TAT 2013, the "I’m Just Sayin…" tour

Just a couple quick things before I move on the day 2.

First off I can’t stress enough how cool it is to meet fellow inmates on our journey. Here is Roknokin. Thanks for taking time out of your lunch to say Hi…



One other thing about day two that was really nice was the place for dinner that Frank at the Lodge at Tellico suggested. It was really good, inexpensive and had huge portions.



It was the Mexican place in town called Monte Real Grill. It has to be tough to keep things open down here when the tourist don’t come in.




And finally here we are at Tellico Plains Outfitters. They have ADV stickers and just about everything you might have forgotten. Esp41 found an identical pair of Klim gloves that he lost at home. Supporting the people supporting us…




Well on to day two on the TAT which is in the can.

No water incidents on the rest of the water crossings, the wide crossing was low enough to go across.



We did 249 miles today. A bit much, but so much of it was chip seal that the miles melted away even when we took a few breaks. We really don’t mind covering so miles early on as we plan on taking our time once we hit Colorado. Lots to see. Here in TN we have hay fields and such to look at.




We did run into a few closed roads. The first one was at the big power plant that is under construction, the guys just waved at us as we rode on through. No issues with the road.



The next road closure was equally a non-issue but if you run into it while it is still closed just stay to the left. The right side might get tricky.



We stopped at the dam, which you have to do a slight detour to get over. That is not really in the GPS tracks but was not a big deal. Got a cool shot with one of the turbine blades.




And finally here are esp41 and myself in Mississippi.



And it is laundry day, which we just finished up. Now I have to go pack my bags back up so we can get a bright and early start. We have discovered that we like to get settled in at the next days destination fairly early so we have time to put a post or two together for you guys.

One last thing. The Mississippi dogs seem to be much more aggressive than the Tennessee dogs. In Tennessee we had maybe one dog make a run at us. I lost count in Mississippi already. They just seem to come running at you from nowhere.

I think I just read in another thread that you all are running the tat with just the GPS tracks from Sam? Meaning, no maps/roll charts from Sam with additional locational info.

I will be running first three states in August with just the GPS tracks and was wondering what your thoughts are on it thus far. Able to find fuel and lodging ok? Know when and where to get off (and not a get off for swimming exercise like your video portrays)?

Anyways, I am enjoying the RR, stay safe!

have fun, I did.

I went all the way left of the ridged rocks. The water was deep enough for the wave to go over my fairing. I pinned it for the win.

Kirkster picked a narrow clean looking line about 2 feet to the right of mine. Apparently it wasn't as clean, and he paid the crossing toll.

We are using Montana GPS and Scala G9 communication system. We zoom to 300 ft and stay near the track line. The track line follows points on the road, not the road. So sometimes the purple line is next to the road you are on.

Once you figure it out, it works OK. If there are two of you, have the guy in back zoom out their GPS a bit more than the guy in front. It will help.

We do the zoom out thing when it is time to eat or sleep. Just head for the nearest "bigger" town. It has worked so far, but once we get farther west we will need to plan ahead better.

We carry camping gear including food. We also have 3 liter hydration packs. Except for fuel, we have a backup system for sleep.

As for fuel, we start looking after about 100 miles. I can go 200 miles on my Husky. Kirkster can make 250 on his. I carry an extra quart of fuel. We will carry 2 quarts of fuel once we get to Colorado.

Thanks ESP41 - that is what i figured. i don't see my group really using comms so i'm a little more concerned. I may take the gps points that i bought from the tat site and convert to a route for my garmin montana.

this would directly align me to the "roads" that the tat follows.

anyways, thanks again, looks like you all are having a great ride. can't wait to go myself.

Day 3- Mississippi- ~235 miles

We have learned to gas up and be ready for an early start. It is cooler in the morning. This includes doing any bike maintenance like oiling the chain and checking the bolts for tightness. I found a loose handlebar riser bolt.



We did not have a 17mm wrench, so….

Our first stop in the morning was here:



These old gas station garages are getting very rare. It is a shame, because they really service travellers in need. This was Tracy’s place and he was no exception. He tossed me a 17 mm wrench, let us air up our tires and refused any payment. We talked a bit about our trip, said “thank you” many times, and were on our way.

This sign from earlier in our trip says it all



Mississippi, like Tennessee, is all your favorite back roads, gravel roads, stream crossings and dirt roads rolled into a multiday ride fest. Points of interest are few and far between. These days are about the ride.

Some POI’s:

Gas anyone?



This was an exceptionally large home, left to the elements. I think Sam had this listed in the roll chart as a place to stay…



Kudzo for miles:



I think it will overgrow Mississippi soon.



Here is a rare one horsepower three wheeler. If you look closely you will notice the horse is tied off to the trike.



Here was a piece of road debris that tried to take a bite out of my Husky. No such luck, the Husky spit it out with no damage.



