Riding the TAT

**Thrasherg** · 07-18-2012, 12:40 PM

Okay guys, it has finally arrived, time to go ride the TAT with my wife and 2 best friends (from England). We are riding 3 CRF450X's and a CRF230F, all road legal. We had a short 300 mile practice run at the weekend from Oregon up through the east side of Washington and had to stop early as a cam chain started making a lot of noise on one of the CRF450's (Not mine!!). We still don't know why it is worn as there was plenty of oil and everything in the engine looks great, but we have a new chain fitted and it runs great.. (hopefully that will be the only mechanical problem, but I doubt it!!

) Thursday morning we will leave from my house in Seattle and drive in a U-haul truck with the 4 bikes and all our gear to Trinidad in Colorado (hope to arrive late Friday night). We will then ride the TAT from Trinidad to the Pacific coast in 2 weeks.. We will have a SPOT with us, I need to remove the old routes (now done, so if you look before Thursday Morning, there will be nothing to see!!) but if anyone is interested in following our progress, I have added a link to the SPOT. I will try and update on here as we go, but have no idea what internet connectivity will be like..

http://share.findmespot.com/shared/f...rqPsILESLs9G2G

Wish us well and look forward to meeting new friends on route!!

Gary

**Rman of 237** · 07-18-2012, 02:13 PM

Subscribed!

Y'all have a great ride ThrasherG, take lots of PICS!!!!!

ricks77eb · 07-18-2012, 03:02 PM

HANCOCK · 07-18-2012, 03:06 PM

HEY-GARY..

have fun don't take any DIRT-NAP's..

turn on yer GO-PRO...(camera)

and take pic's...

good luck.(DUDE)

...........

...LONNIE........

**Thrasherg** · 07-18-2012, 04:16 PM

Thanks guys, we will have plenty of cameras and the go-pro, so afterwards I will be busy editing and putting up pics/videos. Will turn the unit on Thursday morning at 8:00am PST!!

Gary

budzrex · 07-18-2012, 07:10 PM

Very cool Gary I will be watching and enjoying the journey

Mudclod · 07-18-2012, 08:33 PM

Awesome G, can't believe the time has finally arrived! Good luck and get lots of images. I'll be following your Spot.

**The Bruce** · 07-19-2012, 09:38 AM

This is exaclty the TAT I would like to ride someday. Good luck Gary!

**sKatZ** · 07-19-2012, 09:44 AM

Neat! Enjoy and share and thanks for taking us along!!! EnvyMeter = +28

**SL350** · 07-19-2012, 09:54 AM

Gary,

Are you using chase vehicle? Camping or hotels? What are the daily goals in miles per day to cover it in two weeks?

Subscribed!

bigdon55 · 07-19-2012, 10:03 AM

N

**Thrasherg** · 07-19-2012, 10:04 AM

Well a great start, climb in the U-haul at 6:00am this morning, turn on the GPS and no power!! We didn't think to check the cigarette lighter plug before we left, so lost 30 minutes to check all the fuses and then run a spare supply from the battery to the GPS!! On the road for 6:34am!! Hopefully this is the last and only problem but again, I doubt it!!

Two very long days of driving ahead of us.. We drop the U-haul of at Colorado springs and then drive to the New-Mexico border and start the TAT just east of Trinidad, where it crosses from NM to CO!! I need to be able to claim I rode the entire TAT across Colorado, so we can't miss the first 40 miles from the border to Trinidad!!

It's cramp in the U-haul, but this is part of the experience so we are all in high spirits! Waiting to remember all the things that I meant to do before we left and forgot!!

Even a bad day in a U-haul truck, beats a good day in the office..

Gary

**Rman of 237** · 07-19-2012, 02:23 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Thrasherg

http://share.findmespot.com/shared/f...rqPsILESLs9G2G

Watching your Spot, welcome to Montana!

**Thrasherg** · 07-19-2012, 03:58 PM

Yep, Utah passed us by pretty quickly!! Hope to make it to Billings by late tonight, then another early start tomorrow to reach Colorado springs.. **** AC doesn't work in the truck.. We checked the oil after picking it up from U-haul and the level wasn't even on the dipstick, had to add almost 2 litres (2 quarts) to bring it up to maximum!! Hope it doesn't burn too much oil, but makes me wonder how much checking/servicing U-haul does on these trucks!! Hope the brake pads are not in a similar condition!! (ie worn out..)

