Modern Vespa

GoPam Go!

Too cool? After all these years it runs through my back yard. Wabasha MN. Very nice for riders to cruise the ABC’s in WI. Lots of paved farm roads through Hobbit land.

http://www.thenelsonstonebarn.com/history

Damn Gopam! The glamour of commercial flight is gonna make the cannonball seem a cakewalk. "My butt hurts but at least I'm not missing a connecting flight!"

Wow. Day three you will be passing right through my home town, Ionia. I grew up at the red dot. I'm in Grand Rapids now, but was just out in that area on two different bikes this past weekend. It's only about 30 miles away.

That's the fourth leg. 165 miles.

That's about 350 miles into that segment. I'd imagine it's going to be mostly later in the day.

What's the best way to cheer on riders?

Looks like the route passes within 20 minutes of me on Tuesday.

I'm going to keep track and try pop over to the Baldwin Fire Company in Lowman, NY for a few minutes when it looks like things might be happening.

GOPam; I just started watching/following your youtube from the first cannonball. Will be watching out for you and others on the route. Sounds like the start is not great (and others I'm following are complaining of the rain as well, on their way to BHB). Good luck. Godspeed. Stay safe! GET REST!

Y'all crazy. I love riding, but I think after 4 hours in one day, solid, I'm about done. Maybe one day I'll join you (when I get a vespa or a pcx). In the interim, ALL THE LUCK!

Guaranteed cannonballer sightings at D3CP3 at Vermontville Fire Department. Stand next to the carved wooden firefighter and photobomb every checkpoint photo.

You’d do too!

We picked up GoPam at the Bar harbor airport. Got her squared away on her scoot and what goes on the support truck for team Not Fast Just Furious. Then after lunch sent her off to get some sleep.

Very nice Cheryl!!

Good luck, all you wackos!

When this is all over I want to know what GoPam carries in her utility belt. The contents must be exhaustive, like Batman’s. Or Stephanie Yue’s.
https://batman.fandom.com/wiki/Utility_Belt
http://250superhero.blogspot.com/2018/09/gear-talk-gts-touring-tool-roll.html

Godspeed, Cannonballers!

May your journey be uneventful!

No, we want an eventful trip……just as long as it is safe….givem hell.

The Wacky Races come to mind when I read about the CB.

Best of luck and shiny side up to all participating! I would freaking love to do the same, but I do like how well we can follow everyone through the spectacular website.

Good luck and safe travels, Cannonballers!

Just FYI, the route runs only a couple blocks from my house when you pass through Toledo. If you need anything, I'll be monitoring my PM box.

^^^^Exactly my feelings.

I hope everyone's ride goes beautifully. I've already spent too much time checking on the labels on the official website. (It's a busy time at work now.)

Are any riders live blogging their journey?

Looks like some riders have finished for the day! Apparently some of them are running in stealth mode too!

Made it to days end. I'm counting that a victory! And today was the shortest day. YIKES!

wo00t!

Enjoy the ride!!!

Congrats to everyone who finished the first day!

I'm rooting for everyone, but I was keeping my eye on a certain few. I'm always rooting for the underdog.

I know some bikes just won't make the run, but I'm assuming zeroes on the leaderboard at this point are those that didn't.

Props to everyone who even started this adventure. You know, my son has participated in Special Olympics a few times. Even took gold in the 100m dash at the state games. Their motto is "Let me win. But if I cannot win, let me be brave in the attempt." I use that for a lot of things in life.

You're all winners.

Pardon any Siri mistranslations in this post, we had about 60 riders out of 70 to arrive in post scores last night, some will be updated this morning or hopefully this evening in Pennsylvania but it looks like the bulk of the top 25 or 30 should be pretty stable from yesterday.

I think we had 4 to 5 riders go down no life-threatening injuries, one will be dropping out, situation and condition similar to Jim Tillman in 2008.

I’m not sure if the Stella was able to get the coil issue fixed that put it on the support truck yesterday, they were working on it as the sunset.

