TransAmerica Trail | Tennessee to Colorado

Join Kris and Peter as they ride their adventure motorcycles for 15 days on the TransAmerica Trail from Tellico Plains, Tennessee to Silverton, Colorado in August of 2019. After waiting a year due to Covid-19 restrictions, Kris finished the TAT (Colorado to Oregon) with Hans in June of 2021...video link : • TransAmerica Trail | C...
For more information about the TransAmerica Trail, visit www.transamtrail.com
*Content from this video was originally published on a different channel, but has been remastered and republished on this channel in order to consolidate footage.

[@tommykawasaki9676]

Gorgeous Trip !! 👍 I’m with you, I used to ride technical, it was fun & a great experience, but I got tired of only seeing what’s 10’ in front of me. Now I chase after these spectacular views, only seen from backcountry & the path less traveled. Nice work & thanks for sharing !

[@scottjeffries9419]

I love that quote “We are blessed to be doing what we are doing”. I think it every time I hit the starter!

[@billp222]

I've been living and riding in Colorado for a lot of years Just came across your channel. Dig it! No shame in turning around when it's like that. I won't even go- turned around many times in high elevation storms riding solo. I'd rather have a chance to come back, than be nursing broken bones for the short summer. Ride on!

[@Baraka2212]

You guys are the soul reason I ended up getting an ADV bike, yall are inspirational as all get out.

[@MotoTherapy]

Wow-We’re honored to be part of your ADV journey! Wishing you safe and happy trails!

[@1jbunceiii]

I did the whole thing to Oregon...went with my father. We had roll charts....I was on a Yamaha WR250 and dad was on a KTM 250.

[@MotoTherapy]

Nice! Way to make some epic memories!

[@justingoodger5383]

How long did it take?

[@lenghtofpull]

I have a WR and want to do this with it

[@lenghtofpull]

What was your gear set up?

[@abyields7831]

Amazing ride, done it once, it was a blast; specially when your buddies are caring and simply bunch of good people.

[@brianp7938]

Awesome ride guys - thanks for sharing the video and all the work that goes into putting this together. Appreciate the details on where you stayed and such, as I plan out a trip similar to this w/my son. Thanks for raising awareness for veteran suicide. 🇺🇸

[@toddgirard391]

Awesome video humorous and that’s always the best way to make memories....

[@tube8522]

SPR I've been there since day one. Help on leading rides each year. Great event and people.

[@fixedguitar47]

Thank you for this. This is more of what I’m looking for. I want to enjoy the scenery on my ride not be all technical.

[@michaelbean8404]

Oh I can't wait to do this trip someday. Its funny, and to each their own, but to me the destination is the journey. Its all those neat trails/obstacles. No mater there size. Could be a cute little water crossing or a technical through a snow road, or an old guy I met on his porch. Anyway thanks so much for letting us ride along with you both on your trip.

[@MotoTherapy]

Thank you for joining in the journey! Best wishes in yours!

[@TeamTNTperformance]

Very cool. I recognize a lot of the roads early in the trip as I live just south of Chattanooga. Want to eventually do the whole trip myself!

[@rickv9251]

That is a beautiful view.

[@jimmallery294]

Thanks for the nice video.

[@masoodkhan7156]

Beautiful route..you have selected...good

[@beachamboy11]

Great video! Makes me want to take a long trip.

[@MotoTherapy]

Thanks! I hope you do!

[@ralphcantrell3214]

Thanks for the video! I've done the entire TAT twice on an XR650L. Also did the Shadow of the Rockies Trail from El Paso to Baggs, Wyoming and the Mississippi Hill Country Trail. I put 37,000 miles on that bike. I never crashed it hard but I went through dozens of tires, 3 chains and sprocket sets, and even wore out the original wheels before giving it to a friend after it developed a mighty knock in the engine. I lost my wallet in Nevada along with $800 cash and all the other important stuff when my fanny pack fell off in the middle of nowhere. I rode 430 miles that day, mostly off-road, before I found it and made it to the next motel. That was the last time I ever carried my wallet in a fanny pack. In all those travels I doubt if I took over 3 dozen photos and not a single video as I'm lazy about such distractions, but man, do I have some great memories!

[@MotoTherapy]

Thanks for paving the way! You clearly epitomize adventure riding!!!

[@billwaterhouse5894]

Absolutely phenomenal guys, very jealous…and for a great cause. I’m retired LEO, would love to ride with y’all. My wife and I are actually taking the the same route/TAT in a couple weeks all the way to UT. Truck, Offroad camper and Jeep this time, sadly no bike. Safe travels

[@MotoTherapy]

Where are you located? Maybe we can link-up someday 👍

[@billwaterhouse5894]

That would be fun. I’m in Summerville

[@MotoTherapy]

@@billwaterhouse5894 Batesburg-Leesville for me.

[@devinparker264]

I didn't even know this trail existed until today. Time to start packing

[@MotoTherapy]

Excellent! Happy adventuring!

