Rick's Cannonball Run

On April 22-30, I will be riding cross-country on my Vespa in the 2012 Scooter Cannonball Run.  It's an 8-day, 2,500 mile trip from Savannah, GA to San Diego, CA. It's not a race, but a timed endurance run in which you are measured against a standardized time for each 300 mile leg.  In 2010, Pat and I watched riders come in to the finish line on that year's Vancouver to Portland run. I was hooked from that moment and decided this was something I needed to do at some point.

I’m riding for several reasons.  First, it’s something of a personal challenge.  Spending a full day in the saddle and doing it day after day will not be easy.  Some people run marathons and others climb mountains; I’m riding my scooter across the U.S.  I absolutely love riding and this is one way, albeit it a strange one, to do a lot of it.

Second, in the year and a half since Pat and I got our Vespas I’ve gotten to know a lot of fellow riders.  There is a great scootering community and I enjoy being a part of it.  Also, one of the things that virtually every former Cannonballer has mentioned is the camaraderie among the riders.  I’m looking forward to evenings spent sharing stories of the day and wrenching on scooters in motel parking lots.

Last, but not least, I’d like to raise some money for charity while doing this.  I will donate half of everything I receive to a non-profit of your choice; just let me know which one.  If you don’t specify where you’d like it to go, I will choose from animal rescue, Parkinson’s research, or hospice (I’m still researching to find organizations that are run well).

I’ve been reluctant to ask for help because this is, after all, something of a lark.  However, several people have recently come forward and volunteered their support without my asking.  It got me thinking that perhaps people would be willing to encourage this bit of insanity.  I’ll also promise here that if you ever set out to do something even a wee bit zany and want some support, I’ll kick in at least as much as you have to me.  No amount is too small and every last bit will be well used and much appreciated.

You can find more information about Cannonball at www.scootercannonball.com

I will be blogging before, during and after the run at vesparazzi.blogspot.com

If you have any questions or comments about what I’m doing, please get in touch.

Cheers,

Rick