Sculpting in bronze since 1994, Jeff Decker has been involved with the Motorcycle Cannonball since it was just an image in Lonnie Isam, Jr.’s mind’s eye. As a rider, he’s been along on many of the miles along the lesser known roads of the run but he’s also held another stake in the event. From the very beginning, Jeff has provided the handmade and highly coveted award for the First Place rider. Known for his incredibly detailed, larger-than-life sculptures like the ones at Legends Motorcycle Emporium in Utah and the Harley-Davidson Motorcycle Museum in Wisconsin, owning a piece of Decker art is its own reward to say nothing of the absolute elation of winning a Motorcycle Cannonball Endurance Run!
Decker Cannonball sculptures have left America to live with riders as far away as Germany and South Africa as well as three awards that have stayed stateside. Kartin Boehner took home the bronze in 2010, American Brad Wilmarth got his sculpture in 2012. South African rider, Hans Coertse, carried his award across the seas in 2014 and in 2016 the award stayed in America with New York rider, Frank Westfall, who has participated in every Cannonball run. For 2018, Decker changed things up and created an all original, first-time Motorcycle Cannonball bronze wall hanging that was taken home to California with winner Dean Bordigioni. For the 2020 run, there’s no telling what Jeff might come up with but rest assured, it will be incredible!
The Motorcycle Cannonball be hosted by Mad Boar Harley-Davidson in San Benito, TX on Sunday, September 27, 2020.
Mad Boar Harley-Davidson® located in beautiful San Benito, Texas has proven that a Harley-Davidson® dealership can be a modern and exciting store, while maintaining traditional, old-fashioned, personal customer service. At Mad Boar Harley-Davidson®, we strive to provide you, our customers, with the best of all worlds; the technology to maintain your motorcycle in top condition, the modern conveniences to make your buying and shopping experiences a pleasure, and the traditional and personal service you deserve. In the years that Mad Boar Harley-Davidson® has been serving the South Texas area, we have been a dealership that our customers have come to rely on to exceed all their expectations.
https://madboarhd.com/
*Official times announced closer to the event.
The Motorcycle Cannonball will be hosted as riders finish for the day at Desperado Harley-Davidson in McAllen, TX on Saturday, September 26, 2020.
Desperado Harley-Davidson® located in beautiful McAllen, Texas has proven that a Harley-Davidson® motorcycle dealership can be a modern and exciting store while maintaining traditional, old-fashioned, personal customer service. At Desperado Harley-Davidson®, we strive to provide you, our customers, with the best of all worlds; the technology to maintain your motorcycle in top condition, the modern conveniences to make your buying and shopping experience a pleasure, and the traditional and personal service you deserve.
https://desperadohd.com/
*Official times announced closer to the event.
The Motorcycle Cannonball be hosted by Corpus Christi Harley-Davidson in Corpus Christi, TX on Saturday, September 26, 2020.
Corpus Christi Harley-Davidson, premium motorcycle dealership in South Texas, is celebrating 20 years in the Coastal Bend! We are Riders serving Riders. Supporting the local riding community via Dealership Rides, Veteran Awareness & Support, and top notch Customer Service from our Knowledgeable & Professional Staff.
www.corpuschristiharley.com
*Official times announced closer to the event.
We have some GREAT sponsors and here’s a little background on one of them. Owners of the Legends Motorcycle Emporium, Rick and Vicky Salisbury, have been friends of the Motorcycle Cannonball since the beginning and we thought you should know some of their history. This video is from 2016 and a lot has changed at Legends Motorcycles since then, but their backing of the Cannonball continues. When you’re in the great state of Utah, be sure to make it a point to swing by and visit the restaurants, brewery, barber shop, boutiques, museum and showroom. You can even get your bike serviced while you check out all the stuff going on at the Springville emporium. Rick will be riding with us again this September so be sure to say “Hi” to rider number 17 when you see him at our stops! 1715 W S in Springville, Utah 84663
For Immediate Release:
Motorcycle Cannonball issues homework!! (Yeah, yeah, yeah… I know homework sucks)
This assignment is for all you Cannonballers who are tired of the kids fighting, those who are bored, tired of watching Netflix and Hulu, and those who are jonesing for a summer day on the back roads!!! Give this to the kids… heck even give it to your spouse to complete if you want. What better way to waste some time other than coloring old motorcycles??!!
Trust me… this is easier than common core math! Download and print this Coloring Sheet at www.motorcyclecannonball.com
We would love to see pictures of you coloring and your finished masterpieces! We will collect all the images to put on the website and post to our social media platforms.
Please send photos and videos to our Facebook Messenger or to jason@motorcyclecannonball.com Be sure to tag us in your posts and use the hashtag #cannonballhomework
Go on…get busy… and be sure to keep it away from the dog!!!
The Motorcycle Cannonball family mourns the loss of one of their most beloved and respected members. On March 19, 2020, with his cherished wife, Laurie and daughter Karalee by his side, Rich Rau quietly lost his hard-fought battle after suffering a stroke last month.
