TransAmerica Trail -TAT

[Ray Cecil]

For official trip information, dates, roll call, etc go here:

http://forum.garysgaragemahal.com/2021-RUNNING-OF-THE-BULLS-OK-TO-CO-td63432.html#a63441

Well, among many other items on the bucket list, riding the TAT coast to coast is probably the most realistic item for me to accomplish sooner rather than later.

For those unfamiliar, the TAT is a hodge podge of offroad and pavement routes from West Virginia to Idaho, with short "spurs" to the coasts. So you could ride coast to coast.

My first trip will be West Virginia to Oklahoma. 2nd trip Oklahoma to Oregon Coast. All by motorcycle.

Then, I want to outfit either a bullnose bronco, or the blue flareside to do it with Holly. She cannot ride motorcycles, she has ear problems and gets migraines very easily. So, i will need to put a lot of thought and work into this trip to get a bullnose ready. I will use this thread to share what ive learned from the motorcycle journey. I am sure to run into 4x4s along the way. So I am hoping to learn some things from them along the way.

Likely, I will build the Flareside, unless I can get into a bronco over the next two years. Bronco would be ideal, as it provides a sleeping area. Ive seen some cool tents you can install on the top of an suv, so you can keep the inside for storage.

Holly has to use the restroom 30 times a night. Lol, so I have to think about that. Sleeping in a bronco, in a truck bed, or on the ground would be better for her bladder.

Anyway, this will be a fun adventure, and I am sure to get all sorts of opinions. Please, no Nay sayers. Constructive criticism will be accepted as such, but anyone with a negative attitude toward this will be completely ignored.

First order of business is finding a partner to do the motorcycle part with me, 2nd is choosing the right bike for me. I have reached out to about a dozen close friends and family to see if anyone would be interested in the motorcycle journey. If anyone on here is up for the challenge.....let me know.

Ive owned a KLR650 and a DR650. No way am I going for the KLR again. Too heavy for the western sections. I am thinking DR650 as the heaviest option. However, a DRZ400 WR250 and similar size/weight is what I am thinking.

Also, Gary's place is VERY close to the Oklahoma section. I believe it goes directly between Skiatook and Bartlesville. Im thinking of starting the western half of the trip from there. I have family in Bartlesville, and Gary in Skiatook, so that to me is a perfect launch point. I can stop in and see everyone before heading out.

Your Thoughts guys?

Also, Maybe Gary would be into hosting a spring time Bullnose TAT convoy. Skiatook to Moab UT one day? Just a thought.

 

[Gary Lewis]

Sign me up - for the Bullnose portion! And maybe as the chase truck for the motorcyle portion.

I think that sounds like a wonderful adventure. And I'm serious. Count me in.

One of the plans for Big Blue is a rooftop tent, so I'd have a place to sleep. And with on-board air and plenty of carrying capacity I can bring the tools and parts.

But I haven't yet found a detailed on-line map for the OK portion. Have you found one? Can you post some links on here?

I know they can be purchased, and that's probably what I'd want to do for the trip, but for just looking things over I'd like to see the details.

[Ray Cecil]

Sign me up - for the Bullnose portion! And maybe as the chase truck for the motorcyle portion.

I think that sounds like a wonderful adventure. And I'm serious. Count me in.

One of the plans for Big Blue is a rooftop tent, so I'd have a place to sleep. And with on-board air and plenty of carrying capacity I can bring the tools and parts.

But I haven't yet found a detailed on-line map for the OK portion. Have you found one? Can you post some links on here?

I know they can be purchased, and that's probably what I'd want to do for the trip, but for just looking things over I'd like to see the details.

www.transamtrail.com

Gary, go to the official TransAm website.

They provide roll charts as well as GPS tracks for Garmin based systems.

The entire coast to coast trail is easily purchased. GPS tracks are sent via email, and you download them into your Garmin device. You might be able to do it on a phone, I need to research that.

Gary, I just got excited! Thanks for being willing to chase motorcycles. Knowing that, I will take you up on that offer. Having a chase vehicle opens up options for motorcycles, as they can carry less weight.

A heavier KLR650 or DR650 would be able to do the eastern half carrying its gear. But if I could run the 2nd western half without the gear, I could get the heavier bike....which is more comfortable. I still dont think Id take the KLR. If I could count on a chase truck, the DR650 I would definetly purchase.

[Dorsai]

www.transamtrail.com

Gary, go to the official TransAm website.

They provide roll charts as well as GPS tracks for Garmin based systems.

The entire coast to coast trail is easily purchased. GPS tracks are sent via email, and you download them into your Garmin device. You might be able to do it on a phone, I need to research that.

