Awesome. Glad to see you made it safe and got to complete the trip as planned.

The TAT is on my bucket list. So care to field a few questions?

Favorite leg of the trip?
If you had to do it again would you wish for more time or was the 5 weeks enough?
Happy with the choice of bike?
Looks like you went with the tubeless option for the RR wheels. Like them?

I think you can break it down into three sections: East, Oklahoma, and West.

East, and West both have their plus points, and sections that are just amazing to ride. Oklahoma you can just skip. Enter via Arkansas, and go straight through to Colorado.

Idaho surprised me, in just how nice it was. The Eastern part was flatter and more farmland, then up into mountains and long views followed by scenic canyon runs.

Next time, I'll go so much slower. I felt I rushed through, at least the first half, and missed a lot. I'll also do what I eventually did on the second half, which is NOT do all TAT, all the time.

The TAT is a great trail, and probably one of the most interesting alternatives for going coast to coast. BUT, I did find that you don't get to see much of 'America' as you'd think. It does become endless days of trees 'n gravel and not much else. Which, for some, is fine. However if you want to explore America, the small towns, the people, the history, it's not the best way to do it. Use the TAT as a fun way to travel between places, but then get off and so SEE those places.

In addition, getting on and off the TAT allows you to scoot ahead, creating more time to go explore, rather than plod along.

The 6 weeks I took, (minus 1 week in L.A) is plenty of time. Again, if you find yourself short on time, jump ahead ('slab it'). You can ride the distance on tarmac in a couple of hours what it might take you a day on the TAT.

Was I happy with the CB. Oh, absolutely. Slightly too heavy on places like Ophir Pass, but otherwise a good balance between tarmac muncher and dirt eater. Would slab all day at 80, or stroll through the woods at 30. And then just get up and go the next day.

The engine guard took a beating, but did it's job of protecting the engine. RR said they've not seen one quite that.. used, and want to me to go up to see them for a 'post mortem', so they can see if changes are needed in future guards.

Tubeless tyres were a good choice. Had to plug 3 holes while out there. Two at the same time (large staple). Much easier than pulling tubes out. Just plug, inflate, and go.

All good to hear and makes perfect sense. I've followed Jenny's TAT threads over on ADVr and she had said the same thing about the TAT. It's more of a rough guideline to go from one end to the other, but it pays to get off the trail and wander out in other directions.

Glad you're happy with the CB. If you had the L2 kit, do you think that the bashplate would have fared better? Or you didn't really need the ground clearance in that respect?

The L2 kit would have put the guard 2" further away from the ground, which may have helped, on occasion. Problem is, for me, that the L2 kit also puts your feet 2" further away from the ground. I've sat on a few L2 CB's, and they'e all just thismuch too tall. On the L1 I can easy get my foot to the ground, on and L2 I think I would have had trouble doing so. Especially when I needed to in a hurry.

Makes sense. I know the feeling having ridden dirt bikes and dual sport bikes that had me on my toes. I got used to it eventually.

Thanks for the feedback.

Still had 5 days before we (the bike and I) fly home.


So, let’s see what happened between here and Vancouver!


After crossing the ‘finish line’ at Port Orford, riding the bike down to the beach, spending 20 minutes digging the & #*£ing out and wrestling it back up the slope to safety, I looked for a place to eat. Found “TJ’s pub” just down the road. My initials are TJ! Karma?

Then back on the road. Heading north, slowly, via the coastal loops. Stopping to take pics and explore.







Eventually the increasing marine layer, and decreasing cold, pushed me inland. So I dived off and took the 38, Umpqua River Road. Good choice. Very scenic canyon run with the river alongside.

Bonus was the herds of Elk in the fields beside the road.





Was pushing for Eugene, but the hour was getting late, so pulled in at The Lucky Duck RV and campsite. Loads of RV’s, but the tent area is empty, clean, grassy and very close to a cell tower! (it’s also next to the 5 freeway, but hey ho). And while the camp warden/host trailer was right next to where I’d pitched up, he didn’t come over to collect the fee’s!

8th August

Took more back roads up to Eugene, just a short distance from where I’d camped. I’d arranged to meet a friend that evening, so i explored downtown Eugene and wandered round the Natural History Museum, before finding a hotel to dump all my stuff for the night. Was a good evening out, at the Oakshire pub.

9th August

Wandered up towards Portland, OR, via route 99w, and McMinville Museum.





I’m sticking to tarmac, despite many “hey ride these trails” suggestions. Mainly as I figured I’d ridden so far, successfully, over mountains and through deserts, far from help, without anything bad happening, I’d just be pushing my luck to try anything now, on the ‘final stretch’.

I stayed in Portland for a couple days with more friends, who were nice enough to take me round and show me the highlights of the city and surroundings.