XC RIDER'S ride reports page.

[XC Rider]

Starting to get a few ride reports, and I can no longer fit the links to them in my signature, so I figured I'd just make up a page to keep all my ride reports straight.
Ride reports are listed in chronological order.

Solo TAT, 2009 -

In 2009 I rode the entirety of the Trans America Trail solo; at least that's what I say since I left home by myself, and reached the beach in Port Orford, OR by myself. I did meet and ride with different people along the way, but I'd say that I was by myself about 60% of the time. I left VA on a KLR 650, and ended up on the west coast on a DRZ400S; you'll just have to read the RR to find out why! This trip was a blast!

Father & Son, 4 day dual sport trip in WV-

In the summer of 2010, my father and I took 4 days to ride some dirt in West Virginia. Our route for this trip followed for the most part the Trans West Virginia Trail. Great weather, great roads, great time!

A little mountain ride-

Fall/Winter 2010. I was back in VA to visit family and convinced my dad to join me on a little day ride up into the mountains! Weather good (albeit a little cool), roads were great, and we didn't break anything too important ; all in all, another great day to be on a two wheels!

Are you 'nucking futz!?-

My little fly and ride trip to go and pick up my new to me, Kawasaki Versys. Flew out from Key West, FL to Owensboro, KY, and did the final inspection on the Versys, bought the bike, and headed for Virginia. Swung thru Virginia to visit family, and then rode it back down to Key West, FL. Did I mention that I did this between Christmas and New Years!!!!

Everglades camping weekend -

2011, having recently purchase a 2009 Kawasaki Versys for a summer trip up to Alaska, I decided to take the bike up to the Everglades to test it and some of my new equipment out. The bike is nowhere near prepped for the Alaska trip at this point, but I just really wanted to go and test out my new tent!

Key West to Deadhorse on a Versys -

In 2011, I rode a Kawasaki Versys, solo, from Key West, FL to Deadhorse, AK. I also ran most of the major dirt/gravel highways in the Yukon and Northern territories of Canada, and Alaska including: the Campbell Hwy, the Dempster Hwy, etc... Once again, another fantastic trip for me.

Treating myself to a little ride-

2011, upon my return to VA after my Alaska trip, I was prepping my DRZ for the second trip of the year, running the TAT again but this time with my father. My poor DRZ was in need of some much need TLC in order to get it ready for this trip, and with a little help from my friends, I was able to take care of all the things that had been on the back burner for quite a while. After getting the bike back up to snuff, I took it out for a little day spin to see how it ran!


TAT 2.0-

Fall 2011. Riding the Trans America Trail again, but this time my father is joining me for the trip. We're also have a few friends join us for the eastern portion.

Day ride in western Nevada-

A day ride around the Fernley, Reno, Virginia City, Silver Springs area of Nevada on my Versys after having the fork seals replaced to make sure everything was good and that the bike ran well!

The long ride to brunch-

A little weekend ride out to meet a friend, ride some good roads, do a little camping, and meet a bunch of FFs for brunch!

Riding the BRT (Blue Ridge Trail) & Swinging by the KLR Cattle Call-

Spent 4 days and 3 nights around the 2012, July 4th holiday riding the Blue Ridge Trail (a compilation of roads that go from north to south along the VA/WV border). Even though it was quite hot, I had a great time, found some great trails, and was able to meet up with a buddy on the second to the last day to ride trails around his neck of the woods in southern VA. Topped the whole thing off with a KLR group meet up at the Devil's Backbone brewery before heading home.