The first “longer mileage day” was not easy on some of the bikes. While the morning started well, with cool temperatures in the 40s and overcast skies, the sweep trucks were busy. An excellent description is provided the AMCA: http://www.antiquemotorcycle.org/index.php?mact=News,cntnt01,detail,0&cntnt01articleid=171&cntnt01origid=221&cntnt01returnid=97.
For Blue Bird, the day started with a nice departure and full layers of riding gear.
Some serious touring through American history, farms and small towns and let us ride some great roads and chat with many local people at fuel stops. It is a pleasure to tell the story of Alan Bedell, Cannonball Baker and the Henderson Motorcycle Company and to describe this rolling circus. Most folks think we’re crazy.
We were hosted for hot coffee and doughnuts by Hemmings in Vermont who have a lovely museum with antique cars and trucks. (I tried to talk them out of the Hudson Panel Wagon but they weren’t listening. You can visit them: https://www.hemmings.com/about-us/sibley).
My riding partner today was good friend Vern Acres, a skilled and fast Canadian rider. Vern was on Evan Kune’s Henderson hot rod I called The Flamethrower. After a long uphill pull at full power, Vern would close the throttle and a torch of flame 6-10″ long would fire out the open exhaust!
We made good time and arrived early at the finish line followed closely by Brian Pease on his single speed 1916 Henderson. Here are the first finishers across the line today:
For the fellow riders and support crews who had to repair their elderly beasts, the parking lot became the Cannonball Machine Works.
Tomorrow? 100% chance of heavy rain forecast for 226 mile route to Jamestown, NY. Wish us safety and luck!