Newport resident Chris Knoop is set to ride across America on his 1925 model motorbike. 85271 Picture: DAMJAN JANEVSKI
By ALESHA CAPONE
NEWPORT resident Chris Knoop is revved up for the adventure of a lifetime.
Mr Knoop and his partner Christine will take part in the Pre-1930 Motorcycle Cannonball Endurance Run in America next month.
The duo will spend 18 days travelling more than 4600 kilometres from New York to San Francisco along with other motorcycle enthusiasts from around the world.
Mr Knoop will be riding his rebuilt 1925 Jap Invincible Motorbike in the race while Christine will be travelling in a custom-made wicker sidecar.
Mr Knoop has been spending most of his waking hours tinkering with the motorcycle to ensure it will be in perfect condition for the Cannonball Run.
“It’s been a 12-14 hour-a-day job for the past eight months, seven days a week,” he said.
“It’s still not finished. It’s become a bit of an obsession.”
Along with back-up rider Ian Lihou, Mr Knoop is the only Australian entry in the Cannonball Endurance Run.
He said the biggest challenge in preparing for the race has been getting his motorbike ready in a short space of time.
“Basically, your cumulative skills are highlighted in a pressure-cooker environment and in true Aussie style, you find you can do anything with the materials around you,” he said.
Mr Knoop said Christine would be “pretty comfortable” in the wicker sidecar.
The couple has attracted a lot of media interest in the lead-up to the Cannonball Run.
“It would be good if the attention could be realised financially through a sponsor,” he said.
“I’ve had lots of support from the Newport community at large; also motorcycle club networks including the Williamstown Motorcycle Club, the Indian Motorcycle Club, the Iron Indian Rider’s Association and the Newport Fold and Fiddle Club.”
See http://cksamericanadventures.blogspot.com.au for more information.
