Day 14 Trans America Trail Motorcycle Adventure Tenere 700 and KLX 300

Day 14 on the Trans America Trail Motorcycle Adventure finds the boys crossing California Pass, changing the Deadliest Catch into the Deadliest Pass - tune in to see if the boys survive riding Tenere 700 and KLX 300
TAT Play list: tinyurl.com/TransAmTrail-23
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#adv, #motocamping, #tat

[@garysbackroadadventures]

My third time watching, and still loving the story. Each time I watch, I pick up more little pieces of each rider and how they react and how they accept or reject the responsibility of their actions. I've been hooked since the pre-trip videos. Each one drives me deeper in the story. Like a good book, I can't stop and sometimes have to re-read to get a better understanding. Edit on my brother, edit on.

[@MotoGiant]

Hopefully, most of the folks watching will feel the same, but my concern is most viewers come here to escape, and want flowers and puppies (hence the warning). I hope everyone can overcome the negative reaction they feel and see the triumph in the end - the tragedy continues to worsen over the trip sadly?

[@joshschandoney5045]

The most inexperienced rider takes point. The most experienced rider brings up the rear. Morning meetings to determine stopping criteria on a daily basis. Riders speak only for themselves when to call it and the group supports the call with solidarity. And always be grateful for every ride.

[@chonkyb3134]

Richard is a legend !❤

[@Liberty4Ever]

You know how there's drama and something happens that breaks the tension and we feel relieved? I knew it was going to be OK when Richard said, 'We won't kill each other. It'll be an "accident".' I have tons of respect for all of you guys for even trying this, with bonus points awarded to Richard. I'm scoring it as a big win because nobody was seriously injured. If it looked that hairy on a GoPro with horizon leveling that makes my diciest rides look like flat terrain, I can't imagine what this ride looked like in person. I also have a ton of respect for you guys making the decision to turn around before someone is injured. That's harder than the riding sometimes. The drama probably had a physiological component. When you're tired and sore and your brain isn't getting enough oxygen, it's very difficult not to become frustrated and angry. I'm worthless over 10,000 feet, and that was 30 years ago when I was in good shape. If I ever did the TAT, I'd need to take the Girl Scout route around all of the mountain passes.

[@josephrogers9623]

Its taken me 3 attempts to finish the tat and havent been able to finish it. last year I was right were you were at and i went over a cliff, bruised my kidneys tore the inner lining of my lungs and a lot of bruises. At 67 my family thinks im nuts with a death wish but I think Ive got one more try left in me.

[@MotoGiant]

It is very dangerous in so many sections, what bike and how much gear did you carry?

[@josephrogers9623]

I was on a klr 650 with and normal camping gear and cloths. My buddy was also on a klr 650 and he lost the control module on his bike so his wife came and got him and I tried to finish by myself not a good idea. I have a triumph 900 rally pro now.@@MotoGiant

[@southernrebel]

Yes; That was the right decision!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! EXCELLENT video!!!!! Beautiful scenery and showed just how difficult some of those roads are. If you call them roads. Trails might be a better description. Also, glad you three got down in one piece. Look forward to your next videos. Safe ridin rubber down

[@CharlesJWillard]

Man v Nature turns into man v man. Common theme in many epic tales of woe. Your production values on this epic tale of woe impressed and engaged me. Thank you.

[@MotoGiant]

We were all hung out on the Tree of Woe that day! Glad you enjoyed, more tales of adventure and woe coming :)

[@missrebelmotodiaries]

I love your TAT adventures

[@rickatill44]

you handled it very well ...hollering swearing ya solves nothing ...good handshake lets talk solve our problems n have fun or go yer own way ....

[@alainmaurice5383]

I really don't agree that we need to stay in communication. I travel with 2 guys and we never communicate on the way. The first trip we communicated via intercom and after 5 days we wanted to pull our hair out. Because there is always one who needs to talk more when he is stressed and that distracts the others. Now we no longer have an intercom. We each live our adventure in our own way. On the other hand, we always have a visual in the difficult parts. But we are each in our own bubble so as not to be influenced or disturbed during difficult maneuvers. When there is no technical trail, we can ride separately for 2 hours and wait for the next intersection. We live our journey solo knowing that we are not alone. During breaks or dinner we discuss the things we saw. We each have a Garmin within reach and if there is a problem we communicate by satellite if the cell doesn't work.

