Trans-Am Trail-Summer 2007

[CLynn85]

A few of you have probably heard of this before, but here's the site in case you haven't: http://www.transamtrail.com/index.html.

The trail is designed for DS Motorcycles, but a large majority of the trails are 2-tracks, forrest roads, jeep trails, etc. Some are simply public dirt roads, a bit of pavement where necessary for bypasses and linking up to trails, and stops in the city. Also are some famous trails out west, engineer pass and others included. I plan on ordering the complete map set and seeing what areas need to be considered for bypasses and stops, camping, etc. Also, once I get out west, there's the possibility of taking a few detours to visit some of the spots I so frequently read and drool over on this forum, as well as potentially meeting other members from the other shore. Along the way there are places to camp, but the fact that most of these are by-ways means that there are hotels and gas/food stops along the way, so if self-sufficiency fails and I want to spend a night in a hotel to clean up and have a break, it's not a big deal. I would however like to avoid civilization as much as possible. Following the exact route isn't a necessity, but that's TBD once I get the maps and have a chance to start planning it out a little better.

I graduate Spring '07, and decided that I want to tackle this before I return to NAVSEA to pay-back my co-op. Hopefully by then my Jeep is more equipped for extended travel (see the pop-up camper idea I've been working on). I also plan on taking several small trips between now and then to test my setup and see what works and what doesn't before tackling a long-range trip. I've never been west past oklahoma, and that was the only time I've really been out west at all, so I guess I have a bit of a manifest destiny in that I want to make it to the Pacific coast and bask in the glory.

I know it's a long ways off but figured I'd go ahead and get the idea out there and maybe some ideas flowing. I'd also like to be able to open this up to all who'd like to join. Either east-coasters heading west or anyone out west who'd like to join up with us.

[blupaddler]

Sounds like a fun trip! I will watch with anticipation.

Oh, and linky no worky...:rolleyes:


:jump:

[Scenic WonderRunner]

I posted this link over at another site a while back. That's when the Bike Bug hit me again!

Their trip was Mexico to Canada. Looks like tons of fun.........but really hard work!

http://www.bigdogadventures.com/CD.htm
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[kcowyo]

Good info Carl!

The Trans-American trail looks very interesting. I look forward to seeing what else you find out about this.

[CLynn85]

SWR, that's another cool trail, although a little more fitting for ya'll out west.

The thing I like about the Trans Am is that it starts in northeast TN, relatively close to VA, so it's not like I'd have to travel much just to get to the start of the trail.

I'll contact Sam in the next couple months and get the full set of maps to start analyzing and plotting out in more detail.

[Exrunner]

Hey....Its really wierd that you brought up this topic, but good timing. I contacted Sam, (still no word), about just the Tenn. portion (since I live in TN), to see how much was passable by suv. I would love to do this trip, and we'll see how much money I can save etc, but I will definitely stay tuned to this....keep the info coming!:victory:

Alex

[CLynn85]

Hey....Its really wierd that you brought up this topic, but good timing. I contacted Sam, (still no word), about just the Tenn. portion (since I live in TN), to see how much was passable by suv. I would love to do this trip, and we'll see how much money I can save etc, but I will definitely stay tuned to this....keep the info coming!:victory:

Alex

Seems that whoever posted that link sparked a lot of interest with people here. I'd like to know what Sam has to say about the TN section if you hear back from him.

[Nullifier]

Let me know about the tennesee section. I'll try to come up and do it with ya. or maybe if we plan it for 2007 we can do the whole thing or atleast knock of half of it.

[Exrunner]

oh!!! He finally did reply....He told me that the TN section is all passable by an suv (or whatever else you guys drive) and that it starts in Jellico, and ends in Selmer TN. That 300 miles as the crow flies!!!!! I think that would be an awesome first expedition type trip for me, and whoever else wants to go....but Im going to start planning this for this summer maybe. Just this section...I know you were wanting to do the whole thing in 07, but if you want, youre more than welcome to test out your setup on this this summer....anyway, nothing is set in stone. We'll just see what goin on..Im pretty excited about it though.

[Exrunner]

I have made another discovery...After looking at Sams website, it is 600 miles of trail from Jellico to Selmer! Its about 300 in a straight line, but this trail must be C U R V Y. Which is fine by me....let me know what you think.

[CLynn85]

Wow, good to hear. I possibly wouldn't mind joining you for the tenessee section if you decide to run it this summer, be a nice preview and warm up for the long haul.

