What motorcycle can I ride?

Any reliable motorcycle that can maintain highway speeds and handle some optional dirt roads. Crushing up to 650 miles in a day, reliability is the mission.

A core tenant of this event is self-reliance and this starts with your ability to choose and prepare an appropriate motorcycle. Often this decision is as easy as “This is the motorcycle I own”. In all cases, the preparedness and safety of all motorcycles is the sole responsibility of each competitor.

It’s not about throwing money and accessories at a fancy motorcycle. A bone stock KLR or giant bagger may end up scoring better than a highly modified R1300GSA.

Be smart, be safe, be self-reliant.

Motorcycle shipping?

Whether it’s to the starting line or back home from the finish line, many riders may choose to ship their ride. There are two common options. The most cost-effective is to use a discount bulk carrier such as Haul Bikes. You can contact the closest dealer for your bike near the starting hotel or your arrival airport. Often dealers will help out. Be sure to double or triple the estimated transit time based on our experience.

The second option is to contact ADV Cannonball and see if there is space available on our rig. We offer white glove service on both ends of the rally for $1000. Contact us to see if space is available.

Overnight Security?

If you park next to the RM Sprinter Van at the hotel, we will run an electronic security device through all the bikes. Park close to one another. Someone will sleep in the RM Sprinter Van and do whatever is needed to protect your ride from theft. Bringing offerings to the van will prioritize the security of your bike.

What is a “Rally Alais” or “Rally Name”?

Some folks prefer to be called by another name other than their legal name. In some cases, because of professional or legal reasons, competitors may want to use an alias. Whatever the reason, just make sure your Rally Alais is something you respond to because this is what other Connonballers will call you and what will appear in the press and your awards.

ADV Rental?

We sometimes have a big ADV bike available for rent. This rental comes with new tires, a fresh service, and white glove delivery to the start line and pick up from the finish line. The renter is responsible for any damage beyond normal and reasonable ware and tare. The rental fee is $3750 inclusively.

What does “some optional dirt roads” really mean?

Most of the Western days of the rally will offer some carefully selected dirt road sections. Rally staff will conduct pre-runs of any optional dirt road sections within six months of the event.

Dirt road checkpoints are located along the dirt road segments and are awarded 10 points.

Any competitor that collects all available dirt road checkpoints will be awarded the ADV Cannonball Rough Rider award.

What is the difficulty level of the optional dirt road sections?

Simply put, if the weather is good, a Prius with bald tires could drive any optional dirt road in the rally. Weather, rider skill, fitness, hangovers, and equipment should be considered and rerouting is always permitted. Act your age and make wise decisions to finish the rally.

Routing, both on and off-road is the sole responsibility of the competitor.

Do I have to stay at the official rally hotel?

Yes. It’s simply an organizational nightmare otherwise. Please don’t ask. Hotels are included in the entry fee.

Do not contact the hotel, and don’t attempt to change or move your assigned room. Do not add your hotel loyalty number or change the payment method at the hotel, this will cause a cascading admin and pricing disaster. If there are any real issues, contact the rally staff. Refer to Rule #1.

Optional hotel stays on Day -01 and after the awards banquet are not included in the entry fee. Contact the RM for a discount/group code. Please don’t drink and ride after the banquet.

What is self-supporting?

If you plan on having your family or your old army buddy help with reporting on the weather, traffic, or fuel stops, this rally is not for you.

The spirit of self-supporting is paramount to this cannonball run. There’s no point in entering this event if you plan to bend the rules in hopes that no one will find out. There’s no glory or adventure in that.

Any resource that is reasonably available to any competitor is perfectly fine to utilize. Competitors can help each other, and share information/resources. Bikers helping each other is in the finest traditions of the open road and is strongly encouraged.

What kind of tires do I need?

New ones; tires need to last thousands of miles in all kinds of weather and road surfaces. The scouting runs were done on Michelin Road 6 and Bridgestone BT46 mounted on GSA’s without issue. Most of this rally is on pavement and the optional dirt roads are just that, simple dirt roads.

Depending on how aggressively you intend to ride, tire management and lifespan must be considered. Planning for a late-night, rear tire change in the hotel parking lot midway through the rally could be prudent.

