I can't believe those bikers just left you there. My riding buddies and I would have NEVER done that. As a biker, you don't leave a brother or sister stranded in the middle of nowhere and just ride away. I hope they watch the video and read this comment too. I have NEVER left a fellow biker broken down on the side of a road or trail, even if it caused me to miss an important appointment or whatever - ESPECIALLY in the middle of nowhere! I would have INSISTED on seeing you through somehow. I've done Witt road a few times on dual sports. I will have it to do again in a few weeks as part of a several day camping adventure on a loaded (maybe even "over-loaded") 650 V-Strom. I hate deep water crossings and won't be looking forward to the ones on this route. As always, my strategy - contrary to the usual "balls out, on the throttle" style of crossing creeks - will be to scout it carefully to try and find the shallowest manageable line, and then proceed slow and easy. And if I hit a submerged rock or ledge and start to fall, I'll quickly drop a foot or two and stay upright. I've been off-road/adventure riding for over 50 years in at least a dozen states, and so far I've come through every deep water crossing with nothing more than water-filled boots. Happy trails!
First of all, thanks for watching Ralph and for your kind riding etiquette. In all fairness, the video is a little misleading.. those two riders were great. They helped me push the bike up the hill a bit and then it was I who told them to hit the road. My pride didn't want to have me holding others up and I knew I was within walking distance of the help I might need. I suppose they could have tow strapped me back to civilization but that would have been dangerous and very time consuming. Thanks for the comment and know that I respect you!
@@lkandlbinder Lee, no matter what you said, I would have insisted on staying until you either, got your bike running, or had someone in a 4-wheel drive truck en route to get you... but that's just me. 😇
Hate to see that happen to anyone. But in times like those you'll see just how supportive the biker community is. I'm on day-3 of my TAT run and currently staying in that exact cabin watching Witt Road youtube videos before I hit it tomorrow. This is a great little campground. Very friendly owners.
I was through this in June of 23. Made through the water but fell on the road going up from the creek. The road was severely rutted and I lost it. Wheels up, had to drag the bike around to be able to lift it. All was good and continued on. Like you It was a solo trip. One I’ll never forget.
Excellent piece, well done. And yes Smitty's/Hunts is the real deal. Great catering people. We had a small group stay there and we'll be back. That kind of help and support shows the kind of people they are!
Thanks! And I totally agree about Smitty's/Hunts...Wayne and Daphne I believe are the new owners and couldn't have been more supportive. I think they are relatives of the last owner. Wish I would have known about that place years ago.
Yes there are 4 crossings and Witt road is on Smokey Mnt 500 in last 12mi of the route. 1st one is nothing you miss it but 2nd is tricky due to rock formation (had to walk before riding and on 3rd was high enough to splash over windshield. This is riding in opposite direction.
Yep, Witt Road is well known for the water crossings! Going west on the TAT, there is a small easy one, the one I got stuck in, then the tricky rock slate one. Best of luck for anyone riding!
@@lkandlbinder we did it a couple days ago after heavy rains and apparently there's another one before which wasn't there 2vl month ago.. 5 in total. Anyways there are more shallow lines you need to get off the bike and check before going, the straight shot is deep
Guillaume!!!! (pronounced GEEE -as in Brazilian jujitsu, OOOM -as in Buddhist chant...do I remember that correct?) hahaha. Buddy, I just got into Freetown, Sierra Leone last night and this place is wild. I finished the TAT and then hit more national parks (13 in total) on my way back east. The bike is on it's way to me and I brought an oil change with me on the plane...can you come help me do it?
Such a good guy...you've got a good friend in Tony. Thanks for watching Zach and I'll try to keep making some entertaining videos (hopefully not of failed water crossings!) soon. I'm over in Africa now but have Trans America Trail footage ready to edit first!
@@lkandlbinder Nice! Looking forward to your future videos. If you're ever end up in the NW Florida area I'm sure Tony and/or myself could show you some good riding in and around Blackwater State Forest.
