Today is the Grand Finish. We will ride to a staging area for one last group photo before we are met by San Francisco's finest for a police escort along the Scenic Drive that skirts the city. The views will be amazing as we work our way to Dudley Perkins H-D for the reception party there. We are ready for this last mile, and last party. It's been a long journey, but what an incredible adventure.

The slow exhaustion of the group has changed. The tempo now is feverish as riders realize the run is coming to an end. It's not about points anymore, it's about enjoying every last mile, smile, and vista. Trying to absorb every second and embrace the adventure full on. This is what memories are made of, and what living life out loud is about. We are proud. San Francisco, embrace us.

The Cannonballers will make their way out of Oregon into the beautiful California redwoods today. The ride will be through some truly amazing scenery so stay tuned for posts from the road....see who's riding and who is broken!

Mountain Home, ID to Hines, OR- This day meant two in a row of both incredible weather and just-right miles for the riders. The route through the quaint little towns along the back roads through Idaho and into Oregon told a lot about America. Fields of mature onions lay in the fields drying as rows of corn awaited harvest. Cowboys with spurs were reading the story of the Cannonball in the local paper over lunch while smiling locals came in from their work to watch as the riders made their way through their small towns. The feel of fall was in the air.

The cantankerous motorcycles seemed to appreciate the conditions and only 3 bikes were trailered for Stage 12, which represented the fewest number of broken bikes since we set off on this amazing transcontinental journey. It was such a mellow day the sweep guys were actually bored. This great shift in the operating-to-broken ratio is due to the engines now being fine-tuned and at peak performance. By this stage of the run, the weaker bikes have been gone through and adjusted as necessary, some with complete rebuilds. Those that have not have at least received a daily dose of love and attention and continue to carry their riders to the West Coast finish.

There are no more Class1 contenders for first place since none have all their miles, yet each of the entrants continue to try to make it back out on the road, working feverishly on their bikes with inspiring optimism. Nobody wants to miss even one mile of this great adventure.

Brad Wilmarth, rider #1 who is also in first place, was on the side of the road today working on a magneto problem when a local who was passing by and towing a fishing boat pulled over to help. He was so impressed with the story of the Cannonball that he followed Wilmarth into town and checked out the other bikes with boat still in tow.

The evening stop in Hines included a very welcomed dinner hosted by the neighboring city of Burns, Oregon. The group appreciated the hospitality and the very creative menu provided in the parking lot of the hotel that was also filled with well wishers who enjoyed meeting the riders and getting to see the antique motorcycles. Several fans had driven quite a distance to greet the group.

Tomorrow we will have warmer weather, fewer miles and a lack of gas stations. The sweep guys just might not be so bored on Stage 13…