TAT - DS Experience Required?

[2DFlyer]

How much DS experience do you suppose someone would need before attempting the TAT from end to end?  Of course I have to ask what the best weapon is for the ride out AND the 3000 miles of return asphalt.  The KLR650 has been high on the short list anyway.  Just because.

[garry]

My understanding is that the western end can have its moments with some high altitude rocky roads. Places where a thumper is much better suited than a big adventure bike. Fuel injection for the altitude changes would be nice. A local guy did it on his DRZ400S last summer.

Here is a link to his ride report on ADVrider. Perhaps the photos/etc will give you an idea of the difficulty. My guess is that you should have some reasonable trail riding skills, moreso with the larger bikes.

http://www.advrider.com/forums/showthread.php?t=608016

[Castaway]

Help me out ... TAT?

[Mrs. DantesDame]

Trans America Trail. Goes from Tennessee to the Oregon coast. Mostly (all?) dirt  

[Castaway]

Trans America Trail. Goes from around Tennessee to the Oregon coast. Mostly (all?) dirt  

Ahhh. I watched the first video in the ADV thread - Looks like a great 'change of pace' for a vacation. I've been across the country many times, but in conventional ways: road bike on paved roads. A new thing to think about.  


Edit: Very Cool - what a beautiful way to see the country.    

[sammyseaman]

Trans America Trail. Goes from Tennessee to the Oregon coast. Mostly (all?) dirt  

That looks awesome. Hmmm... I might have to plan this in a couple years. I need to get back on the dirt anyway.

[Mrs. DantesDame]

That looks awesome. Hmmm... I might have to plan this in a couple years. I need to get back on the dirt anyway.

I think that most people say they needed about a month to complete it one way. That amount of dedicated time is the only thing that's kept me from trying it    And if I were to do it, I think that I'd like to go west -> east. That way I could have brand new knobbies through the worst of it, get the hard parts done while I'm still "fresh", and have the wind at my back  

It's still on my "to-do" list  

[sammyseaman]

I think that most people say they needed about a month to complete it one way. That amount of dedicated time is the only thing that's kept me from trying it    And if I were to do it, I think that I'd like to go west -> east. That way I could have brand new knobbies through the worst of it, get the hard parts done while I'm still "fresh", and have the wind at my back  

It's still on my "to-do" list  

You have done your homework, I see. I will have to wait until I get laid off (In Michigan it's only a matter of time  ) then it's on!.... maybe.

Anyhoo, found this: http://www.motorcycle-usa.com/310/917/Motorcycle-Article/Riding-The-Trans-America-Trail.aspx

[2DFlyer]

My understanding is that the western end can have its moments with some high altitude rocky roads. Places where a thumper is much better suited than a big adventure bike. Fuel injection for the altitude changes would be nice. A local guy did it on his DRZ400S last summer.

Here is a link to his ride report on ADVrider. Perhaps the photos/etc will give you an idea of the difficulty. My guess is that you should have some reasonable trail riding skills, moreso with the larger bikes.

http://www.advrider.com/forums/showthread.php?t=608016

Guess I'd better get started.  Zip DS experience but losing some sleep tonight over at AdvR ought to be a good start.

I think that most people say they needed about a month to complete it one way. That amount of dedicated time is the only thing that's kept me from trying it    And if I were to do it, I think that I'd like to go west -> east. That way I could have brand new knobbies through the worst of it, get the hard parts done while I'm still "fresh", and have the wind at my back  

It's still on my "to-do" list  

Apparently the roll charts must only roll one direction.  FAQ#4 http://www.transamtrail.com/faqs/#04

(4) Can I ride from West to East?

The TN trail head is close so if I get to it I'll probably take it in pieces to start.  With all the talk about doing AK and the Great White North I have my wife primed for me disappearing for awhile at some point.  But the younuns have to get a lot older before getting serious about it.

[servicerifle]

Going west to east is theoretically possible, but all the roll charts and GPS tracks are east to west.  Going the opposite way will have you recreating the route to a very large part, and it's already difficult to navigate.

The Eastern TAT, to Oklahoma, is considered doable on a larger ADV bike like a GS or 990 Adventure but the Western TAT begs for a smaller DS bike.  I plan to do the whole thing on my WR250x/r, perhaps in 2012.  I expect to have some serious challenges on the Western side, but I'm taking in a few good DS schools and getting my experience level up prior to that.  

