Modern Vespa

The Scooter Cannonball is set to depart Bar Harbor, Maine on Monday, July 12th and arrive 10 days later in Eureka, California on Wednesday, July 21st. There are festivities planned on both coasts that are open to fellow scooterist and the curious.

Starting Line Party - Bar Harbor, Sunday July 11th: 2PM to 6PM

The event will be held at Atlantic Brewing's Town Hill location. Town Hill is a 10 minute ride from downtown Bar Harbor. This event is catered by Mainely Meats - cash bar and food menu.

Map/Location: https://goo.gl/maps/XPpAsb337ac2GgMS9

Staying consistent with the recent social distancing theme, this years party will be outdoors (or under cover) and an open house format for participants to check-in, confirm their scooter specifics, eat/drink, and pickup swag. We will not be having a formal cuddly huddle riders meeting at a set time.

The event will reconvene Monday, July 12th at the town pier in downtown Bar Harbor at 6:30AM for a group photo. Afterwards, riders will start their clocks and begin the first segment when they are ready to roll.

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Finish Line Party - Eureka, Wednesday July 21st: 4PM to ??

The finish line is at the Trusdale Vista Point in Eureka, California directly behind the "Shamus T Bones" restaurant. Their indoor/outdoor patio space is reserved for participants and spectators all late afternoon and evening. Food and drink will be available from their regular menu as well as a special small plate menu they've created for the event.

The Day 10 route is ~416 miles. Riders are anticipated at the finish line between 4-7PM that afternoon/evening. The Day 10 route can be previewed here (scorecard), here (Google Driving Maps), here (Google Static Map), and here (GPX).

feb31st correctly posted this in Ralies & Events. However, I've moved it to General Discussion because I think it rises above a mere event notice.

SCB is a big deal.

Looking forward to watching this year's event.

Me too!

Thanks Feb31st! I've been debating riding up to Eureka for the finish and then do a couple other visits up that way while there.

Best
Miguel

Some high level updates on whats been going on...

To date a 180 people have registered registrations. About half of that count registered after 2020 was postponed. We are currently at 78 "Yes" and 23 "Maybe" and the rest have withdrawn. Out of the 101 Yes/Maybe riders, only 19 are return participants. Out of the firm "Yes" count only 13 are return and half of those were 1st time riders in 2018.

My guess is ~75 riders start?

40% of the scooters are below 200cc.

The rules/scoring are fundamentally the same as they've always been. The 'Bonus Checkpoints' introduced in 2018 are back again. An iPhone/Android app was created to help streamline the post ride scorecard data collection but the data itself will still be human reviewed. The app also has some poor man's SPOT Tracker tracking and if you take your checkpoint photos with the app it will watermark them as verify. Assuming that works the real time rider tracking should be improved and a steady flow of photos coming in throughout the day.

4500 miles (due to the COVID reroute to avoid Canada). Average day is just that - 447. Day 7 is the longest at 527 with two ~10,000ft mountain passes and 3 unpaved sections totaling ~65 miles. Days 1, 6 & 8 are high 300s, Days 2 & 3 just shy of 500 and the rest mid 400s. For the Modern Vespa riders an aux fuel tank or a jerry can is required. There are a couple days where the 80-120 mile range is problematic!

Thanks for the MV Cannonball <3. There are a lot of new people and long days ahead. It should be interesting so stock up on the popcorn.

I would love to know more someday about how the heck all of this is planned.

I think this falls into the general category of not knowing how the sausage is made.

Would love to do this one year, and this year was the year for perfect starting point for me (used to live up near there in Rockport, ME), but unfortunate that I'm busy during the trip and just got my Stella running stable after over a year of tuning it. Need a little more proving that it can handle a trip like that before jumping right into that! Would be great to start putting a dent in this map in my sig.

Best of luck to everyone who participates and I'll be following whatever threads are tracking progress!

A bit off-topic, but as the route is passing less than a couple of hours from me (and the start and finish are impractical to attend) I had this thought of catching it as it came into town for the night. It all seemed kind of exciting until I imagined a bunch of road-weary, bruised, tired, and grumpy riders who just have enough energy to nod and wander off to sleep.

Anyone care to enlighten me as to the realities of typical Cannonball stops?

I will be at the start line, and hopefully still riding when I get to the finish line.

Fled - As a Cannonball Rookie, I can't tell you about overnight festivities during prior years 1st hand. But I DO PLAN on wrenching (on my scoot or any others who need help with theirs) and drinking (my own beer and any others who need help with theirs) Would love to see you while we are nearby!

Beers, Cheers, Nuts, and Bolts!!!

I think on topic. Several people have emailed the event asking about joining on an overnight or hanging out at a checkpoint. I actually had some "guidance" in my original post that I ultimately omitted.

Day 1 is always extra high energy at the finish. Days 2, 3, & maybe 4 will probably be a grind for most. Days 5 & 6 look like heavy maintenance days so if you happen to be in the area there should be some action. Day 7 is rough. Days 8 through 10 should be pleasant for most.

