*EPIC TRIP* Taking my Trail on the Trail!!

[SirWilliamGoes]

I had to post this, my wife and I are talking over video and a friend of ours took a pic. I think it's cool!!

there is a reason the windshield is bigger than the rearview mirror

 

[phx4rnr]

On the way back I will be going through AZ I've always wanted to go so don't worry I will be going through. I will try to remember to let you know but may not so follow along so you can show me around!!

there is a reason the windshield is bigger than the rearview mirror

Trust me, I'll be following along haha. What parts are you going to be coming through? I don't know what kind of timing you are making, but a group of us are going to sedona to camp and wheel next friday-sunday!

 

[proimion]

When are you going to hit Colorado? Or are you? We are expecting a major storm here this weekend with 2-4 FEET of snow expected in the higher elevations. Paved highways should be OK within a day after the storm (Tue or so), but the off road passes could be dicey or impassable for a lot longer now.

https://weather.com/storms/winter/news/rockies-high-plains-snowstorm-april-2016

Don't chance it in the high country alone. It can still get deadly cold and isolated up there.

 

[SirWilliamGoes]

When are you going to hit Colorado? Or are you? We are expecting a major storm here this weekend with 2-4 FEET of snow expected in the higher elevations. Paved highways should be OK within a day after the storm (Tue or so), but the off road passes could be dicey or impassable for a lot longer now.

https://weather.com/storms/winter/news/rockies-high-plains-snowstorm-april-2016

Don't chance it in the high country alone. It can still get deadly cold and isolated up there.

Thanks for the warning I will definitely play it safe. My goal was to be there by Monday. I will be keeping g a close tab on the weather, if you could keep me updated as well that would be awesome.

there is a reason the windshield is bigger than the rearview mirror

 

[3wbdriver]

Definitely heed these kinds of warnings. It really affected my Montana, Wyoming, Idaho, and Colorado plans last April. And I was on pavement for those legs! :mmph: :rain:

 

[e60ral]

Is your air mattress an inflatable raft? that might be contributing to your soreness (in addition to the fracture of course). If you throw some thick foam or memory foam on top it will probably help out a lot, even real air mattresses (which will be more comfortable than a raft) are either pretty firm when you fill them with a lot of pressure or not supportive when you don't and its tough to find a comfortable point in the middle. Wal-mart or target will have memory foam or egg crate foam toppers that you could throw on your mattress, the egg crate foam will be really cheap and while I was there I would pickup a basic coleman air mattress (~$20) instead of the raft.

(If your budget allows it, a nice thick 3-4" self inflatable will be more comfortable than an air mattress but they can be pretty pricey.)

 

[Knight-Errant]

When are you going to hit Colorado? Or are you? We are expecting a major storm here this weekend with 2-4 FEET of snow expected in the higher elevations. Paved highways should be OK within a day after the storm (Tue or so), but the off road passes could be dicey or impassable for a lot longer now.

https://weather.com/storms/winter/news/rockies-high-plains-snowstorm-april-2016

Don't chance it in the high country alone. It can still get deadly cold and isolated up there.

I think the fact that T4R members are looking out for each other is pretty solid.

Hats off! :yo:

 

[Plano26]

Awesome trip brother! I would love to meet up with you when you hit AZ also!

 

[SirWilliamGoes]

Is your air mattress an inflatable raft? that might be contributing to your soreness (in addition to the fracture of course). If you throw some thick foam or memory foam on top it will probably help out a lot, even real air mattresses (which will be more comfortable than a raft) are either pretty firm when you fill them with a lot of pressure or not supportive when you don't and its tough to find a comfortable point in the middle. Wal-mart or target will have memory foam or egg crate foam toppers that you could throw on your mattress, the egg crate foam will be really cheap and while I was there I would pickup a basic coleman air mattress (~$20) instead of the raft.

(If your budget allows it, a nice thick 3-4" self inflatable will be more comfortable than an air mattress but they can be pretty pricey.)

The air mattress is just an old mattress but it has a hole so I have been using my Coleman self inflatiing pad. I may still got get a topper but it's not really the pad that's uncomfortable it's trying to find the right position. Before I left I was unable to sleep in my bed and was sleeping g in my recliner since the wreck.

there is a reason the windshield is bigger than the rearview mirror

 

[e60ral]

Yeah, i guess you really need something like this:
https://www.rei.com/product/892837/...-8928370001&CAWELAID=120217890000792434&lsft=

but it probably wouldn't fit inside

 

[SirWilliamGoes]

Yeah, i guess you really need something like this:
https://www.rei.com/product/892837/...-8928370001&CAWELAID=120217890000792434&lsft=

but it probably wouldn't fit inside

There we go!! Hell for as much as that cost I can stay a couple nights in a hotel and be Tip-Top shape!!!!

there is a reason the windshield is bigger than the rearview mirror

 

[SirWilliamGoes]

DAY 5

I'm sitting in a Bar in West Siloam Springs OK named Red Dirt drinking a beer cooling down after being run off from Natural Falls State Park for absolutely nothing!!! I pulled in started looking for a spot to park and this old man was waiving me down and said I had no business driving around. I let him know I was looking for a place to camp, he said we are full you need to leave!! OK, Sao inwent to the front parked and started looking around for another spot. This guy rushes up to the front on his golf cart and continuously tells me to leave, I let him know what I'm doing he says I can't help you leave right now!!! WTF!?!
This is him, although you can't see him!!

