down! Someone was there tending to the rider. One mile later – another group pulled over with a Cannonball Staff member in attendance. I turned on River Road – no one in sight. Beautiful canopying trees and the temperature was just perfect! Sun in my face, steady rumble of my bike and a travel cup of fresh brewed coffee. It truly was a beautiful day but I don’t think I have ever stopped that many times in my life!
225 miles and I would guess I stopped to check on riders at least 15 times. Twice there were people alongside the road taking pictures but as long as I was slowing down I figured I’d stop for a brief chat. The hot and humid 90’s begged for some air and shade. I had to stop twice to get more water as I handed out bottles and electrolytes to the broken down riders.
I arrived at Coker Tire Museum in Chattanooga about 5:00 pm. Most riders were in and had their bikes on display. The street was buzzing with excitement as local townsfolk and riders were admiring the bikes and visiting with the riders. I walked into the Museum to find directions for the next day and my jaw dropped. I expected to see a bunch of tires and I did but they were on a beautiful collection of vintage motorcycles and cars. I saw the same reaction on others faces. Corky Coker gave a prayer for the riders and the food and we were served a wonderful meal of sirloin burgers, home deep fried sweet potatoes, pasta salad and cookies.
After dinner we walked out to – you guessed it! RAIN. Everyone grabbed their bikes and headed for somewhere. Guess I’ll see them in the morning for Day 4 ;).
I hope I can find some dry clothes! – stay tuned for tomorrows Inside Scoop.
Day Four: 9/8/14 – Chattanooga, TN to Clarksville, TN
We woke up to a few last drizzles and everyone was busily getting their motorcycle ready and positioned in front of the Chattanoogen Hotel. I was visiting with one of the riders when someone said “something is going on over by the parking garage”. I grabbed my trauma pack from my bike and went over to find a rider on the ground. He had been knocked off his bike by the garage arm. I checked him over but the only way to know what was going on with his ankle was an x-ray, so to the hospital he went with his family. As I finished with him another call came in and off I went on the bike to splint a fractured toe.
Once that was done I took off to catch up to the riders. We wound our way up Signal Mountain with switchbacks and beautifully banked curves. I wanted to look at the views through the trees but all of my concentration had to be on negotiating the winding road and hoping I would not come around a curve to find a broken down bike. There was little shoulder on the road and no flat surface for a kickstand. All clear! It didn’t take long to find a trail of break downs which seems to occur each morning.
My friend, Chris Simmons is back on her bike today after a heartbreaking two day breakdown and I didn’t see her so that must have meant all was well.
I ran into Buck Carson at a gas stop. He told me that this is his 2nd Cannonball and that he is the youngest rider at only 23 years old.
His Dad owns 90 motorcycles and they have many of them on display in Texas. Buck just finished a degree in business.
He said that he was operating his bike without 2nd gear and that the trip up signal mountain was challenging as he had to wind out 1st gear and jump to 3rd. With all of the shifting that takes place with that kind of a ride he wasn’t concerned about the toll it took on him, just commented that “the motor is a bit angry right now”. That comment told me that Buck shares a relationship with his bike. A special person indeed!
Riding the back roads of Tennessee was a treat. So often I am just riding by on the Interstate. To my delight we had a stop in Red Boiling Springs, TN at Cyclemos Museum. Hundreds of motorcyclists were there to see all of the bikes. I heard a bit of a ruckus and thought I recognized the voice. To my surprise it was MC-RAG Blogger and friend from Michigan “Lady Fred”! I snuck up on her and caught her surprised look. We were both in heaven.
I met owner Mike and then walked next door to the Bed and Breakfast who hosted lunch for the Cannonball Riders. I could have sat on that porch for hours enjoying new friends, listening to the bikes and watching all of the people while eating a croissant with ham and cheese and home baked cookies. Alas, most of the bikes were gone and it was time to head out. I’ll be back!
The next leg took us through winding roads and stretches of fields with “Smoke Houses”. I wondered how anyone could go into those houses. It smelled so good…… We drove past many cute country stores and only an occasional break down.
My friend from France, Michel who threw a rod two days prior was on a rented bike and continued to enjoy his cross country trek. Appleton Harley hosted the evening meal in Clarksville, TN.
We were split up in 3 hotels. I perused the parking lot and washed clothes. I found a team with Gorilla Glue so I could fix my boot and we put it in a clamp.
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Day Five: 9/9/14 – Clarkesville, TN to Cape Girardeau, MO
Today was expected to be an “easy” day. Only 199 miles and not as serious elevations. We woke up to dry conditions and the riders needed to collect in one location since we were scattered in 3 separate hotels.
The route each day is typed up step by step. It is an average of 13 pages! The route this day took us through a national forest. Somehow I got off course but not for long, soon I saw some of the riders and fell behind them.
