The Trans-America Trail (AKA: “The TAT”) picture curtesy : http://www.transamtrail.com/the-trans-am-trail/
The “TAT”, abbreviation for the Trans American Trail is an Off Road adventure ride across America from east to west, similar to Route 66 but Off Road. Notionally starting in Tennessee and running west and up to Oregon through the Rockies. Developed over a 9 year period by Sam Corredo, a Chicago bases American, Sam constructed a route that traverses North central America following many of the old wagon trail routes whilst incorporating fuel stops , but 95 % Off Road and with different routes dependant on the rider ability . Red is harder. Hats off to Sam, he done well.
Over the past few years the trail has become increasingly popular particularly with the local (!) adventure riders but also with international guys and women from many nations. Many start the trail and ride it in pieces like the Camino, a bit this year a bit later. Some do the whole trail, others start but for a variety of reasons do not complete…. Engine failure, crashes, etc. The 6000 miles are not all easy and can take a toll. So why do we detail the TAT?
2017 will see 3 Irish (and maybe more) attempt the trail over a six week period starting end of June and Enduro .ie will run a series of reports up to and including the trail itself.
Mick O’Leary
Nice Helmet Mick !
Simon Kennedy, Mick O’ Leary and Nick Craigie are the three in question and Nick has agreed to provide a complete insight into the trip from preparation through to the finish (he hopes).
Simon Kennedy
Simon had recently completed the ISDE 6 days in Spain with a bronze medal, is a former Irish Karting champion and rides a bike every day commuting in London and between London and his home in Kilkenny. Mick O’ Leary is a very accomplished Enduro rider, gold standard and has spent many summers travelling abroad he is the star rider. Nick should be the most experienced, the oldest definitely and completed more rallies than anyone in Ireland. The trail however requires more than Rallye experience and route navigation may be even more challenging, that combined with other problems can bring the ride to a halt.
Nick Craigie
For our first ” blog ” Nick explains the TAT and the reasons to ride it …..
” lying flat on my back and looking at the ceiling from the wrong side of a hospital bed two years and a bit ago I promised myself that if and when healed I would attempt another trip, this time not a competitive one but challenging none the less. Where to go was a decision and with the world in turmoil and difficulties with passage through countries and all the associated problems and dangers I ruled out the more traditional routes through Africa and the Mid East continent. Speaking to the president of the TORC club Allan Leckie. A man well versed in travelling by bike he suggested the TAT and that was it decided. Unfortunately Allan was unable to travel in 17 but I thank him for the idea. Hopefully he will go himself at a later date if it proves to be as good as we think it will be. Simon and Mick have joined the party so now we are three. One is one, three is better than two we figure from many an angle not least if one runs into trouble. Through Enduro.ie will detail our progress, what bikes, gear and arrangements. Recommendations and pit falls we find. Any comments appreciated. Alreacdy we have made a change to the planned route … Instead of starting in Tennessee we will move back east to Charleston and start at the sea on the east. This will add 800 miles to the route but it will be east to west and Charleston is a city to be seen, famed as part of the confederate state during the civil war. It is known as the friendliest city in the world … We will see ” Next episode …. Lists. Lists and more lists.
Enduro.ie