I signed up to ride the "Vintage 1000"(Google it) next August. The ride starts in Chattanooga, TN and the idea is to ride for 1000 miles on dirt in five days on the Trans America Trail. It is 700 miles to get there and 700 to get home. What are the chances a well prepared Penton Six Days being able to make such a trip? I have to carry a small tent, sleeping bag and a change of clothes. Food is provided. Spare parts and tools would be extra. Sounds like a John Penton would do. This should bring some fun answers.
That bike fresh and properly set up and trail maintained will do it. Ride conservative and do not thrash it.
Larry P
Rick,
I hope you plan on attending "Family Night" and will ask your question to The Man who's name is on the gas tank. I think your ambitious plan will intrigue him.... :)
Al Buehner will surely be looking for an article for the newsletter.
Will you be at Family Night? I have a newspaper article that I want to get to you. If you can't make it I will mail it to you.
Paul
Yes, I should be at the next POG meeting. One of my worries is trying to run a Sachs motor on pump fuel I might find on the trip. I might try detuning a bit. I won't be able to use a fiberglass tank. Maybe ride the 71 Steel Tanker or find an aluminum tank for my 74. What else should I be worrying about?
Good luck Rick Bennett! You'll be fine - but I'm curious about how tight (or loose) some of that trail is. 200 miles a day is some serious distance in the woods. I'd probably run my pre-mix a bit richer than usual and over-fill your gearbox oil a bit, but someone else might offer you the opposite advice. Oh - and whatever version of a flat-tire repair kit you might bring along would be worth some consideration.
Sorry we didn't cross "racing" paths more often this season, but that's the way the MA/NE cookie crumbles sometimes. Say hello to all of those Bennetts that show at the races.
Bob Close
I don't think there is any single track. Mostly dirt roads and jeep trails. I have seen video of 4x4s on the TAT. At this point I don't even have a clue on how to carry enough two stroke oil. Maybe the chase truck can carry it for me. Lots to figure out. When spring gets here I will do some short trials to get an idea what I will be up against. I have other bikes I can ride but watching the John Penton movie makes me want to try a Penton. Close as I will ever get to a real Six Days.
Rick I live right on the TAT in Arkansas. In fact I have a place where riders can stay at while passing through http://www.tat-shak.com/. I have had riders from all over the world on mopeds, motorcycles, bicycles & trucks stay here but I've never seen a Penton come through other than my Jackpiner. The TAT in TN and MS is not hard as dirt roads, USFS roads and tarmac is what it's comprised of. Out west things get more spare and rougher. I would have a box of spark plugs and maybe carry a sparse ignition with you. Check for POG members who live in those two states, they maybe able to help if you need assistance.
Pete Petrick
175 Jackpiner
Slow but Good
Rick...1000 miles of paved/gravel roads and maybe some jeep trail is certainly doable on a well "Bennett" prepped Penton 125. Coat your f/g tank with Caswell and it will handle E-10 pump gas.
However...
> Are you sure YOU have to carry the heavy baggage? Seems to me they would have a support truck to carry that stuff...like the 6 Days of Michigan.
> 1400 road miles round trip to get there and get home???? That's what trailers are for...
> Considering the terrain, I'd pass on knobbies. Kenda K270's have served me well on many long distance ADV type rides...CO, ID, AZ, etc. Consider dual sport gearing...not MA Region XC series gearing!
> Frankly...in my opinion if you want to get "close to the 6 days"...seems to me a better choice would be the Six Days of Michigan...although I admit I'm not sure they still have it. I rode it twice...88 and 92. A great trail ride. Support trucks carried your camping gear and stuff to each night's stop. Food was supplied by local folks at each night's stop. If they still have it...it's a great event. For us "Six Days Wanna-be's" it was as close as we were going to get...
Richard Colahan
1969 V1225
Upper Black Eddy PA
Looks like the Michigan CCC still has the SDM...last week of July...
http://www.cccmi.net/events.html?fbclid=IwAR3gYnG07Qn3dOxUq-ywCjcdSo10jjmYl1pG1yx7DNHIPi_qnQt3RQ-B7q8
Quotequote:Originally posted by Richard Colahan
Rick...1000 miles of paved/gravel roads and maybe some jeep trail is certainly doable on a well "Bennett" prepped Penton 125. Coat your f/g tank with Caswell and it will handle E-10 pump gas.
However...
> Are you sure YOU have to carry the heavy baggage? Seems to me they would have a support truck to carry that stuff...like the 6 Days of Michigan.
> 1400 road miles round trip to get there and get home???? That's what trailers are for...
> Considering the terrain, I'd pass on knobbies. Kenda K270's have served me well on many long distance ADV type rides...CO, ID, AZ, etc. Consider dual sport gearing...not MA Region XC series gearing!
> Frankly...in my opinion if you want to get "close to the 6 days"...seems to me a better choice would be the Six Days of Michigan...although I admit I'm not sure they still have it. I rode it twice...88 and 92. A great trail ride. Support trucks carried your camping gear and stuff to each night's stop. Food was supplied by local folks at each night's stop. If they still have it...it's a great event. For us "Six Days Wanna-be's" it was as close as we were going to get...
Richard Colahan
1969 V1225
Upper Black Eddy PA
Richard Colahan
1969 V1225
Upper Black Eddy PA