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#16 Mike Jensen

Council Bluffs, IA

1916 Excelsior

Hi, I’m Mike Jensen of Council Bluffs, IA and am a lineman with OPPD in Omaha.

I’ve been interested in motorcycles all of my life. My first bike was at age 7 when we moved to the country. It brought the feeling of freedom that got me hooked on motorcycles forever.

I sold 4H calves to buy more motorcycles so I could start racing hare scrambles, enduros, flat track and motocross. Real life came after graduation when I got a real job, got married to my support driver of 30+ years and had 3 children. We raced go-karts with the boys and my wife and I rode Ragbrai for 20 years. We started going to Sturgis in 1999 and I’ve also ridden the Hot Bike tour.

In 2015, I began working with Troy Anzalone who was helping Dave Volnek prepare for the 2016 Cannonball. Troy and I talked about the Cannonball a lot. My wife, Carey and I rode to Dodge City, KS to meet up with the Cannonball riders and see what this adventure was all about. We talked most of the way home about the challenges of participating in such an event.

I started looking at antique bikes online and heard rumor that a series 17 Excelsior might be for sale in Georgetown, TX. After lots of conversations, text messages and photos we took off on a weekend road trip to purchase the bike from Steve Klein, Klein Collection. Steve & Joan were gracious hosts and helped make my dream come true. I brought the bike home and the work began. Team Over-Time members – Troy, Dave, Bob Alf and myself, have worked tirelessly putting “Vendita” together.

I’m very excited for the 2018 Cannonball. I’m looking forward to meeting everyone involved and making history.