Rich was a shining beacon in his Oregon community and that bright light carried over into the Cannonball, as well. As owner of R.R. Hawg Shop, he served as a mentor to anyone thirsty for knowledge, spending his time teaching motorcycle repair and imparting skills rather than just doing the work himself and sending a rider down the road. He had a sure, calming energy, wasn’t easily rattled and was happy to share his wealth of knowledge and experience, but was quick to call bullshit if it became necessary. Rich was respected for his generous heart and deep moral integrity and was famous for dropping everything to help a rider in need, including opening his shop or home if the situation was warranted.
Back in 2014, during his first Cannonball, Rich was stopped on the side of the road while calmly making adjustments without a care in the world even though his machine was not performing well. He’d sent Clint on ahead so he wouldn’t miss check in, but he told us he’d be fine riding alone and sent us on our way, too. By the time the Cannonball riders reached the West Coast, though he hadn’t scored well, he would share that he was just pleased to have not been disqualified and he spoke of how exciting riding the back roads and hanging out in the pits had been. And he signed up to do it again. For the 2020 run, our friend had planned to return for the fourth time to ride again with his buddies Clint and Ryan. Instead, Rich’s 94-number plate will be retired, we’ll carry him with us in our hearts as we share stories of time on the road together and remember a man who gave generously of himself in everything he did. For now, let’s send Rich’s family all the love and support we can and remind them that they are still very much a part of our Cannonball family. Godspeed, Rich. Until we ride again.
The second Motorcycle Cannonball Run left Newburgh, New York, on September 7, 2012 with participants from 11 countries across 4 continents anxious to make the 3,956-mile odyssey across these great United States.
According to promoter Lonnie Isam, the endurance ride for pre-1930 antique motorcycles was organized to include this particular vintage since there was such a big progression from the pre-1916 engines that were represented in the first Motorcycle Cannonball run. Lonnie always had a reason for the cut off years he chose and at the time, he’d shared his explanation for the 1929 vintage he chose in 2012.
“Engines got smarter in the 20’s and, for the most part, these motorcycles just don’t get ridden much anymore,” Isam stated. “The Knuckles are still used, but we wanted to keep this run with the antiques. It wouldn’t have been as much of a challenge with the post-30’s bikes with their transmissions and brakes, but to ride cross-country on the pre-1930s will be pretty tough.
This is a great way to help Henderson celebrate their 100th anniversary, and we’re very excited to be riding with so many of them. We have 17 Hendersons on this run so that will be a lot of fun. I’m sure they’ll give the Indian and Harley guys a run for their money. We’ll still expect a lot of rebuilds like last time but everyone is taking this seriously and they’re all working to get their bikes in good working order. This will be a true endurance test since these bikes weren’t built to be ridden these kinds of miles day after day. It will be a hard ride.”
And he was right. By the time riders had reached the San Francisco checkered flag, 20 riders would be scored with a Did Not Finish. Only two of those were Hendersons.
The Motorcycle Cannonball be hosted by the Gilmore Car Museum in Hickory Corners, MI on Saturday, September 12, 2020.
Riders will check in for the day at North America’s Largest Auto Museum!
The Gilmore Car Museum displays nearly 400 antique autos and motorcycles from all eras in over a dozen historic buildings throughout the 90-acre Historic Campus. Special features include a 1930s Shell Gas Station, 1941 Silk City Diner (open 11am-4pm daily), and many more!
www.gilmorecarmuseum.org
*Official times announced closer to the event.
It’s been said that the devil is in the details and this year’s route is proving that statement out. With long miles, obscure roads and small communities, it becomes a logistic nightmare when trying to arrange housing for a mess of motorcycles and riders when a town’s entire population is barely more than the number in the Cannonball caravan. Just because there’s a cool destination, that doesn’t always mean a gathering can be arranged there, but the Sims’ are committed to planning out a unique adventure so they continue to persevere.
For the 10th anniversary of the Motorcycle Cannonball, there will be several museum visits, new hosting sponsors, some dealership drop-ins and even a stop or two to see Cannonball family. We already announced that we’ll be stopping at the Rip Rap Roadhouse in Dayton, Ohio, but we didn’t share that the owner, Jason Wadzniski, is not only a past Cannonball and Cross Country Chase rider, but he’s also signed up for the 2020 Cannonball as well!
A visit to rider #85’s joint will be especially exciting for all of us since we’ll get to have a Motorcycle Cannonball family gathering at his very cool place! Jason has some of his antique machines on display at the Roadhouse and we’re anxious to visit his home town. We’ll soon be announcing specific times when you can join us as we take a break and check his place out, so be sure to visit the ROUTE page often for new details. Meanwhile, if you’re in the area, swing by for a Wednesday night Bike Night and let us know what you think about the food and fun at the Rip Rap Roadhouse! We’re looking forward to checking out the 1853 barn and the warm hospitality! Rip Rap Roadhouse is at 6024 Rip Rap Rd, Dayton, OH 45424
