I'm glad that you did this ride but like myself and many others, you didn't provide nearly enough time. It has taken me three times trying and four weeks to do it and I've only made it to the Nevada border. Do yourself a favor and go back west. Trailer the bike to central Colorado in the heat of the summer and spend some time on the trail from Ophir headed west. You won't be let down. The highlight of the trip for me so far. Just my $.02

@ericanderson3806

5 жыл бұрын

I think you are probably right. I was worse for wear by the time I got to Colorado and was fighting to get to Port Orford in 5 days. The trail has many highlights throughout, but many are found in the Appalachians or the Rockies. Each is worth its own 3 week tour.

@mercedes93ism

5 жыл бұрын

Tim Wood i did it coast to coast on a ktm 500 in 4 weeks in 2018. It’s hard not to haul ass on a five hundo haha

@mikethompson2007

4 жыл бұрын

Great advice Tim, Due to my son's work schedule we did two week runs over one summer and two early falls. The first part was from Tellico plains to Monticello Utah and was a cruiser, 12 days approx. 3000 miles. Fall of 2018 we planned to finish and both succumbed to mechanical failures near Lund Nevada, 5 days into the ride. So this September trailered to Salt Lake City , rode back to Lund and got on the trail and made Port Orford 10 &1/2 days later! But as you said, the best part starts in Colorado and goes west. Hope you can make it back to Nevada and finish Nevada and Oregon. I would not schedule the Utah and Nevada desert crossings in the heat of the summer though.

@davidmesagno3599

2 жыл бұрын

@@ericanderson3806 l

Brother you have that spirit that lies within all men, but you my friend are living it.

@StanleySchmengie

5 жыл бұрын

What a nice thing to say. KZread needs more comments like yours.

@mafia461

3 жыл бұрын

@@StanleySchmengie What a nice reply, KZread needs more replies like yours... #LetsBnice21another

Well done. You've got the spirit of the road in you. If you're still doing this when you're an old man like me, you're going to dig the freedom to wake up one morning, feel like a ride and be gone for three months. Man, five days from Oregon to Toronto on a 250 is a killer. I've done quite a few 5-day coast-to-coast rides on the Harley Road King and never felt I was rushing to get anywhere, but a 250 would turn into work. I was out for 14,500 miles last summer on my DR650, from New England to Tuktoyaktuk and then Prudhoe Bay, but I was out for 79 days, not looking to make big miles five days in a row. A rider needs to be your age to have the beef and the headspace for that. Keep riding!

What an awesome adventure! Your foot injury looked painful! It's good you weren't so bad off you needed to delay. Very cool video. As a trucker that has seen much of the US and a small portion of 3 Canadian Provinces, I have to say I envy folks like you that are able to travel roads I have no hope of getting an 18 wheeler down! Safe riding.

Looks like a great adventure. I have just up-graded to a 2019 BMW 1250 GS, and have this trip on my bucket list trips. I admire your courage for doing this alone and on a smaller bike, which makes the weight and packing that much more technical in order to travel efficiently. Great photo's and videos.....and think you narrated and described your journey quite well. Going to start planning this for 2021, as I will most likely do a smaller trip to Deale NC and ride the tail of the Dragon sometime next summer with some buddies with street bikes. Anyone reading this comment that is up for the trans-america in 2021, message me and lets get some correspondence going. I will no doubt do this ride solo, but if others are in the same boat, we could all join up and do the ride together! I live in Belleville, Ontario and ride when I am not at work (currently in the DRC, Africa). Oh yeah I ride a KTM 350 EXC-F enduro on the weekends in the Congo on my off time whilst in the Congo..... You can never get enough biking in!

I live in Virginia and I will never forget the amount of rainfall we got in 2018. It just would not stop, all spring & summer long. Truly never seen anything like it in this region. Thanks for sharing this video, this is a truly inspirational ride!

Eric, an excellent summary of your trip. You certainly covered a lot miles in but a few days!

Wow. What a trip. Thanks for making this video.

Great video, Eric. Thanks for taking the time to get the video and put it together.

