Check out the Incredible Vintage Harleys from Cannonball Run
Daily Slideshow: However, every year, more and more people gut out this incredible endurance race.
Not for the Meek
Each year, the Motorcycle Cannonball Run takes dozens of brave souls on a cross-country trip aboard vintage, pre-1929 motorcycles. Which, as you might imagine, is not an endeavor for the meek or mechanically uninclined. But for the rest of us, it sure is cool to witness. Thus, KVPI News was kind enough to capture some amazing images of participants and their bikes when the group made a pit stop in Idaho along the way.
Intentionally Difficult
Now in its fifth year, the Motorcycle Cannonball Run covers 3,300 miles from Portland, Maine to Portland, Oregon. It's a true test of mettle, and that difficulty is intentional. In fact, the run prides itself on being "the most difficult antique endurance run in the world."
On the Road Again
The idea came about back in 2009 when Cannonball Run founder Lonnie Isam Jr. was trying to conjure up a way to cruise America's back roads with his vintage motorcycle riding buddies. He wanted to start a movement focused on getting old bikes back on the road where they belonged, not sitting in museums collecting dust.
Cross Country Journey
Isam was inspired by folks like Erwin “Cannonball” Baker and the many others who rode these bikes long distances in the early 1900s. He managed to scrounge up 45 people who agreed with him, and they took off on the inaugural journey from Kitty Hawk, North Carolina to the Pacific Coast in 2010.
Man vs Machine
Two years later, a total of 77 riders met up in Newburg, New York to make the nearly 4,000-mile trek to San Francisco. Both races had their fair share of mechanical failures, which was completely expected. But each and every rider pressed on, unphased in this test of man versus machine.
New Dimension
The same held true two years later, in 2014, when 101 riders showed up in Daytona, Florida to make the 16-day journey to Tacoma, Washington. This time around, however, businesses were also catching on. Organized events began to pop up along the route, which added another dimension to the Cannonball Run.
Different Kind of Struggle
Plans for the 2016 run involved a route from Atlantic City, New Jersey to Carlsbad, California. But as the 2018 Cannonball was in the works, Isam was forced to hand over planning to his good friend Jason Sims as he was fighting a bout of cancer. Sadly, Isam lost his battle in 2017.
True Test
Isam might be gone, but his vision lives on and is growing larger by the day. A sold-out roster of vintage bikes set out in early September for the 2018 ride, a trip that would test their machines like never before.
Setting Records
With scores of extreme elevation and temperature changes, the 2018 Cannonball Run challenged riders like never before. A record-setting 50 riders finished the grueling race with a perfect score. And for the first time, a single-cylinder, 100-year-old motorcycle took home the gold - Dean Bordgioni's 1914 Harley-Davidson.
Planning Ahead
After 3,000+ miles of fighting old motorcycles, weather, and geography, those riders certainly deserve a break. But fear not, because the 2020 Motorcycle Cannonball Run is already in the works!
For help with service on your bike, check out the how to section of HDForums.com
