Summary: 2018 Cannonball

It is hard to believe that a month has passed since we completed the final stage. Things return to normal, but your mind is able to relive all the events of the month long adventure known as the Cannonball. Certain days and events rise above others, and some are forgotten in the passing of the miles. You never know where or when the takeaway moments are going to come, but they will, and they're yours for a lifetime.

For me, the days with difficulties rise on this list. The days you're tested, when you're backs up against the wall, sink or swim time. That's the Cannonball.

The day from Anamosa to Spirit Lake, changing tubes, patching tubes on the side of the road, racing the clock on the final 30 miles knowing it was going to be close,  approaching the Indian factory and seeing Mike, Patty, and Scott Byrd stopping traffic waving me in, racing up the cone lined entrance, and making it in on time was special.

The day to Sturgis. Two broken intake valves, a stuck exhaust valve, a leaking fuel tank, and running out of gas in the Badlands. All handled on the side of the road. Repairing a intake manifold with a Mt Dew can on Mt Rushmore, then totaling a head 60 miles out. Didn't get an Ace sticker that day, but felt like I earned one. It was a standout.

The day off. We started at 8:00 am and cranked the bike at 10:00 pm. We changed the front head, piston, exhaust valve, both intake valve assemblies, changed the hedstrom carb to a linkert, replaced the wheels, soldered the fuel tank, and reworked the rear fender struts. If working on an old bike is your thing, it doesn't get much better.

And the people make the memories. Mike and Patty were there everyday doing whatever it took to make another day, the day off accomplishments would not have been possible without Joe Gimpel, then all the new friends we made along the way.

Then there's the final day. The celebration, the short ride in. Having lunch overlooking the Columbia River, and the last 2 miles.

2018 was definitely a standout Cannonball. The routes, stops, staff, and organization were all top notch. As far as my performance,  I didn't get my perfect score, but it sure beat the side of a California highway, 28 miles from Carlsbad.



To be continued.........