[@johntaylor5166]

Thanks for sharing, I really enjoyed the video. Nice work editing, that had to be pretty time consuming

[@MotoTherapy]

Thank you! Glad you enjoyed it 👍

[@madmaxthemotomutt6464]

Man, this has been on my suggested watch list!!!! I’m not a fan of watching others ride but watching y’all has given me a lot more confidence! I hope to hit the TAT end of May and take it slow! Hopefully that will give the mountain passes time to warm up a little!

[@madmaxthemotomutt6464]

Next day it warm, imma try to run the red river scramble! Hopefully it’s not crazy! I live in central ky by the way!

[@MotoTherapy]

I hope you are able to make it work-it’s a fantastic trip!

[@MotoTherapy]

@@madmaxthemotomutt6464 Beautiful country there in KY!!

[@KWlion]

I watch a lot of MC videos, and this one is excellent. The editing and videography is impressive !!! I will watch Colorado to Oregon next. yes, I want to see the scenery too !! There is way to much; back of a windshield , bumpy forest trails, stuck in the mud footage on KZbin.

[@MotoTherapy]

Thanks for watching and for the nice feedback!

[@hippohands]

Great video gents.

[@MotoTherapy]

Thanks for watching!!

[@williamwilson2748]

Your on the trail and I'm on the adventure....yea I can buy that..

[@eatcommies1375]

Very Nicely done! Greetings from Colorado, hope to cross ADV paths one day👍

[@MotoTherapy]

Thank you, and likewise! You live in a beautiful state!

[@rgovert]

ALL THESE QUESTIONS .. did you carry extra fuel .. if so .. in what ? food .. what did you bring .. and how much ?? maps .. paper or gps .. how did you route this and know when to turn (l) or (r) .. ?? what kind of tents ?? rain gear ??

[@MotoTherapy]

No extra fuel was needed for our particular bikes. We used GPX files on our dedicated GPS devices (purchased at www.transamtrail.com), and we followed the route on the GPS. Food-we never carried more than a day or two of food, and used trail mix and bars to supplement things. Tents-My tent is a 2P by Hyke and Byke. Rain gear-Rain shell overgarments just in case (Tournaster jacket and Rev’it pants)

[@eddieparish3803]

mcdonalds coffee is the bomb guys

[@rideyourbike]

👍

[@clroger4]

7 degrees in Ohio today 😢 watching your video is keeping me sane 😂 Hard vs. Soft panniers?

[@MotoTherapy]

Thanks for watching, and stay warm! I rode with hard panniers because I like the ease of locking them, etc., but they are potentially harder on the lower extremities in a crash. Personal call.

[@johnnybigpotato2404]

Do you remember what camera you used on your head mount? Looking for a budget "gopro" clone to do the basics. Great Video! PS. Thanks for the "6 Million Dollar Man" music at the end. :)

[@MotoTherapy]

I was using a Garmin VIRB on the top of my helmet. The 6 Million Dollar Man was the best!! lol

[@denniscogan630]

Where are you guys fromI am just getting into adventure riding and love your videos. Lots of learning to do. Where you guys from?

[@MotoTherapy]

We live in central SC. Best wishes in your ADV journey-it’s a blast!

[@stevegalloway9412]

Enjoyed following this trip. Can you tell us a little about your Africa Twins? Which transmission you rode with and how it handled some of the rough climbs? Thanks in advance from a veteran, for what you are doing to raise some awareness to some difficult problems faced by those in uniform and for feedback on your rides

[@MotoTherapy]

Thanks, and thank you for your service! We both had standard gearboxes (non-DCT). As for the climbs, the torque in the ATs is wonderful--they just tractored up the mountains, with very occasional clutch feathering to help in the technical stuff.

[@doncarr9435]

You guys scare the crap out of me when you pose close to the edge of those cliffs.

[@MotoTherapy]

Haha! Thanks for watching!

[@rjeepster8640]

Day 4? I used to drink like that!

[@MotoTherapy]

Haha!

[@gerardoosio]

Thanks for sharing this great adventure, nice footage, you don't need to be an professional videographer for make good KZbin content. I've really enjoy it.

[@MotoTherapy]

Glad you enjoyed it! I am FAR from being a pro videographer, LOL!

[@Dave-sw2dm]

Where y'all from? We don't have smog in the Tennessee backcountry. We actually have low lying clouds and fog. 🙂

[@MotoTherapy]

Smog? We’re from SC

[@MotoTherapy]

I just realized why you mentioned smog. Peter was referencing "Misty Mountain" from the Hobbit 😂

[@davidlamb155]

The Pig Trail ..lol !! Not tail of the pig!! And Russelllville,Arkansas not Robbinsville!! Robbinsville is in North Carolina!! Jealous of your journey!! Hope to do it some day!! Arkansas has great riding!!

