TransAmerica Monkey

May 17 – June 1, 2025

125cc Mini Motos across the USA

That is a dumb idea!  Want to join us?

Here are the Pictures from the last cross country ride

Join us for a fantastic two week adventure ride across the USA  

About this ride

This ride is about getting together with friends and riding little motorcycles all the way across America from Washington DC and the Atlantic Ocean to San Francisco, CA and the Pacific Ocean in a two week timeframe.  For many, this is somewhere between the funnest thing we've ever done and the dumbest thing we've ever done.  Yes, it may make no sense at all but it's certainly fun.  At times the ride will be long and difficult.  At other times the ride will be just flat fun--when you're chasing your buddy for 20 minutes in order to beat him to the next gas stop, all while not exceeding the speed limit.  And yes, don't be confused, this is still a very serious motorcycle ride.  Riders will be spending each night in a motel along the route and we will be eating at restaurants of the American mom & pop kind along the route.  This ride includes a support van to loosely follow the riders and haul their gear to the next day's hotel.  

What makes this ride possible?

Recently the world has changed and offers us incredibly fun and reliable little motorcycles that are able to go the distance.  These new products with fuel injection and high reliability consistently travel long distances.  The evolution of GPS has made it possible for riders to reliably find the route even in the most remote parts of the world.  All routes and motels are provided as a part of this ride.

About your motorcycle

Riders will need to come on newer and highly reliable motorcycles.  If you're starting off with a new motorcyle, no issues.  If you're bringing a used motorcycle, please be sure that it has new tires and new chain and sprockets.  These small motorcycles tend to consume a complete set of tires and chains across the nation.  Yes, one set can make it as long as you start off new.  If you desire to ride an old motorcycle, it totally can be done but you need to call us and discuss it with us before signing up. 

About the Route

This route is about taking backroads all the way across America.  No freeways, no main highways.  The route is largely based on each state's suggestion for the best bicycle routes.  These are not the most efficient routes to traverse America but rather, the most untravelled and remote routes across America.  We often pass through very small and remote towns.  No tourist attractions, no crowded places, but rather the route less travelled.  Sometimes we, of course, will pass through cities but mostly, we travel through the neighborhoods within those cities.  The routes are painstakingly designed to avoid the main roads when possible so you should expect to make thousands of turns as you travel across the nation.  This is the closest way to meet the heart of America.

Go the Distance

The ride will start in Washington DC on the Atlantic Ocean and travels 3,719 miles to finish in San Francisco, California on the Pacific Ocean.  Average riding day will be 232 miles and ride time will be about 8 hours each day.  The longest day will be 332 miles. The shortest day will be 144 miles. So come prepared. 

Bring a Friend

Just want to illustrate here that many riders may have a friend who is in need of being talked into a completely ridiculous ride in life.  This is the time to look up and reconnect with your old friend.  Invite him to this ride!

Time to buy a new motorcycle?

Yes, this ride may justify you going out to buy a new motorcycle but be aware, they are often hard to get so you need to start early to make arrangements to purchase your motorcycle.

Schedule for the ride

Friday May/16/2025 The night before the ride, Riders Meetup in Washington DC

Saturday May/17/2025 Riding Starts

Sunday June/01/2025 Ride ends in San Francisco CA and riders go home

Ride Signup info: 

The cost to join this 16 day ride is $2,895.  This covers your lodging for the 16 nights during the ride and the cost of the support truck and driver.  Hotel rooms are double occupancy. This also covers your ride packets which include custom Garmin GPS maps on a micro SD card and printed ride maps and descriptions.

Now taking signups: You can now reserve your spot on this ride by leaving a $200 Deposit  (Ride limit is 24 riders) 

After your signup riders will receive an email from me with further ride information and instructions.

Note: 

Riders must make 50% payment by January 25th, 2025.

Riders must make full payment by March 22nd, 2025.

Riders will receive ride packets in the mail one week before the ride.

Refund Policy

Your ride deposit is fully refundable until the 50% payment date above.  We encourage riders to make their deposit early in order to ensure they will get a spot on the ride and to begin working on you own ride arrangements.  After making your ride deposit, you will be connected with the other riders in order to coordinate any plans or discussions you may have.  And to just have fun developing plans with the other riders.  If your plans change, you will receive a full refund until the 50% payment due date above.

Ride Logistics:   Riders will be coming from all over and some may want to ship there bikes to and from the ride.  We have set up with Federal Motorcycle Transport to be able to do this.  There is a warehouse location near the ride start (Richmond VA) and near ride finish (Milpitas CA) riders can then fly in and then take a cab to pick up there bikes.  Cost depends on where you are shipping from and will likely be around $800.  To view Federal Warehouse locations see there Warehouse Locations

Ride Yodas

How does the ride navigation work?

This is a self-led GPS ride; all riding is on your own.  You are responsible for your own riding.  You will be given a GPS map file and instructions on how to use your Garmin GPS unit.  People will hook up in small groups of less than 6 riders and tend to ride together.  You are not encouraged to ride alone.  You are responsible for your own riding and yourself. 

 (see my ride Navigation Video)

Are you right for this ride?

When something goes wrong on a ride, would your riding friends say that you are more likely to need help or more likely to give help?  You should be in the more likely to offer help camp.  This ride is filled with riders that are more likely to give help, so most of the time the riders never need help.  Additionally there is all the normal stuff, come prepared to maintain your bike, fix your bike on the trail, repair flat tires, deal with bad weather and rain and make a joke or two.

How do I make the GPS stuff so easy?

I develop very high quality ride maps custom for our ride. They come from much of what I and others have ridden.  I take the best from all my rides and make new ones. 

(See my Custom Ride Maps Video)

Note from me, gpsKevin

My goal for this ride is simple,  great riding, so you can count on great routes and places to ride.

But in addition: the ride is about  discovering new places, meeting new friends, seeing new parts of the Southwest.

Thanks

gpsKevin