Wow! Thanks for your excellent video, I thoroughly enjoyed hearing and watching your experience. I’m an avid ADV rider and can only dream of experiencing this trip one day...ride on!

Man, I wish I was still young, I'm 65 years old, and ride a 2017 crf250l, fun as hell !

@TurboDieselBeetle

5 жыл бұрын

youtube "Tiny Bike to Alaska" and enjoy!! :{)

@BACK40ADVENTURE

5 жыл бұрын

My dad just turned 70 and hes zipping around. On his wr250r

@iwin1833

3 жыл бұрын

your never to old go before your 85 years old and can't.

@frankharder338

6 күн бұрын

Mark you can do it. Find a buddy.

@markcollins5026

6 күн бұрын

@@frankharder338 man. nice no longer have the CRF, I now have a 2022 Kawasaki KLR650, more fun to ride and I'm now 70 !

Thanks for posting your adventure. You sure had your work cut out for you on that trip. What a great attitude though! It’s also a bit of a cautionary tale, the unpredictable weather, mechanical issues, and your injury! All things that could happen to anyone on any bike at any time of year on this route. I’ve ridden a lot of areas in the PNW and Nevada and Utah and echo the advice of other commenters here by saying you should definitely make the western portion it’s own trip! Great video and thanks again.

Great trip man, I brings back my memories of driving through the back roads of those states. The fact that you did that all on a 250 is brilliant. I wouldn't think it would like the highway speeds and weight. Cool adventure, can't wait to try my luck on it.

Awesome! Dying to do it. Only listen to positive comments. You post a video of you building a jet engine in your shed, it would still be full of negative comments. It is the nature of the net. Awesome. Gave a good feel of doing it.

Crazy long trip on a 250! I did an 8 week 12,000 mile trip on my 690 that tore through fuel on highways! I’ve put 8500 miles on my 500exc which is far better off road than the 690, but is even harder on fuel at highway speeds. Both of which I carried off road and on road sprockets to suit the conditions. Well done doing your trip on a high strung 250!

Very nicely done, Eric. You made it your own trail based on variables such as weather, time constraints, physical limits, injuries, and the limits of your bike. Many thanks for the suggestion of sharing water with us thirsty solo cyclists!

Thanks for sharing your adventure. You encountered an unusual amount of adversity, but some adventures are like that. Good job on accommodating the difficulties as well as possible and endeavoring to persevere. I'm probably too old for the more difficult off road sections of the TAT, but I'd like to do my own version. I'd better do it soon. I'm not getting any younger. Tick tock.

Great video and greatly admire your endurance. I had a WR250R for 6 years, great bike and as you demonstrated, rock solid. Thanks for the video!

Great video, nicely produced. Thanks for sharing your adventure.

Thanks for documenting it Eric

Very cool video and a lot of tips. I will plan this trip for 2023.

This is one of the best TAT reviews out there - very clear - bike looked great 👍 thanks for sharing

Awesome video my friend. You are one tough dude, ride with the near broke foot half way across america is impressive, not counting the fact, you were on the trail more than half of the trip. Hats off to you sir, for making this trip happen and may you get many many more years of rides in sir. Thanks for sharing your trip with us. Dale

Thanks Mark. I'm getting a KLR too and planning a trip with my son from CA to NC the summer when he finishes high school

That must have been a amazing trip! Thanks for sharing 😁

Great documentary. Well done for not giving up cross country. Inspirational. Stay well.

Really enjoyed your summary and the way you told your story. Well Done!

Wow nice adventure. I liked Silverton Colorado too. What a long way to go all by your self, I'm glad you made it safe. That foot injury looked rough.

Eric, this was a great video and epic adventure.

Hi Eric. It's very inspirational to watch you travel through different states on your motorcycle. It gives me courage to try it

This looks like a fun month! Run it in a TJ Wrangler, maybe with a trailer maybe not. You went across the continent and back on a 250? I am impressed sir!

good job man, that is a long ride in so short a time!

Great video. Will be trying again to ride across the country in May. Last year I made it to New Mexico and turned around and headed back to Ohio. Got more time this year so I should make it to the pacific coast highway which was my goal last year. New Mexico was a beautiful state and can’t wait to go through it again.