Gary

SilverBullet · 07-19-2012, 04:10 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Thrasherg

It's cramp in the U-haul, but this is part of the experience so we are all in high spirits! Waiting to remember all the things that I meant to do before we left and forgot!!

Even a bad day in a U-haul truck, beats a good day in the office..

Better make a habit of having your passengers duck down when you see an LEO. A couple of no seat belt tickets wouldn't be cheap and/or a good way to start off your adventure.

_

**Thrasherg** · 07-19-2012, 04:42 PM

Hi SB, we are all wearing seatbelts!! No worries there, but we might be flirting with the speed limits!! So I still get nervous when we see a LEO!!

Gary

SilverBullet · 07-19-2012, 06:19 PM

That's good and more important safe! I didn't think the bench seat in a U-Haul had 4 seatbelts.

_

**Thrasherg** · 07-19-2012, 06:27 PM

It doesn't, there are only 3 of us in the U-haul, the 4th is flying to Colorado to meet us!! Because there is no 4th seat!! He definitely got the better deal!!

Gary

gtimko1012 · 07-19-2012, 08:06 PM

hAVE FUN gARY

Gary:

Sounds like a great trip!! Have fun and ride safe.

Greg in Dallas

Mudclod · 07-19-2012, 08:41 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Thrasherg

It doesn't, there are only 3 of us in the U-haul, the 4th is flying to Colorado to meet us!! Because there is no 4th seat!! He definitely got the better deal!!

Gary

I would've rode in the back with the bikes and drank beer all the way there!

07-18-2012, 12:40 PM	#1
Thrasherg Forum Supporter Join Date: Apr 2011 Location: Seattle, Washington Posts: 1,942	Riding the TAT Okay guys, it has finally arrived, time to go ride the TAT with my wife and 2 best friends (from England). We are riding 3 CRF450X's and a CRF230F, all road legal. We had a short 300 mile practice run at the weekend from Oregon up through the east side of Washington and had to stop early as a cam chain started making a lot of noise on one of the CRF450's (Not mine!!). We still don't know why it is worn as there was plenty of oil and everything in the engine looks great, but we have a new chain fitted and it runs great.. (hopefully that will be the only mechanical problem, but I doubt it!! ) Thursday morning we will leave from my house in Seattle and drive in a U-haul truck with the 4 bikes and all our gear to Trinidad in Colorado (hope to arrive late Friday night). We will then ride the TAT from Trinidad to the Pacific coast in 2 weeks.. We will have a SPOT with us, I need to remove the old routes (now done, so if you look before Thursday Morning, there will be nothing to see!!) but if anyone is interested in following our progress, I have added a link to the SPOT. I will try and update on here as we go, but have no idea what internet connectivity will be like.. http://share.findmespot.com/shared/f...rqPsILESLs9G2G Wish us well and look forward to meeting new friends on route!! Gary __________________ 03 GL1800 Goldwing (Mine) 04 VT750 Aero (Wife's) 06 CRF450X (Mine) 05 CRF450X (for visitors - 2 off!!) 05 CRF230F (Wife's) 00 XR200 (Daughter #2) 06 CRF150 (Daughter #1) 08 R6 frame with highly modified RG500 engine (ongoing project!). Last edited by Thrasherg; 07-18-2012 at 01:19 PM.

07-18-2012, 02:13 PM	#2
Rman of 237 Forum Supporter Join Date: Sep 2007 Location: Northern Fayette County Posts: 5,473	Re: Riding the TAT Subscribed! Y'all have a great ride ThrasherG, take lots of PICS!!!!! __________________ '06 TW200 Mountain Goat, '06 XR650L Sumo, '98 XR440R trick and plated, '98 KDX220 plated, '84 RZ350, '83 XR350R, '83 XR200R '84 ATC125

