The first section of the ride we started after work. We rode to Wolf Gap camp ground in VA, just over Interstate 81. Then we proceed to follow the GPS Kevin route of the Trans American Trail section 6 ~ 10. We never actually road section 10, as the time we spent on the other road was taking too long. So we only did 1-9. I was fully loaded down, with everything I needed for the road for the rtw trip. The windshield was a drag on the freeway, consistently peeling back every 5 minutes. The dromedary bag worked like magic though. I tried to fit the Lone Rider tent in the 22 liter dryspec double end bag. It is "JUST" big enough. Which means its a very tight squeeze. I ended up with the poles and the others misc stuff in the top box. Not sure if I like the set up.
Went through this heard, this cow stood there for a good while. I waited for it to go away before I rode across, I didn't want to be tipped over by a cow. The roads on the TAT route is ever changing. Gravel to dirt, to forest road. The changing visual is quite spectacular.
There are a lot of stuff on the road, hurdles to run around. We also followed to a dead end that was on the track. It seem the prior road is now private and gated. It really isn't very far, we could see the road we are suppose to be on just over the tree lines, but we didn't want to be shot at, so we turned around and went for a different route.
The landscape changed again, then we went back in a forest and found this huge rattle snack in the middle of the road. I can definitely feel the weight of the bike fully loaded on the trail. I found that I'm loosing space in my giant loop diablo tank bag. Its the perfect size bag, its just too small to fit everything I want to fit, so I think I will end up getting the pannier pockets from them as well. I have my spare sena charging up front, sun glasses, and misc paperwork as well as ear plugs and tire gauge. With the phone charging on it as well, the space is pretty tight. I need space for locks and other security items I want to carry.
The elevation climbed pretty high, and I began to wonder if I worn enough. It was getting rather chilly. I definitely need a new jacket and outfit for the trip. The windshield is really bothering me now. It was rather rainy the second day the lone rider tent was a total pain to put in the 22 liter bag. Like it hurt my fingers trying to stuff it in. I'm really reconsidering using that bag.
The windshield finally bothered me enough. I should have never tried to make it myself. Not that I couldn't have done it, it just a waste of time and too much trouble shooting. A lot of modification are better off just purchased, because unless you intend to sell a bundle after your r&d, the time consumed and the failure of prototype easily surpasses the amount of just purchasing something already done and made. I ended up spending nearly 30 bucks on the shield and a good 2 - 3 hours playing around with it. I would have saved a total of 50 bucks if it worked perfect, but it turned out I just threw 30 bucks in the trash. Or I try again and spend another 30 dollars... I decided to cut my loses. I decided to get the parabellum shield.
We saw the rain coming and stayed at the top of a mountains for a bit to wait out the heavy part of the storm. Finally, we rode on the track, there was a great photo moment. While I hate inclement weather as much as the next motorcyclist, I have to say it makes the best of the photos. Just like when I was going up mount evans road, it was so much more impressive when the storm was rolling in. We had to clean some debris off the road to keep going. There was a tree in the middle that just fell.
We turned around on section 9, instead of keep going on to section 10. We rode the hungry mother state park, in VA or otherwise know as back of the dragon. This was where I crashed the BMW years ago. It seems so much less exciting than the first time I was here. As they say, adventure is like a drug, eventually you get used to seeing everything, and you need to take it up a notch. Maybe that's why I am going RTW, or maybe there is some other reason.
We finally got to camp at an old campsite we had once used. They have a music jamboree there, We also road our bikes in a maze that we weren't suppose to. They were really cool about it, and laughed at us, instead of scolding us. It was a good group. I'm convinced I cant carry my tent in the 22 liter bag. I'll just have to use the bag for something else. It was simply too tight of a fit and even if I did manage to do it properly, I'll eventually rip the tent putting it away. I'll just use my 40 liter bag and depress it when its done. It will collapse down to the same size, but it'll be much easier to pack.
Final shots. Lots to think about ,in terms of gear and tools. Pretty content with the setup, but I think there are a few touch ups I need to finesse such as the warp 9 starter cap, the windshield, 8 mm long socket for a 3/8 drive, tent bag, and that's all I remember for now.