Awesome. I just sold my BMW R1250GS. Will buy a lightweight 250 - 400 cc bike to ride the TAT solo cross country in 2021. Great job, great video, thanks for sharing. Don’t listen to any negative posts 🤙🏽

Best video I’ve watched that captured the whole experience in on shot. This is a wet dream I hope to do one day.

Great video, I enjoyed it very much..

Nice video. Thanks. I am a senior looking at the trail.. Have not rode before...

Nice video... you made really good time. I'm from Waterloo, ON and plan to do similar trip late July 2021. Took some notes from this. Thanks. Ben

Man, you are one tough hombre! Thanks for the video and your enduring spirit 👍🏍🏁

What a great adventure thanks for sharing!

Great video, Eric! I’m interested in doing this in my jeep soon!

Man, this was just a great summary of this! You really sold me on it.

Great video and summary. I'm hoping to get to do this some day. Traveling from the UK and maybe buying a bike at the beginning of the trail. It may be complicated but it's on my to do list!

What an awesome trip. Like the way you say Oregon

Excellent video. We are considering doing this journey in a Jeep! I'm dying to drive Ophir Pass in CO. A friendly tip from a native Oregonian to anyone who's willing to listen and learn: we pronounce it "OR-a-gin" instead of "OR-ee-gone". Happy future travels to you, Eric!

Eric, nice quick video! Way to keep on going after your foot injury! Good job man! 🤙 Cheers!

Wow I am really impressed with your trip on wr this makes me more confident in my drz 400 e which I am planning on doing a long trips! Thanks for sharing

@ericanderson3806

5 жыл бұрын

I crossed paths in New Mexico with two other guys on DRZ400s on the TAT. The drz400 is a great bike for this trip as well.

Well done! I'm hoping to do this someday

I would love to do this trip with my son and a couple buddies! I'd be leaving from Southern New Brunswick, Canada. I give myself another couple years and I will have a 2 week vacation planned to tackle this trip. 😎 Thanks for sharing! Good job on your video editing! Very cool! 👍✌🤙🏼

@ericanderson3806

5 жыл бұрын

2 weeks is a perfect amount of time to do the BDR or GPSKevin routes down to VA, then Sam's routes to Tennessee. I've heard the Tenessee-PortOrford TAT has been done in 10 days, but I've decided it's not a record worth trying to beat.

@mikethompson2007

4 жыл бұрын

@@ericanderson3806 Hmmm, Don't see a record published anywhere but that is a 510 mile/day average if you started in Tellico plains. At a 45 mph average that's 11&1/2 hours in the saddle each and every day , not counting eating, fueling, reroutes, flats or mechanical failures. And IF it was done, it was probably done with support.

In 2007 I bought the second to last Honda XR650R and put a street legal kit on it as well as a few other choice modifications. About three months later I found out I was going to be a father. (The bikes fault not mine!) The bike has been sitting. Once a year I start it and take it around the block. As well as a few other things to keep it on life support. It has less then 100 miles on it. Now the kids are grown. I have the clearance!

@fixedguitar47

2 жыл бұрын

It’s been a year and I finally have a departure date in September 2023. The bike is almost as ready as it will ever be.

Cool adventure. Thanks for sharing.

Great video! Thanks for putting it together!

Very informative. Thank you.

Thanks Eric. I enjoyed seeing the town of Sego.

Great video, looks like fun.

Loved the google maps included. Great video

Great video. I’m hoping to do the TAT next year.

I’ve been wanting to do this trip for a long time, most of my adult life, I’m 66 now and still want to do it but can’t get any of my friends to go so the closest I get is watching videos, thanks for the video

Can't believe you chugged along on a 250. Great trail summary. Thanks for the New Mexico props, it is an underrated state.

@ericanderson3806

5 жыл бұрын

250 was perfect as I kept all my gear to under 40lbs. There were two Kiwis doing the trail a month after me on Groms.

@ProvisioNet

5 жыл бұрын

The WR250R is a fantastic bike that'll go pretty much anywhere. I've done 2500 mile cold fall trips with a 225Lbs load. Maintains 75mph on the interstate and still tears it up off-road.

