Day After

Woke up at 5am and it was an empty feeling. No early morning text from Jason on route details. No seeing everyone at breakfast. No destination today. No route sheet to load in the map holder. No helmet and jacket to wear. No bike to work on. Nowhere to go. Hmm……

21 days ago my toes were in the Atlantic ocean, and today after 3,856 miles on my 1923 Harley, I had to touch the Pacific ocean.

Crossing the Parker (AZ) Dam.

There is so much to reflect on. This event is like no other. The camaraderie between everyone involved is special. Every gas station or restaurant stop included dozens of onlookers asking us questions and taking our pictures. Local TV and newspaper reporters covering the event and asking for interviews.

Visiting so many National Parks. Enduring climbing and riding over four mountain passes. On a 100 year old machine. I still can’t believe it.

Last night and today is saying goodbye to so many people. Some I will never see again. Others will cross paths at swap meets and motorcycle auctions.

Today I am taking it easy in Oceanside, and will be off for the airport in the morning. Then back to reality.

Some of my favorite images are included here below (in no specific order).

So many people to thank.

Nancy Tribbey for supporting my goals to do another Cannonball.

Matt Ruble, Grant Unrugh, and George Unrugh for all of the technical knowledge and expertice.

John Bartman, Bill Dolan, and Mike Casey for being the best partners a rider could have.

Pat Olson for joining Bartman and I as a trio on our daily rides. We made a perfect team on the road.

Jason and LeeAnn Sims for all they do putting together this monumental event. They make dreams come true.

Ryan Allen for keeping me focused and motivated with an issue I was dealing with on one particular day.

The Ugly MC members who welcomed us along thew way.

And with that I will close out this chapter of the 2023 Cannonball event. I might have more to post as reality again settles in when I am back home. Thanks again for following along.

Comments

8 responses to “Day After”

  1. joannenk Avatar
    joannenk

    Absolutely love this. Way to go Chris! You did fantastic! Gave me something to look forward to every single day. I too feel lost. No more getting up early to check stats. Thanks for sharing your adventure with us. Love the photos and daily commentary. See you soon 🙂
    Jo Ann

    Liked by 1 person

  2. David Koshollek Avatar
    David Koshollek

    The culmination of a magnificent adventure. One, that even though this was the toughest of Cannonball routes, was met with few obstacles to your travels due to your impeccable planning, preparation and attentive maintenance. You now have a monster amount of bragging points and stories to tell for a lifetime. I look forward to hearing them firsthand in October.

    Liked by 1 person

  3. Dobe Vick Avatar
    Dobe Vick

    Wow…..Well done and congrats

    Liked by 1 person

  4. Jeff Avatar
    Jeff

    So frickin cool! Congrats on completion of an amazing journey.

    Liked by 1 person

  5. Ed Lamb Avatar
    Ed Lamb

    Thanks for letting us share in your journey!!! Job well done

    Liked by 1 person

  6. Björn Kitzinger Avatar
    Björn Kitzinger

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    Congrats my friend – well done!!👏👏👏

    This must have been an amazing and emotional journey!

    Kind personsal regards

    Björn

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    Liked by 1 person

  7. GeneO Avatar
    GeneO

    I really, really enjoyed all the video/ photos , seeing those stretches of open road and a glimpse of the others in your rear view , makes me feel like a bench racer , way to go Chris

    Liked by 1 person

  8. GeneO Avatar
    GeneO

    I really, really enjoyed all the video/ photos , seeing those stretches of open road and a glimpse of the others in your rear view , makes me feel like a bench racer , way to go Chris

    Liked by 1 person