Dude, that was awesome as you handled the situation well and kept recording. I take it the mistake was the wrong line across the water/creek. One of these days I will do the TAT on a DRZ 400 or something of that size as the Africa Twin is just too big of bike for me on some of those trails out in Colorado.
Thanks for the kind words! A DRZ would be perfect and I wish you the best in making it happen. I'm going to keep truckin with my big GS and see how far I get. Wish me luck!
Yes, getting stranded due a mechanical issue (that I caused lol) was/is a big fear for me too! The best thing to do is to just slow down after something like this happens and try to roll with it. Thanks for watching Mad Max!
Thanks SupRBee ADV...yeah it got me good...the final outcome...I brought the bike to the shop and confirmed the flywheel teeth had been stripped. Luckily I was only a few hours from home and could relax while the work was completed to get me back on the road.
Air intake on 2004 GS Adventure is about three feet off the ground...but that doesn't matter in very high water, especially when you drop the bike like I did. Trust me, this bike is fantastic on and off road (check out my Colorado and Utah TAT videos). Thanks for watching Kirk!
@@lkandlbinder Have to watch it again. Looked like you fell over because the wave drowned it out. I have been watching many videos to prepare for TAT ride starting in May. Waiting on the last few acessories for the bike build. The water doesnt look that deep on video. Maybe like hills dont look that steep. Always hard to tell. Thanks for the videos. They are a big help for preparation.
@@kirklucas1332 Yeah, it was a bit too deep in that part of the river..less deep to the right and I didn't check it first. Anyway, I'm glad you are getting something out of my videos! Enjoy the planning and the trip!
Thanks! Yes it's an '04 Adventure...and it's on a boat to Africa right now. I'll be posting 5 more Trans America Trail videos and then start with Africa so subscribe and watch my trials and tribulations lol.
I'm confused how this crossing hydrolocked the bike? Normally you would have to submerge your air filter/airbox to suck in water. That crossing was not particularly deep.
Thanks for watching. I was in the deepest section and my tires sunk into the earth as well. I also dropped the bike in the water which I'm sure didn't help lol.
@@lkandlbinder At 0:18, the screen title says "I never made it passed the 2nd one". Easy mistake to make, so I'm not calling you out on it at all! Fantastic video. I love when folks share the hard bits on these types of travelogues probably more than when they share the scenery bits, which is saying a lot because I love, love, love the scenery bits. When the plan goes awry, character is revealed. Beauty of a bike, BTW.
@@bnations2000 oh, I see! lol, yes I guess I did use 'passed' when I meant 'past'. Thanks for watching and for commenting Bobby! Glad you enjoyed it and I agree, it's great when folks share the hard bits too...all about the drama.
I can't believe those bikers just left you there. My riding buddies and I would have NEVER done that. As a biker, you don't leave a brother or sister stranded in the middle of nowhere and just ride away. I hope they watch the video and read this comment too. I have NEVER left a fellow biker broken down on the side of a road or trail, even if it caused me to miss an important appointment or whatever - ESPECIALLY in the middle of nowhere! I would have INSISTED on seeing you through somehow.
I've done Witt road a few times on dual sports. I will have it to do again in a few weeks as part of a several day camping adventure on a loaded (maybe even "over-loaded") 650 V-Strom. I hate deep water crossings and won't be looking forward to the ones on this route. As always, my strategy - contrary to the usual "balls out, on the throttle" style of crossing creeks - will be to scout it carefully to try and find the shallowest manageable line, and then proceed slow and easy. And if I hit a submerged rock or ledge and start to fall, I'll quickly drop a foot or two and stay upright. I've been off-road/adventure riding for over 50 years in at least a dozen states, and so far I've come through every deep water crossing with nothing more than water-filled boots.
Happy trails!
