Trans America Trail - East to West without touching tarmac

[KazakDan]

There hasn't been a post on this for quite a while so I thought I would start a new one.

I can't remember when I first heard of this but it has been in my dream list for a while. I looked into this when we had $2 to the £ but decided to buy, ride and then export a Goldwing instead. (Full story on import tricks by request).

The Trans Am Trail is back on my radar and I am tentatively thinking of summer 2010. Anybody else interested?

The main web site is http://www.transamtrail.com/

Essentially you can buy the maps for as much or as little as you want. I aim to do the whole thing (10 states in 35-40 days) on something like my current bike (an XT600e), Previous research says it is not suitable for a big GS.

Buying and riding is possible- I know a guy who can sort the paperwork legally but he is in Pennsylvania so the purchase and trip would start there. Insurance for non residents is rare but possible.

I have 10 weeks off next summer so might head to Alaska or do a loop down thro California and back up to the middle of the trail (and might even end up heading back to the start!)

Any thoughts...

 

[KazakDan]

Maps for Trans Am Trail

Current price for maps for the whole East West route on the website above is $290 which may not include overseas shipping...

 

[Sgt Bilco]

Dan

I did the 1st half as far as Colorado last year on my 1100GS. This section is very do-able on a GS but can get tricky in places. I would certainly suggest you travel with another rider as you will be in very remote places and the thought of having a big "off" miles from anywhere or anyone is a real issue as I would be riding all day without seeing anyone. You get huge variations of temp and it gets to 110 in Oklahoma or pours down with rain in Mississippi so you have to be prepared for anything. It's Ok in the dry but hell in the wet and I admit to not doing a few wet stages because I felt it was far too dangerous on my own.

I had my bike serviced at BMW Denver and they couldn't believe I'd done it on a loaded GS but it was only bad in a few places. They reckoned most people only do it on lightly loaded KLR's or XT's

Here's my trip report: http://www.ukgser.com/forums/showthread.php?t=161345&highlight=Trans+America+Trail

The 2nd half to Oregen is a different story and is virtually impossible on a GS because a lot of the trails are very gnarly.

It was a great experience and I would strongly advise you to do it as it won't be long before the trails will dissappear and be replaced by tarmac

I'd love to do it again sometime but it will be on an XT or something similar. Won't be next year though as we'll be on road from San Francisco to Baltimore.

If you need any help planning this or any trip in the US, let me know and I'll be happy to help I've covered miost of it and was in Alaska in July....awesome!!

 

[Wreford Miles]

They look like good trails for blasting along on an Airhead

 

[Sgt Bilco]

They look like good trails for blasting along on an Airhead

A well prepared, lightly loaded Airhead would be the perfect bike now you mention it. On some of the long gravel sections I was sitting (standing) at 70mph no problem........

The 1100 was definately a bit heavy in places to be comfortable but not a huge issue.

 

[jp-speed-triple]

hi guys,

Any advice on a shipping company for crated bikes UK-USA?

hoping to do a Boston, Denver, Eureka, SF, Las Vegas, Dallas trip next year on a pair of Gs's. (mostly tarmac i expect).

Interested to hear about getting bikes in and then out again if you can shed any advice?

thanks

JP

 

[AndyT]

but decided to buy, ride and then export a Goldwing instead. (Full story on import tricks by request).

Yes please, always fancied doing the USA buy Wing and this sounds a great way to end it!!!!

Good Man.

 

[Dusan]

Looks Great

That looks fantastic, you've got me thinking, must get out on me Yam TT 600 Belgarda, b the ideal bike for it (as I haven't got an airhead, are now there's anuffer thought) this definitely requires looking into, thanks for the post.

 

[Sgt Bilco]

http://www.ukgser.com/forums/showthread.php?p=2284196#post2284196

 

[Sgt Bilco]

I can arrange shipping into the east coast and back. Much cheaper than flying and on a ro/ro ferry.

Give me a shout on 07766554069

Chris

hi guys,

Any advice on a shipping company for crated bikes UK-USA?

hoping to do a Boston, Denver, Eureka, SF, Las Vegas, Dallas trip next year on a pair of Gs's. (mostly tarmac i expect).

Interested to hear about getting bikes in and then out again if you can shed any advice?

thanks

JP

 

[jonnywave]

Sgt Bilco sorted it for us

I can arrange shipping into the east coast and back. Much cheaper than flying and on a ro/ro ferry.

Give me a shout on 07766554069

Chris

Just a quick question do you need to have an International Driving Permit to drive in the US along with usual UK license and counterpart; ?