Kim's 2021 Scooter Cannonball Run

Where's Kim?
kimbered #55
Team: Not Fast Just Furious


July 12th - July 21st

Quick Links


Hi Everyone!

Note:  If you're viewing this prior to July 12th there is stuff here to look at.  But, this will all be reset when the ride starts on the 12th.

If you are only interested in seeing where I currently am, and where I've been, just go here: GPS Tracking - Where's Kim!  This updates every 5 minutes while I'm on the road (if I remember to turn it on).

Check my Daily (maybe) notes (aka Diary): Kim's Diary

If you are interested in finding out a bit more about the Scooter Cannonball Run and other ways to see where I am, where I've been, where I'm going, where I stand, checkpoint pictures, where other riders are, etc., then keep reading.  The main Scooter Cannonball page has links to all of this and I have explanations below.

USA Today wrote a great article about the Cannonball, explaining what it's all about. 


A .pdf version of the article: USA Today Article - A closer look...


Thanks to Beth & Andy for getting me (and the scooter) to the starting line in Bar Harbor, Maine.  Thanks to Daryl & Duane for prepping me (and the scooter) for travel.  Thanks to Cindy and Ellen for allowing me to use their homes as my checkpoints on my practice rides.  And, thanks to all my friends for putting up with me through this!

Go Team:  Not Fast Just Furious  (my support truck team).  cdwise (#56), gopam (#89), GotMojo (#23), me -- kimbered (#55), and cdwise's husband Steve (the support truck driver, he shows up on the maps as ST or #411) and Xander (the support truck dog!).

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Welcome to my 2021 Scooter Cannonball Run Blog.  My original hope was to use this site to document my 10-day ride in the 2021 Scooter Cannonball Run.  But now I think I am going to be too exhausted each day to update it - if I change my mind you may find some updates here: Kim's Diary  Instead, I thought I'd provide a bunch of links allowing you to follow me, and other riders, throughout the event.

The Organizers of the Scooter Cannonball Run (aka SCBR) have created some wonderful tools in order for you to keep track of everything.

What is the 2021 Scooter Cannonball Run?

First, it was supposed to be the 2020 Scooter Cannonball Run, but thanks to Covid-19, it was postponed to 2021.

It starts Monday July 12th in Bar Harbor, Maine and ends July 21st in Eureka, California.  Many days are going to be 400+ miles and some close to 500 miles.

It is a 4500 mile, 10 day scooter ride from the East Coast (Bar Harbor, Maine) to the West Coast (Eureka, California) covering 15 states - Maine, New Hampshire, Vermont, New York, Pennsylvania, Ohio, Michigan, Wisconsin, Minnesota, South Dakota, Wyoming, Colorado, Utah, Nevada, California.

It is NOT a race, the planners are very clear on that: 
"The Scooter Cannonball is a coast to coast endurance challenge for scooters held every two years since 2004. This event is a test of both rider and machine that takes in some of the best motorcycle roads on the North American continent. The Scooter Cannonball is a time, distance, regularity rally where points are awarded based on miles completed and the ability to maintain the standard pace."  

It's kind of like an Amazing Race (but NOT a race) in that each day we all start from the same location and head for the next daily destination.  But, we all start at our own preferred time (get up early or sleep in) and go at our preferred pace (some folks riding more competitively than others). Then we all end up at the same destination (eventually) for that day.  First to arrive isn't necessarily the winner for that day since there is a handicap system based on your scooter's age and engine size.  Older & Smaller have a better handicap.  There are also checkpoints along each daily route that contribute to one's points, as well as bonus checkpoints.

Why am I doing it?

Right now today, 07/07/2021, I'm starting to wonder myself. 😁  I'm both excited and scared.  I guess you could call it a bucket list item.  I love riding my scooter, really! (though I may not like it so much after this). I first heard about the Cannonball in 2012 and have wanted to do it ever since.  This may be a Fool's Folly, but I just want to give it a try.  This summer I've ridden several 100+ and 200+ mile days and did a 440 mile day, all in preparation.  I'll be riding in more of a 'tourist' mode than a competitive one.  I'm viewing each day completed as a success and hoping for 10 successes.

How can you follow me and others?

Now for the cool part.  I'll try to explain what is available to see where I am, where others are, what checkpoints I've completed and where I am in the standings.

