The Transcontinental Motorcycle Cannonball Run II Update

Sturgis, South Dakota, June 19, 2012 – Lonnie Isam, Jr., owner of Jurassic Racing in Sturgis, South Dakota, and promoter of the Motorcycle Cannonball Run II announced today that the historic transcontinental event scheduled for 17 days in September has its roster full and the route is set. Though held on U.S soil, the 2012 iteration is for all intents and purposes, a worldwide event.

According to Isam, the endurance ride for pre-1930 antique motorcycles will get underway in Newburgh, NY on Friday, September 7 and will include riders from across the globe. With 77 entries from 24 states, 11 countries and 4 continents, this historic run will indeed be watched by the world as motorcycles of all marquis tackle an arduous route across America. A week into travel, riders will have a day of rest, repairs, and some festivities in the well-known town of Sturgis, SD on September 14. After a total of some 4,000 miles, the ride is slated to conclude on Sunday, September 23 in San Francisco, CA.

During the MCR event, participants will ride vintage pre-1930 motorcycles such, Henderson, Indian, Triumph, Harley-Davidson, Rudge, JAP, Excelsior, BSA, Sunbeam and others. According to Isam, the event is not a race but will be a timed test of both the riders’ endurance and the roadworthiness of their respective machines as they navigate non-Interstate roads across the United States.

“This route is going to be a challenge, and the bikes from the 1920s really don’t get ridden that much so there will still be some rebuilding going on along the run,” Isam said. We’ll cover some of the best riding areas in the country. We really couldn’t have done this route with the older bikes, but it is still going to be a difficult trip. We’ll have long days and tough terrain, I suspect that even the most seasoned rider will find this run challenging.”

Isam said that, while organizers and MCR Course Master John Classen are still working out the final details of some of the stops, it’s clear that the first week of the event will be grueling as riders make their way along the initial miles from New York to Sturgis. Throughout the run, according to Classen, the spectacular scenery will awe participants as they pilot their ancient machines along several picturesque national parks, monuments, memorials and forests.

Four museums are on the route and will be visited as well. The Motorcyclepedia Museum in Newburgh, New York, the Harley-Davidson Museum in Milwaukee, Wisconsin, the National Motorcycle Museum in Anamosa, Iowa, and the Pioneer Auto Show in Murdo, South Dakota will all play host to the riders as they wind their way towards the Golden State.

The 2012 Motorcycle Cannonball Run’s roster includes several notable faces such as artist Scott Jacobs, writer Paul d’Orleans and world traveling rider personality Doug Wothke. The field will also include 16 past participants. Famous bronze sculptor Jeff Decker, builder Shinya Kimura, and AMCA’s Matt Olsen are among the colorful returning riders as well as Mike Vils, Steve Barber and several others. Each has their own amazing story to tell and is anxious to tackle this year’s route through 11 states to finish by crossing the Golden Gate Bridge. Join us as we set out with a cry of “California or Bust!”

Complete information about the Motorcycle Cannonball Run, including route details and some rider profiles, is available at www.motorcyclecannonball.com.