Cyril Huze Blog – World's Number One Source For Custom Motorcycle News

(with the contribution of Felicia Morgan)
Nobody on the Cannonball ever wakes up and says, “You know, I think I’ll call in sick today.” Even when it rains; which it has. Or when it’s hot; which it has been and will be again. Or when the horizon seems unobtainable since, well, that is the best part, after all. The Cannonball is an endurance run and the route is tediously mapped out with that in mind. From the starting line in Atlantic City on the boards of the oldest boardwalk in the United States to the rickety old planks of the Wabash Bridge-also known as the Cannonball Bridge- and on to the Boot Hill area of Dodge City’s cowtown, the Cannonball’s international pack of riders have been steeped in historic landmarks. Which, considering they are riding antiquated time machines of their own, is only fitting. Continue reading ‘2016 Cannonball Race Of The Century. Stage 8 Results.’

The American International Motorcycle Expo (AIMExpo) has revealed its plan to move North America’s premier powersports trade show to a new host city in 2017, with Columbus, Ohio, set to welcome the industry next fall. The Greater Columbus Convention Center (GCCC) will open its doors to hundreds of exhibitors and thousands of dealer and consumer attendees next September 21-24, 2017 for the landmark fifth year of the event.

Geographically, Columbus is ideally placed with 41 percent of both franchised and independent dealerships in the U.S. located within a 500-mile radius, including major markets like Atlanta, Charlotte, Chicago, New York, Philadelphia, Washington, D.C., St. Louis, and more. Ohio’s state capitol is also the 15th-largest city in the country, and consistently ranks among the top cities for business growth.

“The key questions are ‘Why Move’, and ‘Why Columbus’,” said Larry Little, Vice President and General Manager, AIMExpo. “When we debuted AIMExpo as a new platform for the powersports industry, Orlando proved an outstanding launch location, but the vision was always to visit other geographical centers. Carefully listening to the exhibitor and greater industry community it was clear that our next step would be to a location more immediately accessible to the retailer population.”

“Why Columbus?” Mike Webster, Senior Vice President, MIC Events added, “Ideally situated among one of the highest concentration of dealers anywhere in America, the Greater Columbus Convention Center is the perfect size for AIMExpo to take over the whole convention center and to own the town. The city center location and adjoining hotels will deliver the tight-knit industry experience attendees have also requested. Columbus is a model of urban revitalization and the ‘after-show’ atmosphere with hundreds of restaurants, bars, and markets, all within just a few blocks must be seen and experienced to be appreciated.” Continue reading ‘Breaking News. American International Motorcycle Expo Announces Move to New Host City For 2017. Columbus, Ohio.’

Yesterday September 11, rider #93, Scott Jacobs crashed his 1915 H-D after hitting gravel on the pavement along the route. He will need surgery and his wife Sharon is at his side (photo of Sharon & Scott before start). Riders pull out of Morgantown WV on day 3. There are only 30 riders left in contention with perfect scores. 18 motorcycles were delivered at day’s end for the hosted party at Triple S H-D in Morgantown, WV. Weather was perfect and scenery was incredible through the Appalachian mountains. Results after the jump. Continue reading ‘2016 Cannonball Race Of The Century. Stage 2 Results.’

(with the contribution of Felicia Morgan) The 2016 event marks the fourth Motorcycle Cannonball race since 2010. The first ride required pre-1915 cycles; in 2012 the cutoff was 1929, while the 2014 ride called for pre-1936 cycles. This year the transcontinental ride is reserved to pre-1917 machines and is named the coast to coast Race Of The Century. 3304 miles in 16 days from Atlantic City, New Jersey to Carlsbad, California, the 2016 Cannonball is again a grueling test of grit and mettle for each rider and machine.

Yesterday Saturday September 10, The Atlantic City boardwalk was choked with onlookers as 90 antique motorcycles gathered for the Grand Start of the Motorcycle Cannonball Endurance Race. Marques such as Harley-Davidson, Indian, Thor, Henderson and others set off for the journey that would take them from the shores of the Atlantic Ocean to the shining seas of the California to finish on September 25th.

Riders on their pre-1917 motorcycles were safely escorted through the congested downtown Atlantic City traffic by local motor police, then spent the day traveling through the eastern states of New Jersey, Delaware, and Maryland before finishing for the night in York, Pennsylvania. By day’s end, the group logged 228 very difficult miles.

Between the oppressive heat accompanied by 88% humidity and the challenging terrain, both riders and machines were truly tested during the first day of the endurance run. Of the 90 riders who took to the course, 63 finished with a perfect score, another 27 received a “Did Not Finish” and one was Disqualified. One motorcycle caught fire, several had catastrophic engine failure, and several were trailered to the end point. By daylight, many of those machines will be roadworthy again after their riders and crew spend the night making repairs. Stage 1 results after the jump. Continue reading ‘2016 Cannonball Race Of The Century. Grand Start In Atlantic City And Stage 1.’