[@MotoGiant]

this is the first trip I have made with comms - it has good and bad, the good is REALLY good.

[@jimchastain9272]

The 4 motorcyclists at 34:50-35:41 is the group I was riding with! We’re in your video! We had 2 WR250R’s, 1 crf250l, 1 T7. We need to be added to the credits!!! Just Kidding!!!!

[@MotoGiant]

Oh wow, a brush with greatness! At least you did not blast by us like the guy on the KTM, or if you had zero issues like he did at least we were not there to witness it? :)

[@DG-fn7qg]

Thank you for showing the tough situation. YT is FULL of people showing only the good times, which is total BS! We all go through rough spots at some point. You are one of the few to share it! Respect to you! Thanks for posting!

[@MotoGiant]

THAT comment means a LOT bro! I talked to quite a few people about this story - I was struggling with how to tell it, and told everyone the story needs to be told, and I want to do it in the best way. I figured it would lose 5-10 subscribers because so many people want the rainbows and butterflies. I think I have only had a couple of mean comments too, which is shocking?

[@DG-fn7qg]

@@MotoGiant You are very welcome! Tell the story as it is, not how we wish it would be. Overcoming obstacles is part of it. You keep being you! Do it for you, not for others or views.

[@TravelinCatfish]

I wonder how they convinced Mike Rowe to do the voiceover?

[@OldGuyonaBike]

I'm glad I can't even be tempted to ride up roads like that while hauling the trailer. Enjoyed watching you attempt it. Sometimes we do have to retreat and ride another day.

[@MotoGiant]

you could have made it all the way to Animas Forks, camped overnight there? And yes, it is good to know when to pull the plug.

[@NorthWestMotos]

Great edit, Micheal Scott would be proud. Making the choice to turn around is never easy but sometimes it's the best thing to do. Y'all made the right call. Very interested to see how the rest of the journey unfolds, even if I know how it ends.

[@NorthWestMotos]

The one a week uploads are great too.

[@MotoGiant]

Lots of new characters coming ! :)

[@LostAnFound]

"And, the giant wisely walks, or rides away, as he quickly turns down the volume on his comms system." LMAO Rowe says it well . . .lol

[@rickatill44]

richard should consider a lowering kit !!! for his bike

[@LostAnFound]

"The screams go unheard . . ." Cracking up at how the soundtrack went dark when John hit the first switchback with the tude. I'm really hoping to see the TAT this summer.

[@MotoGiant]

the TAT is a lot more epic than I expected

[@chasedirtbike4155]

I did that trip with three klrs a few years back. Through disagreements and attrition, we ended up doing the trip solo. It was the best bike for the hard stuff imo. Way to slow for the easy stuff tho

[@MotoGiant]

Bounced across that very pass myself on a KLR

[@soilsniper5908]

I have rode with the one legged man for many years. We have a good days and bad days it happens. But I’m my opinion when the going get tough just keep going. One word of advice don’t try to be the the guy that knows it all and make every decision because in my opinion that is what caused this situation. It looked like the trail scared you from the get go and you didn’t want any part of it and it was all down hill from there. I don’t fault you for trying around but I’ve road worse on the same T7 and I’m smaller y’all had that trail 100%

[@MotoGiant]

I am wondering if you watched the video? Guessing you missed the part with the buried tire?

[@soilsniper5908]

watched whole thing I’m guessing you are talking about Jon when he was going up. No worries it’s a tough trail I get it. I love when they get bad like that it test my skills. Been riding off-road my whole life. Few years ago one legged man thought I was going down in a massive deep water crossing hit a huge rock under that turned me 180 and still managed to keep it upright without putting feet down and made it out and went right back through it again

[@waynev5097]

Guys that was an excellent story. Outstanding effort - I would have bailed a lot earlier than you guys! Fantastic scenery. Don't think of it as a defeat - perhaps a strategic retreat - that mountain is still there for you to conquer another day. In Australia we don't seem to have these vehicles you call "side by side? " - at least I rarely see them - down here they would have to be road registered (tax) to be on any public road - not sure if it is different in the States?

