2012 Motorcycle Cannonball

About 70 motorcycles are being ridden in the 2012 Motorcycle Cannonball – a 16-day endurance test of pre-1930s motorcycles that started Friday in New York state and will end in San Francisco Sept. 23 .

The tour includes about 200 participants, including riders from 11 different countries including Australia, Italy, and South Africa.

Cannonball Express media director Felicia Morgan said despite a difficult start to the journey – in the first three days two riders crashed, escaping with minor injuries, and several bikes succumbed to mechanical problems – the tour has been going well.

"It's been a really hard route -- we knew it would it be," Morgan said. "But this is what these rides are all about. Motorcycle people are different kinds of people, we're just happy to get out and ride. After today things will get much easier – prettier and more relaxed ... (The first days) definitely weeds out the sound machines from the infirm."

"Nobody's had enough sleep. First thing in the morning I wouldn't tell you they're having a great time. But by the end of the day everybody's happy to get to the hotel and hang out – enjoy the camaraderie," she said. "We're still in the honeymoon phase."

Destinations along the way will include Mount Rushmore, Yellowstone National Park and the Golden Gate Bridge. Morgan said riding along back roads are important to the trip, especially for the international riders, as visits to landmarks.
"We're sort of stitching together a quilt of little bits of Americana," she said. "These are very cool things they never have been able to see. It's the very best of America, and that includes the people here."

Tour participant Josh Wilson headed to the starting point in New York state from his home in Norfolk, Va., with a 1929 Indian 101 Scout that was still in pieces. Wilson said he appreciated the turnout and had enjoyed the ride so far, though he wasn't exactly sure where they had stopped.
"You can't really see bikes like this anywhere and it's a thrill for us to have all this support, just like I'm sure it's great for everyone to see the bikes."
Wilson is making the trip without dedicated support staff, and, following his exhaust pipe caught his saddlebag on fire atop "some hill in New York," without extra clothes. Still, despite being down to his one pair of pants until the tour takes a full day for rest and repairs Sept. 14 in Sturgis, S.D.
"She's running great. I've had a lot of help from people on the ride – there's a lot of expertise here – and from a lot of strangers," he said.

The tour was first run in 2010 along a different coast to coast route using pre-1916 bikes. Morgan said herself and co-organizers Lonnie Isam Jr. and John Classen are unsure if the ride will be held again after this year.
"We don't know if we'll ever do it again," she said. "Like most bikers we live every day like it might be our last."