I've heard that someone has mapped a route across the USA entirely on dirt roads and trails. Does anyone know where I could get more information on this?

Thanks,
Hugh Caldwell

Lots of info on the site, including a travellers story on it. Search on Trans Am Trail, and see the Travellers Stories page, and the Links page too.

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Grant Johnson

Seek, and ye shall find.
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One world, Two wheels.
www.HorizonsUnlimited.com

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Grant Johnson
Seek, and ye shall find.
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Inspiring, Informing and Connecting travellers since 1997!
www.HorizonsUnlimited.com

Hi Hugh, now you're talking!

AFAIK, there are two main cross-Am routes - east-west called the Trans Am Trail as Grant says - set up by a guy called Sam Correro: http://www.transamtrail.com/

Russell Fisher did it on a XL650L, posted a website and I think it's linked off or on HU (but not on my site anymore as it says on p.199 of the current/expiring AMH).

Although ocean to ocean sounds nice, I get the impression that the eastern half is a bit of a drag. It's for this reason that I get the feeling the TAT has not really caught on with US riders, great idea though it is.

Much more impressive (tho' I have not done it either! just investigated it over the years - most recently last summer and probably again this year) is Can to Mex across the western states - actually various routes.

The Great Western Trail project (p.193 in AMH) is still incomplete but IMO promises a stonking ride though the deserty/Rocky mountain states - never a dull mile. A part-time US user of HU, Allen Naille, has been involved in AZ but as you'd expect, some NIMBYs dont want OHVs, especially up in Montana it seems.

Even then, I found in Montana there are enough legit fire roads etc right up to Eureka, even if it may require some tarmac links. On the GWT you'd want to ride into the summer from Mex or into the autumn from Can.

Some pushbikers did the GWT and wrote a roadbook/website. They happened to use many trails open to motor vehicles so their roadbook/web is useful to all (lost the link).

Some guys run also run own-bike, 2-week m/c tours from up the west coast states with hotel accom every night for $2500 http://www.mex2can.com/

I picked up a NatGeog Adv magazine last summer with a GWT feature (ID, OR, NV, CA). I can send you a pic of the article if you want.

A3-sized DeLorme states atlases would be a great help in route finding (also available as GPS downloads, I beleive).

With the west USA's landscapes and history and people, GWT would be a fantastic dirt ride.

Chris S

PS - just found this link below - they did the 'Adventure Cycling route (incl. link)

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Author of Sahara Overland II hardback edition and the Adventure Motorcycling Handbook - new edition shortly

http://www.sahara-overland.com and http://www.adventure-motorcycling.com

[This message has been edited by Chris Scott (edited 29 January 2005).]

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Hey Guys,
The national geographic adventure article is in the august 2004 issue, entitled, the "wildest road trip" canada to mexico-99 percent pavement free.
Good article with large scale maps that should enable you to figure out the route.
Certainly giving me some ideas...

The link for info and maps on the trail laid out by mountain bikers mentioned above by Chris is:
http://www.adventurecycling.org This route is called the Great Divide Cycle Route and was recently extended into Canada. It now runs from Banff to Antelope Wells, New Mexico. Its supposed to be about 80% unpaved two track, 10% single track, and 10% paved. The Adventure Cycling Association sells a book on the Route called Cycling the Great Divide by Michael McCoy and a set of seven maps. These can be purchased through the website given above. The book lays out the route similarly to a roll chart, with mileage intervals.

I've ridden the Route from the Canadian border to Atlantic City, Wyoming, and a lot of it is indeed spectacular. I only encountered one section which was closed to motorized traffic, in a national forest in Montana. I've heard the sections in Colorado and northern New Mexico are even more spectacular. I highly recommend this ride.

Mike



[This message has been edited by liketoride2 (edited 31 January 2005).]

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Mike