If you’re a rider that gets more than 5000 miles on a rear tire, you’re likely good to go on your usual setup on new rubber.

Motorcycle set-up and safety are always the sole responsibility of the competitor.

Do I have to follow the GPX route exactly?

No. Traffic, accidents, strategy, weather, space critters, and the like can influence any competitor to reroute.

If any competitor chooses to head directly to the official hotel, please let the Rally Master know.

Routing both on and off-road is the sole responsibility of the competitor.

What’s the deal with the “Stand-Alone” device for the rally scoring app?

Based on our experience, if a competitor uses a smartphone to run the rally scoring app and this phone or tablet goes into lock mode or is used to scroll Tik-Tok, there’s an increased chance you may miss a checkpoint. It’s our advice to run the scoring app on its own continuously powered device that is set up not to go into screen lock or power-save mode to avoid disappointment. Additionally, it’s been our experience that iOS (Apple) devices are more stable than any other phones or tablets. You’ve been warned, now do whatever you like but refer to Regulation #2.

Do I have to depart exactly on time?

No, but, you can not depart early. Departing before your assigned start time is unsportsmanlike.

Do I have to reach every or any of the checkpoints?

No. Strategy, weather, and other circumstances should be considered when deciding whether to skip or navigate to checkpoints. Safe navigation is at the discretion of each competitor.

Routing both on and off-road is the sole responsibility of the competitor.

“That extreme checkpoint doesn’t look right…”

You’re right, a high-value extreme checkpoint may require you to get off your bike and walk a little. It will be worth it in some nerdy way.

Do I have to run the Richta Rally App?

No. If you choose not to, you must advise the Rally Master. You cannot score any points if you do not run the Richta Rally app.

Do I have to run a Garmin InReach and register it with SpotWalla?

A Garmin InReach device is highly recommended, however, a mobile phone running an app such as Bubbler GPS (Android) or SW Tracker (iPhone) will also work. However, there are obvious advantages to running a satellite-based tracking device.

Whatever device you choose to register with Spotwalla, it is important that every competitor keeps their device activated at all times throughout the rally. This is for safety reasons and backup scoring tracks.

How do you practice GPX/GPS/Richta app/SpotWalla?

On Day -1 and Day 0, there will be several test stages and checkpoints for competitors around the official hotel.

During the application process, riders will have the option to add a hotel room for day -1.

Is food included?

No. There is usually a free breakfast included at the official hotel. The awards banquet will have food provided and a cash bar.

Night Riding?

Every effort is made to design a route that does not include night ridding. However, due to a myriad of possible and unforeseen circumstances, competitors could find themselves riding at night. Be prepared for anything.

Your safety is your responsibility.

Why Hilton Hotels?

Because we are not into bed bugs, scratchy sheets, and crunchy carpets.

We have negotiated decent rates and it’s just easier to deal with one organization.

Single or Double Occupancy Hotels?

You can choose to have your own hotel room, or you can share a room to save a little cash. If you know who you want to share a room with at the time of registration, there is a field in that form. If you know who you want to share a room with after you register, please contact us right away. If you have not informed us of a preferred roommate, one will be assigned to you at rally check-in.

What if I don’t make it to the Hotel for one or more nights?

We must pay 100% of the hotel room cost before the start of the rally. We can not get a refund, credit, rebooking or the like for a no-show. There is nothing that can be done if you can not make it to the Rally Hotel at any point in the rally.

What are registration and entry fees used for?

• Satisfying state and federal corporate requirements

• Banking and credit card processing fees

• All hotel costs

• Rally Scoring App setup and usage

• SpotWalla tracking

• Design of the rally route

• Pre-running and verification of the rally route

• The awards banquet and ceremony

• Physical rider trophies

• Perpetual cup trophy

• Press releases

• Newsletter email services

• Website and social media design and hosting

• Advertising costs

• Rally exhibitor display, attendance fees, transport, and staffing
  - Rallies we attend for advertising purposes

• Competitor Livery

• Competitor welcome packages

• Event materials

• Event communications

• Event staff transportation

• Event common room rental

• Event Staff

• Event vehicles and fuel

• Event staff accommodations