After a year of planning, the route is set and the riders are prepared for the 2014 Motorcycle Cannonball Run, the third iteration of the coast-to-coast endurance ride on antique motorcycles.
The cross-country run on pre-1937 motorcycles will get the green flag from the sands of Daytona Beach, Florida, on Friday, September 5. It will include 105 riders, including several veterans of prior Cannonball Runs as well as many first time riders from around the world. A week into travel, riders will have a day of rest, repairs and festivities in Junction City, Kansas, on September 12.
Included in the impressive lineup of antique bikes will be some lesser-known marques such a Ner-a-car, Sokol 1000 and Sunbeam m9. The group will include Harley-Davidsons, Indians, Hendersons, BMWs, Moto Guzzis, Moto Freras, as well as a Rudge and a Brough Superior. This will truly be a sight to behold as the brave entourage makes its way across America on motorcycles rarely seen outside of museums.
The continent-wide event is not a race but will be a timed test of both the rider’s endurance abilities and the roadworthiness of their respective machines as they navigate non-Interstate roads across the nation. After a total of some 3,936-miles across 12 states, riders will get the checkered flag on Sunday, September 21 in Tacoma, Washington.
There will be several opportunities for the public to meet the Motorcycle Cannonball riders during one of the 19-hosted events as they make their way along their arduous journey. In addition to visits to see two official Harley-Davidson artist studios, David Uhl and Jeff Decker, there are five museums included in the adventure. The Coker Tire Museum in Chattanooga, Tennessee, the Cyclemos Motorcycle Museum in Red Boiling Spring, Tennessee, the Rocky Mountain Motorcycle Museum in Colorado Springs, Colorado, and the Legends Motorcycle Museum in Springville, Utah. The LeMay Museum in Tacoma, Washington, will host the conclusion of the demanding ride as participants reach their final destination of the great Northwest.
Complete information about the Motorcycle Cannonball Run, including route details, promoted events and daily scores during the run is available at motorcyclecannonball.com.
