honky tonkin'

Trans America Trail

Planning

links, gear, logistics, etc

K packed and ready to go

General Information

Maps

  • [Sam Corello][45]
  • [gpsKevin][46]
  • [tattracks.com][47]
  • [difference between Sam and gpsKevin][39]
  • alternately, follow the Utah Backcountry Discovery Route which is at higher elevations & therefore cooler than going thru Moab, etc

advrider Threads

  • TAT 2018 Roll Call
  • [2018 TAT Planning][35]
  • [2017 TAT Roll Call][40]
  • [2017 TAT planning][41]
  • [InciWeb][51] - gov wildfire tracker, updated frequently
  • [Tent Space Map][53]
  • [Trail Taker][54]
  • [Trails Offroad][55]
  • [ADV Tracks][56]

Gear

Tank Bag

  • inReach
  • knife
  • sunscreen
  • bug spray
  • headphones
  • battery
  • small dry bag
  • towel
  • phone
  • hydration pack
  • backup micro SDs
  • charging cables

Moto

  • GPS
  • helmet
  • goggles
  • body protector
  • leg protector
  • jersey
  • jacket
  • pants
  • boots
  • gloves

Camping

  • tent
  • sleeping bag & pad
  • lamp & extra AA batteries
  • cookware, soap & sponge
  • stove
  • water bag
  • water filter/purification tablets

Clothing

  • merino t-shirt
  • long johns
  • fleece
  • shorts
  • pants
  • 2 socks
  • 2 underwear
  • hat
  • sneakers

Tools

  • tool roll
  • ratchet set
  • tire irons
  • headlamp
  • air compressor
  • small bike pump (as backup)
  • chain tool
  • enduro side stand
  • tire gauge
  • rope

Parts

  • 2 master links
  • 3 full chain links
  • chain lube
  • fuel injector
  • fuel pump
  • levers
  • oil
  • spark plugs
  • tube
  • oiled air filter
  • master cylinder kit
  • clutch fluid
  • brake fluid
  • rocker arms

Miscellaneous

  • wet wipes
  • notebook
  • TAT maps
  • toiletries (toothbrush/paste, floss, soap, nail clippers, q-tips)
  • first aid kit
  • emergency bag (matches, compass, space blanket, cuben tape, duct tape, etc)
  • toilet paper
  • spare key

Emergency Provisions

  • bars
  • instant coffee
  • 2-3 dehydrated meals

Reference Materials

  • service manual

Planning

August 18 – September 16, 2018

date location status
Aug 18 NYC depart
Aug 22 Townsend, TN arrive
Aug 23-24 Smoky Mountains w/ Dad ride
Aug 27 Mississippi River, MI arrive
Aug 29 Tulsa, OK arrive
Sep 02 Lake City, CO arrive
Sep 03 (Labor Day) Lake City, CO zero
Sep 04-05 Colorado passes & trails ride
Sep 06 Moab, UT arrive
Sep 07-08 Moab, UT ride
Sep 12 Oregon border arrive
Sep 15 Pacific Ocean arrive
Sep 17 Portland -> NYC flying

Rough Mileage Estimates

Estimate traveling ~250 mi/day on average

   0 mi |  0 days | NY Harbor, Atlantic Ocean
1000 mi |  4 days | intersection with TAT proper
1250 mi |  5 days | Smoky Mountains
2000 mi |  8 days | Mississippi River, MI
2500 mi | 10 days | Tulsa, OK
3500 mi | 14 days | Lake City, CO
4750 mi | 19 days | Oregon border
5500 mi | 22 days | Pacific Ocean
------------------------------------------------
   0 mi | 2 zero days
~500 mi | 2 days NC/TN
~500 mi | 2 days CO
~500 mi | 2 days UT
~500 mi | 2 days OR?
---------------------------
7500 mi | 32 days total

Tennessee & Mississippi

The first 81 miles of the TAT from Andrews to Tellico Plains is quite nice and at one point you end up crossing over the Cherohala. Don't give up on TN and MS. Each state is different and has it's own charm and fun. Unless it's really wet - then I'd be looking for short cuts in MS. Eastern AR is kinda flat but with a few interesting bits but riding that you're on your way to the Ozarks which are not to be missed. The only place I'd skip, and I'd do it every time, is just about all of the dirt west of Tulsa in OK and jump back on the TAT in Boise City OK.

[source][29]

Arkansas

Lodging

Oklahoma

Personally I would suggest riding the TAT route as far as Ponca City (with any detour for flooding of course), then slab it to Alva and ride the scenic section west to where it crosses hwy 64 again, then make up some time on the pavement again, either via Liberal (Kanasas) if you need an overnight, and pick up the TAT again at Boise City before New Mexico.

[source][30]

Lodging

Colorado

When you guys are providing info about blocked passes. you should give some context. Anyone following either of the popular tracks will not be going through most of the Alpine loop. Tin Cup, Tomichi, and Hancock aren't on the plan either. You leave Salida and go down over Marshal Pass, over to Lake City then Cinnamon Pass and then you're pretty much done with higher elevations in Colorado. I'm going to guess that Marshal and Cinnamon open up earlier than some of the others. So just because some passes are still blocked in early July doesn't mean I wouldn't launch to be there about that time.

[source][31]

Lodging

  • [Raven's Rest Hostel - Lake City][27]
  • [Taylor Park Trading Post][50] a bit north off the TAT but looks to be a lot of good riding in the area

Utah

  • White Rim Road, [day-use permit required][52] from [NPS][18]; [start early, go clockwise][19] to avoid staring into the sun all day.
  • shit tons of Moab GPS routes in basecamp
  • Black Dragon Canyon
  • Shaffer Trail in Canyonlands N.P.
  • Pritchet Canyon (difficult)
  • Sovereign Trail (difficult)

Lodging

  • [3 Step Hideaway][20]
  • reservation at Colorado River site?

Oregon

  • [ride on beach][48]: Cape Kiwanda, Gearhart to Warrenton (~10 mi stretch)

Lodging

  • [coastal camping info][49]

690

Pre-trip Maintenance

  • set sag
  • install new spark plug
  • top off brake/clutch/etc fluid
  • install new tubes & tires
  • install new brake pads
  • install new fuel filter
  • install new springs & superplush preload adjuster
  • new oil & clean filters
  • check valves
  • new air filter

Trip Maintenance

  • Possibly do tires, oil, valves before or early Colorado? order parts to & use the bunkhouse in Oklahoma to do this?
  • Sam recommends Fred Hink (435-259-7356) @ Arrowhead Motorsports in Moab

Logistics

Ship the bike back with [Federal Motorcycle Transport][28]. It should cost around $700-800. Call them 5-7 days out to schedule the dropoff.

Service Intervals

Task 3k 6k
oil & filters X X
valves X X
air filter X X
bleed fork legs X X
spark plug X
brake fluid X

advrider Threads