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The Indiana Daily Student

Bloomington announced as motorcycle event stop

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The Transcontinental Motorcycle Cannonball Century Race founder and owner of Jurassic Racing in Sturgis, South Dakota, Lonnie Isam, Jr., announced the schedule for the 17-day event yesterday, according to a Motorcycle Cannonball Run press release.

The only stop in the state of Indiana will be Sept. 13 at Harley-Davidson of Bloomington, 522 W. Gourley Pike, according to the press release.

Motorcycles will begin arriving between 3:30 and 4:00 p.m., and crews, along with support personnel, will arrive throughout the day.

Bloomington is an overnight stop on the 3304-mile route that begins in Atlantic City, New Jersey, and ends in Carlsbad, California, according to the release.

Though the race is on United States soil, the 2016 iteration is, for all intents and purposes, a worldwide event.

Jason Sims, director of operations for this historic run, said in the release that the endurance ride for century-old, pre-1916 antique motorcycles will get underway Sept. 10, in Atlantic City, New Jersey, and will include riders from around the world, according to the release.

With 95 entries from 25 states, nine countries and four continents, this event will be watched by the world as motorcycles of all marques tackle a coast-to-coast route across America. The entire route will include less that 100 miles of interstate roadways.

A week into travel, riders will have a day of rest, repairs and some festivities in the Western-era cattle town of Dodge City, Kansas, on Sept. 18, according to the release.

After a total of 3,304 miles, the ride is slated to conclude Sept. 25 in Carlsbad, California.

During the motorcycle event, participants will ride vintage pre-1916 motorcycles such as Henderson, Indian, Triumph, Harley-Davidson, JAP, Excelsior, BSA, Thor and others.

Isam said in the release that the event is a timed test of both the rider’s endurance and the capabilities of their machines as they navigate America’s back roads through some of the most scenic areas of the country.

“This route is going to be a challenge, and the bikes from this generation really don’t get ridden that much, so there will still be some rebuilding going on along the run,” Isam said in the release. “We’ll cover some of the best riding areas in the country. It’s going to be a difficult trip. We’ll have long days and tough terrain. I suspect that even the most seasoned rider will find this run challenging.”

Isam said, while organizers and Motorcyclist Course Master John Classen are still working out the final details, it’s clear the second week of the event will be grueling as riders make their way though the West to 
Carlsbad.

Throughout the run, the scenery will awe participants as they pilot their ancient machines by several national parks, monuments, memorials and museums, Classen said in the release. The Wabash Cannonball Bridge is certain to inspire entrants, and Wolf Creek Pass and the Grand Canyon are sure to take riders’ breath away, he said.

The Four Corners and the Joshua Tree National Park will continue the route through the diverse terrain.

The 2016 Motorcycle Cannonball Run’s roster includes past winner Hans Cortese of South Africa and world-traveling rider personality Doug Wothke, according to the release.

Other riders include bike builder Shinya Kimura, Bill Rodencal, Victor Boocock and several others.

This year’s route goes through 15 states to arrive at the Grand Finish in Carlsbad.

Motorcyclists are encouraged to yell “California or bust!” throughout the event, according to the 
release.

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