The TAT Preparation Thread-the logistical side of it

I didn't make that ride,but I bet you met Mike & Ernie from R.I.
Thanks for those likes I'll be sure to check them out.

Hey Matt, no worries I'll be sure to look you up when I arrive in your new home state of Colorado.

I still have 2 more areas I wanted to show: clothing/riding gear,and camping gear; and the bike set up. Both up close in personal. Stay tuned

Here's some pics of tank bag items. I plan to carry spot inside tanks bag-that's just me. My camera,and snacky food. Can't really fit much else. My tank bag is electrified(will show in more detail with bike stuff)


Gloves,micro fiber cloth for googles,patch kit for saddle bags, registration,whistle,rain cover-all in to zip pocket of lid

Change was a huge PITA! When I got back to the truck, I think I had some $24,372.49 in change.

O'k next installment: clothes and riding gear. This is basically the clothes that I will take for the tat. I try only to carry synthetic clothes that I can wash on the road and dry pretty quickly. I will try to wear the long sleeve gray shirt(very thin & light)daily because it is SPF50. Over that my compression jacket. If it cools down but is not cold the blue klim shirt works well over the compression suit. If it's cold then I wear the smart wool zip -T neck as a base. Traverse jacket as need(it's gore tex),and heated jacket as needed. The short sleeve is for at end of day,as well as boxers,zip off pants short runners socks(not pictured) and sneakers. The black mtn. hardware lightly insulated jacket is one of the most versatile piece of clothing that I carry:)

<a href="http://s853.photobucket.com/albums/ab100/leftystrat62/?action=view&amp;current=DSCN2036.jpg" target="_blank"><img src="https://www.advrider.com/advrider-photobucket-images/images/l/leftystrat62_DSCN2036.jpg" border="0" alt="Photobucket"></a>

Klim padded shorts for every day. Blue/exofficio wicking boxers for at camp or the day my Klims are still drying after being washed. The others are LD Comfort shorts. Think I may leave them at home <a href="http://s853.photobucket.com/albums/ab100/leftystrat62/?action=view&amp;current=DSCN2009.jpg" target="_blank"><img src="https://www.advrider.com/advrider-photobucket-images/images/l/leftystrat62_DSCN2009.jpg" border="0" alt="Photobucket"></a> just carry the other 2.

I've tried many riding socks and Smart Wool socks (PHD ski socks) are by far the best socks I've ever used. There are Klim G-Tex socks for those rainy days,the black socks are ultra light smart wool which I will carry 1 pair of , and one pair of the mid weight(pic shows 2 mid wt. socks), I will also carry a pair of Gerbings new battery powered heated socks(no pic). I'll be camping out there in Sept. & I know there will be quite a few very cold mornings


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One thin long sleeve wicking T shirt-ArcTerex,50 SPF proof
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One short sleeve mountain hardware wicking T

<a href="http://s853.photobucket.com/albums/ab100/leftystrat62/?action=view&amp;current=DSCN2013.jpg" target="_blank"><img src="https://www.advrider.com/advrider-photobucket-images/images/l/leftystrat62_DSCN2013.jpg" border="0" alt="Photobucket"></a>
Smart wool mid weight zip turtle neck top & mid wt. bottoms

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sidi crossfire
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Klim Traverse

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Mtn. Hardware insulated jacket-absolutely fantastic
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hat fits so ears are covered nicely and doubles as my camera case, and face mask doubles either a neck gator or face mask when really cold