[@MotoTherapy]

LOL! You are correct! It was the best we could do given our aging memories combined with riding for multiple days in 100+ deg humid weather.

[@coreyjdl]

Why does everyone skip the Oklahoma section of the TAT!

[@patricioarredondo254]

Did you think my stock KLR650 2022 can do the TAT..?

[@MotoTherapy]

Without a doubt!

[@RaddestDad]

I’m looking at buying an Africa Twin. I know it’s not light but I’m curious how it compares to the BMW

[@MotoTherapy]

They are both spectacular bikes! The AT is a bit lighter and has chain instead of shaft drive. The BMW (1200/1250 GS) is a bit more suited for freeway riding, although the AT can hold its own there. The AT is probably a bit more dirt capable than the BMW, although there are many impressive examples of both bikes being ridden off-road. I believe tubeless is standard on the BMW, but only available on certain AT models (many people prefer tubes off-road and tubeless on paved routes, but all that is personal preference)

[@mikemathews1711]

LIke the video...it would add a lot if you could list the days and the start/finish like you did on the section from Salida to Port Orford.

[@MotoTherapy]

Good feedback. I’m learning as I go. This video was actually edited over 2 years ago, whereas the CO to OR video was edited a few months ago.

[@mikethompson2007]

Uhh you didn't catch the constant banter as to which day it was on the TAT or what riding day it was in general?? got a little boring...

[@plastruk]

Was cinnamon pass hard on big bikes.?

[@MotoTherapy]

Not very hard. We road east-to-west, and the most difficult part (in my opinion) was the area of larger rocks when descending directly into Animas Forks, but that was manageable.

[@chriscastle374]

Time Stamp 56:57, there's a drain pipe on the right and something crawled into it. Badger or Marmot?

[@MotoTherapy]

Marmot 👍

[@jasonwilliamson990]

How long did the trip take?

[@MotoTherapy]

About 2 weeks

[@timlubbers2884]

What time of the year was this ?

[@MotoTherapy]

First half of August

[@timlubbers2884]

@@MotoTherapy thank you ... I'm looking at may or June and skip the passes ... love the footage, looked fun! 👊👊

[@MotoTherapy]

@@timlubbers2884 Awesome! Best wishes for you!

[@stevethomas9848]

What tires you prefer for this type of ride?

[@MotoTherapy]

Anything at least as aggressive as 50/50. I ran Shinko 804/805s and TKC80s on this trip, and was pleased.

[@ecolandmanagementllc1543]

So are you guys from Lexington SC?

[@MotoTherapy]

Essentially, yes.

[@ecolandmanagementllc1543]

Thank you for responding. I’m in Lexington also. I’m a new rider and looking for local groups that do this style riding. Maybe we can connect sometime

[@MotoTherapy]

@@ecolandmanagementllc1543 Sure! e-mail me at [e-mail]

[@denniscogan630]

I’m from Lexington also! Just bought a GS and putting my shopping list of accessories to start my adventure riding. A little later in life at 58 but what the hell

[@MotoTherapy]

@@denniscogan630 Nice--congrats on the bike. We're about the same age, and I have a GS now, too. We should meet up sometime 🙂

[@tube8522]

Peter, Dean, and I help at the SPR. Do you remember the two Ga. guys in the halfway house of Donald's?

[@MotoTherapy]

I think so! I hope you’re well!

[@tube8522]

@@MotoTherapy Doing well, thank you guys for sharing the SM500. it goes within 10 miles of our place in Chatsworth. About 3 miles from the famous Super 8 you stayed at.

[@bryanlylethomsen]

Where are you guys from originally?

[@MotoTherapy]

MN and NY, but now we live in SC

[@bryanlylethomsen]

@@MotoTherapy oh no kidding? I’m from MN but I live in Colorado now. Where in MN?

[@MotoTherapy]

@@bryanlylethomsen I grew up in Excelsior, before urban sprawl enveloped it. Colorado? I also lived in Englewood and Colorado Springs at different times 😂

[@billslicer3203]

Wow anyone who doesn’t like McDonalds coffee…. Is a coffee snob. Lol

[@MotoTherapy]

Guilty

[@mar1video]

Audio : blasting music - commentary not so much. Otherwise - Great video !

[@johnduch2815]

zero is nothing so it can't be a day.

[@MotoTherapy]

Lol! Exactly. That's why Day 0 was the day before we started on the TAT! 😉

[@davidwarren2409]

Looks like you mostly rode paved roads

[@MotoTherapy]

The roads included in the TAT are the roads we rode.

[@GratefulOverlander]

"Coast guard veteran " You're joking right?? Lmao The coast guard doesn't do a damn thing, they are NOT military. He is not a vet

[@MotoTherapy]

You are clearly a very “grateful” person!

[@stevehoward3981]

And has absolutely no clue of reality.

[@clroger4]

Why would you post this.? Come on, America, wake up and stop the "Karen", MSM media driven division.