1990 Yokota Yosemite – Final setup before I leave Astoria on June 14 for the TransAmerica Trail

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After a couple months of hunting parts, testing gear, fixing problems, and changing my mind more times than I can count, here's the current version of my 1990 Yokota Yosemite.

The bike started life as a rigid Japanese steel mountain bike and has slowly evolved into a loaded touring rig for a coast-to-coast ride across the United States.

Current setup:

1990 Yokota Yosemite steel frame

Front and rear panniers

Rear rack and fenders

Flat bars with drop-bar extensions for multiple hand positions

Triple crank drivetrain

Frame bag and saddle bag

Dual water bottle cages

Mechanical simplicity over fancy equipment

I've learned a lot getting this bike ready. Some upgrades worked great, some didn't. Most recently I mounted a set of Maxxis Hookworms only to discover the rear tire clearance was too tight after everything was installed. Lesson learned.

The goal is simple: leave Astoria, Oregon on June 14 and ride this old steel bike across the country.

It's not a modern touring bike, it isn't lightweight, and it definitely isn't expensive. But it's the bike I've built, tested, and trusted, and at this point I wouldn't want to start the trip on anything else.

For those who have completed the TransAm, what is the one thing you wish you had known before leaving?

I'll post updates from the road if people are interested. 🚲🇺🇸