<a href="http://s853.photobucket.com/albums/ab100/leftystrat62/?action=view&amp;current=DSCN2035.jpg" target="_blank"><img src="https://www.advrider.com/advrider-photobucket-images/images/l/leftystrat62_DSCN2035.jpg" border="0" alt="Photobucket"></a>

will carry clear glasses (don't like my visor down unless absolutely necessary),and 2 spare lenses<a href="http://s853.photobucket.com/albums/ab100/leftystrat62/?action=view&amp;current=DSCN2022.jpg" target="_blank"><img src="https://www.advrider.com/advrider-photobucket-images/images/l/leftystrat62_DSCN2022.jpg" border="0" alt="Photobucket"></a>

dirt bike gloves,gortex rain/summer/fall gloves,heated gloves
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<a href="http://s853.photobucket.com/albums/ab100/leftystrat62/?action=view&amp;current=DSCN2020.jpg" target="_blank"><img src="https://www.advrider.com/advrider-photobucket-images/images/l/leftystrat62_DSCN2020.jpg" border="0" alt="Photobucket"></a>
<a href="http://s853.photobucket.com/albums/ab100/leftystrat62/?action=view&amp;current=DSCN2019.jpg" target="_blank"><img src="https://www.advrider.com/advrider-photobucket-images/images/l/leftystrat62_DSCN2019.jpg" border="0" alt="Photobucket"></a>
<a href="http://s853.photobucket.com/albums/ab100/leftystrat62/?action=view&amp;current=DSCN2018.jpg" target="_blank"><img src="https://www.advrider.com/advrider-photobucket-images/images/l/leftystrat62_DSCN2018.jpg" border="0" alt="Photobucket"></a>

Zip off pants,also no in pics:bathing suit,very compressible light sneakers,sandals to also use in showers or checking out deep water crossings
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I should say that I've used lot's of different gear over the years from mountaineering,and I've always tried to find clothes that could be used in many different types of temps & conditions. That concept works well with riding-especially off road riding. I took pictures of these because the name brands I've settled on really work. There are other great name brands,but I'm sharing what's worked well for me after much trial and error.You get what you pay for. I know you can do it in cotton and a plastic rain suit,but I'm into being happy and comfortable-and if you are than take your time,research clothing,and buy the best you can afford-you won't regret it.

I am planning to do parts of the TAT on my way to alaska. Im not really sure how much of it, but I definitely want to spend a lot of time on dirt roads instead of pavement.

Thanks for showing your preps for this trip- it helps to see "oh.. maybe I should bring that" type of stuff so im not unprepared. Have you had any luck with putting points of interest into your Montana from basecamp? I know one can do waypoints, but I wouldnt mind having extra gas stations listed just in case. I guess I can always do a "Where to?" if I need gas somewhere.

Thanks again for your thread- it will be shamelessly pillaged

When I want to note a camping area,gas,motel,etc.,I drop the way point then change the "flag" to what ever symbol I need,and put the description in. If the camping is a ways off from the track, I might put the camping symbol next to the track so I'll see it as I approach. Then I just add into the description something like "Lft on Hwy 79-Jenny Lake,Camping". That's one of the main reasons why I carry the atlas'. They show camping all over.
I'm guessing I'll average 200 mi per day. If I use that as a guide I can roughly figure out when I'll finish the trip,but I know some days it could be more or less. By having camping/hotels peppered along my route it allows me to find a place to sleep no matter when I'm looking for it. I've even found where the Dick's Sporting Goods & REI stores are in case I need more freeze dried food.
Your trip sounds exciting. Have you read this RR:BigDog/Dingweed: Winging It To Alaska , or
What you're Missing: a Guide to Side Trips off the Cassiar

These two were very inspiring to me-certainly the way I'd love to see Alaska.<!-- #dg-breadcrumb-trail -->

My electronics consist of an i touch i pod-hold about 3k songs, I use Arizona Al's (480) 668-0683 ear bud set up(double as hearing protection). I read about his set up a few years ago on this site-love it!! No wires ,sound is fed through hollow tubes from a little amplifier-sounds great,and have been using them almost daily for a couple of years-no issues I just added a Schoche to my ipod so I can adjust everything with a remote-MUCH better. Regular iphone,Montana GPS-like it a lot,but a bit of a leaning curve,
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My tank bag is electrified from my battery, but I have a fuze block behind my fairing where everything else is wired to.



I use a double cigaret lighter socket to connect my things to charge.

Great reading. Is there any pics of your bike fully loaded with your bags?

