Cannon Ball Run 2010 is underway from Kitty Hawk, NC to Santa Monica, CA. (Sept. 10 - 26) ...3,300 miles in 16 days, running bikes built before 1916. Photos: Cannon Ball 2010.
Buzz Kanter with a fan, next to Selma, his 1915 Harley at Wheels Through Time Museum on Sunday in Maggie Valley, North Carolina.Buzz Kanter reports: Day three of the Motorcycle Cannonball is in the history book. Most of us made it over the mountain and the number of riders with a perfect score has dropped to 17 of the 45 that started. I feel honored that my partner in this Dave Fusiak and I are among them. Spent some time at Wheels Through Time which I always enjoy.
Wheels Through Time Museum curator and founder, Dale Walksler, is also competing in the run aboard his 1915 Harley-Davidson, with teammate Wayne Stanfield of Tustin, CA. "We've done all we can to prepare each machine for the cross-country trek, but realize that its going to be an enormous challenge, regardless of how much effort has gone into getting these machines ready for the road," said Walksler. "There are very few that have ridden motorcycles for such a long distance," said Walksler. "And there are even fewer who've done it on a 95 year old machine. Completing this run will be a true test of endurance, stamina, and grit, but it will also take an experienced hand when it comes to the mechanics of a motorcycle this old!"
Day Four - The rouged mountain ride out of North Carolina into Tennessee was one of only two parts of the trip, where vintage riders/crew could choose to "opt out" and not be penalized.
The steep mountain roads "tax the bike incredibly going up, and are, well, scarey coming down," reported Laura Klock of Team Effie. "Remember, these bikes didn't even have a front brake stock, and the rear brake leaves alot to be desired, compared to what we are used to with our modern bikes. It's hard on the clutch and the motor, and we decided not to push old Effie too hard."
Team Effie decided to play it safe coming over the mountains in order to "stay strong" for California.
Athena Ransom, Crew/Mechanic
Cris Sommer-Simmons' ride pays tribute to Effie Hotchkiss, a woman who road cross-country with her mother in the sidecar on a new 3-speed V-Twin Harley-Davidson in 1915 from Brooklyn, NY to the World's Fair in San Francisco.
Pre-race - video, entrant Shinya Kimura does a final check on his 1915 Indian Motorcycle. In 1914, Erwin “Cannonball” Baker made the ride in 11 days riding an Indian motorcycle.
Indian Motorcycles of the Twin Cities in Saint Paul, Minnesota stages an annual 3-day event the weekend after the Sturgis, SD rally and this year, the 9th charity ride for children's school supplies will include $10,000 in cash and prizes and a free T-shirt for all who pay the $20 ride registration by August 7th.
