Cycling the Trans-America Trail

[fiamme red]

Sarah and Tom Swallow are cycling across America on mostly unpaved roads: http://sbwxtat.swallowbicycleworks.com/. They started in North Carolina, and are now in north-central Nevada. What an adventure!

We will be following a route across the United States called the Trans America Trail (TAT). Easily mistaken for Adventure Cycling "Trans America Trail" route that follows paved roads, the TAT was originally designed for the dual-sport motorcyclist, and follows primarily unpaved roads. We believe that this route is equally ideal for bicycle travel, at least most of it, and will use it as our guide, while we cross the U.S. on our bicycles on as many dirt roads as possible. How do you get across the country on mostly unpaved roads? You take the long way. The TAT weighs in at 5,000 miles, with some 300,000 feet of climbing.

We learned about this route by unknowingly riding portions of its tight, twisty, gravel roads during some of our trips to North Carolina and Tennessee. We immediately started our research, and decided it could be an answer to riding across the country, on dirt roads. We will be testing this route while recording necessary information such as campground information, impassible sections, and necessary fuel stops.

https://www.flickr.com/photos/79517887@N02/

http://41.media.tumblr.com/7e1ffaaa151f66c26e010822405f28b1/tumblr_nuzgktaIx61r3dn8uo7_1280.jpg

http://40.media.tumblr.com/71e17b32d74fd135438eefadbd76746c/tumblr_nuzgktaIx61r3dn8uo8_1280.jpg

http://40.media.tumblr.com/67240523d058b32b84ac37515c036f64/tumblr_ntk8d7vBLU1r3dn8uo8_1280.jpg

[cdn_bacon]

cannot begin to say how much I envy this ride.

amazing quest and thanks for sharing!

[Tickdoc]

Great post.

[Mikej]

Yeah that is some dream material - I just watched wild - even that lady made it cool.

[Louis]

Now that's a RIDE. Based on those pictures they sure are traveling light.

Those dogs must be thinking "Wow, usually these two-wheeled things just blast by at 30 mph - these two sure are slow!"

[Cornfed]

Much respect.

[jasonification]

LOVE this.:hello:

[45K10]

Very cool, thanks for posting

[guido]

Deep longing...

Hard to see at work on a "holiday"...

[Neil]

That middle picture instills a great desire to do the same thing - friend of mine did the "Ride the divide" earlier this year, his Instagram feed inspired similar feelings.

[sandyrs]

That thread awhile back about the shirtless dude with a scraggly beard and ten Rivendells falling to pieces having the life we all secretly want? I think what you meant to post was this link.

[OtayBW]

Their GPS feed shows them to be in ~McDermott, NV, just east of a place called Disaster Peak (where Col. McDermott met his demise...), having come up through Ely, NV partially along Hwy 50 - dubbed 'the loneliest road in America' by Life magazine years ago. I used to live out there and that is some serious BOONIES! Quite a trip. Their bikes look top-heavy to me...

[tumbler]

That looks awesome.

[ptourkin]

Their GPS feed shows them to be in ~McDermott, NV, just east of a place called Diaster Peak, having come up through Ely, NV partially along Hwy 50 - dubbed 'the loneliest road in America' by Life magazine years ago. I used to live out there and that is some serious BOONIES! Quite a trip. Their bikes look top-heavy to me...

Bike packing style loading like this is increasingly popular. Check out the Trans Am race and the Transcontinental race in Europe. Porcelain Rocket, Revelate and Apidura are making great bags like this. Coincidentally, I just tried it for the first time in an unsupported out and back race on highway 50 from Reno to Eureka and back. The ability to pack like this on a lighter bike without racks is surprisingly stable and comfortable. While you're not carrying as huge a load as you could with panniers, your fast bike still feels relatively similar to how it did unloaded.

I've been following this couple also. This is a dream trip.

[xjahx]

Although on a dual sport motorcycle, wr250r, I did this trail. 'Twas incredible. A long way to go on a thumper, single cylinder 4 stroke, but I would do it all again in a heart beat. The most difficult thing was carrying enough fuel, as 2 gallons even at 70mpg, do not go too far. 1 month trip, passed 2 bikers. Highly recommend the route.