A riding friend continues to chat about us doing South America north-to-south via DS routes. I think the TAT would be good training grounds for that, without the language barrier.

[DogBoy]

The Mobius Trip on ADVrider is an incredibly detailed account of the TAT. A guy from NYC and his wife, each riding a DRZ400S. So many GPX files and photos that it practically documents every step of the TAT. The author has a very entertaining style and provides a thorough slate of information about bike prep, gear, packing, riding challenges, route info, distances between fuel stops. Great read even if you don't ever plan to do the TAT.
http://www.advrider.com/forums/showthread.php?t=344776&highlight=mobius

They took quite a while to complete the journey. Did sections two weeks at a time and left bikes and gear in storage until they could come back for the next leg.

R.Markus wrote a fantastically entertaining account of the first half of the TAT from Tennessee to New Mexico. Search our Ride Reports forum for his thread.

[Castaway]

I wonder how this route came to be known as the TAT? Or is there more than one way to go?

[Guy]

I wonder how this route came to be known as the TAT? Or is there more than one way to go?

Shortened TransAmerican Trail.

There may be other routes, but no one has spent the time and money mapping them out them. The guy who sells the gps points/map spent quite a few years putting the whole route together. There are some as yet unpublished parts of the TAT the head from TN up into KY. The goal is to make this a coast-to-coast trail, but it may be difficult on the east coast. It's been settled much longer, is much more heavily populated and dirt roads are scarce

[Castaway]

Shortened TransAmerican Trail.

There may be other routes, but no one has spent the time and money mapping them out them. The guy who sells the gps points/map spent quite a few years putting the whole route together. There are some as yet unpublished parts of the TAT the head from TN up into KY. The goal is to make this a coast-to-coast trail, but it may be difficult on the east coast. It's been settled much longer, is much more heavily populated and dirt roads are scarce

LOL, I get the abbreviation, just wondering about the history. I didn't know there was a guy selling the GPS files - it's all new to me.

[2DFlyer]

Going west to east is theoretically possible, but all the roll charts and GPS tracks are east to west.  Going the opposite way will have you recreating the route to a very large part, and it's already difficult to navigate.

The Eastern TAT, to Oklahoma, is considered doable on a larger ADV bike like a GS or 990 Adventure but the Western TAT begs for a smaller DS bike.  I plan to do the whole thing on my WR250x/r, perhaps in 2012.  I expect to have some serious challenges on the Western side, but I'm taking in a few good DS schools and getting my experience level up prior to that.  

A riding friend continues to chat about us doing South America north-to-south via DS routes. I think the TAT would be good training grounds for that, without the language barrier.

Are you planning on riding the 250 for the return trip too?  Which direction do you suppose will beat you up more?

The Mobius Trip on ADVrider is an incredibly detailed account of the TAT. A guy from NYC and his wife, each riding a DRZ400S. So many GPX files and photos that it practically documents every step of the TAT. The author has a very entertaining style and provides a thorough slate of information about bike prep, gear, packing, riding challenges, route info, distances between fuel stops. Great read even if you don't ever plan to do the TAT.
http://www.advrider.com/forums/showthread.php?t=344776&highlight=mobius

They took quite a while to complete the journey. Did sections two weeks at a time and left bikes and gear in storage until they could come back for the next leg.

R.Markus wrote a fantastically entertaining account of the first half of the TAT from Tennessee to New Mexico. Search our Ride Reports forum for his thread.

Excellent! More sleep deprivation.

[servicerifle]

I don't have a plan for the return.  

Seriously, that's REALLY the 500# gorilla in the room that I keep ignoring.  I honestly think that riding the bike back would be more painful than riding it out, plus it will be kinda boring.  I might just ship it back to NC/TN afterward.  Probably the best option, other than selling it, which I doubt I'd want to do.

Ship and fly, probably the best...

[2DFlyer]

I don't have a plan for the return.  
I might just ship it back to NC/TN afterward.  Probably the best option, other than selling it, which I doubt I'd want to do.

Solution.  