Good job, that takes some courage and a heck of a sence of adventure.

dude, I really enjoyed your trip, good luck, success. from Russia with love.

Great ride. Im hoping to do part of trip this year in August/Sept...

With you on New Mexico. That was a beautiful part of the TAT and a huge relief after Oklahoma.

@BeardedBart

4 жыл бұрын

How would he know? He skipped Oklahoma basically.

@nwilk6407

2 жыл бұрын

@@BeardedBart you rode it all though, right?

@BeardedBart

2 жыл бұрын

@@nwilk6407, thanks for your quick reply. I have to work for for a living, so no I haven't. Everybody trashes Oklahoma for everything. The fact is, there is really great riding and scenery in Oklahoma. Just not so much where the TAT comes through. JMO

very interesting watch - thank you

Dude, great, real world take on the TAT. Well done!

I like how this video is composed showing the map so we know where you are.

Play enjoyed every minute of that thank you very much for sharing that with us and well done

Great video, you should try starting in SC, there are some good maps out there with less road travel. Heard there is a map that starts at Myrtle Beach

Excellent Video.. Educational and no silly overdone music

I just had to pause the video at 3 minutes and say that I'm really sorry you had to miss the NC and TN sections in the Blue Ridge Mountains. It's really fantastic. Too bad about the rain. If you decide you want to have a re-do, I suggest looking up the Smokey (sic) Mountains 500 - the SM500 includes a lot of the TAT roads in that area including the famous Witt Rd water crossings but runs in a loop down in North Georgia (which is fantastic) and back up to Bryson City. It's a three day ride.

Hey Eric ..nice to watch .. a group of us are heading to do this next year 2020 from New Zealand .. it will be our 5th motorcycle trip to the US ..first time off road ..or some of it anyway .. everyone learns something on a trip like this that they would do different next time .. If you keen to tell .. Im listening .. cheers m8 Mark Cox

@ericanderson3806

5 жыл бұрын

Hey Noel. If I had to do it over again, I'd force myself to break camp at 7am. I felt the slowest between 11am and 3pm as the temperature rose. I would try to put down the miles early in the day to buy time for relaxing.

Good for you eric. Nice job and a "big set" for going alone. I started the same trip last year around the same time from the Catskills ny and rode in the rain for days and ended up in Tennessee where the trail heads west. I loved it, and will continue again in late august. Definitely enjoyed your video and your perseverance. How's the ankle?😊👍

@ericanderson3806

5 жыл бұрын

The ankle had limited mobility for a few months, but it's fine now! Spending a week or two riding the Catskills down would be a great experience.

@hamerplayer1229

4 жыл бұрын

I would love to do the TAT! I am in the Catskills also. Sullivan/Ulster area

Great job on the video. I loved the narration. So many riding videos are just that...videos with some obscure cover songs dubbed over them. You narrative made this video.

If you missed Oark, you missed the best part of Arkansas. It is a little town with a nice store with great food. Oark even has a school. Go back and check it out!

Awesome video, one day I will complete this. Thanks for sharing.

Thanks Eric. Very nice video and a very memorable trip!

OMG, I can't believe you rode all that way on that little bike. Wow. Congrats man. I'll keep an eye out for you in TO :-)

Thanks for uploading mate, really enjoyed it. Did you find it difficult to navigate? And what devices did you use?

@ericanderson3806

5 жыл бұрын

I used an iPhone for navigation the whole trip with a an app called MapOut. It's worth trying a few apps just to find one that works best for you.

One of these days I hope to do the same. Thanks for the video.

Congrats and greetings from Costa Rica. This give me a good idea of how many days could take me to make the TAT

Nicely done, Eric! How did you record the "trail graphics" showing your route? That was pretty cool!

@ericanderson3806

5 жыл бұрын

The mapping animation was all done in Google Earth. It takes quite a bit of fiddling, but if you record your route on a GPS system and load it into Google Earth you can use the timeline to select a date. This will draw the route up to that point in time. You can then create a location which records the view parameters and the time. Then create a tour that stops at each location and the route will be animated.

