- Joined
- Oct 19, 2006
- Messages
- 8,250
- Reaction score
- 36
- Location
- Big sky country; Ronan, MT
- First Name
- Bruce
- Last Name
- Taylor
Hello. My name is Bruce and I have an addiction. I love visiting remote parts of the country and I love getting there by motorcycle; a.k.a. adventure riding. This addiction became evident in 2007 with the purchase of my first dual sport motorcycle; a 1983 Honda XL600R. My riding buddies quickly named it the Honda Davidson as parts tended to vibrate lose and develop oil leaks while we were riding. My initiation into adventure riding took place at the very first Texas Adventure ride in 2007. That wasn't enough to satisfy my new addiction so I started planning my own rides and searching for routes that challenged and satisfied my addiction. My first ride of my own was near Leakey, TX on the dirt roads mingled among the Twisted Sister. We called them the Dirty Triplets. I lost the love of the old Honda after receiving a sprained ankle on the kick start only beast. I caught my toe on the foot peg while kicking down. My fault for bad technique and not wearing proper boots but the damage was done and the love was lost. Next I tried a 1985 Triumph Tiger. After a single trip to Big Bend I learned quickly that big heavy bikes have their place and deep sandy places are not were they belong. So, I began searching for a better fit for my addiction. I began reading ride reports on ADVRider.com to see what others were using for their adventures. Might as well try to learn from others experience, right? This is how I was introduced to the Trans America Trail (TAT) and how I settled on the Suzuki DRZ400 as the bike that I would use to get through the challenges of those remote places. So, this trip has been on the list of rides to do since early 2008 when I spent the first months of that year pouring over ride reports. Many rides have come first but this one was always looming large as the one I had to do. All the others have really been preparation for this. The ride was completed from September 14-October 30.
My partner in crime for this event is Perry; a.k.a. the Nomadicfireman. He was with me on the first adventure ride in 2007. In fact if I recall correctly it was he who named the Honda Davidson. He helped me pick up the Tiger every time she went down in Big Bend. He rode the Great Divide Route with me. And we have been on many fantastic trips to Big Bend as well as many road trips. This trip would not have happened without his eagerness to go along.
Many have contributed to this effort and I'd like to thank them before I start the report:
My wife Sandy for understanding and supporting me in coping with my addiction.
Perry's family for letting him go away for an undetermined amount of time whenever I have a crazy idea for a ride. His son Jacob for helping with mechanic info when it was needed.
My niece Lindsey, and her in-laws Bob and Tina, for letting us park the hauler in front of their house.
Scott, a.k.a. M38A1, for babysitting the SPOT tracker; ready to assist as needed and rallying the help when it was needed.
Erik, a.k.a. E.Marquez whose mechanic expertise probably saved the trip.
The people who started Two Wheel Texans and ADVRider.com who are responsible for my addiction. Thank you!
Sam Carrero for pioneering the TAT
The many people who have ridden the TAT before and shared their adventure on the motorcycle forums.
So, let's get on with it! Thanks to all of you readers in advance for your patience as I struggle through the photo processing and writing of this report.
My partner in crime for this event is Perry; a.k.a. the Nomadicfireman. He was with me on the first adventure ride in 2007. In fact if I recall correctly it was he who named the Honda Davidson. He helped me pick up the Tiger every time she went down in Big Bend. He rode the Great Divide Route with me. And we have been on many fantastic trips to Big Bend as well as many road trips. This trip would not have happened without his eagerness to go along.
Many have contributed to this effort and I'd like to thank them before I start the report:
My wife Sandy for understanding and supporting me in coping with my addiction.
Perry's family for letting him go away for an undetermined amount of time whenever I have a crazy idea for a ride. His son Jacob for helping with mechanic info when it was needed.
My niece Lindsey, and her in-laws Bob and Tina, for letting us park the hauler in front of their house.
Scott, a.k.a. M38A1, for babysitting the SPOT tracker; ready to assist as needed and rallying the help when it was needed.
Erik, a.k.a. E.Marquez whose mechanic expertise probably saved the trip.
The people who started Two Wheel Texans and ADVRider.com who are responsible for my addiction. Thank you!
Sam Carrero for pioneering the TAT
The many people who have ridden the TAT before and shared their adventure on the motorcycle forums.
So, let's get on with it! Thanks to all of you readers in advance for your patience as I struggle through the photo processing and writing of this report.