Dear All,

Anyone live near Knoxville or Tellico Plains, TN and would like to help a biker in need? Whilst trying to ride a Triumph Tiger 800 XC around The World, I had a little 'freak' mishap 1 Dec and proceeded to fall off my bike and down a 25 ft cliff onto the rocks below, fracturing 9 ribs, 3 lower back vertebrae, my right hand (twice) and dislocated/broke several fingers (DOH!). An unwelcome addition was a pneumothorax, which is not a great companion at the best of times, particularly on the road to Bald River Falls, TN, off season (in the middle of nowhere). Anyway, after an uncomfortable while, a kindly trucker came by and asked me what I was doing (laying at the bottom of the cliff), to which I replied 'waiting for my lung to re-inflate so I can get back on my bike...'

Two months later (after recuperating abroad) I'm ready to Rock'n'Roll again! However, my bike is in Tellico Plains and the nearest airport I can fly into is Knoxville (arr 9 Feb). If some kind/bored/crazy biker would like to give a lift then he would win copious amounts of gratefulness, dinner and lots of drinks on completion. However, I realise this is a big favour for a stranger to make, especially as this is my 1st post on this site after finding it, and so I'll settle for a piece of cardboard and a pen to aid my pending hitch-hike.

When/if I get there, I'm looking forward to starting Sam Correro's Trans-America Trail (again). I realise it's not the ideal time of year for this, but I have time off work, so why not?! So, anyone fancy joining me, please do. Although you won't mind if I keep well clear of cliffs?

Thanks for reading,

Chris

Cross-posted to ADVrider - Regionals.

Good luck. Hell of a face plant by the sounds of it.

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Paul "Every county of England, every country of Europe and every (part of every inhabited) continent of the Earth" 94% done! What's left? Central America, East, Central and West Africa, Australia & New Zealand

Wow, all I can say is wow! Love and respect to your sense of humor & determination. Glad to hear that you're aware that this is not the ideal time of the year to run the TAT; should be interesting when you reach Colorado!

If I lived nearer to Knoxville I'd help you out, but I'm a little far being up in the Washington, DC area. Good luck to you and keep us posted on your adventure; I for one would like to see what the TAT looks like in February!

Do you have a website/blog/ride report of your trip thus far?

Doing the TAT this time of year is such a bad idea it borders on
insanity which involves a willful desire for self-harm. This is even
more true with recently healed severe injuries.


I caution you to think seriously about re-scheduling your plans
in order that the trails and weather will be more reasonably negotiated
and thereby your chances for going home in a box will be lowered.

Chris. Notwithstanding KTLpilot's caution, if you still want help a guy over at ADVRider has stepped up. If you're a member there, PM him. If not, let me know and I can act as middleman.

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Paul "Every county of England, every country of Europe and every (part of every inhabited) continent of the Earth" 94% done! What's left? Central America, East, Central and West Africa, Australia & New Zealand

I have to agree with KTMpilot with ref to the TAT in February. The snow doesn't clear in the Rockies until summer. Good luck with whatever you do. May I suggest a road ride to New Orleans for the carnival as an alternative?

I know what you mean with cliffs. I have a track record in that too . See the RR link in my sig, below.

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Brighty's website: TheBrightStuffDotCom

CURRENT RR WITH REGULAR UPDATES: The Wife Takes on Chlamydia: A South American Retrospective

Chris

There's another 'taker' stepped up from ADVrider. I've PM'd you his contact details.

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Paul "Every county of England, every country of Europe and every (part of every inhabited) continent of the Earth" 94% done! What's left? Central America, East, Central and West Africa, Australia & New Zealand

Wow! This site works fast!

Wildman - thanks for your PM - I'll give them a shout!

And thanks for all the words of wisdom; you're right of course. However, when I said TAT, I actually meant the TN section before heading South to thaw out... (or until I find the JD distillery).

I'm new to blogging, and having just got started it isn't much to look at, but I'm working in it: cnbworldtour

While I think the Colorado mountains are best seen covered with snow,it would be a pity to miss the red rocks colors near Lake City and Silverton because of it.I think Colorado and eastern Utah are the most scenic sites on the TAT.I hope you plan on putting some knobs on your wheels as soon as you get to Colorado.You will need them even if there isn't any snow.I'm sure you know you can get some snow any time of the year at these higher elevations.

Dear All,

Thanks again for all the help & advice. My friendly neighbourhood good Samaritan Gabe came and rescued me to reunite me with my Tiger and I had a great couple of days completing the Tennessee section of the TAT. Some of the river crossings were a little 'interesting' after the recent rain, but I'm pleased to say the stock Battlewings didn't handle the dirt too badly (air down), particularly considering the heavy load I'm carting around! The rest of the TAT will wait for another time because for now it's onto Big Bend and West to CA before heading south to Central America.

[url=http://cnbworldtour.wordpress.com/2013/02/12/trans-america-trail-tennessee-section/]Trans-America Trail (Tennessee Section)

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Good luck in CA.I went through in 2010-11.I was most interested in getting through to SA.Hope you know how to handle the cops.They want your money.Don't give it to them.If you are interested in my experience,my ride report is advrider dot com/forums/showthread dot php?t=641039. I'm doogle on that forum also.

Thanks Doogle,

Have just finished reading your very interesting report - I hope I do not have as many bike problems! I think they call them 'character building', although I'm quite happy to build a character unplagued by the sorts of problems you had... However, you made it and you had fun, which is what it's all about!

All the best for your next adventure.