As the ride continues to move along more people are hearing about it. We have some people who are hanging out by the roadside taking pictures and others who are catching up to us at gas stops. I've seen places where the local riders suddenly realize there is something going on and the word seems to spread throughout little towns. Since Tony & I were riding the back of the pack gas stops can be great fun.
However, at our first gas stop of the day we got some disturbing news from other riders. Bike #106, Ken Smith from PA (alternating riding with Marcus from England) lost his 1926 Harley Davidson JD when it started on fire as he left the hotel. The flames grew to 8 feet high at one point and all he could do was stand there watching. People tried using some small fire extinguishers but that was not enough. Condolences to Ken!
As we got out in the countryside of Kansas there were times the solo riders looked so far away and lonely. We were issued a 14 page route for this day and took many country roads to avoid Kansas City and Topeka as we made our way to Junction City, Kansas. One of the roads we went on had an area of road that had been worked on and was rough. We came upon a rider, Scott Jacobs #93 whose handlebars nearly lifted off! We helped him as he loosened his bar clamps and Tony & Scott got the handlebars securely back where they belonged.
We stopped at quite a few breakdowns but no medical support needed today - YEAH! In one case a tire with a tube was changed roadside and in another we just visited while Rowdy Schneck #74 who had a screw that broke off and fell into his timing gears. He replaced a few screws and added lock tight as well as re-timed his bike. Rowdy is from New Mexico and rides a 1928 Harley Davidson JD. He and his wife "Doc" were on this ride with their horse trailer. He commented "If you don't want to work on bikes, don't buy an old one"!
The day cooled off as we rode along and the rain was colder today. We ended at City Cycle Sales Harley Davidson where they hosted dinner while hundreds of people were ooging over the bikes.
Tomorrow, 9/12/14 we get a day off to get caught up on laundry, e-mails and shopping for more warm clothes. We hear it's snowing in Denver. Brrrr!!!
Please visit and follow my page at Vicki Sanfelipo AKA Spitfire
Get more stats on the race at www.motorcyclecannonball.com
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