And if I were to do it, I think that I'd like to go west -> east. That way I could have brand new knobbies through the worst of it, get the hard parts done while I'm still "fresh", and have the wind at my back  

[servicerifle]

Nope.  read my reply to that above.  

West > East is "nearly impossible" according to those who have traveled it East > West.  You'd have to mark your route all the way then ride the tracks back.  I haven't read of anyone doing it...not sure if that's just a legality (since sharing the GPS tracks without a person first buying the route from Sam is considered poor form, and quasi-illegal) or something else.

Besides, after a month of riding, I think I'd want a break, yes, even me.

In response to DD's "fresh tires" thought, I'm not opposed to getting new tires right before I go up the hill in Colorado.

[2DFlyer]

Nope.  read my reply to that above.  

West > East is "nearly impossible" according to those who have traveled it East > West.  You'd have to mark your route all the way then ride the tracks back.  I haven't read of anyone doing it...not sure if that's just a legality (since sharing the GPS tracks without a person first buying the route from Sam is considered poor form, and quasi-illegal) or something else.

Besides, after a month of riding, I think I'd want a break, yes, even me.

In response to DD's "fresh tires" thought, I'm not opposed to getting new tires right before I go up the hill in Colorado.

No no no.  Colleen is doing the east bound trip.  You're lounging on the Greyhound.

[servicerifle]

LOL, I guess I'm just not tough enough then.  

Oh, and DD, I think 2DFlyer just put you on a "both ways" TAT trip.  WTF!  Now you need two months!

Yeah, I'll take the Big Silver Flying Can back home...well, maybe.  

[Guy]

So maybe ST.n needs to buy a DRZ400 or sumtin similar, and park it at one end or the other of the TAT, and let members ride it back and forth. Possibly set up a tires and oil fund that is fed by the (nominal) rental fee.

[servicerifle]

That sounds like a good way to have a piece of shit bike in 1.5 months.

[coho]

That sounds like a good way to have a piece of shit bike in 1.5 months.

Don't be silly, it would never take that long.  

[Kraz]

West > East is "nearly impossible" according to those who have traveled it East > West.  

I don't believe that for a second... you can reverse any GPS track, it should be pretty straight forward... and it's not like it's never been done, and it's not like there's ONE GUY that sells GPS tracks... there's plenty out there.

Come on now...

[sprocket]

How much DS experience do you suppose someone would need before attempting the TAT from end to end?  Of course I have to ask what the best weapon is for the ride out AND the 3000 miles of return asphalt.  The KLR650 has been high on the short list anyway.  Just because.

None...just go. If you got the time and can adfford it GO...........KLR/DRZ/KTM/XXX it dont matter. I've never done it but talked to a few guys who have and there is nothing technical about it (as far as technical dirt riding goes) The biggest issue is staying on track, this is an adventure...just do it, you'll figure it out!

Good Luck!

[1moreroad]

ABSOLUTELY NO EXPERIENCE REQUIRED FOR THE Mississippi section!    I did most of it in my Subaru a few months ago.  Had the WR on Distanzias for the part by the levees (ridden West to East... ooooh!   ) and nooo problem except a spot where it was closed and I cut around a gravel pit.

[Hardware]

...Ship and fly, probably the best...

Something a friend and I explored for a ride in northern Ontario that could work in this instance - get the bikes loaded on a train - take that train as a passenger.  May or may not be possible but it would be cool.

[black hills]

one of these will handle it, and the return trip with ease...

[mugwump58]

Retirement beckons

[Gypsyangel]

OK, we did the TAT from Jellico to Oklahoma (ran out of time) and I believe the leader had gone over the route and created a route in Garmin using Garmin's software to enter the route and way points. BUt we had another member using the roll charts just in case.

I actually had no off road experience before this trip. I wish I had. Fortunately I was with a group of people who did have knowledge and could help out in the stickier situations. I now have quite a bit of experience off road and look back and laugh at situations that I found difficult of even scarey then,but would roll over easily now.

Also, beware of the Tennessee water crossings!! The riders who warn you don't suck, they really are that slick due to a layer of snot-like algae growing on the bottom. We put a team on every bike to walk them across and we still lost people and bikes due to the slickness.

Here's our thread: http://www.advrider.com/forums/showthread.php?t=472553