The Motorcycle Cannonball race from Portland ME to Portland OR began Saturday with 107 Vintage motorcycles (pre1929) participating in the 3700+ mile event. We went over Friday to watch them work on their bikes, do shake down runs, etc. Saturday AM we were up early to watch the riders leave. Some were no spring chickens. Others had been doing this annually for 5 years or so ($3,000 registration fee and then you provide room, a lot of the food and your own chase team vehicles and mechanics). It amazes me that there are still so many old bikes - and they are capable of running 300 miles/day for the race. One "senior" was riding his 1914 Harley for it's 5th cross country trip - the bike he'd bought as a kid. Some really neat stories. And if you don't pay attention to the details, you and your bike won't be in the running for long.