2010 vs 2012 Cannonball Route.

The cannonball motorcycle endurance run is a Trans-Continental ride across the USA. I was lucky enough to be involved with this inaugural event, and have decided to participate with a Team in the 2012 Motorcycle Cannonball Endurance ride. We have entered as team no 16 "Southern Cross" and are from Australia.  Kitty Hawk Start of 2010 Cannonball Ride.  The ride was first held in 2010 had a total of 50 riders on pre 1915 motorcycles . These bikes ran from Kitty-Hawk (North Carolina ) through to San Monica (California) over 18 days. It was a unique and special event that captured the romance and support of the motorcycle community with a flavor that only could be obtained on period machines. For all those involved this was a trip of life time, and certainly a lot of hard work with the moto becoming a realisty which was  Ride, Wrench & Repeat which was truly lived up to. Details of the 2010 and 2012  ride can be found by visiting the organisers web site: http://www.motorcyclecannonball.com/   Route 2010 Cannonball ( Route is different for 2012)  The support of the media, and local and state Television captured the nation, with many towns we passed through welcoming us with open arms and ticket tape entrance like at Hot Springs. There were several books published on and during this event along with a documentary film made by Discovery Channel. Social media outlets worked overtime keeping this information flowwing with all types of media being utilised such as You Tube uploads and blogs being updated from where ever we were. The event was supported in all towns we visited both for the lunch time  routine and show, followed but the evening dipslay at the finish points.  Many visitors had travelled form intstate to witness the event and tour for a few days within the field so they could get a good vantage pont to view the motoclave and were not dissapointed. Kitty Hawk (2010 Cannonball 1000's of people and well wishers) .       Line up photo 2010 Cannonball Start    Overall Trophy winner Katrina (Well deserved on a 250 1907 OHV Jap) Photo taken at the award ceremony, banquette dinner. The overall trophy winner was taken home by the Katrina (German Entrant) on her lovely 1907 250 OHV jap. This machine purred along like a kitten, and was extremely reliable allthough it needed maintenance allong the route. I was lucky enough to  see inside the motor once during the decarburatasion  process, which made me really apprecaite the desgin of the OHV 90 Bore configuration   of the Jap motor. There was one major prize which was kindly donated by Jeff Decker, however there were many winners over all, including all those who made the full distance. I would say in total it was the AMCA that was the biggest winner as this event attracted the support of the nation along wiht the hearts and soles of all those who followed and supported this event.  2012 Cannonball Route, starting in New York, finishing in San Fransisco.  The social media buzz both pre, during and post the event was alive and we hope this will be similar this year. The 2012 Cannonball route is more adventurous that the 2010 route, and is crossing the higher states of the USa and hopefully good weather will prevail.  We are currently building a 1925 Invincible Jap and sidecar that will be suitable for the task, and this is about 75 % completed. The sidecar interior is being completed, and the bike is sort of looking like it should. We are actively looking for corporate sponsorship and would welcome discussions with interested parties to see what we have on offer. Please follow us if you wish, and help us enjoy our journey.