First of all, thanks for watching Ralph and for your kind riding etiquette. In all fairness, the video is a little misleading.. those two riders were great. They helped me push the bike up the hill a bit and then it was I who told them to hit the road. My pride didn't want to have me holding others up and I knew I was within walking distance of the help I might need. I suppose they could have tow strapped me back to civilization but that would have been dangerous and very time consuming. Thanks for the comment and know that I respect you!
@@lkandlbinder Lee, no matter what you said, I would have insisted on staying until you either, got your bike running, or had someone in a 4-wheel drive truck en route to get you... but that's just me. 😇
Hate to see that happen to anyone. But in times like those you'll see just how supportive the biker community is. I'm on day-3 of my TAT run and currently staying in that exact cabin watching Witt Road youtube videos before I hit it tomorrow. This is a great little campground. Very friendly owners.
So true about the bike community support Jon. I hope the rest of your TAT trip went well and thanks for watching and commenting!
I was through this in June of 23. Made through the water but fell on the road going up from the creek. The road was severely rutted and I lost it. Wheels up, had to drag the bike around to be able to lift it. All was good and continued on. Like you It was a solo trip. One I’ll never forget.
I can totally imagine that and remember it being rutted big-time two years ago. Thanks for watching!
Excellent piece, well done. And yes Smitty's/Hunts is the real deal. Great catering people. We had a small group stay there and we'll be back. That kind of help and support shows the kind of people they are!
Thanks! And I totally agree about Smitty's/Hunts...Wayne and Daphne I believe are the new owners and couldn't have been more supportive. I think they are relatives of the last owner. Wish I would have known about that place years ago.
Yes there are 4 crossings and Witt road is on Smokey Mnt 500 in last 12mi of the route. 1st one is nothing you miss it but 2nd is tricky due to rock formation (had to walk before riding and on 3rd was high enough to splash over windshield. This is riding in opposite direction.
Yep, Witt Road is well known for the water crossings! Going west on the TAT, there is a small easy one, the one I got stuck in, then the tricky rock slate one. Best of luck for anyone riding!
@@lkandlbinder we did it a couple days ago after heavy rains and apparently there's another one before which wasn't there 2vl month ago.. 5 in total. Anyways there are more shallow lines you need to get off the bike and check before going, the straight shot is deep
Dude!! That was intense! Glad you bounced back though and made it all the way out the west coast for another oil change :)
Guillaume!!!! (pronounced GEEE -as in Brazilian jujitsu, OOOM -as in Buddhist chant...do I remember that correct?) hahaha. Buddy, I just got into Freetown, Sierra Leone last night and this place is wild. I finished the TAT and then hit more national parks (13 in total) on my way back east. The bike is on it's way to me and I brought an oil change with me on the plane...can you come help me do it?
@@lkandlbinder Haha, sure! I'll get on the next flight over with the little funnel and oil pan you left here!
@@PhotoXplorer hahaha, I'll be waiting!
Tony's a good dude. One of the few people I consider a friend. Didn't think I'd see video of the story I heard. Good job.
Such a good guy...you've got a good friend in Tony. Thanks for watching Zach and I'll try to keep making some entertaining videos (hopefully not of failed water crossings!) soon. I'm over in Africa now but have Trans America Trail footage ready to edit first!
@@lkandlbinder Nice! Looking forward to your future videos.
If you're ever end up in the NW Florida area I'm sure Tony and/or myself could show you some good riding in and around Blackwater State Forest.
@@ZachM1 I'm sure I'll be there at some point and I will be sure to let you guys know...thanks for the offer!
Never leave a man behind I work on bikes daily if I see this on my trip they're getting a repair before I leave.
I hear ya...in their defense, they did offer several times to stay and help but I insisted they continue on. Thanks for watching!
Dude, that was awesome as you handled the situation well and kept recording. I take it the mistake was the wrong line across the water/creek. One of these days I will do the TAT on a DRZ 400 or something of that size as the Africa Twin is just too big of bike for me on some of those trails out in Colorado.
