South Padre Island
September 26
Grand Finale
With the front forks attached to the bike with my $5.32 bolt I was off to the races! Today was the Grand Finale. Although I would have like to have ridden the full day. If the bolt decided to break the front end would come off causing me to face plant on the pavement. So, I settled for riding Lucille across the start line. Packing her up and transporting her to the end and riding across the finish line.
Sitting at the start line, Doug Feinsod gave his seal of approval on my repairs.
After we crossed the finish line in South Padre Island, we had to keep our bikes on display for a couple of hours. I managed to find a spot to rest that had shade and a couple of fine ladies (Rebecca and Polly – Cannonball staff). You can’t beat that with a stick!
Keegan showing off his Excelsior brakes (his boots with holes worn into the bottom).
Dipping my toes in the Gulf. The trip took us From Canada to Mexico with a brief stop on the Atlantic Ocean.
Sunrise on South Padre Island – time to head to Alabama.
My trusty driver Dorsey. He managed to survive three weeks on the road.
This was my fourth Cannonball and probably the toughest so far. I would have liked to have gotten a perfect score, but it wasn’t in the cards. I can’t complain as Lucille completed all the miles in 2016 and 2018. On this run I think we have had more accidents and encountered rougher roads that have wreaked havoc on this old metal. In the end I would do it again!
Damage I managed to notice during the ride (I’m sure I will find more once I have time to go over the bike at home):
Broken front forks
Control cables (cut to remove forks)
Missing pedal (if you find it laying on the road send it to me for handsome reward)
Broken rear stand latch (I had to hold it up with a bungee strap)
Three broken primary master links (due to new rear chain being 0.05” wider)
Muffler falling apart (now held together with wire)
Prior to starting the day and after getting the days roll chart, Bruce Redpath (sweep driver and checkpoint operator) added an instruction. It was quite fitting and sums up 3 years of my life getting to this point. During this time Lucille had a full rebuild, road testing, a covid delay of the event, and the actual event. Boom! It’s done!