[Exrunner]

awesome...well, Ill get to work on some small details, and lets just keep in touch about this...let me know if you have certain concerns, etc....and I guess since Ive never done this, I may need some help planning stuff out if thats cool? Later man. Alex:elkgrin:

[HongerVenture]

I am VERY interested in how this TN portion develops for you guys. What kind of terrain is it? I may have to e-mail Sam and invest in the maps as well. Hmmm.

My wife and I did an abandoned railroad grade in TN this last October... was in Big South Fork National Recreation Area. We'd love to venture down for more 4WD exploring.

Joel

[Exrunner]

Joel, Im not exactly sure of the terrain, but Im pretty sure its just dirt roads and trails, and maybe a few Powerline inspection roads??? Not too sure, but Sam said it was passable for an suv or whatever....So Im thinking it may not be too hard. Anyway, would love to have you along. Im hoping it will take place near the end of this coming summer. Keep in touch, Alex:archaeolo

[CLynn85]

Exrunner, did you purchase/receive the TN portion? I'm curious as to your impressions on the maps/notes.

[Exrunner]

Not yet, but from looking at the website sample, They look to be pretty good...very detailed. plus, for the TN section alone, there are 11 maps. Im sure we wont be disappointed. But I will purchase them soon and let you know.

[Nullifier]

I have talked with the wife and since we are putting off kids one more year it looks like we can do summer 2007. I am sending off for the trip info next month. I guess we need to take a look at some possible dates . I will probably ship the rig back. and fly home since it will take a month to do it.

So who else is seriously interested in this besides exrunner and myself?

[Exrunner]

Im def still interested. But Im afraid the "TN Section Sampler" this summer is out for me...Since Im selling my 4runner. But by 2007, I should def. have a rig to do at least that much. I dont think Ill be able to do the entire thing tho.

[Scott Brady]

Carl,

How is the planning going? This is a very exciting trip. Please let me know if I can help in any way.

[CLynn85]

I've contacted Sam about the maps for the eastern portion but still haven't heard back. I was still hoping to rurn the TN/MS portion this summer for a preview with a friend. As for the full trip in '07, I need to sit down and have a talk with my branch head this summer to see if I can delay my start date after graduation for a period to let me run this trip. If so, I'm still a go. Was hoping with running a section this summer we can make a better time estimate and itenerary. If timing permits I'd like to check out a few sites along the way that deviate from the trail, especially since we'd pass through Colorado, Utah, and Nevada, but that's all still tentative. Was hoping for mid-May to mid-June for a rough guesstimate.

[CLynn85]

So I did hear back from Sam, finally. Said you can run pretty much the entire trail from Jellico,TN where it starts to the Cont. Divide in CO by SUV. From there you'd have to make a few detours.

Unfortunately I won't be running any of it this summer, was planning on combining it with my other TN trip but didn't hear back soon enough on the maps so I can't tackle that one right now which is mildly disappointing since I was hoping to do a "Test" run.

[dirtysouth]

Hey you guys, I'm new to the site but could add a little info to this particular thread. The tennessee section of the TAT is passable in a Civic. Me and some guys from advrider.com started in Sparta TN and went into Mississippi on dual sport bikes. Most of the TN section was chip sealed roads and we didn't really run into any dirt until we got around Corinth Mississippi. There was one creek crossing that caused some problems for a couple of the bikes because of the slickness of the rocks but for a suv it would be no problem. Here is a link to our ride. Of course if you guys register you can do a search and find alot of info on the Trans American Trail on advrider. There is a couple of guys that have ridden most of the trail, from what I can gather when it gets further out west, it gets nasty in some spots.

http://www.advrider.com/forums/showthread.php?t=80822&highlight=corinth

[CLynn85]

Well, as much as I hate to, I'm going to have to postpone this one indefinitely. Things just didn't line up as well as I would have liked this summer in preparation, and there's no way I'd be anywhere near ready by graduation.

This idea won't go away anytime soon, but for me it'll have to wait. Thanks to all who've provided input and advice.

As an alternative, I'm contemplating a flight out west either with some friends or if the timing works out to join up with some other expo members sometime next year. The desire to go out west is just too much.

[Exrunner]

I hear you on that...Im still trying to sell my rig and pay for school, and blah and blah and blah. Sucks how these things dont turn out sometimes. This would have been a trick expo.

[Nullifier]

Is anyone still up for this next summer probably august? We are planning next year big trip from Florida and this is a possible contender.