Cannonball, Chase, 1911 Excelsior, 1923 Harley J tales

Category: Uncategorized

  • Stage Ten

    Stage #10
    Colorado Springs, CO to Montrose, CO
    246 Miles

    Weather High of 75
    MOnarch Pass High 47
    32 Chance of Rain

    It was a late night last night with getting in late and all. A couple of experts came to my rescue in the parking lot and repaired my timer and dialed in the carb. Good to go now.

    Today we rode over the Royal Gorge Bridge.

    We also rode Skyline Drive and drove over Monarch Pass.

    Made it!

    Bartman

    Riding team: Tribbey, Olson, and Bartman

    Coffee break. We were all getting sleepy.

    Hosted dinner event for us in Montrose, CO

    Me and Carlo

    At the conclusion of today we have 2,551 miles so far.

    Headed to lot to do my maintenance now. More miles tomorrow. Over and out.

  • Stage 9

    Stage #9
    Garden City KS to Colorado Springs, CO
    273 Miles

    High of 82
    0% chance rain

    Today there is 90 – 110 miles in between fuel stops,
    Fuel at Mile 140
    Mile 160 the fuel is 2 pumps CC Only, and there isn’t fuel again until mile 250

    From our day off.
    From our day off.
    Someone caught me smiling!
    Headed out yesterday.
    Loading up he route sheets.
    Good morning. Rolled the bike out of the trailer to start the day.

    Today was a nightmare. About 80 miles from the end I had issues. LOTS of work on the roadside and help from a staff member. I made it in with minutes to spare. Walked on bike with help from an expert and am all set for today.

    Over and out.

  • Stage Eight

    Stage #8
    Wichita, KS to Garden City, KS
    236 Miles

    High of 80
    51 % chance of rain

    Started out the day in low 60 degrees and drizzle for about 1.5 hours. Skies cleared and temps warmed up. It was a long straight line today.

    What I did all day.
    All the ACE stickers so far.
    Stopped for lunch at TR Restorations and they had a taillight lens.
    Jason Sims (Director of Operations of the Cannonball), Terry Richards (owner of TR Restorations, and fellow rider Cole Deister. Terry hosted lunch at his shop.
    TR Restorations.
    Bartman had a close call today. Got away with just a warning.
    The three of us made all the miles again today. Tribbey, Olson, and Bartman.

    Garden city welcomed us in with a catered dinner. Wonderful.

    That’s it for today. Tomorrow we will be headed to Colorado Springs. Thanks for following along.

  • Day Off

    Today is a welcomed day! It marks the half way point in our journey. So much has happened. New friendships, engines being destroyed, bikes ending up in the ditch, pure joy, late late nights in the parking lot working, pulled pork, listening to some very smart guys, starting laundry at 11:30 pm so tomorrow can really be free.

    Some random shots others have sent me from today.

    Last night. Finished at 1:30am. Glad I did it then. It will be a nut house here today.
    Random shot from the road.
    New rear tire installed for safety.

    All done!!! Ready for the last 1900 miles.

    Well well. A “day off” is NOT a day off. Laundry last night at 1 am. Worked all day on maintenance and helping others. All ready now!!

    Good night and have a pleasant tomorrow.

  • Stage Seven

    Good morning. Todays info:

    Stage #7
    Branson, MO to Augusta, KS
    270 Miles

    High of 80
    28% chance of rain

    I’m looking forward to todays ride for a lot of reasons. First, after today we will be at the half way point. Second I don’t have to set alarm for an early wake up as we will have one day “off”. It will be laundry day as well as looking bike over more in-depth. The bike is running flawlessly so I don’t expect to get too deep in the bike.

