Hello my name is James Maloney, the 2018 Cannonball will be my first Cannonball. I will be riding a 1928 Indian “Short” Scout. I live in Upton MA, just west of Boston. I have three adult kids. I have served in the Army/ National Guard for 25 years and am a Firefighter in Watertown MA.

As most of my friends know, I take on crazy challenges. I have run the Boston Marathon Twice (when i had no business running it) to raise money for charity. I Completed Army Airborne and Air Assault School at 39 and 41 respectively. I constantly do crazy fun neat things.

My latest Challenge is riding a 90 year old motorcycle cross country.

I have realized I do these things to keep myself challenged and alive. I am a 3 tour combat vet, I think these events keep me motivated and challenged and keep the demons away that cause some veterans to commit suicide. I don’t have it all figured out, but am in a good place. I want to use this ride as a way to empower other veterans to get out and chase their dreams, get out of the house and take new challenges whatever those are. I do think this one message can help some veterans. If I touch one person or save one life, the sore ass from riding that far will be much more than worth it.

I requested number 122 because every 1 day 22 veterans commit suicide. My mission on this ride is to share my outlook on life, spread a positive message, provide information for available resources and work to eliminate this grim statistic.

I have been interested in motorcycles since I got a 1949 Indian Vertical when I was 16 years old. I love Indians and Triumphs. I guess I just try to be different than the big heard I have a small fleet of motorcycles, obviously the 1928 Scout, a 1946 Chief, a 1951 Triumph Thunderbird and a 1961 Triumph bobber.