Inspired to ride Cannonball 2023
November, 2021 - It all began sometime in the late fall of 2021. I was scrolling my social media feed that I have been training for years by liking/following/commenting on all things to do with vintage motorcycles. A post from Motorcycle Cannonball caught my attention. How had I not ever heard of this amazing cross-country endurance run on vintage motorcycles before now?
I was inspired. I checked into the next event—it occurs every other year and skipped 2020 due to the global COVID-19 pandemic. The next one is scheduled for September, 2023 and Motorcycle Cannonball was planning to open for new applicants in January, 2022.
Spring, 2003 - On my 1999 HD Road King in Laughlin, NV for the River Run.
So many questions & uncertainties
Where will I find a pre-1932 motorcycle?
How can I afford this?
What are the specific requirements of the motorcycle?
Do I need a Support Team?
Can I look for sponsors and supporters?
Am I fit enough for a 3000-mile motorcycle ride?
I have been riding motorcycles for 30 years—since I was 18. I had completed several multi-state and cross country solo (and two up) motorcycle adventures across the United States, but it has been nearly 20 years since the last time I rode my motorcycle across the Wisconsin state line. To get back into this, I know I’d have some work to do.
I started asking friends about Motorcycle Cannonball, watching videos of the event, and discussed with family and friends. Come January when applications were open, I applied—not yet knowing what motorcycle I would find to run in the Motorcycle Cannonball 2023.