The Trans America Trail

**young1** · 6th October 2010, 15:21

To make this a true coast to coast does anyone know how far it is to ride from (say) New York or New Orleans (both big ports for shipping bikes to) to the start of the TAT?

**Phreaky Phil** · 6th October 2010, 18:06

Originally Posted by young1

To make this a true coast to coast does anyone know how far it is to ride from (say) New York or New Orleans (both big ports for shipping bikes to) to the start of the TAT?

Its about 1000km from New York to Jellico (start of TAT)
The nearest East coast is about 600km.
New Orleans is actually south. In the Gulf of Mexico.
The nearest city to the Start is Knoxville

**young1** · 6th October 2010, 19:45

Originally Posted by Phreaky Phil

Its about 1000km from New York to Jellico (start of TAT)
The nearest East coast is about 600km.
New Orleans is actually south. In the Gulf of Mexico.
The nearest city to the Start is Knoxville

That opens up some interesting options though, to ride all the way across the Continent. Be interesting to ride trail bikes across the Hudson bridge at the start of an adventure like that :-)

I have emailed both addresses on the TAT web site to ask (I see that one has bounced back already as undeliverable).

UPDATE - two days to ride from the Big Apple to the start of the trail

**Phreaky Phil** · 6th October 2010, 20:19

Originally Posted by young1

That opens up some interesting options though, to ride all the way across the Continent. Be interesting to ride trail bikes across the Hudson bridge at the start of an adventure like that :-)

I have emailed both addresses on the TAT web site to ask (I see that one has bounced back already as undeliverable).

Have you studied any of the TAT threads on ADV rider ? Theres a lot of them and some neat Videos to be found on Utube. Bikes have to be shipped to somewhere, the most common being LA or San Fran. If the bikes are crated individually its easier to start and finish in the same place so the crates can be reused. Rossco Penell and crew started and finished in LA I think. They rode there bikes from LA to Tennesse to the start. Long way !

**bart** · 6th October 2010, 20:23

What the hell....take an extra month and go across Canada to the start line.

**young1** · 6th October 2010, 20:30

Originally Posted by Phreaky Phil

Have you studied any of the TAT threads on ADV rider ? Theres a lot of them and some neat Videos to be found on Utube. Bikes have to be shipped to somewhere, the most common being LA or San Fran. If the bikes are crated individually its easier to start and finish in the same place so the crates can be reused. Rossco Penell and crew started and finished in LA I think. They rode there bikes from LA to Tennesse to the start. Long way !

Yep have been on advrider but not YouTube. I like the idea of starting at the Atlantic and finishing at the Pacific.

It would be a big round trip riding from the West Coast, monkey butt!!

**trustme** · 7th October 2010, 06:16

Ports most commonly used are Long Beach [ LA ], Oakland [SF ] & Philly mid way between NY & Washington DC. Looking at a map Philly is very very roughly 1/3 the distance to Tennessee that you would cover from the west coast. It is a while since I shipped into Philly but I seem to remember it was bloody dear due to the Panama Canal etc.
Swires whose price I gave to Phil only go LA. Maersk who constantly bombard me with emails about how good they are have not reponded to my enquiry.
Will chase them along if you like.
Both would ship out of Tauranga & I can find a suitable place there for you to pack bikes
The figure I gave included an allowance for container cartage at each end to a suitable packing site. a NZ customs export entry & US customs clearance, $300 worth of phyto sanitary grade packing timber for blocking & chocking the bikes. Figure is perhaps a little high & could be carved back a little but gives you an idea, better high than getting a surprise further on down the track

**XF650** · 11th October 2010, 08:33

These guys are back:
http://www.travelblog.org/North-Amer...og-534151.html
The blog is a bit confusing - looks like they split into 3 groups. Local guy (Bryan) reckons it's right up there for rides to do. His 660 Tenere went well and it was only in the knarlier bits where he missed his 450.

**Phreaky Phil** · 11th October 2010, 16:00

Originally Posted by XF650

These guys are back:
http://www.travelblog.org/North-Amer...og-534151.html
The blog is a bit confusing - looks like they split into 3 groups. Local guy (Bryan) reckons it's right up there for rides to do. His 660 Tenere went well and it was only in the knarlier bits where he missed his 450.

Im guna contact Dave who was on the ride, he lives in the Naki somewhere

**fleebag4@** · 12th October 2010, 14:00

Any space for one more though i no where near 60

I've been looking at doing soe trips and i might be doing a quick Asia run (1-2 months) in 2011 though i'm always keen for a ride.

As for bikes, well, this has been of the main issues as what to do! Buying one from ebay is great but with it's pro's and con's. Some say it makes more for an adventure.... Anyway, one option i was thinking of is maybe buying a new bike there and brining back .....Okay, i pay for GST when it lands, but it will be about half since i would of owned it for a while and they are cheaper there. I'm not sure if you can claim the gst back when leaving..

Anyway, i haven't finalised my plans and would be keen on joining your trip though i'm no mechanic. Just an easy going guy

**GPS MAN** · 16th October 2010, 18:50

A lot of guys do purchase bikes over there. Sam C. will help you if you decide to go this route....

But, nothing like taking your own bike

A lovely ride

**Aslan** · 10th February 2011, 06:34

My dearest has agreed in principle that if I want to do the TAT in 2013 - my 66th year God willing - then start saving for it now.

So Phil and Eddie (and others whose posts I've not read) - count me a definite 'keen, subject to whatever eventualities life may throw at us in the meantime'

Cheers S

**Phreaky Phil** · 10th February 2011, 11:22

Originally Posted by Aslan

My dearest has agreed in principle that if I want to do the TAT in 2013 - my 66th year God willing - then start saving for it now.

So Phil and Eddie (and others whose posts I've not read) - count me a definite 'keen, subject to whatever eventualities life may throw at us in the meantime'

Cheers S

We've moved our target to 2012. 2013 is too far away. Can you save enough money by next year ?

**navek** · 10th February 2011, 12:42

Originally Posted by Phreaky Phil

We've moved our target to 2012. 2013 is too far away. Can you save enough money by next year ?

I would be keen to join a 2012 trip, any ideas on timing, approx costs etc??
Can be flexible on how and what we get to ride.

Kev

**Box'a'bits** · 10th February 2011, 18:39

No way that we can do 2012, given that we are sending our daughter to France this April.

But still keen to springboard off all of your hard work / use your ideas / learn from your experiences.

Mandy did comment to me that she thought you weren't too far from being ready, given the work that you'd done of the DR. Looking good by the way.