2010 Rallies & Events
Cannonball Baker Memorial Motorcycle Tour
Story and photos by Rodent
Erwin “Cannonball” Baker was an early long distance rider who set many endurance records in the early 1900’s. A number of years ago, motor journalist Brock Yates organized the modern Cannonball Run, a race from Manhattan Island, NY to the Santa Monica, CA pier. Every type of vehicle ran in this race including motorcycles. This race became the basis for numerous films glorifying the race which effectively shut it down. The first vehicle to make it to the Santa Monica pier won.
Now there have been other cross country automobile tours called the Great American Race which in fact were more gentlemanly tours than races. Then came a questionable race that still stirs a hotbed of controversy, the Hoka Hey race from Key West, FL to Homer, AK.
Now we have an endurance tour from Kitty Hawk, NC to the Santa Monica pier in the vein of the Great American Race. The race part is the race by rider and crew to keep the motorcycle mechanically sound and spend the miles on the ground being ridden rather than lose points by riding in the support vehicle. This motorcycle endurance tour is for motorcycles built prior to 1916 and that are basically stock except for modern safety improvements.
We caught up with the run outside of Albuquerque, New Mexico with about 800 miles left for the survivors that made it to the Land of Enchantment. As they entered the city on NM 333 which is the historic Route 66, they were on what author John Steinbeck called “The Mother Road.” They took a right turn at Eubank NE, another right into the Quality Inn and they were set for the night.
Surprise, surprise, bet they didn’t plan on the next door motel filled with State Police. The Gang Banger Unit was in town for the State Fair and expected usual trouble. The cops paid no attention to the goings on as motors were stripped and cases were split. Major repairs were going on all over the parking lots surrounding the motel. Athena Ransom was making adjustments to Chris Sommer’s bike while hubby Pat Simmons who just arrived coming off tour with the Doobie Bros. band, observed the goings on. These antique pieces of motorcycle history were being made ready for a 7 AM departure towards the Continental Divide and their pot of gold, the Santa Monica pier. Most of the bikes were worked on late in the night. One was still being worked on at 3 AM according to reports, way past my bedtime. The motel turned off all the outside parking lot lights and even the Quality Inn sign which made it tough on those late night rebuilders.
An unusual method of scoring is being employed to prevent this from being an illegal road race. A point is awarded for every mile that the bike is ridden under its own power. No points for miles in a truck or sidecar rescue vehicle. In Albuquerque, about 10 bikes had perfect scores. When they reach the finish line at the pier in Santa Monica, if there is more than one bike with a perfect score, the oldest of the bikes wins. If there is more than one with perfect score and they are of the same year, the oldest rider wins. If there still is a tie, then an antique Colt six-shooter with one bullet in the chamber decides it. A little Russian Roulette and the one who lives wins!