As we got to a turn a guy was waving his hands and asking for help. He was not with our group but he had done a u-turn on a hill and tipped his bike over. Our crew helped him right his bike up but he promptly ran his bike into me and knocked my bike and his over! After tipping his bike over a 3rd time we helped him call for a tow truck. Time to carry on and catch up!
The afternoon weather was hot again but as long as you kept moving it was tolerable. We went from Tennessee, to Kentucky, to Illinois, and then Missouri. As we got near our ending location one of the directions was off by about 5 miles. This caused many of the riders to do u-turns looking for the road, or should I say “path”. I waved at one of the riders who was trying to figure this out and then waited at the intersection for him so he would not miss the turn. Unfortunately, just after he rounded the corner his bike died – a battery issue! We were working on using my bike to charge his battery when a young man in a pickup truck stopped by and asked if we needed anything. He had jumper cables! As he heard the Cannonball story he was so excited and offered to follow the rider (#94) to Cape Girardeau to make sure he get there O.K.. Wonderful simple acts of kindness!
The City of Cape Girardeau, MO. rolled out the Red Carpet. The city closed off two blocks for the bikes and the Mayor was there to shake each rider’s hand. The bikes gathered after being on display for 1.5 hours for a parade down Main Street. And a local Dairy Queen donated Dilly Bars. What a great evening.
Back at the hotel the camp was set up and waiting for the motorcycles to return.
Day Six: 9/10/14 – Cape Girardeau, MO to Sedalia, MO
While storms were predicted overnight we awoke to a dry day – YEAH!!!! Our start time was especially early this day (7am) so that meant I had to be up at 5:00 am to pack my belongings, get them to the truck that is transporting them for me, eat breakfast and be available for any first aid or medical questions at the rider sign in by the entrance of the hotel. It is getting dark earlier so I was able to watch a beautiful sunrise.
I was happy to see that Sharon Jacobs #81 who had been trailered two days prior for a seized piston was back in the run. After the riders left for the morning I played around a bit with the support crew Viking “Coe” who I dubbed “Too Tall”. I had grabbed a picture with Ron and Jared Roberts from Connecticut who are likely cousins of mine from way back in Wales!
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The usual morning litter of riders repairing their bikes was occurring. Some had fatal breakdowns and others were repairing roadside. As I came around a long sweeping downhill curve I saw cars, an ambulance and someone directing traffic. Bikes were parked at the bottom of the hill and there were people in the ditch. I parked my bike downhill and headed up to see what was going on. #24, Kelly Modlin was walking out of the ditch with assistance. The EMT who had treated him gave me a report of probable cracked rib. Kelly insisted that he was fine to continue. Chris (support) and I followed him for the next 25 miles. When we got to a gas station I watched him carefully get off his bike. He said he was sore “all over” but wanted to continue riding. When I asked how the bike was running he said “better”! LOL – later I taped his ribs and repeated Ibuprofen. I’m now referring to him as “Ironman”!
I continued on to the evening party in Sedalia at the Harley dealer. Many people were there admiring the bikes and visiting with the riders. While I was treating a Bee Sting that was looking like cellulitis might be setting in I got a call from my husband, Tony Pan! He had ridden all day through the storms and was in town waiting for me at the hotel!!! Goodbye everyone, Pan is in town!
Tomorrow: Sedalia, MO to Junction City, KS!
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Day Seven: 9/11/14 – Sedalia, MO to Junction City, KS
Blessings to our military both past and present. We do what we do because of their sacrifice. Never forget!
As the ride continues to move along more people are hearing about it. We have some people who are hanging out by the roadside taking pictures and others who are catching up to us at gas stops. I’ve seen places where the local riders suddenly realize there is something going on and the word seems to spread throughout little towns. Since Tony and I were riding the back of the pack gas stops can be great fun.
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However, at our first gas stop of the day we got some disturbing news from other riders. Bike #106, Ken Smith from PA (alternating riding with Marcus from England) lost his 1926 Harley Davidson JD when it started on fire as he left the hotel. The flames grew to 8 feet high at one point and all he could do was stand there watching. People tried using some small fire extinguishers but that was not enough. Condolences to Ken!
As we got out in the countryside of Kansas there were times the solo riders looked so far away and lonely. We were issued a 14 page route for this day and took many country roads to avoid Kansas City and Topeka as we made our way to Junction City, Kansas. One of the roads we went on had an area of road that had been worked on and was rough. We came upon a rider, Scott Jacobs #93 whose handlebars nearly lifted off! We helped him as he loosened his bar clamps and Tony and Scott got the handlebars securely back where they belonged.