[@MotoGiant]

Thanks Wanye, and yes the mountain is still there and will most likely have different conditions next time. side by's? Seems like you guys have avoided many of our problems down under? It is a scourge in America, and they are allowed on roads because of money - tourism causes many of our illnesses.

[@Dean.F]

Weight is the enemy on a grade like that. Only way up loaded is to keep momentum and don't spin. Easy to burn up a clutch trying to get going from a stop. You probably would've walked right up it with no luggage and no fear.

[@MotoGiant]

Totally. That was clear the entire trip - KLXs (all three) just floated across all the obstacles with very little issues

[@zx1100a1]

Dang, ya got Mike to narrate for ya. Kool 😁

[@MotoGiant]

Tha dude ain't cheap?

[@danielcostales2397]

Mike Rowe Artificial Intelligence?

[@danielcostales2397]

… or the actual guy?

[@MotoGiant]

@@danielcostales2397 actually Mike is VERY intelligent, I think he just gets a bad rap for some of the shows he does? Very easy to work with, unlike SOME of the voice actors in the past - very professional and intelligent!

[@danielcostales2397]

Wow lau lau

[@1jbunceiii]

Done it😊

[@MotoGiant]

I saw that?

[@Matt_McMatt]

What we have here…is failure…to communicate!

[@MotoGiant]

lack of comms plague most of the trip sadly :(

[@Liberty4Ever]

@@MotoGiant - In this particular case, it sounds like John's older Cardo forced you all into Bluetooth mode which sucks. DMC mode has far greater range. The ear plugs didn't help but when that's how you ride it's difficult to realize that's a problem. I talked a friend into spending $350 on a new Cardo so we could communicate and on our first moto camping trip, I forgot my Cardo. Derp. A good motorcycle intercom should cost $99. It's become a monopoly, and those are never good for consumers. As Ryan F9 mentioned at the end of his intercom comparison video, the cost and features don't matter because you're stuck getting the same intercom that your friends have.

[@MotoGiant]

@@Liberty4Ever I hate them and love them at the same time - how does THAT work?

[@mtscott1]

Not much to say. Thanks for posting.

[@MotoGiant]

worn out after 44 minutes? :)

[@mtscott1]

The video duration did not bother me. I hated to see the fall out. As a strong willed independent individual myself I think I understand.

[@MotoGiant]

@@mtscott1 I am afraid that many will be disappointed in the tragedy - I struggled with how to tell the story, and even whether to tell the story at all. How to share the WHOLE story became impossible, but I wanted to be honest, and I think people need to understand what can happen. Sadly, there will be more conflict on the journey, along with triumphs. I have invited several others to offer advice on HOW to tell the story, but most have offered very little - it is painful to watch, but imagine the pain of being there?

[@tangoreal9098]

This is why I ride solo.

[@MotoGiant]

Certainly much easier - not as much screaming anyway? :)

[@TheMrprez]

When were you going through Colorado?

[@MotoGiant]

middle July - lots of snow as you will see Saturday

[@TheMrprez]

We are doing the TAT this summer. Not on motorcycles though. Jeep. Trying to figure out the earliest we could leave from Nags Head and make it through the passes. This will be our second trip. I’ve done parts on two wheels having made it to Green River UT where I was having engine trouble and my riding partner left me high and dry in Silverton.

[@MotoGiant]

@@TheMrprez mid July is almost always the earliest I would go - watch the next video tomorrow and you will see why

[@markjacobs3956]

Coms are no substitute for knowing each others riding abilities and habits. Tech causes more problems than it helps in these situations.

[@MotoGiant]

The tech was amazing and helpful when it was working.

[@bigsmoke6189]

Is that Mike Rowe Narrating ?

[@MotoGiant]

Crazy huh?