Many riders have set out to cross America on their motorcycles, but comparatively few have attempted the Cannonball. At this point, there are few people among us two-wheeler enthusiasts; There’s the motorcycle cannonball, there’s the scooter cannonball, and of course, there’s the ADV cannonball.
What is ADV Cannonball, you ask? It is a nine-day trip across the continental United States, and the 2027 race will move from Portland, Maine to Portland, Oregon at that time. Some quick stats to get your head around: Riders will cross 11 states, cover nearly 4,000 miles (that’s just the paved part; optional ADV opportunities can change the total number of miles traveled on each participant’s route), and there will be zero support along the way.
This is correct; No follow van (either provided by the event, or one you provide yourself from friends or family). Do you know the dirt moto category in Dakar? The concept is similar, only for cross-US moto travel. If anything goes wrong along the way, it’s up to you to fix your bike yourself at the roadside.
The 2027 ADV Cannonball will run from June 8 to June 16, 2027, with official check-in for the event beginning a day earlier on June 7. Riders will show up and check-in during June 7, with a planned start on the morning of June 8. Riding days will mostly be long and arduous, regardless of the mileage covered; Estimates are that most stay in the saddle for at least nine hours, while some last up to 14 hours in a single day. The elevation changes will allow riders to gain up to 28,000 feet in elevation in a single day (Day 5, riding from Custer, South Dakota to Bozeman, Montana).
Registration for the 2027 ADV Cannonball Rally is now open, and you can Read the details and sign up on the official website. Two classes are available: Pro Class and Mile Crusher Class. The Pro Class will cost $1,199 to sign up, while the Mile Crusher Class will cost $1,099. There are only 59 entry places available per class, and there are no refunds, transfers or cancellations. Keep in mind, this entry fee does not include any accommodation along the way, which you will have to book yourself.
To view a detailed full program including official rally hotels along the way with negotiated rates, it is also on the website. There is also more information here about the difference in length between paved and ADV routes on the days they are available. Also, keep in mind that on June 9, there is a temporary rally regulation, where checkpoints can only be collected on either all of the US side of the border, or all of Canada; You cannot move back and forth between the two countries thanks to their checkpoints, even if you prefer to use your passport and cross the border for fun. The only exception here is the daily finish line checkpoint.
If you want to see what it’s like to cannonball the ADV, the video at the top of this piece is a full-length documentary that Robert Baldinger made during the last rally. Even if you’re not planning on doing it yourself in 2027, you might want to add it to your queue!
