A 66-year-old man from Derbyshire has embarked on the ultimate American road trip that will see him travel 3,400 miles. The trip is part of the Motorcycle Cannonball 2016. Mike Wild will be racing from New Jersey to San Diego on a 1910 Triumph motorbike. Wild set out on this trip with a noble cause: to raise money for Autism Awareness UK.
Having satisfied the entry criteria of a 100-year-old bike, Mike will cover approximately 300 miles per day from September 10 to September 26. Mike, the director of MW Polymers Ltd, understands well the challenges before him. The motorbike lacks gears and thus the rider is required to undertake manual adjustments to climb hills.
The 1910 Bike Mike will be Riding in Motorcycle Cannonball 2016
Mike expressed excitement about the race, pointing out that the race would be an adventure that would put his knowledge, experience and general fitness to the test. Being an engineer and having an interest in motoring heritage, Mike looks forward to walking in the footsteps of Erwin Baker, a race forefather.
The Motorcycle Cannonball was created to honor Erwin “Cannonball” Baker back in 2010. Baker made history by setting the world record for cross-country travel back in 1914. He traveled from San Diego to New York City on a 7hp Indian motorbike in a record 11 days. This year’s Century Race is of great significance to American motorcycle history, just after pioneer motoring and just before the US joined WW1. Harley-Davidson, for instance, supplied the US Army with over 20,000 motorcycles during that period.
Similarly, the 1910 Triumph being ridden by Mike served the British Army in dispatch missions in WW1. It was used in the fast delivery of vital communications, something that was not possible before. Just before the race, Mike was confident that he would make it into the list of the top 100 riders to finish the race.
Visit Mike’s website to support his cause to raise money for autism awareness