Gary, I just got excited! Thanks for being willing to chase motorcycles. Knowing that, I will take you up on that offer. Having a chase vehicle opens up options for motorcycles, as they can carry less weight.

A heavier KLR650 or DR650 would be able to do the eastern half carrying its gear. But if I could run the 2nd western half without the gear, I could get the heavier bike....which is more comfortable. I still dont think Id take the KLR. If I could count on a chase truck, the DR650 I would definetly purchase.

Sounds like a great trip! Sign me up to honk and wave as you go by on the GA portion.

[Gary Lewis]

www.transamtrail.com

Gary, go to the official TransAm website.

They provide roll charts as well as GPS tracks for Garmin based systems.

The entire coast to coast trail is easily purchased. GPS tracks are sent via email, and you download them into your Garmin device. You might be able to do it on a phone, I need to research that.

Gary, I just got excited! Thanks for being willing to chase motorcycles. Knowing that, I will take you up on that offer. Having a chase vehicle opens up options for motorcycles, as they can carry less weight.

A heavier KLR650 or DR650 would be able to do the eastern half carrying its gear. But if I could run the 2nd western half without the gear, I could get the heavier bike....which is more comfortable. I still dont think Id take the KLR. If I could count on a chase truck, the DR650 I would definetly purchase.

Ray - I'm not committing to the whole coast-to-coast thing, but I can do part of it here in the middle of the US. Maybe Arkansas to Utah?

What I'd like to do is to get my son to sign on to go with me/us, but I have no idea if he will. Nor when he could.

And, I obviously need to get Big Blue whipped into shape, which isn't going to happen too soon.

But, I would like to see some maps, and I'm not willing to start buying them. Nor do I have a Garmin device on which to load them. I'm just looking for free maps to peruse so I can get my head around what we'd be in for.

[Gary Lewis]

Ray - I'm not committing to the whole coast-to-coast thing, but I can do part of it here in the middle of the US. Maybe Arkansas to Utah?What I'd like to do is to get my son to sign on to go with me/us, but I have no idea if he will. Nor when he could.And, I obviously need to get Big Blue whipped into shape, which isn't going to happen too soon.But, I would like to see some maps, and I'm not willing to start buying them. Nor do I have a Garmin device on which to load them. I'm just looking for free maps to peruse so I can get my head around what we'd be in for.

Ray just asked me in the background to share this - as apparently Androids can't do what iPhones can.

 

Note that at 1:33 there's an error in the statement as they apparently don't realize that a "proper vehicle" is a Bullnose.

 

[Ray Cecil]

Ray - I'm not committing to the whole coast-to-coast thing, but I can do part of it here in the middle of the US. Maybe Arkansas to Utah?

What I'd like to do is to get my son to sign on to go with me/us, but I have no idea if he will. Nor when he could.

And, I obviously need to get Big Blue whipped into shape, which isn't going to happen too soon.

But, I would like to see some maps, and I'm not willing to start buying them. Nor do I have a Garmin device on which to load them. I'm just looking for free maps to peruse so I can get my head around what we'd be in for.

Gary, I figured you couldnt go coast to coast. The eastern half (west virginia to the base of the rockies) is the easiest and less technical. So, a Bull Run from Skiatook to Moab would be just about right.

That is what I am thinking we could call it...the Great American Bull Run. Tulsa to Moab.

Yes, that video is just for inspiration, a proper 4x4 would for sure be a Bullnose, and even some Bricknoses!

I believe I met your son at the truck show one year. Would be great to give this a father son theme. I fear mine are too young and still too aggravating to one another to make it a good trip. I am not going to break up fights the whole way.

Im thinking Bullnoses and Bricknoses and motorcycles all at the same time would be awesome.

Participation in the event would require a set of bullhorns mounted to a grill, or front fairing of a bike. How funny would that be? Hahaha.

[Ray Cecil]

Sounds like a great trip! Sign me up to honk and wave as you go by on the GA portion.

Matthew, at least ride with us for a day!!!

[Ray Cecil]

But, I would like to see some maps, and I'm not willing to start buying them. Nor do I have a Garmin device on which to load them. I'm just looking for free maps to peruse so I can get my head around what we'd be in for.

Gary, I will take care of buying the maps.

 

[Shorty]

But, I would like to see some maps, and I'm not willing to start buying them. Nor do I have a Garmin device on which to load them. I'm just looking for free maps to peruse so I can get my head around what we'd be in for.

Gary, I will take care of buying the maps.

Sign me up! This has been on my bucket list for a long time. Agree about the KLR650 weight. I'd be looking at a DR650 or XL650 as a replacement.

Some day...