What to Bring on the Trans America Trail

[@swpearce]

Great coverage of what's needed. I'm departing August 1st and this is a primer for what I need to bring thank you very much.

[@lkandlbinder]

It's my pleasure Steve. I'm glad you found it helpful and best of luck on your trip!

[@BlytheToMeetYou]

Here from the Moto camping FB group! Great video, thanks for sharing your kit and tips!

[@lkandlbinder]

Hello there! Thanks for watching...glad you liked it and hope you got something out it!

[@kuhndj67]

I like watching these vid's for ideas... this is a great one and VERY thorough. Thanks for new ideas : Recovery bag suggestion - that's a GREAT idea for bigger bikes, I'm ordering one for my Multi. Couple areas where I diverge and why: Socks - I MUST have clean socks and underwear... I carry 6 pairs of each... if a pair gets damp I swap them immediately (take care of your feet... and your other bits). Tank Bag - I like to have visor cleaner in my tank bag... I tend to use it at least once or twice a day when touring, Plexor makes a "travel" size that doesn't take much space (but doesn't last long so buy 3 or 4 and keep one in your tank bag at a time). Food - I don't carry food because of bears (I think there's no such thing as smell proof... we've tried), in the US it's easy to find food even in the West. Sleeping Bag - I like being on the cool side when I sleep so for me a 40 degree down bag (that packs to a very compact size) was sufficient for temps into the high 20's (with me wearing some clothes). If it's colder than that I get a hotel room. Backside - I use an Airhawk seat for typical tarmac biased touring on the Multi - it's a butt-saver and is easy to remove if you find a fun road and want to hoon around for a bit. For the TAT I think I'm going to do something similar since there are a LOT of traditional touring roads (both dirt and paved) that I think it will help with. For the more offroad stuff I'll deflate it and pack it away. Testing: I like to take a one week testing trip with all my planned gear prior to a big tour. For the TAT warmup this year we will be heading down through the Appalachians and Blue Ridge Mtns. to the Smokeys after Easter to test out the gear (and have some fun). In general I overpack so often find I can get rid of a few things after a test run.

[@lkandlbinder]

Fantastic ideas and points David. Thanks for watching and sharing...so true about the bears. I've unpacked my whole tent and then packed up and moved on after feeling uneasy in bear country. Man, enjoy the week up in Appalachia and the Blue Ridge Mtns and the TAT...you've got a great season ahead of you. Thanks again!

[@Thelnferno]

Great vid and thank you for including links to everything in the description.

[@lkandlbinder]

Thanks so much! No problem, glad you found it useful.

[@Zerotys_ADV]

Really enjoyed your TAT series. Liking video editing style as well.

[@lkandlbinder]

Thanks! I'm glad you liked it. I'm not an expert on editing but just did what looked and sounded good to me...and I used free software (DaVinci Resolve) and free music (KZbin studio).

[@matthewfurlong3889]

Great videos. Appreciate the effort. Hope your Africa trip was/is awesome.

[@lkandlbinder]

I'm glad you enjoyed it and thanks for watching!

[@richmartin7738]

Great packing tips. Thx!

[@lkandlbinder]

Glad it was helpful!

[@rowannadon7668]

This is awesome, I'm going to do the trans america trail this Spring on my WR250R. I think its the perfect bike for the TAT.

[@lkandlbinder]

Thanks Rowan, I'm glad you got something out of this...awe man, the TAT on a WR250R is going to be great...I'm jealous. Have fun, take it slow and enjoy!

[@lansanasesay9651]

Congratulations 👍

[@lkandlbinder]

Thank you 👍

[@SteelHorseman]

My man!! Great work!!

[@lkandlbinder]

Thanks Steel Horseman! Glad you stuck with me.

[@SteelHorseman]

@@lkandlbinder when you’re in Raleigh NC, I’ll buy you dinner. God Bless.

[@chris71600rr]

Excellent video.

[@lkandlbinder]

Thanks Chris...Glad you liked it and thanks for watching!

[@Alex_556]

Very useful video, thanks! However it's not clear how did you get/prepare your food. No kitchenware stuff appeared...

[@lkandlbinder]

Thanks, I'm glad you found it useful. As for preparing food...I initially thought I would cook but ended up just keeping trail mix, tuna packs and other no-prep foods in a bear/odor proof bag. The trail brings you through towns so you can always find food. I do have a small gas stove but don't think I used it. Thanks again for watching.

[@CraigWilsonColorado]

Thank you.

[@mikedenton6485]

Lee, I'd like to see your tool bag set up. Also did you figure what was leaking water????

[@lkandlbinder]

Okay Mike, I'll post a video on my tools soon. As for the water, yes...I had sprayed off my bike just before making that video and hadn't closed that case all the way lol. It wasn't the water bladder...that thing is like Kevlar. Thanks for watching!

[@stevethomas9848]

what did you bring to inflate a tire in the unfortunate event of a flat?? (maybe i missed it)

[@lkandlbinder]

Thanks for watching...I kept a manual tire pump and an electric one that I could attach to my battery...both of which I kept in my tool bag.

[@marcelodelvalleepuyao9866]

buen video, si lo traduces sería genial. Saludos.

[@lkandlbinder]

Thanks for watching! Sorry I don't have the time to translate

[@richmartin7738]

How did you get the bike shipped?

[@lkandlbinder]

My wife is working over here and we could bring one vehicle for free...we choose the bike! :)

[@gstone42]

Be careful over there man.

[@lkandlbinder]

Thanks Gary. There's a fuel crisis at the moment so I'm off the bike for now to see where the dust settles. Thanks for watching!

[@ender_wiggum]

All the headsets are kinda hot garbage, but Sena specifically makes no claims to be waterproof. I've had friends have them fail in the rain. Cardo has an actual waterproof rating...

[@shaylaruhoff1905]

pքɾօʍօʂʍ

[@lkandlbinder]

Thanks for watching!