Join us for a fantastic two week adventure ride across the USA  

Cannonball 125 is our delightfully ridiculous, two-week, coast-to-coast romp on 125cc motorcycles—because big adventures don’t need big engines. We’ll meet in Washington, D.C. on Friday, June 12, 2026, roll out Saturday, June 13, and zig-zag our way to San Francisco by Sunday, June 28. Along the way we’ll chase small-bike smiles, fuel-stop camaraderie, and a lifetime of “did we really just do that?” stories. Recommended rides include legends like the Honda Monkey, Grom, Super Cub, Trail 125—and kindred minis such as the Benelli TNT135, Lifan “KP Mini,” and Honda DAX. If you’ve been looking for an excuse to nudge a buddy into an epic, slightly absurd adventure… this is it. Pack light, top off the tiny tank, and come write your own cross-country tale—one hilarious gallon at a time. 

About this ride

This ride is about getting together with friends and riding little motorcycles all the way across America from Washington DC and the Atlantic Ocean to San Francisco, CA and the Pacific Ocean in a two week timeframe.  For many, this is somewhere between the funnest thing we've ever done and the dumbest thing we've ever done.  Yes, it may make no sense at all but it's certainly fun.  At times the ride will be long and difficult.  At other times the ride will be just flat fun--when you're chasing your buddy for 20 minutes in order to beat him to the next gas stop, all while not exceeding the speed limit.  And yes, don't be confused, this is still a very serious motorcycle ride.  Riders will be spending each night in a motel along the route and we will be eating at restaurants of the American mom & pop kind along the route.  This ride includes a support van to loosely follow the riders and haul their gear to the next day's hotel.  

What makes this ride possible?

Recently the world has changed and offers us incredibly fun and reliable little motorcycles that are able to go the distance.  These new products with fuel injection and high reliability consistently travel long distances.  The evolution of GPS has made it possible for riders to reliably find the route even in the most remote parts of the world.  All routes and motels are provided as a part of this ride.

About your motorcycle

Riders will need to come on newer and highly reliable motorcycles.  If you're starting off with a new motorcyle, no issues.  If you're bringing a used motorcycle, please be sure that it has new tires and new chain and sprockets.  These small motorcycles tend to consume a complete set of tires and chains across the nation.  Yes, one set can make it as long as you start off new.  If you desire to ride an old motorcycle, it totally can be done but maybe you need to call us and discuss it with us before signing up. 

About the Route

This route is about taking backroads all the way across America.  No freeways, no main highways.  The route is largely based on each state's suggestion for the best bicycle routes.  These are not the most efficient routes to traverse America but rather, the most untravelled and remote routes across America.  We often pass through very small and remote towns.  No tourist attractions, no crowded places, but rather the route less travelled.  Sometimes we, of course, will pass through cities but mostly, we travel through the neighborhoods within those cities.  The routes are painstakingly designed to avoid the main roads when possible so you should expect to make thousands of turns as you travel across the nation.  This is the closest way to meet the heart of America.

Go the Distance

The ride will start in Washington DC on the Atlantic Ocean and travels 3,719 miles to finish in San Francisco, California on the Pacific Ocean.  Average riding day will be 232 miles and ride time will be about 8 hours each day.  The longest day will be 332 miles. The shortest day will be 144 miles. So come prepared. 

Bring a Friend

Just want to illustrate here that many riders may have a friend who is in need of being talked into a completely ridiculous ride in life.  This is the time to look up and reconnect with your old friend.  Invite him to this ride!

Time to buy a new motorcycle?

Yes, this ride may justify you going out to buy a new motorcycle but be aware, they are often hard to get so you need to start early to make arrangements to purchase your motorcycle.

Schedule for the ride

Friday June-12-2026 The night before the ride, Riders Meetup in Washington DC

Saturday June-13-2026 Riding Starts

Sunday June-28-2026 Ride ends in San Francisco CA and riders go home

Ride Signup info: 

The cost to join this 16 day ride is $3,495.  This covers your lodging for the 16 nights during the ride and the cost of the support truck and driver.  Hotel rooms are double occupancy. This also covers your ride packets which include custom Garmin GPS maps on a micro SD card and printed ride maps and descriptions.

Now taking signups: You can now reserve your spot on this ride by leaving a $200 Deposit  (Ride limit is 24 riders) 

After your signup riders will receive an email from me with further ride information and instructions.

Note: 

Riders must make 50% payment by February 13th, 2026.

