Riding the TAT?

[wfopete]

Hey fellow Tenere' commuters. While healing up from my Tenere' inspired shoulder surgery I have been working on a concept for my Dual Sport brethren traveling the TAT (Trans American Trail). I live along the TAT in Arkansas and have met many a troubled TAT rider who could use a hand. So this has been my little project for the past several months. I call it the TAT Shak. It's basically for the TAT rider who needs a break from whatever is wearing on them but it's open to any D/S rider too TAT or otherwise. It might not be much but I figure if you are traveling the TAT you are doing a fair amount of camping off the bike so the TAT Shak should be a welcome relief.

The TAT SHAK is a Dual Sport hostel with over 700 sq ft. of enclosed housing & amenities to accommodate D/S riders requiring R&R&R (Rest, Repair, Relaxation). Get you & your bike out of the crap (if only for a few minutes). Features include a bathroom, kitchen, sleeping areas, covered deck and even covered parking for your steed. Also inside you will find information & posted maps and of local and state areas, including places for fuel, food and motorcycle repair shops. Let me know what you think.

Check it out on FB here:

https://www.facebook.com/groups/243161429170082/

 

[fredz43]

That is very cool and considerate of you. I hope to be able to visit it next year when I am again exploring AR.

 

[snakebitten]

Where do you hide the keys?

(Just in case I'm commuting down\up the TAT)

 

[wfopete]

That's been a issue for me. At one time I was just going to leave the place unlocked and hope it didn't turn into a meth lab overnight. But on second thought, I'll just put a combo lock on it and publish the combination on the FB page.

The other thing I thought I might offer is if a rider knew he was going through and was going to need something (tires, oil/filter etc) he could order/send the parts to me and I would have them available upon arrival. Maybe lock them in a storage bin with another combo lock.

 

[snakebitten]

You are amazing Pete.

I'm staying there someday. It's on my bucket list.

 

[Tippo]

Pete,

You are truly a kind and generous person. Have you considered putting your off on advrider in addition to FB?

Jeff

 

[wfopete]

Yes, I'll spread the word. I trust the TAT and D/S community is basically a bunch a good guys who won't misuse the place.

It won't hurt me much but it would be a shame to loose a place for the riders.

I'll work on a website too as some folks are uncomfortable with Facebook.

One rider suggested I have some food in there for the guy who might not know where his next meal is coming from due to weather or bike problems. So I put some canned beef stew/spam/soup/cookies etc in a plastic bin to get them through for a few hours. After I looked at the pickins' I think I'll replace that stuff with Military MREs. The MREs are more versatile for the D/S rider and not as generally thought of as yummy food. I'll put a note on the box saying "If you need it, fine but if you don't save it for the next rider who might."

 

[terrysig]

You are a good man Pete. I've added a stop to the Shak on my bucket list. Thanks.

 

[wfopete]

Ok here's a couple of things that might help you all out if you choose to come by:

Soon to come: The lock combination!

 

[snakebitten]

Do you object?

 

[wfopete]

Works for me, thanks!

I just never seem to take the time to get Google Earth/Map Quest/Google Maps smart.

Although I did manage to do this...

 

[wfopete]

Had a little D/S run from here a couple of weeks ago:

 

[snakebitten]

So is that "close up" accurate? Is the cabin in the trees right where the red dot is?
I ask because these amazing tools are awesome, but can be off by a few feet sometimes.

 

[wfopete]

Yes the amazing tools have put the red dot right where it should be...or at least within a few feet of it.

 

[snakebitten]

Great then!

I'm coming to eat all your MRE's!

And do some commuting offroad on my commuter S10.
Not sure exactly when. But it looks like a great spot to ride from.
You're a true gent. I don't care what everybody else says. Lol

 

[wfopete]

Due to popular request I've built a website for the TAT Shak (Try not to laugh. It's a work in progress!):

www.tat-shak.com

 

[snakebitten]

It just keeps getting better!

I'm thinking of moving in. Retiring, if you will.

Seriously, great job. You need to add a register for everyone to sign in if they visit.
Be cool to see who has been there before you.
Maybe even a pegboard to peg a pic with your bike to. Someday the walls might be covered.

 

[wfopete]

Yup got a journal on the table in side for historical memories. I really need to find some big Tenere' promo posters from a dealer but no one is coughing them up. I guess thats because they haven't changed much. Right now all I've been able to get are 990/1190 KTM and 1200/800 BWM posters.

At least a XTZ sticker on the front door would look good. My buddy wanted to paint KTM on the bottom of the toilet bowl!

 

[eemsreno]

This is great wfopete
I woun't need to spend the night [camp only for me] but I will stop in and visit next summer.

 

[wfopete]

This is great wfopete
I woun't need to spend the night [camp only for me] but I will stop in and visit next summer.

No problem you can camp there (off the bike) too!