We stopped at quite a few breakdowns but no medical support needed today – YEAH! In one case a tire with a tube was changed roadside and in another we just visited while Rowdy Schneck #74 who had a screw that broke off and fell into his timing gears. He replaced a few screws and added lock tight as well as re-timed his bike. Rowdy is from New Mexico and rides a 1928 Harley Davidson JD. He and his wife “Doc” were on this ride with their horse trailer. He commented “If you don’t want to work on bikes, don’t buy an old one”!
The day cooled off as we rode along and the rain was colder today. We ended at City Cycle Sales Harley-Davidson where they hosted dinner while hundreds of people were googling over the bikes.
Tomorrow, 9/12/14 we get a day off to get caught up on laundry, e-mails and shopping for more warm clothes. We hear it’s snowing in Denver. Brrrr!!!
Day Eight: 9/13/14 – Junction City, KS to Burlington, CO
Our day began with heavy fog and very cold temperatures. It was 37 degrees when we got up. Tony “Pan” (my husband) had to leave by 7am to ride 700 miles back to Milwaukee. Everyone was bundled up in layers of as many clothes as they could wear and still be able to move. I felt bad knowing there was little protection for the riders from the elements. In addition to the fog making it hard to see, the fog also made the cold penetrate and find any small spot of skin that was not covered by 3 layers of clothing. It also caused face shields and eyewear to fog up. We got out of the fog about 2-3 hours after the start but the sun did not warm the air into the 60’s until about 3:00 pm. I was a bit surprised that no one contacted me for cold related issues. Hot drinks were very popular at gas stops 😉
Breakdowns didn’t start until mile 12 today. We had a wonderful lunch served by Hill City, KS – a small community that rolled out the red carpet. They served us a great lunch at their fairgrounds and hundreds of town folk came out to see the bikes. They made certain no one left hungry, there were Brats, BBQ Beef & Pork, Fresh Veggies, Potato Salad, Beans and dessert – YUM!
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We continued on our way across some of the flattest land I’ve seen. Passing other vehicles was a cinch since you could see for miles. Though I start out at the back of the pack, I always attempt to get up a few bikes knowing that I’ll be stopping soon and will be dropping back again. At one of the stops I made they were changing a tire. I chuckled to see that they had borrowed a stop sign to lift the frame so they could remove the rear tire = A+ for creativity!
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Our evening reception was at Old Town, Burlington, CO – if you ever get to this area you really should stop! The bikes were parked anywhere on the brick walkways and added ambiance to the already antique buildings. They served a wonderful Mexican buffet. We all climbed upstairs to eat in the hay loft of the barn where they were showing old movies.
 1919 H-D and no25 Thomas Trapp(Germany) 1916 H-D.jpg)
Tomorrow: Mountains!
(The following is borrowed from the Motorcycle Cannonball Run Website}
In 2010 the brave riders of the Cannonball proved that antique motorcycles could indeed be put to the ultimate test. A test that would pit rider and machine against the North American continent. Reviving a tradition as old as the motorcycles themselves, they took a ride into history. Not only proving the capabilities of the machines,but also confirming the pioneering spirit this great country was built upon.
Competition between motorcycles and riders has been around since the very beginning, and the Cannonball will be no different. This will be a run against the clock, where one rider and one machine will claim victory. A victory that will be well earned.
Rules of the Ride
These machines are old and most are very rare. A lot of these early bikes would not be on the road today were it not for new parts. In a lot of cases only the motor survived to be resurrected into its former self. As long as the engine in your machine is original then its eligible to run for the prize. Any reproduction chassis or parts should be as they were originally.
BRAKES……..We are all aware that 100 years ago brakes were not that good. If in any way you can improve your braking ability, to the point of even adding a front brake, then it is highly recommended.
CARBS AND MAGS……The original carbs, whether modified or updated some, need to be used, spares allowed. If your magneto isn’t rebuilt you should consider it. We want each bike to use it’s intended ignition source, spares allowed.
THE TIRES……..Well, the tires are very important. The argument for or against the safety of clincher tires has long been a debate. If you don’t want to run clincher rims and tires, then you don’t have to. Spares allowed.
THE LIGHTS ………Each motorcycle must have a headlight, taillight, and brake light.
LICENSE AND REGISTRATION……… Each machine, like any other motorcycle on the road, will need to be registered and licensed. The rider also needs to have auto liability insurance as well as a drivers license.
Eligible Machines………This will be a difficult ride, only the best machines should be considered for it. Much will have to be done to your machine if you decide to run the cannonball. No motorcycle built after 1936 can run for the prize. The machine must be powered by an original engine. Many things could be changed on a machine, and updates made for safety sake, but the core of the machine must be 1936 or earlier.
Read more about the beginning of the 2014 Motorcycle Cannonball Run here
Tons more photos!!
