THE GREAT AMERICAN RIDE
18 days. More than 5,300 miles. One motorcycle. One purpose.
VIEW THE RIDER'S FIELD GUIDE DOWNLOAD PDFTHE JOURNEY
In July 2026, the Great American Ride begins in Cincinnati, Ohio, and heads west across America on Interstate 80 to Reno, Nevada, for the 127th VFW National Convention.
From Reno, the journey continues through California, Arizona, Colorado, New Mexico, Oklahoma and Missouri before returning home. Along the way, the ride will include historic roads, Route 66, small towns, campgrounds, veteran communities and thousands of miles of open road.
MORE THAN A MOTORCYCLE RIDE
For many veterans and first responders, the road can become more than a way to get from one place to another. Motorcycling can provide time to think, space to breathe, connection with others and a renewed sense of purpose.
This ride is part of a larger story about the road, the people met along the way, the challenges of a long-distance motorcycle journey and the role that purpose, community and adventure can play in moving forward.
FOLLOW THE RIDE
The journey will be documented throughout the trip with daily experiences, photographs, mileage, expenses, memorable stops and stories from the road.
The Great American Ride is also helping document a larger project: an upcoming book about motorcycle travel, veterans, purpose, brotherhood and what can be found when you keep moving forward.
THE UPCOMING BOOK
Riding for Purpose: The Road Goes On will tell the story beyond the itinerary. It will combine the journey, personal reflections, photography and the people encountered along the way.
The 2026 Great American Ride will become part of that story as it unfolds one day and one mile at a time.