Motorcycle Cannonball Update. (Part 2)

Friday September 10th. With few miles of testing on most motorcycles, tension was great during the first miles of the 162 miles of stage 1 in direction of Greenville, NC. Matt Olsen was the 1st one to smoke his Sears’ clutch and a few riders had to load their bikes onto support vehicles (Pete Young, Bill Nugent, Eric Dunk, Jeff Decker, Sean Brayton,). Many had to make some adjustments on their bikes, others unexpectedly ran out of gas at the wrong location, and others were helped by other participants make the necessary repairs and went back on the road, like Eric Dunk and Pete Young. Damages are assessed at arrival and many had to work during the night while others were resting.

Saturday September 11th. Jeff Decker and Bill Rodencal decided not to take the start of this second leg towards Concord, NC. Riders got wet for the 1st time. Bill Nugent is back on the road. Some bruised egos for those who broke down so soon, but all riders are in good spirit continuing to help each other. Only 20 riders covered all the 387 miles since the start.

Sunday September 12th. At start this morning, weather is damp and riders will have to climb mountains. Humidity being the worst enemy of these vintage machines, some already know that their machines will not make it to the end of stage 3. Many spectators along the road to encourage participants. At 3 pm all riders will stop in Maggie Valley and visit the fabulous “Wheels Through Time Museum. Motorcycles competing in the event will be on display for visitors through the early evening, as well as dozens over other antique motorcycles that are accompanying the riders. Then all participants and support crew will be invited to a dinner hosted by museum curator and founder Dale Walksler. His picture, bottom right is from archives, not while riding in the Cannonball. (written with the help of Felicia Morgan following the Run in a sidecar)

The following failed to check in at the start of stage 3: #20 Jim Dennie. #71 Urban Hursche III. #72 Will R. Price III. #73 Drino Miller.

In Stage 3 the following riders have dropped out of this challenge due to various mechanical issues: #5 David Thompson. #12 Dave Kafton. #13 Mike Vils. #18 Douglas Feinsod. #27 Bill Nugent. #36 Pete Young. #58 Kris Thompson. #85 Matt Olsen. #98 Sean Brayton

Ranking as of of Sunday evening September 12th, 2010.

15 Responses to “Motorcycle Cannonball Update. (Part 2)”


  1. 1 golfish Sep 12th, 2010 at 10:36 am

    Going to take my son to the second to last stop over in Victorville Calif.

  2. 2 Kirk Perry Sep 12th, 2010 at 11:00 am

    Wild 🙂

    You gotta wonder what thought’s are going through the riders minds at mile 300.

  3. 3 Kirk Perry Sep 12th, 2010 at 11:07 am

    I’d be like Walksler, putting along with no helmet, my crotch hand-warmer. Boy Howdy.
    What’s Dale wearing? Clogs and layered socks?
    Cool.

  4. 4 Rider2 Sep 12th, 2010 at 12:35 pm

    That also makes you wonder how the riders were doing it 100 years+ ago.

    I am not familiar with the rules of the race but you would think that with our technology and the tools we have, some of those bikes would be able to still make it more than 100 miles.
    But again, maybe the rules were that the bikes needed to stay in their original condition.

    Good luck to the other participants. It’s such an exceptional race.

  5. 5 Kirk Perry Sep 12th, 2010 at 12:49 pm

    The Sears might still be under warranty.

  6. 6 Rider2 Sep 12th, 2010 at 1:53 pm

    It had a Drag Specialties logo on it… 🙂 so 1915 huh?

  7. 7 Seymour Sep 12th, 2010 at 6:57 pm

    LOL Kirk Perry!

  8. 8 Miami Chopper Shop Sep 13th, 2010 at 7:57 am

    What a blast – love the pictures. Thanks.

  9. 9 Pepper Massey Sep 13th, 2010 at 1:08 pm

    Go Cris!

  10. 10 Cris Sommer Simmons Sep 13th, 2010 at 10:30 pm

    Having a blast out here Cyril! The parking lot repairs and brother(sister) hood is amazing. Everyone needs to try and make one of these stops to see this to believe it. I’m so loving this experience.

  11. 11 carla Sep 14th, 2010 at 10:00 am

    i’m hoping to get to Ada OK this Sunday to see them! can not imagine doing this..makes me hurt just looking at the pictures! LOL

  12. 12 Will Sep 14th, 2010 at 6:17 pm

    Can somebody tell me the date and location of where they will be going through Victorville, cA? TY
    littleredrooster679@yahoo.com

  13. 13 Sugar Bear Sep 14th, 2010 at 7:06 pm

    heard Matt Olsen wrecked the Sears … broke his arm , maybe a collarbone .. supposedly is in surgery…. any verification on this?

  14. 14 Larrys Wife Sep 15th, 2010 at 7:05 pm

    Matt has returned home to Aberdeen. He has a ‘slightly” broken nose and a broken arm. According the the Cannonball website he is doing well.

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Cyril Huze