One of the HPE‘s went down and in the fall then the left handlebar and broke the rear brake caliper, metro south and locals were working to get that repaired.

We continue to see a shit show of bad batteries which have early symptoms of other things the ultimate warrior are resolved by putting a fresh one and, there was a lot of this in Bar Harbor that apparently was not flushed out prior to departure.

Aside from those things, I’ve had a good spirits in the parking lot last night, and a lot of bikes running well, a lot of navigational fuck ups yesterday.

I am traditionally pretty solid in this event when it comes to navigation and trying to get points on day one while others figure out the format, but I was all twisted up leaving Bar Harbor and most of the first and second segments with navigation.

My HPE burned the expected amount of oil as posted on multiple threads here, otherwise performed great, the ability to pass up hills and blow by other GTS on climbing grades is delightful.

It looks like it rained here overnight but the last of it is moving out, we may cross a few summer thunderstorm bands throughout the day but other than that hopefully it is dry.

Thanks for the update!

Good update,,,please keep us informed.

I am enjoying reading about your adventure. Thanks, keep 'em coming.

Y'all have motivated me, I am SERIOUSLY considering signing up for the next Cannonball. I'm a new rider, so I had no business even thinking about it for this year, but the next one???? I really think I might do this!!

I know the Cannonball is every 2 years, but last year was postponed due to COVID; any idea yet if the next one will be in 2022, or 2023?

My God! How I envy you! Good luck to all.

Was able to spend some time this morning at the bonus checkpoint outside Elmira, NY greeting the first part of the field. More pics and video coming.

Cannonball, Star Trek, and Chasing Ghosts. I approve!

Nerds.

Go Pam! Go Pam! Go Pam! Go Pam! Go Pam! Go Pam! Go Pam! Go Pam! Go Pam!

Super nerds….400 miles a day for ten days.

When I check the map, I get concerned about the little yellow labels that are far off track. What is #177 doing way up there by the lake?

It was nice meeting you today to cheer on the scooters as they came and went at the Baldwin checkpoint. I was wishing I was on the Vespa on the way home today. Sitting behind a BMW RT fairing got pretty warm this afternoon. I'll post some pictures a little later. My phone is dead, and I need to finish my cold beer.

The Taggarts were the first to arrive and weren't wasting anytime.


Crazy Carl seemed to be enjoying himself.


Lots of cool stickers


This couple have both completed the Iron Butt Rally, so they are no strangers to long days on two wheels.


Getting my picture taken with the bonus point location.

#177 is DjTiny on the purple bike. I have no idea what he was doing up there on the turnpike, but I see his bike in the parking lot in the end of day video, so he made it to the destination at least.

Thanks all for the kind words.

Ok bear with me I’m completely sleep deprived.

I made it Day 1 after being jump started 3 times because my gt200 kept dying.

Scrambled with the help of many!! And got a new battery last night.

Today I got jumped twice. 1 got me going again. 2nd time no dice. Dead.

Had to get on support truck day 2. So we’ve been troubled shooting and believe it is the voltage regulator. Or stator. But Want to try to replace voltage regulator first.

I’ve left a message for scooter west. But…..

Any MV members have or know where to get a voltage regulator for a GT200 along the route on Day 3 through Ohio etc?

Check day 3-4 route at

https://follow.scootercannonballrun.com/#

Hoping for tomorrow, day 3 to find one?

I’m putting out an SOS distress call to my MV peeps. I’ll be on the support truck tomorrow searching and checking etc. so post here or pm me if you can help. Cell service is spotty. But I’ll keep at it.

I ain’t quittin yet. Trying to get back running and back in it!

Ps, trying to constantly rev your bike so it doesn’t die, like slowing or stopping at stop signs etc during cannonball is stressful. Rev with front brake. Along with never turning it off, not even at gas pumps!! Yikes!! And losing your horn & lights! What a couple of days!!!

Thanks!