Vintage Motorcycle Cannonball in Kill Devil Hills [Video]
Hundreds gathered to see off the brave souls about to embark on a cross-country ride in pre-1916 motorcycles. Why are they doing this? Why not? The event honors Erwin "Cannonball" Baker, who made a coast to coast ride in 11 days in 1914.
Their starting point on the east coast was our very own Wright Brother's Memorial. Tonight they head to Greenville, and in a little over two weeks they all hope to finish in Santa Monica, CA.
If you are interested in following their progress, check out Motorcycle Cannonball Coast To Coast Vintage Motorcycle Race
Quote from the article:
Source: Vintage Motorcycle Cannonball in Kill Devil Hills [Video]
Their starting point on the east coast was our very own Wright Brother's Memorial. Tonight they head to Greenville, and in a little over two weeks they all hope to finish in Santa Monica, CA.
If you are interested in following their progress, check out Motorcycle Cannonball Coast To Coast Vintage Motorcycle Race
Quote from the article:
As a young fellow, E.G. Baker enjoyed many physical fitness activities, including boxing, sparring, wrestling - and motorcycling. He worked for the United States Tire Company in his home town in Indianapolis, Indiana, where he rose to the position of superintendent of the motorcycle tire testing department, and it was there that he found an outlet for his remarkable stamina. Baker had an ability to complete fast, long distance rides without experiencing fatigue - a useful skill for testing tires. On weekends, his love for speeding toward the distant horizon was such that his companions often dropped by the wayside or headed home exhausted, unable to sustain his rapid pace. "Bake" undertook his first big adventure in January 1912. He left Indianapolis on a two-speed Indian and covered 14,000 miles in three months, traveling through Florida, down to Cuba and Jamaica, and then to Panama. He took a steamer up to San Diego where he based himself for a while and from there he competed in several endurance runs in both California and Arizona. It was during this time that Baker decided he would attempt to break the transcontinental record. "Bake" undertook his first big adventure in January 1912. He left Indianapolis on a two-speed Indian and covered 14,000 miles in three months, traveling through Florida, down to Cuba and Jamaica, and then to Panama. He took a steamer up to San Diego where he based himself for a while and from there he competed in several endurance runs in both California and Arizona. It was during this time that Baker decided he would attempt to break the transcontinental record. |
Source: Vintage Motorcycle Cannonball in Kill Devil Hills [Video]
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