If someone is thinking about setting up camp at a checkpoint, a reasonable expectation would be that most riders will throw you a thumbs up and stay long enough to snag a photo. If being blown off by most, under the circumstances, doesn't offend you then please be smart/safe about it (don't block pull over areas, etc).

If someone is thinking about coming to an overnight location, the coordinates for the final checkpoint (official hotel) are on the website - it's not hard to figure out. Most arrive around 4-6PM. Half the riders stay there and the other half in close proximity. If it is raining then I'd suggest staying home. Otherwise, if its in your backyard, come hang out but recognize that people have their own weird travel rituals, routines, and priorities.

My observation has been most riders are pretty energized after their ride as others start pulling in and the parking lot gets busy - even after longer days. For me personally, a lot of "visitors" get way too intense with scooter particulars or trading war stories of past rides. After a day of riding lets just pretend we've known each other for awhile and enjoy a beer. But thats just me... I've become rather grouchy in my late 30s.

since you'll be coming to marshfield end of day 4 there will be some wrenching for sure going on,

end of day 4 starts the maintenance cycles for oil changes, possibly tire changes, some might be going after belts and rollers as well.

then you are also in the window for stuff breaking and folks scrambling to repair stuff like gps power wiring stuff bouncing and breaking things like racks and mounts, folks trying to figure out on ways to better enhance the scoot for the upcoming days.

Finally end of day 4 is for me spotted cow hunting, need to find a few cases for the rest of the trip and back home.

Sounds interesting. I'm sure there's a ton of unpredictable stuff coming down by then.
Spotted Cow is good stuff, but just scratching the surface for local brew.

Just looked at the route through Michigan. That stretch of NW lower Michigan is just awesome as a route.....so good a half-dozen of us will be following it a week after the CB. So if y'all want to carve your name in something we might be there to admire it.

I was expecting to arrive with beer, BTW so I wouldn't get run off. That and a spare hand or two.... Would be great to see you there.

I'll be hunting down some New Glarus varieties on Day 4 - Spotted Cow and Moon Man.

The day trip to the Brewery at Amerivespa was the highlight for me.

As Jess has eloquently stated previously:

"There's no stopping on the cannonball."

The Cannonball sounds like it's a fun challenge. Even if you do end up a bit tired and saddle sore.

Is there a ride like it in the Uk I wonder ?

We plan to be in the Black Hills when the Cannonball riders come through. Don't want to be in anyone's way, but it would be interesting to see the condition of the participants and scoots at that point.

That is a busy tourist time in the Black Hills.

Would be nice, but it seems there are a few distance constraints for straight line traveling....

I'm not riding in the Cannonball, and the comes within a couple hours of me but no stop or check points that I can identify.
What goes through my mind is that the participants will be in their own minds whilst riding and wouldn't want to be bothered. What could be best for everyone involved would be that if you're a wrencher is to show up at the overnight stop location with your toolbox and whatever spare parts you can and assist the tired riders with whatever overnight repairs they may need.

*If* I was riding in something like this I'd absolutely love to plop my tired scrawny old arse in my motel room bed and wake up the next morning and find the maintance magically done..... 😉

Just like the old "Elves and the Shoemaker" fairy tale.

"Scooter Elves of Cannonball"

Where will riders be staying in Manchester Vermont, I hope to be there at that time.

Thanks for all the information. I have been to Abilene, Texas and Norman, Oklahoma to meet up with the guys and gals. I understand what you mean about the level of excitement. I basically just hung out in the parking lot and respected the privacy of those who were 'resting' in their rooms. It was a nice experience. I got to meet quite a few nice people. I would love to do it again and hot springs is only 10 hours away from here. Like I said I am a huge fan but I might have some constraints as to limitations from my hip reconstruction.

Abilene was a special case of "resting in our rooms" because it was so freaking hot that day, and because the hotel was so much nicer than the one the night before. Generally, weather permitting, CannonBallers will be out in the parking lot, sometimes even dragging furniture from their rooms out to stay outside. There is something about the parking lot camaraderie that is really intoxicating (or maybe it's the beer). Also, for some reason, after being outside on the bike all day, going inside a hotel room feels weirdly confining. Dunno.

But on CB, I stay outside in the parking lot as much as possible.

Hope to be in Eureka !

My first real exposure to the cannonball was the Abileine stop in 2012 Max mentioed. That was a bit of a special case as some of the Texas riders arranged a BBQ and it was something like 114f that day.

Since then I've ridden in 2 cannonballs. Heres my take on visitors.

First, if someone is busy especially if working on their scoot don't interrupt them. Most don't mind someone watching or offering to help as long as they don't get in the way. If you have a portable tire mounting tool you may be wwelcomed with open arms.

At the end of the day riders will be tired, preoccupied, hungry, thirsty or maybe just grumpy especially after a long day on the road and later in the cannonball. With the number of registered riders riding 150cc or less they may be arriving later than usual in past cannonballs. So if someone doesn't seem inclined to chat move on. Some may be on a bit of a high if they've had a good day and be more than happy to chat. Take your cues from the person you are talking to.