Late in the day, Kirkster and I were curious about a large plume of smoke. We followed it to the source.



I am not sure why farmers do this. Does it make a fertilizer? Kill pests from the last harvest?

I need to end this with a word about gravel.

Deep gravel.

In deep gravel, your front brake is an enemy. Only use your back brake unless you know you are doomed anyway.

If you insist on sitting, PUSH evenly on the handlebars to go straight. Release pressure on one side of the handlebar to turn in that direction.

Standing is the best, period. The bike handles better with your weight on the foot pegs, rather than higher up on the seat. When standing, you can turn your bike by shifting your weight from peg to peg.

We stood on the pegs for hours today.

Later we need to talk about the advantages of having a GPS and a communication system. Hint- Safety!!

Great story and pictures so far. I'm really interested in your experience with GPS and communication system as I'm planning to get my own.

"Just a couple quick things before I move on the day 2.
First off I can’t stress enough how cool it is to meet fellow inmates on our journey. Here is Roknokin. Thanks for taking time out of your lunch to say Hi…"

Hey, you posted my mugly ug on the innerwebs so now I'm famous, thanks guys. I told my TAT buddy from a few years back about meeting you guys....now he's wanting to run it again! Then he made some comments about KTM vs. Husky but I ain't going there. Anyway, you guys look like you're making good miles and having a blast GIDDYUP

Roknogin

PS Wait until you hit the early AK silt after a rain, you may wish you were back on gravel !!

Hey Bro, keep up the good work on the blog. I am loving it!

Hey Bro, keep up the good work on the blog. I am loving it!

Batesville to Beebe, day four. Well there was plenty of gravel and a bit of riding on top of levies.

I have found that the gravel work best by picking a line about 200 feet or so out in front of me and looking at it, I then just ignoring everything in between what I have seen at the 200 foot mark and my front wheel. That and I have been keeping the bike at right about 41mph, it seem to float just about right.



We got out of Mississippi without any incidents but shortly after making it into Arkansas after blowing the first turn we got back on the purple line and it was taking us down some nice tarmac. We were just cruising along and coming up on this place.



We came to the first intersection in a long time and I see a car coming from the right. I was already moving pretty slow and when I saw the car I grabbed too much front brake and down I went. I managed to disengage myself from the bike and do a tuck and roll. Esp41 decided since my bike was laying in the street that we would just pick it up instead of taking pictures

The Klim Badlands jacket and pants did their job and I came through it with narry a scratch or a scuff of the jacket and pants.




We got back on the road just in time to see the first rice patty, and another and another and at least one more. We took a couple pictures of the pumps they use to flood the fields.



Some of them look like diesels and others look like big V8 motors



Next up was a sign on the side of the road. Esp41 blew past it without even seeing it and I decided to circle back and grab a photo of the sign.



The whole time there I was thinking “It’s a Trap”.



Apparently esp41 was thinking the same thing as he told me over the coms that this would be a great way to get a nice formerly shiny bike easy peasy. Well we got there and the place was closed as it was Sunday and we were there before 11.



We also ran into a nice farmer who was nice enough to turn on the ADVrider shower for us.



It was a long hot day for us. We are not trying to Iron Butt the TAT by any stretch of the imagination. So towards the end of a long day I caught my bike trying to get in a nap.



I had just barely blown a turn and was coming to a stop while waiting of esp41 to catch up, next thing I know my bike is lying on the ground and I am standing next to it…

We had been planning on doing more camping, but are really whipped at then end of the day and a hotel has been how we have been doing things. We will break out the camping gear out west I am sure. We are averaging around 70 bucks a day on costs so far for each of us. This is the all in cost, fuel, food, and lodging.

At the end of the day after showering I discovered I had not escaped my little off entirely unscathed.



I have shot some more video and will try and put it together tonight but the internet sucks here so it might not make it up just as it took me 20 minutes to get the photos up.

awsome guys... living the ride with you....

jeez dude stop crashing

Here are the Boys of Bling taming the Dragon. Lookin' good! I think they both have a headlight out.






http://xtremesportsphotography.phot...erpage.aspx?pi=0QAK01FC041063&po=1063&pc=1091

Outstanding, I'm in.

Looks like I did not get off Scott Free on my small get off yesterday. It looks like I have tweaked a brass insert on the front of the left rally raid fuel tank.

I called them this morning and they are going to ship me a new tank at cost...

It is only leaking a little bit, about two inches of fuel since yesterday around 11.

I can just use that tank first or not fill it till it gets replaced. Not a show stopper just an annoyance.

Any suggestions on a temp fix for a plastic fuel tank?

Rub it with a bar of soap ! That may get you by for a while.
If that does not work you might try JB Weld.

Maybe today I can catch em at Oark and ride with them down to Warloop Rd..

If you guys need support in Tulsa. PM me......

Good go so far.......