The Trans America Trail (www.transamtrail.com) is a collection of unpaved roads starting in eastern TN and running to the west coast.  For the past few years I have been following other ride reports of doing the TAT.  This seemed like a logical next step in my motorcycle adventures so about a year ago I discussed a TAT ride with my partner in crime, Mark Finkler.  We had just finished a 19 day trip across the US so it was a good time to bring up the idea while he was still stoked from the last trip.  Mark agreed. 
     We did have a few minor problems.  Neither of us had ever done much riding in the dirt.  Neither had a bike that we could take off road.  OK, nothing that money can't solve!  I bought a BMW G650GS and started adding farkles.  Mark found a screaming deal on a DR650 with about 50 miles on it!  I put on an Ohlins shock, Corbin seat, GPS, Wolfman bags, bash plate, extra lights (LED), tool storage boxes, and more agressive tires.  Mark needed a larger gas tank and better seat.  We got maps for TN, AR, and MS from Sam.  You need a roll chart for the maps so that was another farkle to add to the bikes.  Pretty soon this had become a serious project!
     Now I find myself at D+1, leaving tomorrow for Roanoke, where I will meet Mark.  He works this Friday so we will leave his house Saturday morning trailering the motorcycles to Tellico Plains, TN.  It is worth noting that Sam has gotten lots of comments about the TN route, too much pavement and not enough dirt.  As a result the newest maps are a total re-write.  We have the new ones.  The previous start point was Jellico, TN; new start is in Tellico Plains...not even close.  It looks like our roads are entirely different from the earlier route.  Maybe we will miss the slippery water crossing that seems to bite 50% of the riders.  This is going to be an adventure. 

I needed extra storage for tools, tubes, and such.  With too much time on my hands I made these and installed one where the stock muffler lived, the other under my Wolfman rack.

Here you can see how I was able to mount the GPS up high so I don't have to take my eyes off the road.  The black box blocking view of the speedometer is for my roll charts.  Don't need no stinkin' speedometer!