Cross Country Chase

[TechNoir]

Hello folks, I am sure that I am not the only one who is trying to follow the "CCC" from the comfort of their armchair.

I thought I would put a post up because I haven't seen one on here yet which I am surprised about.

I would have loved to have competed as it appeals to me in some ways more than the Cannonball because no backup teams are allowed (although I would be interested to see if there have been any "cheats" in this regard). Just a bike and a rider and no backup team seems much better event than a competition to see who has the deepest pockets.

Cutting to the chase (pun intended) I was wondering if there are any ways to follow progress other than on the official CCC website. I am following Keith Martin (Big D Cycle) on his instagram but I am sure that there must be other places to follow.

Thanks,

John

[Skirted]

John,
Look 4 posts down. I asked same and I know others who have searched for daily updates with no luck. We got spoiled with Bill Wood's thorough daily updates during the last Cannonball. The videos posted on the CCC FB help a little. At least I get a glimpse of the people I know once in awhile. It'd be great to see the standings sheet posted daily.

[TechNoir]

Hi Skirted, I missed your post most likely because I dont check in on here every day.

I agree with your posting. Also I note that the FB and instagram videos are also on youtube.

BigD cycle is posting on his instagram here: https://www.instagram.com/bigdcycle/

I havent seen too much on the other "usual suspects" such as The Vintagent although I guess that there must be a few other participants posting on their social media. If I find any I will post them on here and your thread.

John

[Architect]

Michael Lichter has also been posting pics from the road:

https://www.instagram.com/michaellichterphotography/

[Shaky Jake]

John,

You can follow the Chase on Facebook or motorcyclechase on Instagram, Jason and LeeAnn Simms are posting there. Rebecca Cunningham (Red Flyer Media) is posting videos on Facebook and instagram, she’s redflyermedia on Instagram. She’s sort of the official Videographer and just an all around nice lady. Also, Chris Tribbey (#09 I think) has been doing a good job of posting a couple of videos a day on both Facebook and instagram (he’s Mirth74 on instagram). A lot of the other riders are also posting videos, but those have been some of the good ones I’ve seen. If I think of any others I’ll post them.

BTW - I agree with some of your comments about riding the Chase vs the Cannonball. I’m considering switching from the Cannonball to the Chase after 2020. The effort of putting together a support team and vehicle every other year is time consuming and expensive. The idea of simply getting on an old bike with a tool roll and a few things and just riding across the country with some great people is very appealing to me. I doubt if there’s ant cheating going on, I know a lot of those folks and they tend to be more focused on the fun than the win.

Just thought of another one - Doug Wothke has been posting a lot of pictures on Facebook and Instagram. He’s rtwDoug on Instagram. Doug is participating as a staff rider this time, he always has an interesting point of view on things.

Also, on Facebook, some people are posting their pictures to the Motorcycle Cannonball group, so you might want to follow there.


Kevin

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[TechNoir]

Hi Jake, thanks for the reply and the links/tips on who is posting updates on their various SM. I will check them out.

The idea of simply getting on an old bike with a tool roll and a few things and just riding across the country with some great people is very appealing to me.

Me too. I would like to do the Cannonball too but with minimal backup if possible but I would much prefer it to be just me and my bike and good company much as you have stated.

However (and I hope I am not jinxing it by mentioning it) it looks like we are FINALY close to moving house in early October so any Cannonball/CCC aspirations will have to wait because after we have moved I need to build new stables for horses and a new shop for bikes so that will take my time, energy and cash for a little while.

John

[pisten-bully]

Just thought of another one - Doug Wothke has been posting a lot of pictures on Facebook and Instagram. He’s rtwDoug on Instagram. Doug is participating as a staff rider this time, he always has an interesting point of view on things.

And if you'd like to see where Doug Wothke is and has gone, he carries a tracker on his bike. You can see see it on Spotwala here: https://spotwalla.com/tripViewer.php...b4de3265776584

[BigLakeBob]

That's so cool Doug does that, that man has been around. Thanks for the link. Bob

[Shaky Jake]

...
I would like to do the Cannonball too but with minimal backup if possible but I would much prefer it to be just me and my bike and good company much as you have stated.

However (and I hope I am not jinxing it by mentioning it) it looks like we are FINALY close to moving house in early October so any Cannonball/CCC aspirations will have to wait because after we have moved I need to build new stables for horses and a new shop for bikes so that will take my time, energy and cash for a little while.