If you are thinking of setting up camp at a checkpoint as Feb31st said competitive riders are unlikely to stop. They might appreciate a photo taken as they pass but a thumbs up wave maybe your only acknowledgement and the riders will be staggered based on when they leave and how fast they are riding. Some of the tourist class riders may stop say hello, maybe taking a moment to hydrate but even those people are unlikely to stay long.

I think that would basically be riding from Land's End to John o' Groats back and forth four times and then back to John o' Groats for the finish.

What happens at a checkpoint? Do the riders simply take a photo of a sign/building as proof? Or is there someone stationed at the checkpoint to verify the rider passed by?

On Day 3, checkpoint #1 (101 miles) is 20 miles south of my house. If they stop to check in, I was considering setting up there to take photos as they went about their business. If just passing by at 60 MPH, then that's not going to work.

Otherwise, I will be a few miles further along the route in Litchfield, Ohio, where there is a 270° small roundabout turn. That ought to make a good photo opportunity. The downside there is that the riders might simply go straight at the intersection after CP1 followed by a right at the next intersection, avoiding going through Litchfield. (Same distance, just no roundabout or traffic.) Hence, not as many riders passing me at the roundabout.

I appreciate any input.

The only time I saw riders on the SCR was in 2006, when passing through Elyria, Ohio. Ashrat came around the corner, jumped the curb, and stopped for a brief chat, then took off down the sidewalk to finish the ride. This was the day following her nasty crash! Photos from that event at:

https://smorris.smugmug.com/The-Garage/Scooters-General/n-WZDBh/Scooter-Cannonball-Run-2006/i-zGN8QNz

Stopping is the antithesis of Cannonball. The serious riders will zoom by at 60mph. The tourists might stop and take a photo or even chat.

There aren't any officials at the checkpoint. The verification is via a photo taken by the rider.

(The current Cannonball system might include a mobile app, not sure).

Thanks, that's what I figured, but wanted to check. Sounds like my best bet is at the roundabout in Litchfield, then!

The official GPX track brings us to that Litchfield roundabout from the south on route 83 to route 18. So that would be a good chance to see riders coming through. Don't be offended if I don't stop, but I would at least give a wave or thumbs up.

I might lap the roundabout a couple of times for fun - Clark Griswold style

It does, checkpoints can be ping'd on the mobile app within the 1/4 mile radius without necessarily stopping. Riders are still encouraged to get a verifiable photo as a backup.

The bonus locations require a photo that clearly depicts the described landmark in the scorecard booklet. There is a stop or a slower roll by here... I mean after all its not a race.

Set up an EZ-Up right in front of a checkpoint with a cooler and bottles of cold water to give out. You will get plenty of takers and will likely be in every single checkpoint photo.

I absolutely don't expect anyone to stop at the roundabout. I've followed enough Cannonball events to know it is not a race (wink, wink), but folks are not puttering along, either.

Don't go around too many times; you'll get dizzy and fall over. I have a tendency to make a full circle or two when driving in a cul-de-sac; one more time than whatever number I know will irritate Deb...

Thanks for the tip!

GotMojo has the right info IF you want to actually say hello to the riders though I'd add that a bonus photo location would also be a good place to set up camp with an offer of refreshment.

To just watch the cannonball riders go by then the roundabout might be your best bet but you will need to be there for several hours to see more than a few riders. Riders in the past have left as early at 3am and as late at 10am. Though the majority will depart somewhere between 5:30 and 7:30.

Yep, I was parked on the corner for about 4 hours in 2006 and missed a bunch. But I was only 30 miles from the day's finish, so riders were pretty spread out. This time, I'll be 100 miles from the day's start, so not too scattered other than by time of departure. This is a long day, so I expect most to leave early. (Hell, I don't drive that far in my comfy car in one day anymore!)

I'm thinking I might hang out at CP3 on Day 2 in Coudersport, Pa. I have a friend that keeps a camper about 30 miles from there and said he would ride his Ruckus and hang out with me. Riders might not stop at the checkpoint, but it is in town so they won't be blowing by at 60 mph.

I'm really looking forward to following the event this year. I might find a check point or shady spot on the road to stand around and wave at a bunch of lunatics riding cross country on their scoots.

People often ask if the can ride along on a section. They're public roads so sure anyone can ride any part any time..

Many competitive riders are running solo during the majority of the run. If they can't keep up with you, you leave them behind and if they are ahead of you, you try to run them down.

If you're broken down and need emergency help I'll stop. Give me the thumbs up I'm blasting past.

What happens at a checkpoint? First hit my SPOT, it tags my location and sends a message to support that I'm at check point.

Then hit my Garmin GPS to trigger my Garmin cam to take video, other camera on lanyard, set to burst mode, shoot with left hand keep throttle open with right.

Put camera back into jacket, look at my watch and realize I have no idea how I did on that leg, check navigation to next check point, check fuel situation, go into full tuck, ride.

If it's a roundabout I would have all that done on the approach and then be watching the road to hit my lines. I might notice someone there but maybe not, just not part of the plan.

Too much stuff to do before settling in on the next leg.

Repeat

I did this exact thing for riders in 2016 at a check point just outside robbinsville NC, then they had a choice to make take the dragon or take the cherohala skyway, I think it was a 50/50 mix. I passed out alot of waters and some stickers to the riders