07-18-2012, 03:02 PM	#3
ricks77eb Join Date: Aug 2009 Location: Deer Park, TX Posts: 120	Re: Riding the TAT __________________ Rick Any bike is like a mistress, keep her serviced regularly and buy her bling, and she'll let you ride her until your knees buckle. '12 Yamaha Super Tenere '08 Yamaha WR250XR '89 Yamaha TW-200 '07 KTM 525 EXC (Now residing in Austin) '08 Kawasaki KLR-650 (Sold and moved to Fort Worth)

07-18-2012, 03:06 PM	#4
HANCOCK Join Date: Feb 2010 Location: Lake Houston Posts: 1,368	Re: Riding the TAT HEY-GARY.. have fun don't take any DIRT-NAP's.. turn on yer GO-PRO...(camera) and take pic's... good luck.(DUDE) ..............LONNIE........ __________________ THE OLDER I GET THE FASTER I USE TO BE HONDA XR650L 2007

07-18-2012, 04:16 PM	#5
Thrasherg Forum Supporter Join Date: Apr 2011 Location: Seattle, Washington Posts: 1,942	Re: Riding the TAT Thanks guys, we will have plenty of cameras and the go-pro, so afterwards I will be busy editing and putting up pics/videos. Will turn the unit on Thursday morning at 8:00am PST!! Gary __________________ 03 GL1800 Goldwing (Mine) 04 VT750 Aero (Wife's) 06 CRF450X (Mine) 05 CRF450X (for visitors - 2 off!!) 05 CRF230F (Wife's) 00 XR200 (Daughter #2) 06 CRF150 (Daughter #1) 08 R6 frame with highly modified RG500 engine (ongoing project!).

07-18-2012, 07:10 PM	#6
budzrex Join Date: Apr 2004 Location: New Braunfels Texas Posts: 2,990	Re: Riding the TAT Very cool Gary I will be watching and enjoying the journey __________________ 2000 ZRX 1992 RM250 2004 XR400R Plated 2003 Mini Cooper S The best times in life are often behind bars just pick horizontal ones

07-18-2012, 08:33 PM	#7
Mudclod Join Date: Dec 2008 Location: Killeen, Texas Posts: 863	Re: Riding the TAT Awesome G, can't believe the time has finally arrived! Good luck and get lots of images. I'll be following your Spot. __________________ '74 TY250 '89 GB500 '06 DRZ400 '03 KDX220 '08 DL1000

07-19-2012, 09:38 AM	#8
The Bruce Forum Supporter Join Date: Oct 2006 Location: Between a Rock and a weird place, Pflugerville, TX Posts: 7,341	Re: Riding the TAT This is exaclty the TAT I would like to ride someday. Good luck Gary! __________________ .... repeat 2012 XT1200Z Super Tenere 2000 DRZ400S "Old Yeller" IBA 45687Bun Burner 1500 Great Divide Route Part 1 Great Divide Route Part 2 Big Bend Big Bend Ranch

07-19-2012, 09:44 AM	#9
sKatZ Destroyer of Butterflies Forum Supporter Join Date: Aug 2008 Location: Here and there, TX Posts: 2,027	Re: Riding the TAT Neat! Enjoy and share and thanks for taking us along!!! EnvyMeter = +28 __________________ ~Kat~ '03 TW200 - QuasiMoto Good times are not measured by the number of breaths I take, but by the number of bruises I have on my shins. Or my face.

07-19-2012, 09:54 AM	#10
SL350 Forum Supporter Join Date: Oct 2005 Location: Mesquite Posts: 6,182	Re: Riding the TAT Gary, Are you using chase vehicle? Camping or hotels? What are the daily goals in miles per day to cover it in two weeks? Subscribed! __________________ -------- “Good night, Mrs Calabash, wherever you are!” - Jimmy Durante CT90 SL350 (2)

07-19-2012, 10:03 AM	#11
bigdon55 Join Date: Apr 2007 Location: Sulphur Springs Posts: 1,135	Re: Riding the TAT N