John

Yes. A couple of guys have done the Cannonball with no visible support, Kelly Modlin did it in 2018, and I think Doug did it once, maybe in 2014. It’s something to aspire to.

Good luck with the move. Horses AND antique motorcycles? You probably need an airplane and a couple of boats too! ;-)

Kevin

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[Ross]

AMCA BOARD MEMBER Will L from Wisconsin bowed out with an engine failure on his 30's Indian sport's scout...totally stock...no upgrades...etc... Gotta love an ex military dude and his fortitude for making a run on his own. His motor is totaled and he is planning on what to do on the next run. Love this guy and he is supporting your hobby day to day. Well done Will...Driftless Chapter Guy ,just so your know......Some folks are the real deal...Will is one of those...

[TechNoir]

Yes. A couple of guys have done the Cannonball with no visible support, Kelly Modlin did it in 2018, and I think Doug did it once, maybe in 2014. It’s something to aspire to.

Good luck with the move. Horses AND antique motorcycles? You probably need an airplane and a couple of boats too! ;-)

Kevin

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Hi Kevin, I did follow Doug's account of his unsupported Cannonball at the time. I think he posted updates on AdvRider.

I am not particularly into boats but would love an old airplane. Either a DeHaviland Sea Hornet (none exist so would need to re-create one) or a Dakota with some history, maybe one that was used in the Berlin Airlift.

I do have a lot of stuff to deal with for this move but am able to get a vicarious old bike fix via the good old internet.

AMCA BOARD MEMBER Will L from Wisconsin bowed out with an engine failure on his 30's Indian sport's scout...totally stock...no upgrades...etc... Gotta love an ex military dude and his fortitude for making a run on his own. His motor is totaled and he is planning on what to do on the next run. Love this guy and he is supporting your hobby day to day. Well done Will...Driftless Chapter Guy ,just so your know......Some folks are the real deal...Will is one of those...

Bad news for Will. I hope he get everything fixed up OK.

John

[BoschZEV]

Does anyone know the details of how the "no-support" policy is implemented? Most bikes will have been delivered to the starting point, and will be retrieved at the ending point by the same vehicle. If a bike breaks down one of the organizer's trailers will pick it up and deliver it to the next stop on the route. However, if it's an "unfixable" breakdown the bike would be stranded at that stop for lack of room on the organizer's trailers. So it only makes sense that each rider's "non-support vehicle" be encouraged to follow close to the route from start to finish.

Obviously, a trailer and team of mechanic would be spotted if helping a bike that had broken down on route, but how are evenings handled? Is there a Parc Ferme that only riders have access to? That still wouldn't deter an unscrupulous rider from having access to the contents of his team's trailer parked nearby, since the odds of being spotted doing so would be small. Without some sort of policing it would be unfair to the majority of riders who I am sure are not unscrupulous. So, how is this handled?

[Skirted]

No idea what level of policing there is but have a few thoughts; It’d be very difficult to police fully especially by event staff maybe better policed by riders themselves. With a relatively small number of riders I’d think most recognize who is who and with everyone carrying a camera these days someone cheating would be taking a chance. I’d have to think the most difficult thing for anyone to police is a following support person delivering parts to a motel room so the rider can install.
If someone is determined to cheat they will find a way. If they cheat and it allows them to win their class or a runner up spot they’ll bask in the award presentation glory but after they have to wake up everyday they are alive with guilt knowing they are inferior and cheated other honest riders who put their heart and soul into this event. Good luck with that.

We are in Key West anxiously awaiting their arrival tomorrow. 3 of the 4 riders from our chapter are among the 35 still with a perfect score and no penalty. Those handicap and especially quiz score points will play a big role in tie breakers.
Tom Banks #21 is an experienced X Cannonballer but Joe Ferri #23 and Willie Earhart #18 are first timers to anything like this.

[TechNoir]

Some good points there Skirted.

It occurs to me that the simplest but to cheat on might be the quiz (not that I am suggesting that anyone IS cheating on it, just hypothetically) Here in the UK so called "Pub Quiz" competitions were killed off by the smartphone. If someone had an earpiece in and read the questions out aloud to him or herself it would be simple for an accomplice to feed back googled answers.

I guess that some participants might give us their perspective on honesty on the event in a week or two and I look forward to hearing their experiences.

John

[jwl]

If anybody cheats they are only cheating themselves. Would take a special kind of lowlife to enjoy looking at a trophy they won by cheating. Anybody that rides an old bike better not need a trophy to satisfy him. It's all about the adventure and proving to yourself that you can do it.