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I have an entry in the next Cannonball and, along with preparing the bike, I've starting giving some thought to the logistics of the event. Leaving aside the actual two weeks of the rally itself, there's the issue of getting the bike, riding gear, tools and me to the start, and home again from the finish. How have others handled this in previous years?
I live in the Southwest and to get a rough estimate of what would be involved with one approach I got an on-line quote for one-way rentals to/from ME and OR of a 12' truck (bigger than needed, but possibly(?) smaller than desired as a support vehicle on the Cannonball) of ~$850 + 670 = ~$1500. Add food and motels for the six 12-hour days on the road that google maps says it will take (~$600) and gas for the 4200 miles (/12 mpg x $2.50/gal. =~$875) and that's ~$3000 total to get the bike, tools, riding gear, etc. from/to home.
Finding a smaller truck, looking for better rental deals, etc. might cut that somewhat, but driving still means a grueling 6 days on the road trying to cross the continent W to E and N to S at warp speed. Since the truck would be big enough, another entrant in the Southwest to share the cost and driving might be an option, but that would entail a gamble on compatibility.
Once at the start I will be sharing a support vehicle with a European friend so the issue I'm asking about is how best to deal with the transportation before and after the Cannonball. Has anyone used a shipper to handle a bike and a large box filled with supplies and riding gear? Is that a better approach?
Suggestions from people who have dealt with this, or something similar, in the past would be greatly appreciated. Thanks in advance.
I live in the Southwest and to get a rough estimate of what would be involved with one approach I got an on-line quote for one-way rentals to/from ME and OR of a 12' truck (bigger than needed, but possibly(?) smaller than desired as a support vehicle on the Cannonball) of ~$850 + 670 = ~$1500. Add food and motels for the six 12-hour days on the road that google maps says it will take (~$600) and gas for the 4200 miles (/12 mpg x $2.50/gal. =~$875) and that's ~$3000 total to get the bike, tools, riding gear, etc. from/to home.
Finding a smaller truck, looking for better rental deals, etc. might cut that somewhat, but driving still means a grueling 6 days on the road trying to cross the continent W to E and N to S at warp speed. Since the truck would be big enough, another entrant in the Southwest to share the cost and driving might be an option, but that would entail a gamble on compatibility.
Once at the start I will be sharing a support vehicle with a European friend so the issue I'm asking about is how best to deal with the transportation before and after the Cannonball. Has anyone used a shipper to handle a bike and a large box filled with supplies and riding gear? Is that a better approach?
Suggestions from people who have dealt with this, or something similar, in the past would be greatly appreciated. Thanks in advance.
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