The TAT Preparation Thread-the logistical side of it

[leftystrat62]

Originally Posted by GSF1200S

Im liking the flow of this thread- lotta good tips here.

Others seem to really feel losing weight is crucial (of gear and self )- I notice extra weight and bulk a lot, and so Im being a pound-pincher. Any sage wisdom about a great lightweight tent that is 2 person? I would imagine for sandy, muddy, or rocky areas driving a spike might be tricky/impossible, so im thinking freestanding.. Currently torn between a REI Quarter Dome T2 plus and a Big Agnes Seedhouse 2L..

Im currently trying to really pare my load down to one 49L drybag and a tool bag on the front fender, and possibly a homemade tool tube down low on the bike.. Swapped exhaust and will get a Shorai battery prolly to combat some of the up-high weight from the (contents of the) drybag. How much weight you guys hauling along? I hear some of that TAT mud is pretty nasty

Did you check out my MSR Hubba Hubba I show pics of it on the scale-super easy to set up? I've owned some nice tents over the years,and always bought ones that you would use backpacking. I think the Hubba Hubba is my best purchase yet. I have 1,2,3, &,4 man tents at home. The hubba hubba is a 2 man that fits one person plus gear nicely.
If you go to a web site like REI-they have all the weight specs on their tents. I've noticed some web sites differ a bit on their specs when comparing the same item,so don't always take what you read for the tents weight as "gospel" truth. That's why I'm showing my gear on a scale. Also note I have my tent as well as the "footprint"and a stuff sack which adds a little more to the listed weight of the tent that you'll read on a web site.
In backpacking & climbing the saying is "every ounce counts". I'm not as concerned on my bike,but if your conscious with all you carry-I'm sure it will make a difference. At least that what I tell myself every time I buy something

[DR. Rock]

campsaver.com deal was 20% off list price + free footprint & shipping. best deal I could find.

Kilo 3p: good for 2 people + gear

Kilo 2p: good for 2 people or 1 person + gear.

[leftystrat62]

I'd love to hear in this thread about your CAMPING experiences on the TAT.
My experiences are limited to the East Coast ;where I ride until about 1 1/2 hrs. before I should be at a camp site,whip out my DeLorme Atlas,see where I am, and find a state park that offers camping. State parks are much cheaper than private camp sites,and pretty much always have bathrooms,running water,and once in a while a shower. But I don't know what to expect as I move away from the East Coast? Is it easy to find state camping-do they offer the same amenities? How about ease of cowboy camping?I like cowboy camping,but here in the North East it's kind of impossible to find places you can do that legally-not to say I haven't Did you find certain states just not easy to find a place to camp?
When looking at OK on my atlas-it looks like there won't be anywhere to camp. Are there nice areas to pull off the road & set up camp or will I be forced to hotel it? Please don't turn this into a place to voice the benefits of going light,and hoteling it; instead I'd really love to hear of camping experiences in each and every state if possible. This is one area in TAT ride reports that I find very little information on,so have at it and let the information flow

[AC909]

We did a few states, see the link in my signature line, and camping was readily available. It would be really easy to just pop up a tent on the side of the trail if you desired and felt safe doing so. We decided to hotel every night even though we did have full camping gear. This was mostly due to the night time temps being colder than what we were prepared for. The TAT is a great experience and I cannot wait to finish it! Best of luck to you and your preparation.

[One Less Harley]

My general thought is camping East of the Miss is very difficult, and stealth camping must be very stealthy as people less more intolerant of it. But is less of an issue as one goes West.

You will probably camp once in TN at Pickwik. Easy distance to make.In 2012 I paid for camp at the Miss/AR boarder at the casino which is pretty cheap plus you get a free dinner. In AR it's possible to camp for free. Main thing is to camp next to a creek to clean up in. Plus off the road a bit as not to be seen. There is a NICE cheap camp site at Oark, $3/ day plus fresh creek water.

Wolfpen Campground(N35 40.466 W 93 37.960) and Wolf Pen 2012

Like you said OK, might prove a little harder to find a place to camp, but for other states, just depends on how picky you are. Good spots can be found if you look for them. Kevin in our group had a good rule for when to start looking for a camp spot...the three finger rule, when the sun is three fingers above the horizon start looking for a camp location. This will generally give you time to find a place, get set up and eat before it get's too dark.

One can camp at the public park at Eureka Utah for free, bath room there to clean up in, plus an activity center which has a pool, and washer/ dryer. You'll have to ask about it though.

[blaisew]

Errr, I think that was Kevin's three finger rule. My three finger rule was to head for a bed!

[One Less Harley]

Originally Posted by blaisew

Errr, I think that was Kevin's three finger rule. My three finger rule was to head for a bed!

Ken...Kevin....both Texans....yours was a three finger rule minus the two outer ones


there I fixed it...

[levain]

Originally Posted by leftystrat62

I plan on riding from R.I. to OR;shipping my bike home and fly back. I got a quote last year(which flux's with fuel prices) around $650. I've been gathering shipper info and as it get's closer I'll find out who is close to Porrtand OR and go from there.