@MotoPhotoAdventures

5 жыл бұрын

@@ericanderson3806 that's awesome! Thanks.

Great recap. You have joined the very few of us to actually accomplish the TAT.

Definitely an adventure... courage to do it solo. I liked how you had to adjust to circumstances.

Epic! Congrats!

Awesome video. I'm looking to do the west Virginia portion soon and would like to do much more of it in the future.

If you pause at 10:37 (the spot where the car is) that's where I spent the night after completing the TAT. I was the only one there and deer were all around my truck in the morning.

@ericanderson3806

5 жыл бұрын

Interesting spot to camp. I wouldn't have thought to stay there, but it's a good idea as the Port Orford motels seem to get booked up.

Great video, that's quite the adventure, especially on a 250. Too bad about all the rain.

Thanks so much for creating and posting this, Eric. A buddy and I are planning a trip, and this is most helpful. I live in Virginia, and had Travis at GoRace make my CRF 250L feel like the bike Honda should have made it:) Question: Are there parts of the trail that are better suited to dual sport vs bigger adventure bikes? Would I be okay on my Africa Twin?

@ericanderson3806

4 жыл бұрын

Hey Lone Ranger, Travis' wr250 suspension upgrades are nice to have. The suspension is much more firm and predictable. I've been outridden by an Africa Twin rider on single track. It all comes down to skill and tires. In this case I think he was running some not quite DOT legal knobbies. D606 is the tire I would recommend for the trip. On a 250, my rear lasted the entire trip and back. -eric

Fantastic recap, this is the last big item on my bucket list, if you were to pick a one week section what would it be.

Very cool trip. What tires did you run?

riding the TAT this year in july.. awesome inspiration ! what map did you use!? I see you uploaded to your phone..

@ericanderson3806

5 жыл бұрын

I used Sam Corerro's maps uploaded to MapOut on IOS. I believe MapOut is designed for long distance cycling, but it was perfect for this trip. Every trail I ended up on was in MapOut and it helped me out of a few tough spots.

Nice video... So what wind screen set up are you using there and did you think it was decent enough for road but out of the way enough for off road?

@ericanderson3806

5 жыл бұрын

I was using a Slipstream Spitfire screen. It is bolted to the handle bars and was so large that turbulence from large trucks made it difficult to control the motorcycle. The one real failing of the WR250r here is the lack of a frame-mounted fairing. Safari does make a tank/fairing combo that is worth considering if starting from scratch.

Great video and great job. I didn't think a 250 could do that trip. Granted it has 6 gears. I will have to push my drz 400 . I live in new Mexico. My problem is the distance at high way speeds are tough on small bikes. But when you get in the back country nothing beats them. Congress on a bad ass trip.

@ericanderson3806

5 жыл бұрын

I had a removable Spitfire windscreen and a Seat Concepts seat. If you can keep the engine vibration down, it's like sitting in a comfy chair. Until you get behind a big truck and the turbulence against the handle-bar mounted windscreen nearly gives you a tank slapper. I'm not sure what the final answer is - maybe a steering damper?

Hopefully you can return to CO one day, ophir is one of the easier passes and on a little 200 it would be fun. You should try biting off bdr routes by state. CO is south to north and around 600 miles of true dirt.

Looks like you went through my old stomping grounds in western North Dakota on the way home. Right across the line from Montana.

I met you in Arkansas at a Convenience Store, I was riding a Kawasaki KLR 650 with Go Pro set up! Brrrraaaap Nation!

@ericanderson3806

5 жыл бұрын

I remember! I was exhausted at that point and it would have been the day after I smashed my foot. Looked like a great place to ride.

Great video . Youth and wonder are priceless

did you hit the hard parts of the wv trail? and do you have more vid? Im leaving from Columbus OH in May going from WV to Mississippi, cant wait

@ericanderson3806

5 жыл бұрын

I missed the hard parts like the mud-pits when I took a wrong turn. I lost the video of unpaved parts of the trail that day, but it wasn't any more technical than a poorly maintained county road.

Great video! One day I'll do it.

Nice video, I live in North Carolina roughly 4 hours west from the start of the trail. About how much money would you say it costs total to camp along the trail?