A 4-day scavenger hunt-style motorcycle rally centered in the Pacific Northwest
July 21-25, 2026
Wallace, Idaho
The Line That Defined the Northwest
The 54-40 Rally takes its name from one of the most contentious slogans in American history: "Fifty-Four Forty or Fight!" During the 1840s, the United States and Great Britain disputed control of the Oregon Territory, with American expansionists demanding the border be set at 54°40' north latitude—a line that would have given the U.S. control of present-day British Columbia up to southern Alaska. The rallying cry became a cornerstone of James K. Polk's 1844 presidential campaign, capturing the aggressive spirit of Manifest Destiny and the belief that American territory should stretch from coast to coast. Though the dispute was ultimately resolved peacefully in 1846 with the border set at the 49th parallel (where it remains today), the 54-40 line represents a moment when the Pacific Northwest was the frontier of American ambition, a wild and contested landscape where borders were fluid and the future was unwritten.
For motorcycle riders, the 54-40 Rally embraces this spirit of exploration and adventure across the Pacific Northwest's diverse terrain. The rally celebrates the region that was once at the heart of international dispute—the lands between the 49th parallel and 54°40' north latitude—inviting participants to ride through the forests, mountains, and coastlines that embodied America's westward dreams. It's a nod to the bold, sometimes reckless determination of those who pushed into unknown territory, adapted by modern riders who tackle challenging routes and remote roads with that same frontier spirit. The rally name serves as a reminder that the Pacific Northwest has always been a place for those willing to venture beyond established boundaries, whether they're drawing lines on maps or carving curves through mountain passes.
4 days in the Upper Left, starting from The Center Of The World
Wallace, Idaho proudly claims to be "The Center of the Universe," and the town has the manhole cover to prove it. In 2004, the mayor of this historic silver mining town declared Wallace the official center of the universe, arguing that since no one could scientifically disprove the claim, it must be true. It's the kind of bold, quirky declaration that perfectly captures the independent spirit of the Pacific Northwest.