Keith,
I've used Forward Air a couple times. They ship terminal to terminal. Closest to us is Logan. they offer Motorcycle crates. I haven't priced it in awhile, but it might be an option. Only takes a couple days anywhere in the country.

Matt, I owe you a call

[Phreaky Phil]

Originally Posted by leftystrat62

I'd love to hear in this thread about your CAMPING experiences on the TAT.
My experiences are limited to the East Coast ;where I ride until about 1 1/2 hrs. before I should be at a camp site,whip out my DeLorme Atlas,see where I am, and find a state park that offers camping. State parks are much cheaper than private camp sites,and pretty much always have bathrooms,running water,and once in a while a shower. But I don't know what to expect as I move away from the East Coast? Is it easy to find state camping-do they offer the same amenities? How about ease of cowboy camping?I like cowboy camping,but here in the North East it's kind of impossible to find places you can do that legally-not to say I haven't Did you find certain states just not easy to find a place to camp?
When looking at OK on my atlas-it looks like there won't be anywhere to camp. Are there nice areas to pull off the road & set up camp or will I be forced to hotel it? Please don't turn this into a place to voice the benefits of going light,and hoteling it; instead I'd really love to hear of camping experiences in each and every state if possible. This is one area in TAT ride reports that I find very little information on,so have at it and let the information flow

We didnt camp at all, for 2 reasons, 1. we were 2 up it it meant carrying to much gear. 2. We had been told by a friend who had done it 2 years prior that they only camped twice and it was to hot. Most of our days were around 95deg and it was great to get to a motel and put on the A/C. Also there are a lot of evening thunder storms. On the down side, not camping means planning your days between motels. Easy enough though.

[DR. Rock]

as often as possible. Liked having the option as well if broken down, or weathered in, waiting for mud to dry, etc. Gotta keep it light, for sure. Around 3pm each day, bust out the atlas, and scroll ahead scouting out options of where to end the day. Sometimes a town and motel is just right, often not. There's always an option coming up, be it a state park, national forest, private campground, desolate area, stream crossing, town park, etc. I love waking up each morning not knowing where I'll be sleeping that night. Finding a good place to end the day is a big part of the adventure for us. I can't remember ever not having a decent option. Last Mobius trip, we stayed in a motel 2 nights out of 14.

Go to Poifactory.com and load one of the campground files on you gps, then you can search for the nearest one in the direction you're traveling, and know the precise distance & directions. It sometimes requires going a few miles off the TAT, but it's worth it. Cooking supper and eating out of doors, recounting the day's ride beside a campfire, and sleeping under the stars sure beats spending the night between hooker-stained sheets in a stale-cigarette-smelling, bedbug-infested skeevy two-bit motel. Then again, sometimes a hot shower is nice.

[leftystrat62]

Originally Posted by DR. Rock

as often as possible. Finding a good place to end the day is a big part of the adventure for us. I can't remember ever not having a decent option. Last Mobius trip, we stayed in a motel 2 nights out of 14.

Me too on camping at the end of the day-one of the parts I love about bike trips. But Doc,2 out of 14 days spent in a motel--you guys gettin' soft on us?
My bragging record was 2 weeks no shower,and several days where I was too tried to even wash-- you wonder why I'm riding this alone:)

[rpet]

Thanks DR Rock.

camping is sick!

[oldtrucks]

Originally Posted by DR. Rock

hooker-stained sheets in a stale-cigarette-smelling, bedbug-infested skeevy two-bit motel. Then again, sometimes a hot shower is nice.

Especially for the hookers

[DR. Rock]

Originally Posted by oldtrucks

Especially for the hookers

I've actually noticed an interesting phenomenon. It seems that folks get into dual-sport adventure-touring from one of two directions. On the one hand, you have guys who have tons of off-road dirt experience, racing enduros and motocross, but maybe not so much experience camping in the back-country. Maybe they're getting a little older, and aren't so much into the competition aspect of off-road riding, but still trailer their dirt bike far and wide to ride trails. For them, a trip like the TAT is a way to ride dirt all day, every day for days on end. Period. The idea of sullying that experience with camping is just a bizarre concept. Actually, I think Sam himself is of this philosophy.

Then they're other folks, who have spent loads of time back-country camping, hiking, whatever, and have outdoor survival and wilderness skills, and also have some history riding motorcycles. Maybe they had a sport bike (or dirt bike) when they were younger, or have done some touring on a cruiser, or commute, or whatever. They look at dual-sport riding and adventure touring as a way to incorporate a motorcycle into their back-country trips -- as a tool to get them places to camp and explore and see and experience that they otherwise wouldn't be able to, even with an ATV (no range), or wouldn't be the same in a 4WD.

LDF & I are definitely coming from the latter perspective, but I totally get those for whom it's all about (and mostly only about) the riding. There's plenty of room for everyone out there (and here on ADV), though mixing the two mind-sets on a group trip might lead to misunderstandings, unrealistic expectations, and tears.

[One Less Harley]

well crap I don't fit in here either......according to the DR. I'm always an outcast