The Main SCBR Page:



    • Click on the 'Riders' button
    • Go to #55 (that's me --- kimbered) and click on that (or any other rider)
    • Feel free to explore and click on the other buttons!

MY page - kimbered #55:  

Located here: Follow Kim  
You'll see options to 

  • View my personal tracking using the 'GPS Tracking' button
  • View daily scorecards & results (click on the lines)
  • The pictures I've taken along the way (near the bottom)
  • And 'Location Tracking'.  This is how the SCBR is tracking us. You can click on 'Last Location', 'Tracking Map', and 'ETA


Kim's Personal GPS Tracking

Located here: GPS Tracking

Note:  Not all riders have this.  Mine is provided by a Spot Gen3 tracker.  Some riders are using Garmin InReach.  Others are only using the tracking provided by the SCBR as explained below.

If you click on the GPS Tracking button near the top right of my page, you'll see my actual tracking history.  It updates every 5 minutes and will look something like below (these are 2 different rides I did, one to Henderson Harbor and one to Ithaca).  During the SCBR, you should hopefully see that little scooter icon making its way across country.



See where everyone is!

Go back to: Follow 2021 Scooter Cannonball and click on the 2021 Route button. You will see the day to day route information.  Click the 'Live Tracking Map' for the day you're interested in (fyi: all of the information for each day is clickable).

You'll get something like this (you may have to hit the esc key to make the SCBR logo disappear).  If you look closely you'll see little yellow squares with the rider numbers in it.  On a REAL SCBR day, the numbers should be closer together along the day's route (in red).  This screen shot was taken 6/21/2021 and you can see riders located all over the country.



If you put the cursor over my number 55 and click (or anyone's number) you should see the following pop-up.  You can click on each of those lines.

If you click on the third line, the 'Checkins' line for the day you'll get something like this, where I've been that day.


Alright, I think that is about as much (and probably more) as you want to know.

Rider Booklet

This is the Rider Information provided to the riders (along with LOTS of stuff on line).  I will be carrying the printed book with me on the scooter.

GOPAM Videos

gopam rode the Cannonball in 2018 and made videos for each day.  She also made a nice overview video of the 10 days.

It is fun to watch:  Scooter Cannonball 2018 a taste from gopam . 

Here's the link to gopam's entire play list for the 2018 Scooter Cannonball: Scooter Cannonball 2018
 
She mentions (and sings about) Scott Taggart, the winner of 2018, and he will be riding again in 2021, this time with his wife.

In the News

A Scooter Affair (Podcast) 6/29/2021 - Scooter Cannonball 2021

Mount Desert Islander 07/02/2021 - Cross-country scooter ride starts in Bar Harbor

USA Today 7/2/2021 - A closer look at the Scooter Cannonball, a rally that will push scooter...
(Unfortunately you have to be a USA Today subscriber to read this one.)


A .pdf version of the article (don't ask): USA Today Article - A closer look...


Rider links

Several of the riders will be updating their pages during the event.  Here are some links:

If you go back to: Follow 2021 Scooter Cannonball, you'll see buttons for Facebook and YouTube.

feb31st (one of the SCBR Organizers)

cdwise (Leader of the support truck I've joined) - we are team Not Fast Just Furious
            Blog: http://cheryldwise.com/?p=1967 
          Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/Team.NFJF 

LDFierro
YouTube: Fierro GirlsADV
Facebook: OfficialFierroGirlsADV
Insta: FierroGirlsADV

Dark

Gildod

MerryMary
            Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/mary.anne.2017/
            Instagram:  https://www.instagram.com/ironmatron_maine/

Grrlscoutgonebad

fotogyrrl
Instagram: @fotogyrrl

LouBob
            Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/scooterloubob152

Kraken
Instagram: @teamkraken515

Queenb
            Web: http://cletha-adventures.blogspot.com/
            Facebook:  Cletha Walstrand Vaillancourt
            Instagram:  @clethawalstrand

KimPossible
            Web: https://178.kelmor.us/ 

Documentaries from previous Cannonballs

Slow Ride Home   Available on Amazon Prime


It's Not a Race  Available for Purchase - On Demand

Modern Vespa Forum - Previous Cannonball Threads

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