    Good morning!
    Did not get breakfast at the hotel. I was rushed to fix a gas line leak! So the first gas stop I had a little breakfast.
    Here are two of the official photographers on the ride. They are really capturing some great video and images.
    Gives you an idea of where we were today.
    At the Twisted Oz museum for dinner. It was awesome to see Kelly. Much appreciated.
    Spotted the world famous Roger Green sporting the best USA made heavyweight pocket t-shirt.
    Grim Sweeper trailer.
    One of the bikes on the Grim Sweeper. Knowing this guy he will be back in the race tomorrow.
    With Dave. The overall winner of the 2021 Cannonball. He is riding a 1911 Harley with an atmospheric intake valve. Just like the 1911 Excelsior I rode in the 2018 Cannonball.
    Got “all the miles”! 280 today. Team BOT (Bartman, Olson, and Tribbey) all finished again today.

    Tomorrow will be laundry and bike inspection.

    Of the 77 riders, 42 have a perfect score.

    I moved up a notch because the guy who blew a piston lost points.

    That’s it. Over and out.

  • Stage Six

    Stage #6
    Cape Girardeau, MO to Branson, MO
    282 Miles

    High of 82
    0% Chance of Rain
    Sunset 7:24

    Ready to start the day for the ride to Branson.

    Some random shots people sent me from yesterday.

    From yesterday. 7 hours in the saddle.
    Geared up at the start line yesterday.
    Pulling in across the finish line last night.
    Made the Wall of Fame last night! LOL
    The day starts with rolling up the route sheet.
    Lost my taillight glass lens after hitting a huge pothole. Have another one on the way.
    A perfect lunch today. At lunch we are at 1269 miles since we left VA Beach. 2533 to go.
    Made all the miles with my two riding partners Pat Olson and John Bartman.
    You DO NOT want to be on the sweep trailer.
    Each time I change oil during the day I make a note.
    All day this is what I see.
    Pulling in the Cape last night.
    Last nights daily routine. Complete maintenance each night.
    Todays ride.

    After Stage 6 I’m still in 9th place.

    Tomorrow will be 270 miles to Augusta, KS. And we have a day off as it is the half way point. Thanks for following along. Over and out.

  • Stage Five

    Started out the day checking and adjusting my valve lash. This must be done when the engine is cold.

    A great bunch of guys came to meet me today.
    A perfect day.
    Made all 200 miles today. great riding with Bartman and Olson. We have a solid team.
    Made the Wall of Fame!
    Class one bikes leaving this morning.
    Still holding down 9th place with a rider number 9.

    Tomorrow will be 280 miles to Branson. It will be a tough day. Looking forward to it. Over and out.

  • Stage Four

    Maryville, TN to Clarksville, TN. 270 miles of hills and beautiful riding. Ride with Bartman and Pat Olson all day.

    Morning shot before leaving.
    Tony came to welcome me in at Clarksville
    With Danny along the way.
    With Micah along the way.
    When I arrived at the end.
    With Ugly brothers Micah and Steve
    One of my shirts Ed was wearing. That’s George facing the camera. A true JD guru.
    Front fender stickers from each day.
    Class One bikes leaving this morning.

    Short on commentary. It’s been a wonderful event. The bike is running strong. So many friends stopping at each stop. Over and out. Thanks for following along.

  • Stage Three

    We were warned this would be the most challenging day. Here is the message from the staff sent to all riders about todays route:

    Great job today Cannonballers!! Make sure your machines are prepared for tomorrow it will be one of the hardest but most rewarding days of this trip! We are going through multiple tunnels and will incur multiple hills, please make sure you have lights and brakes in good working order. See you all in the AM.

    Read more here: https://motorcyclecannonball.com/

    Still in 9th place with Bartman.

    Perfect scores so far!!
    Lunch stop at Wheels Through Time in Maggie Valley.
    My buddy Tim came out to welcome me in.
    Got all the miles today! Yay!
    An OK dinner late tonight.
    Just in. Scores for today. Still tied with Bartman.

    Today was an extremely challenging day. Extreme hills, and I mean extreme. The longest incline of the 72 inclines we did today was 7.88 miles long. I averaged 32 mph (wide open throttle) up that one.

    Having a blast. Bike is purring sweet. Riding with Bartman is a natural.

    Tomorrow will be riding from Knoxville to Clarksville. Weather looks perfect. No mountains. Lots of gas stops. No hosted lunch. Perfect.

    Over and out.