[Mikej]

Although on a dual sport motorcycle, wr250r, I did this trail. 'Twas incredible. A long way to go on a thumper, single cylinder 4 stroke, but I would do it all again in a heart beat. The most difficult thing was carrying enough fuel, as 2 gallons even at 70mpg, do not go too far. 1 month trip, passed 2 bikers. Highly recommend the route.

Dude - the SLOWER you go is more efficient.. Cool to hear you did it.

[OtayBW]

Bike packing style loading like this is increasingly popular. Check out the Trans Am race and the Transcontinental race in Europe. Porcelain Rocket, Revelate and Apidura are making great bags like this. Coincidentally, I just tried it for the first time in an unsupported out and back race on highway 50 from Reno to Eureka and back. The ability to pack like this on a lighter bike without racks is surprisingly stable and comfortable. While you're not carrying as huge a load as you could with panniers, your fast bike still feels relatively similar to how it did unloaded.

I've been following this couple also. This is a dream trip.
Yeah - I guess I could see it. So, if you've been Reno-Eureka, you've been through Middlegate. I used to work out there. Old Pony Express stop. Nothing much there but an old saloon, a gas station, and a lot of Basin and Range. Gives new meaning to 'what kind of tools/support kit do you need'...

[ptourkin]

Yeah - I guess I could see it. So, if you've been Reno-Eureka, you've been through Middlegate. I used to work out there. Old Pony Express stop. Nothing much there but an old saloon, a gas station, and a lot of Basin and Range. Gives new meaning to 'what kind of tools/support kit do you need'...

We had a supplemental time station in Middlegate for the rando style riders this year to break up the long stage between Austin and Fallon. We were told that the saloon was open when they felt like it but I didn't venture in. Truly the middle of nowhere. 722 is even more desolate than 50.

The logistics that couple is working out are impressive.

[PaMtbRider]

I have dreamed of doing this very trip... on my Suzuki DR650. Maybe someday.

[mgm777]

Are their bikes road bikes with discs and room for wide tires, or are they 29er MTBs with drop bars? Anyone know?

[choke]

What a trip that would be. While it's often overused, epic applies here IMO.

Are their bikes road bikes with discs and room for wide tires, or are they 29er MTBs with drop bars? Anyone know?

Here you go, everything you wanted to know - http://sbwxtat.swallowbicycleworks.com/equipment

[Jgrooms]

Great post.


+1

What a great site too boot!

[rzthomas]

They're good people 末?met them a few times at their shop in Cincinnati. They do things right.

[guido]

It also must be pretty cool to have a partner who shares you taste in adventure...

[OtayBW]

Here you go, everything you wanted to know - http://sbwxtat.swallowbicycleworks.com/equipmentVery impressive. Seems well-thought out down to the last detail.

[jmoore]

It also must be pretty cool to have a partner who shares you taste in adventure...

My wife would stick a frame pump in my spokes before we got out of the county if we tried this as a couple :D

[AJM100]

bucket list . . . :hello:

cheers to them . . .:beer:

[pmac]

They finished the ride yesterday at the coast in Oregon. Checking out all the photos is well worth it. Very impressive, and I wish this was something I could do.

[fiamme red]

http://www.bikepacking.com/plog/trans-america-trail-end-of-an-odyssey/

http://bicycletimesmag.com/swallow-bicycle-works-completes-the-trans-america-trail/

[fiamme red]

http://www.swallowbicycleworks.com/blog/2015/12/2/living-the-dream

Swallow Bicycle Works is moving from Ohio to Bruce Gordon's shop.

We have known about Bruce Gordon's reputation and his 40 year history of making functionally beautiful hand crafted bicycles, but our personal interaction with him has been through the purchasing and riding of his original Rock 'N' Road tire. A fun fact about Bruce is that he has been making bikes we now call gravel grinders, or monster cross bikes, since the birth of the original mountain bike, in the form of his Rock 'N' Road model bicycle. It goes without mentioning that we are fans of Bruce's bike designs, especially his Rock 'N' Road tire, so much so that we rode it for 5,000 miles across the country on dirt roads.

What started as a friendly visit quickly turned into the realization that by combining the skills and services of our two businesses, the three of us could create something very unique and special. That something special inspires and drives us to pursue the next step. Which brings us to announce that in February 2016, Swallow Bicycle Works will be back open for business in its new location, Bruce Gordon Cycles, in Petaluma, California.