MikeV

DAY 14 Ian's bike would not start this morning. It has done it once before. It will start with a tow which we did and discovered it will also start by by-passing the solenoid by a screwdriver across the terminals. We assumed because of this it was probably a faulty solenoid. While this was going on beside the road, Brenton noticed his front tyre was half deflated. He changed the tube but noticed the tyre wouldn't bead properly on the rim. He decided it would probably pop out while riding so we got going. Once again great gravel tracks through forests some gnarly, rocky & testing and some fast gravel roads. Woopdies & thick gravel in places kept us on our toes. We stopped for brunch after 100kms at a traditional American diner. After this break ... read more

We are now back on the TAT (Trans American Trail) after leaving the TAT extension which was more road riding. The TAT is real adventure riding, gravel, tracks, challenging & sometimes more navigationally confusing. Day 11: Great gravel forestry roads in the morning and these wound on & off the Blue Ridge Parkway which follows the ridge through the Smokey Mountains. This is also part of the Eastern continental divide. We stopped at a viewing point at around 1600m altitude for a break and some great photos of the view. As we re-started Keith found his bike had a rear puncture. Brenton removed the wheel and changed the tube in quick time while everyone else supervised and added helpful comments. Back on the route we diverted to the town of Ashville, phoned a BMW dealer who ... read more

Day 7 Out of our nice accommodation in Harpers Ferry we rode into Shepherdstown for gas then we were on mainly mainly seal for 150 miles. However this was a great winding sealed route alongside a babbling brook and some trees starting to lose their leaves. Good colours, some fast sections and then slow switchbacks kept us alert (and awake). Later in the day the route led us onto around 15 miles of a fantastic forest track. This had everything rocks, woopdies, (jumps if you hit at speed you gain air), some rocky stream and puddle crossings. A great way to finish the day. Our destination was a tiny town called Brandywine and shortly after our arrival there was a huge thunderstorm & torrential rain. The restaurant here was only open for takeaway pizza as they ... read more

Day 3: Out of Hancock we were mainly on sealed back country roads all the way to our 1st stop at Lawrenceville Pennsylvania where the next BDR starts. This was a 210km transit section from one Route, the North East to the start of next, the Mid Atlantic BDR. Leaving Lawrenceville starting on this MA route we soon turned off onto the Pennsylvania Wilds X route. These X routes are side shorter loops, generally 2 to 3 days for weekend warriors. We had decided to add part of this one to our overall route & were glad we did. On this X route we were winding through stunning scenery for mile after mile on great forest tracks. Small back country villages & towns every now & then added to the overall picturesque vista, stunning back country ... read more

Day 8 Out of Arkaroola we had 150kms on some great gravel roads. We ignored some of my plotted diversions off the main route as we had 450kms to cover today, & some of the diversions looked a little dicey. We reached the small settlement of Copley aka Leigh Creek for breakfast & gas. Leaving here we were on long straight sealed roads through serious GFA to the outback town of Maree. Maree is the famous starting point for the Birdsville Track. Back in the day it was a sandy track through the desert. Watch “Back of Beyond” movie on YouTube for a historic perspective. Now it’s a fast hardpacked gravel road…until it rains. Rained yesterday so the reports said North of Mungeranie, todays destination, the track was closed except for 4wds & Heavy vehicles ... read more