From the very beginning I was fascinated with motorcycles. At the age of 15, I could not afford a motorcycle, so I built my own, a chopper minibike with a five horsepower Briggs engine. And so, the journey began! I rode 3,700 miles around my hometown of Algoma, Wisconsin, located on the shores of Lake Michigan. I even took my little bike to our cinema and was further fascinated by the movie Wild Angels. Later that summer, I sold my handiwork and purchased my first Harley from a local farmer for $2, a 1939 ULH 80 ci. This lit a fire within me! The journey continued when I started my first HD repair shop in Shawano, Wisconsin in a one and a half stall garage that I rented for $75 per month. By April 1, 1983, I became a Harley-Davidson dealer. We are now a family-owned and operated dealership that has grown to a 72-acre complex which includes a restaurant, 2 antique motorcycle and classic car museums, antique mall, and zoo where I have over 125 animals. This unique dealership is truly a destination “Like No Other.” Our entire staff is like family. My son, Steve, is instrumental in our service department. I built my business on outstanding service and am proud to say that he earned the title of Master Technician. His wife, Tammy, is very devoted in her position as general manager of our restaurant. The Timeline Saloon and BBQ is home to my family heirloom recipes and famous motorcycle. The restaurant is named after our 24 ½ foot long, 7 engine motorcycle that seats 10 people. My daughter, Kersten and her husband, Shannon, manage the HD dealership together. Their professionalism, commitment, and experience are essential to our success. I have drag raced nitro Harleys for over 40 years. In 1994, I set a world record on the dragstrip that held for 3 years. In 1995 my Daughter, Kersten also began drag racing Nitro Harleys. A far cry from drag racing, I have enjoyed slowing my pace & successfully completed Cannonball 2016, 2018, & 2021 with perfect scores on Stewball, my 1916 J Model Harley-Davidson with 1913 wicker sidecar. I could not be more delighted at the fact that my girlfriend, Joy will be riding in the sidecar this year. My daughter, Kersten, will be joining me for her 3rd Cannonball with Stewball 2. Also riding on Team Doc’s this year is my son-in-law Shannon for his 2nd Cannonball on a 1924 Harley-Davidson J Model. The newest addition to Team Doc’s is my son Steve, riding a 1919 Harley-Davidson & my good friend Rick Erdman riding a 1924 Harley-Davidson. For exciting Team Doc’s coverage follow the Team Doc’s Facebook page at “Doc’s Motorcycle Cannonball Journey.” https://www.facebook.com/Docsmotorcyclecannonballjourney2016
I’m Kersten Heling, the one & only daughter of the spectacular Steve “Doc” Hopkins. My lineage is deeply rooted in motorcycling. My Mother tells me I was born with a shop rag in my hand. I’ve been testing the limitations of various vehicles ever since. Following my Dad’s lead, I developed a fond love for drag racing nitro Harleys. At the ripe age of 4, I professed that I would one day ride one of these fierce machines. In 1995, at 16 years of age, my Dad helped me put my tenacity to the test & I was licensed as the youngest Nitro Harley pilot in history. To present, there are still very few women to have ridden a nitro Harley & no one 16 or younger. For over 28 years I’ve indulged my passion for Nitro Harleys at various drag strips across the country acquiring a personal best ¼ mile of 7.55 seconds @ 178 MPH. In addition to drag racing, I have dedicated my life to the family business, the greatest dealership in the world, Doc’s Harley-Davidson of Shawano County, Wisconsin. I’ve worked my way through every facet of the dealership & I’m proud to say that I currently serve as General Manager. It was through the dealership that I met my amazing husband, Shannon. Shannon began working for our dealership in 1989 at 15 years old. He has dedicated his life to learning every aspect & co-manages at my side. We are a great team at home, at work, & at the drag strip. In 2016, I had the honor of assisting in sharing my Dad & Dawn’s Cannonball Journey with the World. I was deeply inspired by that initial Cannonball experience. In 2018, I was one of the first three women to complete every mile of the Cannonball. Stewball 2 & I also received the honor of being the 2018 1919-1928 Division Class 3 winner. In 2021, I once again, completed every mile of the Cannonball & won my class a 2nd time. The bond that I have developed with the 1922 Harley-Davidson that my Dad so thoughtfully built for me to ride is hard to put into words. Prior to Cannonball 2018, most of my endurance run experience had taken place in a minivan full of kids. “Perfect days” in that setting are far & few between & I rarely get a sticker at the end of an arduous day. With that said, my greatest love & pride in life are my three boys, Ethan (13), Aksel (10), & Aidan (5). One of my greatest challenges will, once again, be the time spent away from my precious boys. I am thrilled to be once again, carrying the #53 plate on “Stewball 2” & representing Team Doc’s in Cannonball 2023. For more info on Doc’s Harley-Davidson visit WWW.DOCSHD.COM To follow our Cannonball journey visit our Face book page: www.facebook.com/Docsmotorcyclecannonballjourney2016

80years old been riding 65 years started riding for transportion then moved into compititionth, trials, motocross, enduros, for twenty years then have enjoyed riding my 14 hd since buying it 50 years ago.

John has been kicking over, riding, and collecting Harley Davidson’s for over 40 years. He has always had a love for old Harley’s. After John started following the Motorcycle Cannonball, he knew he had to be part of the experience and threw his name into the hat. After finishing every mile on the 2018 and 2021 Cannonball on his 23 Model J, and now excited for the 2023 Motorcycle Cannonball

Born in 1958 Boston, MA

Married to Andrea Labarbara, #98, who placed third overall in the 2018 Cannonball on a 1913 Henderson prepared by Mark Hill and his team at 4th Coast Fours.

Father of one son, 28 Yr Old Bobby the 3rd, who hobbies include race cars, skiing, and surfing. I began riding at around 13 yo with my dad and then friends and have had motorcycles in my life ever since. Andrea and I met at Daytona bike week back in 2001 and our mutual love of the outdoors, motorcycles, skiing and adventure in general have given us some fantastic memories. Looking forward to sharing the road with her on the race of the century.

I work with my son at our company, American Anchor, Foxboro, MA which designs, manufactures, and installs, fall protection systems, tie back anchorages, and powered platforms for exterior building maintenance through out the US.

I hope to pilot my 1925 Harley Model JE to a perfect score in 2023. The energy, friends, and camaraderie we felt from the cannonball in 2018 is contagious and we look forward to catching that bug again.

Bob Jesernik from Homer Glen, Illinois. I’ve worked construction for 40 years in Chicago. I was fortunate to ride my 1951 Panhead Chopper in last year’s Route 66 Cross Country Chase and had a blast! As I discovered, these are my people. I’ll be riding a 1927 Harley-Davidson JD in this year’s Cannonball. I’m new to the JD scene and will be going through this bike and learning what I can. I’m looking forward to spending a couple of weeks with like minded people and welcome all support.

I live in Willow Grove, PA with my wife, and some old motorcycles that have taken up residence. I’ve been riding most of my adult life and recently rediscovered the joy of riding old bikes. Well, my first bike was a shovelhead. But they weren’t old back then. This is not only the first Cannonball for me, it’s also the first trans-continental run I’ve made (will be attempting). This adventure is actually a lifelong dream of mine. Something I’ve wanted to do since I can remember, cross the country on an old war bike, long before I knew they were call WLAs. My wife, Samantha, is not only supporting me in this endeavor. She’s pushing me out the door. And while I’m not riding a WLA this year, I have one we’ll be rebuilding after I return from California. Definitely looking forward to September!