07-19-2012, 10:04 AM	#12
Thrasherg Forum Supporter Join Date: Apr 2011 Location: Seattle, Washington Posts: 1,942	Re: Riding the TAT Well a great start, climb in the U-haul at 6:00am this morning, turn on the GPS and no power!! We didn't think to check the cigarette lighter plug before we left, so lost 30 minutes to check all the fuses and then run a spare supply from the battery to the GPS!! On the road for 6:34am!! Hopefully this is the last and only problem but again, I doubt it!! Two very long days of driving ahead of us.. We drop the U-haul of at Colorado springs and then drive to the New-Mexico border and start the TAT just east of Trinidad, where it crosses from NM to CO!! I need to be able to claim I rode the entire TAT across Colorado, so we can't miss the first 40 miles from the border to Trinidad!! It's cramp in the U-haul, but this is part of the experience so we are all in high spirits! Waiting to remember all the things that I meant to do before we left and forgot!! Even a bad day in a U-haul truck, beats a good day in the office.. Gary __________________ 03 GL1800 Goldwing (Mine) 04 VT750 Aero (Wife's) 06 CRF450X (Mine) 05 CRF450X (for visitors - 2 off!!) 05 CRF230F (Wife's) 00 XR200 (Daughter #2) 06 CRF150 (Daughter #1) 08 R6 frame with highly modified RG500 engine (ongoing project!).

07-19-2012, 03:58 PM	#14
Thrasherg Forum Supporter Join Date: Apr 2011 Location: Seattle, Washington Posts: 1,942	Re: Riding the TAT Yep, Utah passed us by pretty quickly!! Hope to make it to Billings by late tonight, then another early start tomorrow to reach Colorado springs.. **** AC doesn't work in the truck.. We checked the oil after picking it up from U-haul and the level wasn't even on the dipstick, had to add almost 2 litres (2 quarts) to bring it up to maximum!! Hope it doesn't burn too much oil, but makes me wonder how much checking/servicing U-haul does on these trucks!! Hope the brake pads are not in a similar condition!! (ie worn out..) Gary __________________ 03 GL1800 Goldwing (Mine) 04 VT750 Aero (Wife's) 06 CRF450X (Mine) 05 CRF450X (for visitors - 2 off!!) 05 CRF230F (Wife's) 00 XR200 (Daughter #2) 06 CRF150 (Daughter #1) 08 R6 frame with highly modified RG500 engine (ongoing project!).

07-19-2012, 04:42 PM	#16
Thrasherg Forum Supporter Join Date: Apr 2011 Location: Seattle, Washington Posts: 1,942	Re: Riding the TAT Hi SB, we are all wearing seatbelts!! No worries there, but we might be flirting with the speed limits!! So I still get nervous when we see a LEO!! Gary __________________ 03 GL1800 Goldwing (Mine) 04 VT750 Aero (Wife's) 06 CRF450X (Mine) 05 CRF450X (for visitors - 2 off!!) 05 CRF230F (Wife's) 00 XR200 (Daughter #2) 06 CRF150 (Daughter #1) 08 R6 frame with highly modified RG500 engine (ongoing project!).

07-19-2012, 06:19 PM	#17
SilverBullet Join Date: Oct 2009 Location: Humble,TX Posts: 2,358	Re: Riding the TAT That's good and more important safe! I didn't think the bench seat in a U-Haul had 4 seatbelts. _ __________________ 2011 Husqvarna TE630 2006 Honda VTX1300S 2003 Kawasaki Voyager XII 2002 KTM 300 EXC 1991 Suzuki DR650S 1974 Suzuki TM400

07-19-2012, 06:27 PM	#18
Thrasherg Forum Supporter Join Date: Apr 2011 Location: Seattle, Washington Posts: 1,942	Re: Riding the TAT It doesn't, there are only 3 of us in the U-haul, the 4th is flying to Colorado to meet us!! Because there is no 4th seat!! He definitely got the better deal!! Gary __________________ 03 GL1800 Goldwing (Mine) 04 VT750 Aero (Wife's) 06 CRF450X (Mine) 05 CRF450X (for visitors - 2 off!!) 05 CRF230F (Wife's) 00 XR200 (Daughter #2) 06 CRF150 (Daughter #1) 08 R6 frame with highly modified RG500 engine (ongoing project!).

07-19-2012, 08:06 PM	#19
gtimko1012 Join Date: Nov 2010 Location: Dallas Posts: 131	Re: Riding the TAT hAVE FUN gARY Gary: Sounds like a great trip!! Have fun and ride safe. Greg in Dallas

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