Riders must make full payment by April 13th, 2026.

Riders will receive ride packets in the mail one week before the ride.

Refund Policy

Your ride deposit is fully refundable until the 50% payment date above.  We encourage riders to make their deposit early in order to ensure they will get a spot on the ride and to begin working on you own ride arrangements.  After making your ride deposit, you will be connected with the other riders in order to coordinate any plans or discussions you may have.  And to just have fun developing plans with the other riders.  If your plans change, you will receive a full refund until the 50% payment due date above.

Ride Logistics:   Riders will be coming from all over and some may want to ship their bikes to and from the ride.  We have set up with Federal Motorcycle Transport to be able to do this.  There is a warehouse location near the ride start (Richmond, VA) and near ride finish (Milpitas, CA).  Riders can then fly in and then take a cab to pick up their bikes.  Cost depends on where you are shipping from and will likely be around $800.  To view Federal Warehouse locations see their Warehouse Locations

Ride Details

 I know many of you also enjoy dreaming about the ride and making your plans, so here is the detail, enjoy! 

Ride Yodas

On this coast-to-coast ride of the Cannonball 125, we have added a fun sub-event: the Gas Mileage Challenge. Here's what makes it fun and interesting:

🎯 What it is

• Riders on the Cannonball 125 are all on small 125cc (or near-125cc) motorcycles (e.g., the Honda Grom, Honda Monkey, Honda Trail 125) across the USA. 

• The Gas Mileage Challenge: the rider who traverses the route on the least amount of gasoline while still maintaining good speed wins the “Speed Sipper” prize of $500. 

• The description emphasises “drinks fuel lightly but still flies.” 

✅ Why it’s fun

• Contrasting goals: Usually in large-scale adventure rides the emphasis is simply “get there” or “go fast”. Here you have the quirky twist: small bike, big distance, and a fuel economy competition with a speed element. That tension—go slow to save gas vs push enough speed to make it exciting—is inherently playful.

• Community rivalry: Since all riders are more or less on equal small-capacity machines, there’s a friendly competition: “Who can squeeze out the best miles per gallon?” adds another layer to the ride beyond just the scenery.

• Story potential: The ride is already billed as “somewhere between the funnest thing we’ve ever done and the dumbest thing we’ve ever done.”  The Gas Mileage Challenge fits that spirit—silly idea (125cc across America) + high achievement (making it work).

• Unique mindset shift: On a normal big-adventure ride you might focus on big power, big distances, fast freeway segments. Here, part of the fun is in careful throttle control, judging fuel stops, maybe creative riding strategies (while respecting speed limits!). The website even mentions: “chasing your buddy for 20 minutes in order to beat him to the next gas stop, all while not exceeding the speed limit.” 

• Shared stories & laughs: When you are riding a tiny bike across 3,700+ miles (the route is from Washington DC to San Francisco) and competing on fuel economy, you’ll have hilarious anecdotes: the tiny tank, the frequent stops, “did we really just do that?” moments. 

How does the ride navigation work?

This is a self-led GPS ride; all riding is on your own.  You are responsible for your own riding.  You will be given a GPS map file and instructions on how to use your Garmin GPS unit.  People will hook up in small groups of less than 6 riders and tend to ride together.  You are not encouraged to ride alone.  You are responsible for your own riding and yourself. 

 (see my ride Navigation Video)

Are you right for this ride?

When something goes wrong on a ride, would your riding friends say that you are more likely to need help or more likely to give help?  You should be in the more likely to offer help camp.  This ride is filled with riders that are more likely to give help, so most of the time the riders never need help.  Additionally there is all the normal stuff, come prepared to maintain your bike, fix your bike on the trail, repair flat tires, deal with bad weather and rain and make a joke or two.

How do I make the GPS stuff so easy?

I develop very high quality ride maps custom for our ride. They come from much of what I and others have ridden.  I take the best from all my rides and make new ones. 

(See my Custom Ride Maps Video)

Note from me, gpsKevin

My goal for this ride is simple,  great riding, so you can count on great routes and places to ride.

But in addition: the ride is about  discovering new places, meeting new friends, seeing new parts of the Southwest.

Thanks

gpsKevin

Rider Stories

“One of the best adventures of my life — small bike, big memories!”

– Dave R.

“The support and community made it unforgettable. 10/10 would ride again.”

– Lisa T.

“Who knew 125 cc could cross America? Absolutely amazing!”

– Mike S.