An Inspiration to Travel Coast-to-Coast on a Motorcycle
The The Motorcycle Cannonball Endurance run was inspired by George A.Wyman, the first person to drive coast to coast aboard a 1902 90cc California motorcycle. His journey began in San Francisco on May 16, 1903 and ended in New York City on July 6, 1903; his trip is an estimated 3,800 miles. George Wyman kept a detailed journal that noted his daily struggles of his motorcycling adventure, including information on the difficulty of the terrain and mechanical issues. Based on his journal, anyone could see that George Wyman was a dedicated motorcyclist, and he still remains an inspiration to many people who dare to travel coast-to-coast on a motorcycle.
The information on George A. Wyman was acquired from the official Cannonball website. Please visit the website for more detailed information on George A. Wyman and his journal.
An Inspiration to Women
About 95 years ago, a young woman named Effie Hotchkiss decided to venture out on her 1915, 3 Speed V-Twin Harley-Davidson to fulfill her dream of travelling coast to coast. Her mother, Avis, would not allow her to ride alone, so Effie bought a sidecar to bring her mother along the journey.
They started in Brooklyn, New York in hopes to make it all the way to the World's Fair in San Francisco, California. It took nearly two months for Effie and her mother to have bragging rights to witnessing the beauty of both the east and west coast. As the story has been passed down, it is told that Effie carried water from the Atlantic Ocean to dump into the Pacific Ocean upon finishing her journey. She remains an inspiration to many people today, and is the inspiration to the few women that will compete in the Motorycle Cannonball Endurance Run.
The information on Effie Hotchkiss was acquired through the Cannonball website from a story written by a previous rider in the Cannonball named Laura Klock. Please visit the Motorcycle Cannonball Endurance Run homepage for more detailed information about the ride, and Effie's story.