Anyways, here at the Bar the bouncer qhos familiar with the TAT oddly enough said that I can camp out at a lake that's near by so that's where I will go!!!

Today's journey was good same ol scenery up until the Ozarks and then it got beautiful!!

Then I found this cool little store that based on some stickers on the door they are no stranger to TAT riders!!

Had a sandwich and kept it moving!!

Saw some cool rock formations on whiterock Rd

Then the first bit of technical stuff!! Although I still never put it in 4wheel Dr

I shoot some good video!! Stay tuned

After that it was basically this!!

I made my goal of getting to OK so that's all that counts!! Other than the old man the most exciting thing to happen was a cow ran straight at the side of my 4runner and I almost flipped trying to swerve. That what I get hauling ass down OK dirt rds at night with no LEDs!!

Well the 2nd band just started at Red Dirt, the local Motorcycle Club is piling in and it's starting to be my kinda place, just like where I hang at home!!! Peace till tomorrow.


there is a reason the windshield is bigger than the rearview mirror

 

[3wbdriver]

Another suggestion I followed from other members on my trip. At the next national park you go by get an annual park pass (~$80). If you plan on visiting many, at an average of 15 - 20 a pop to access the NP system it will more than pay for itself by the end of your trip. Mine will actually expire sometime in the next week or so.

 

[SirWilliamGoes]

Another suggestion I followed from other members on my trip. At the next national park you go by get an annual park pass (~$80). If you plan on visiting many, at an average of 15 - 20 a pop to access the NP system it will more than pay for itself by the end of your trip. Mine will actually expire sometime in the next week or so.

I've been at state parks thus far.

there is a reason the windshield is bigger than the rearview mirror

 

[Knight-Errant]

I'm following Sam's GPS files. From what I can see seems like it's always on the outskirts of little towns is that safe to say??

Sent from my SAMSUNG-SM-G890A using Tapatalk

Where would one find these files/maps? I'd be interested in trying to driving at least parts of this route. Thanks.

 

[SirWilliamGoes]

Www.transamericatrail.com

there is a reason the windshield is bigger than the rearview mirror

 

[bloodninja]

Where would one find these files/maps? I'd be interested in trying to driving at least parts of this route. Thanks.

As SIRWILLYSC said, there's Sam's GPS route which is at TransAmTrail.com is the exclusive source for Maps Roll-Charts, and GPS Tracks for navigating the Trans-America Trail - an exciting, off-road, dual-sport motorcycle adventure across the United States

There's also Kevin's route at https://sites.google.com/site/gpskevin/adventurerides/trans-america-trail/download-the-tat-gps-maps

Sam's route costs money, Kevin's is free. I have no idea what the difference is, if any. Kevin's route can also be purchased preloaded on a MicroSD card for Garmin, just like Sam's, and the route cards can be either printed by him and shipped to you (for a price), or you can print them yourself.

Caution: As pointed out by another user, Kevin's course allegedly crosses into Private Property at least once and authorities have issued citations for Trespassing.
It would appear as if the areas in question are in North Carolina. Use caution if using Kevin's maps in this area.

 

[Knight-Errant]

As SIRWILLYSC said, there's Sam's GPS route which is at TransAmTrail.com is the exclusive source for Maps Roll-Charts, and GPS Tracks for navigating the Trans-America Trail - an exciting, off-road, dual-sport motorcycle adventure across the United States

There's also Kevin's route at https://sites.google.com/site/gpskevin/adventurerides/trans-america-trail/download-the-tat-gps-maps

Sam's route costs money, Kevin's is free. I have no idea what the difference is, if any. Kevin's route can also be purchased preloaded on a MicroSD card for Garmin, just like Sam's, and the route cards can be either printed by him and shipped to you (for a price), or you can print them yourself.

Thanks this is good to know. I had seen that website but didn't realize that the guy who ran it was in fact Sam. Thanks for this info.

 

[proimion]

Meanwhile here in CO we are having an epic April snowstorm! I'd be very surprised if you could run the off-road passes (which would have been dicey anyway in April). If you want any suggestions for paved highway workarounds, let me know. As I understand it, the TAT cuts through the SW corner of the state to UT.

Welcome back to Winter.

 

[Cymon]

Meanwhile here in CO we are having an epic April snowstorm! I'd be very surprised if you could run the off-road passes (which would have been dicey anyway in April). If you want any suggestions for paved highway workarounds, let me know. As I understand it, the TAT cuts through the SW corner of the state to UT.

Welcome back to Winter.

Yeah, my sister-in-law lives in Gallup, NM and just sent us snow pictures this morning...crazy! Good luck and be safe!