Thanks for the kind words! A DRZ would be perfect and I wish you the best in making it happen. I'm going to keep truckin with my big GS and see how far I get. Wish me luck!
@@lkandlbinder you got this.....eye on the prize....the finish!
@@txkid1818 thanks bud! make sure to subscribe and follow my struggles lol..and maybe youtube will pay me for them someday :)
Sorry that happened! You handled it with grace and dignity. Good luck!
Thanks for the kind words Kory! I cursed like a sailor when it was happening but that's as graceful as I can be in a situation like that lol.
This is my biggest fear!
Yes, getting stranded due a mechanical issue (that I caused lol) was/is a big fear for me too! The best thing to do is to just slow down after something like this happens and try to roll with it. Thanks for watching Mad Max!
cool video. crossing didnt look that deep but it got you good. what was the final outcome of this ?
Thanks SupRBee ADV...yeah it got me good...the final outcome...I brought the bike to the shop and confirmed the flywheel teeth had been stripped. Luckily I was only a few hours from home and could relax while the work was completed to get me back on the road.
Looks like a road only bike. How high is the air intake? 6 inches off the ground?
Air intake on 2004 GS Adventure is about three feet off the ground...but that doesn't matter in very high water, especially when you drop the bike like I did. Trust me, this bike is fantastic on and off road (check out my Colorado and Utah TAT videos). Thanks for watching Kirk!
@@lkandlbinder
Have to watch it again. Looked like you fell over because the wave drowned it out. I have been watching many videos to prepare for TAT ride starting in May. Waiting on the last few acessories for the bike build.
The water doesnt look that deep on video. Maybe like hills dont look that steep. Always hard to tell.
Thanks for the videos. They are a big help for preparation.
@@kirklucas1332 Yeah, it was a bit too deep in that part of the river..less deep to the right and I didn't check it first. Anyway, I'm glad you are getting something out of my videos! Enjoy the planning and the trip!
hey mate, Is it okay if I use it in compilation? you will be credited in the video and description.
Go for it bro! Glad you enjoyed it
@@lkandlbinder thank u mate, I will let u know when I use it!
This is why I have a Garmin Montana with SOS and rescue insurance.
I have a Garmin and an inReach with insurance too. Great tools to have on rides like this. Thanks for watching Ryan!
Dang, at least you realize what went wrong and where
So true...I was blaming the bike for about five hours lol...but truthfully, no one or thing to blame but me.
Very good..
Awesome man love that 1150! 2004?
Thanks! Yes it's an '04 Adventure...and it's on a boat to Africa right now. I'll be posting 5 more Trans America Trail videos and then start with Africa so subscribe and watch my trials and tribulations lol.
@@lkandlbinder Enjoy your travels brother be safe
Note to self: never leave a solo rider alone with a broken motorcycle.
Hahahaha! Well to be fair, those ladies were great and helped me and I told them to keep riding. Thanks for watching!
You are luckier than most!
hahaha, I didn't feel lucky those days but it could always be worse...thanks for watching!
I'm confused how this crossing hydrolocked the bike? Normally you would have to submerge your air filter/airbox to suck in water. That crossing was not particularly deep.
Thanks for watching. I was in the deepest section and my tires sunk into the earth as well. I also dropped the bike in the water which I'm sure didn't help lol.
I think you’re confusing “passed” and ‘past’.
Not sure what you are referring to but thanks again for watching
@@lkandlbinder At 0:18, the screen title says "I never made it passed the 2nd one". Easy mistake to make, so I'm not calling you out on it at all!
Fantastic video. I love when folks share the hard bits on these types of travelogues probably more than when they share the scenery bits, which is saying a lot because I love, love, love the scenery bits. When the plan goes awry, character is revealed. Beauty of a bike, BTW.
@@bnations2000 oh, I see! lol, yes I guess I did use 'passed' when I meant 'past'. Thanks for watching and for commenting Bobby! Glad you enjoyed it and I agree, it's great when folks share the hard bits too...all about the drama.