TAT-2020 Post-04 18 Jan 2020

This post is an update of our preparations for another run of the TAT starting in May of 2020. It’s been many months since my last update in May 2019 plus we are only 4 months from our launch date (mid May 2020) so an update is well past due.

Vehicle Status:

Jeff’s Dual-Sport – His original plan was to use the KTM 350 EXC-F I had used on Leg’s 3 & 4 (Lake City, Co to Port Orford, OR). As a result, he had parted out his Yamaha WR250R to many riders across the world (including Australia) so it is no longer available. As I stated in my last post, Jeff finally admitted to me that he preferred the WR to the KTM for several reasons. The KTM is a great bike but it is very throttle sensitive and the powerband is almost instantaneous. This caused me some issues early on until I got used to it but it would still occasionally catch me by surprise. The WR is rock solid and much easier to control in difficult terrain plus it will carry a much heavier load on the rear rack than the KTM. I told him that if he would rather ride a WR then sell the KTM and buy a WR. He was worried I would not like the idea but I’ve never been excessively attached to the many vehicles I’ve owned. The KTM did what I wanted but I have no issue with selling it to get the right bike for Jeff. The end result is that the KTM has been sold and Jeff bought the WR250R that Steve used on all four legs of the TAT 2016-2018 ride. This bike did the whole TAT (5,263 miles) with only one minor issue that was quickly corrected. It now has new tires and is being completely serviced by Jeff in anticipation of TAT 2020. It also has a huge aftermarket fuel tank.

Woodrow and Matty Dual-Sports – They will both be using the same Honda CRF250L’s that they used previously. Both bikes are being serviced and especially the front forks checked out since they both started leaking at the end of Leg-4. These bikes still only have the stock 2 gal fuel tank so both bikes will have to carry a 1 gal RotoPax.

Mike and Liz’s Jeep Wrangler – After driving my 2006 Jeep TJ for over 8,000 miles I am very confident that it is ready for the 1825 miles it will do during the TAT 2020 trip (625 paved miles to the start of TAT and 1200 TAT miles back to Arkansas). The change from a 4” lift kit back to a 2” lift lit plus the replacement of any worn ball joints made the suspension rock solid. It tracks straight as an arrow and can do 70 mph+ on the highway if needed although it is a loud and uncomfortable ride at those speeds.

Marty and Barb’s Suzuki Samurai – Marty is an accomplished mechanic and has confirmed that his ride will be ready for the May launch.

TAT 2020 Status:

We held a TAT meeting on 7 Dec 2019 with all key participants participating to finalize the details of the trip and especially determine the start date. Although there are still a couple of folks that may join us at the last moment we are moving ahead anticipating that the list will be:

Dual Sports – Jeff, Woodrow & Matty

4X4 – Mike & Liz and Marty & Barb

Ride duration – I have calculated the ride from Charleston, SC to Little Rock, AR will take 9 days. This does not include the 2 days the 4X4s will use to get to the TAT start, only the actual riding days for the dual-sports. Starting on a Saturday, we will arrive in Little Rock 9 days later on a Sunday. This means that those still working will only be off work for 5 days. For us retired folks, no worries😊

Bike shuttle – Woodrow will be taking the three dual-sports to Charleston in advance of our launch date and they will be stored in his folks garage until the bike riders fly into Charleston. This is the same concept we used for the TAT 2016 Leg-1 ride.

4X4’s drive to TAT start – Since the TAT actually starts at Andrews, NC and I have already ridden the Charleston to Andrews leg on my TAT ride, Liz and I will drive directly to Andrews along with Marty and Barb to hook up with the dual-sports. We will take secondary roads to Andrews and expect two days of around 300 miles each day. I’ve driven my Jeep several times from Little Rock to Tulsa on back roads and that is a 300 mile drive each way. Takes about 6 hours but is a pleasant drive with no Semi-Trucks to deal with.

TAT 2020 Misc:

Baggage – The ideal dual-sport ride configuration for the TAT is carry only what is necessary. Having support vehicles makes this possible and a much more enjoyable ride for the bikes. The 4x4s will carry the bike riders baggage to include extra clothes, tools, cooler, etc. The bikes will carry extra fuel (RotoPax), water, sun screen, cell phone and small first aid kit. I’ve taken out the rear seat of my Jeep and can carry several bags in the back as a result. I also plan on using a rack that goes into the trailer hitch where I’ll carry a small cooler and any extra bags that won’t fit in the back of the Jeep. The rack can carry 500 lbs. but I will not put nearly that much on the rack. One important consideration is water crossings, which I expect many on this section of the TAT. Everything on the rack must be in waterproof containers.

Route – We will be using the same route we used on the TAT 2016 Leg-1 to include detours around known road closures. For those who followed my TAT 2016 Leg-1 ride you know we had several incidents on that ride that caused us to have to bail off the TAT for a  long section that by-passed about 500 miles of Miss. This included Woodrow crashing and winter weather hitting us with sleet and exceptionally cold conditions. Only after we got back to Little Rock did Woodrow find out he had actually broken his leg during the crash (cracked bones but not displaced). For TAT 2020 we will do this missed Miss section so it will be the first time for all of us on this stretch.

Weather – Always an unknown but May 2020 will be better than our original TAT 2016 March ride. At least we expect it to be warmer although rain can cause this section to be extremely difficult once in the Miss backroads if they are muddy. Water crossings will also be a challenge if there has been excessive rain. Riding my Jeep through these will be more pleasant than riding a dual-sport since my boots won’t be full of water. There is always the chance we will have to detour because of road closures, mud, high water etc. but that is what riding the TAT is all about. You never know what you will find around the next bend or over the next hill.

We are still unsure what our riding strategy will be; bikes lead or 4x4’s lead. I know the dual-sports can ride faster over the rough terrain (rocky roads) but the 4x4s can drive faster on gravel which there is a lot on this section. We will play that by ear once we get started.

Communication – The dual-sports will all have the Garmin 30K intercoms with “Mesh” technology. They worked great on our last two legs.  The 4x4s will have CB Walkie-Talkies plus the dual-sports will have at least one in their tank-bags. We will all have cell-phones and the cell coverage is a lot better on this section than out west.

Navigation – All dual-sports will have GPS units to follow the TAT track. I will have my new Garmin Overlander GPS plus my InReach Satellite tracker and my Satellite Phone. Probably way overkill for this side of the Rocky Mountains but I have them, so why not take them along for the ride.

Finally, I will be posting a trip report with pictures every day during the 9 day ride plus will provide a link to follow our track from my InReach. I will probably make at least one more post as we get closer to May, especially if there are any significant changes to our plan or participants.