What bike are you rideing from the pictures it looks like a WR250R if so I think its a great choice
I would like to hook up with a small group in late july or august in NM to ride Colorado & Utah I am a motel camper I don't do the tent thing any more.
Also what kind of faring/dashboard do you have
Thanks
ARR

Yup,stay tuned

Yup,it'd aWR250R. I've tried several packing set ups which I can show. I'm still not happy with my set up but am getting there.

Here was my first attempt for the TAT-Too high in the back.


Then I purchased a bigger tank bag & panniers,but sent them back-too cramped.


I then tried the giant loop but one wasn't enough. I actually tried two on this trip but it was too cramped.

I'm pretty sure I'm going to use this set up and just add some Kriega 20 bags behind the giant loop. There certainly is a lot of stuff packed on that bike,but I need to carry everything for myself by myself for 4 season temperatures. Riding with a partner allows you to share tools,pump,tow strap,cook set,stove,fuel,first aid,etc. Later on when I show my camping gear you will see 2 items that are luxury items (pillow & chair),other than that I believe I've pared down quite a bit,but I'm open to your input.

This is the same trip as the picture above except will ALL the rest of my gear.
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The first pic shows the water bladder,the second pic shows a white tube on the left side behind the extra fuel. I made that to hold my multi fuel bottle for my stove and a device to siphon gas from my tank.
I realize there is too much stuff on my bike as pictured,but I'm not really sure what else I can leave home? Part of why I'm doing this thread- is to show some of my preparation and to get some input from you guys on ways to make it better. And please don't say if it can't all fit in the giant loop,and saddle bags then leave it home. If I've got too much -I'd like to know just what I need to leave behind.

Also what kind of faring/dashboard do you have
Thanks
ARR[/QUOTE]

It's a Lynx fairing from Canada

Here is a pic of my WRR in CO on the TAT. I used a medium Wolfman duffle, mainly because my tent poles would fit inside. Otherwise the small would have been fine I think. The medium never did get filled completely. Notice the front fender and tube bag. The fender is just not stiff enough to hold the weight IMO. The two of us with WRR's added some light tent cord suspenders to help support the weight and keep the fender from flopping up and down too much. My partner delayed this tactic and wound up with a crack in his fender that we sewed up with multiple small holes and wire lacing. Fair warning! I always kept my sandles strapped to the back, along with any unworn jacket, protection, etc. The jacket I wrapped up in a bath towel to keep it clean, and the towel was a good piece to add under my pillow when camping. This setup provided plenty of space for everything for the entire round trip.

Lefty, I guarantee you have too much stuff on your bike! All three of us on our trip made a stop early on and sent big, heavy boxes of unused gear back home. You really, really, want to cut back and make the bike as light as possible. I don't know what all you have loaded, but all of us were very comfortable from the heat of NV to the cold of CO passes, had camping gear and required tools. In retrospect there are a few things I could have omitted even yet, but not a lot.

The camping option will double your load.
Man you fellas carry a lot of gear :huh

TAT Utah

Colo

Lefty, another item: I assume you will wear a hydration pack too, and it's a necessity. I used a Camelbak Mule and it was a very good choice. Besides plenty of water there is room for lunch and snacks, gloves for when the temp. changes, and other odds and ends that you will need on a regular basis with fast access. My pack wound up being fairly heavy, and the other guys wondered how I wore it all day, but it was really no problem at all. Don't leave home without one!

Docking Pilot has it right! One can make this a camping trip if desired, and I caught a lot of crap for preferring a motel when available, but leaving the camping gear at home would have made a lot of the route much more pleasant. 'Makes picking up the bike so much easier too! There were a few places though where we had to camp because rooms were not available, at all. A good choice if leaving all the camping gear would be to bring a light weight bag and inflatable pad, like a Neo Air (size of two fists), and a tarp for when and if you get stuck out. Or a bivy bag. If your budget allows, the motel route makes the trip very comfortable. Of course, when I was younger, camping the hard ground was just not an issue at all, but at this advanced age.......