Cannonball Run!

The Motorcycle Cannonball came through Portage County Ohio today. This is a coast-to-coast endurance run. Only vintage (pre-1929) motorcycles are eligible to compete. The event began in Portland Oregon on September 6 and concludes in Portland Oregon on September 23. The route (which is not announced in advance) brought the riders into Hiram via westbound Route 305 and then right through the village on Route 82. Over 100 riders are participating. The first bike appeared around 9:30 on Tuesday, and others followed in ones and twos over the course of about the next three hours. It was fascinating to think these old machines could actually travel so far, despite numerous mechanical breakdowns. The rules prohibit any modernization of the bikes except for lights, mirror and brakes (all for obvious safety reasons). I just happened to be in the right spot at the right time to capture this photo of rider #6, Justin Rinker riding a 1916 Indian Power Plus bike along Wakefield Road in Hiram Village just west of Peckham Street.