Adventure Riders Can Explore 25 BDR and BDR-X Routes
Backcountry Discovery Routes has become one of the most recognizable names in adventure riding, but behind every route is years of planning, volunteer efforts and a bigger mission tied to access, education and community.
In this episode, host Heather Wilson Schiltz talks with Inna Thorn, Executive Director and VP of the Backcountry Discovery Routes Board, and Tim James, Board President and Creative Director, about how BDR grew from one route into a nationwide network of backcountry motorcycle adventures. They also share how routes are developed, how the films and dealer screenings help grow the sport and why protecting public lands is a critical part of the organization’s future.
🎧 What You’ll Hear:
• How Backcountry Discovery Routes got started in 2010
• The difference between a traditional cross-state BDR and a shorter BDR-X loop
• What goes into route development, from early map research to final filming expeditions
• How riders can download GPS tracks, use maps and tap into route-specific resources
• Why BDR routes are making a real economic impact in small rural communities
• How documentary films, dealer screenings and live broadcasts have helped grow awareness and community
• The challenges tied to public land access and why advocacy partnerships matter
• What new BDR routes and projects riders can look forward to next
📲 Follow Backcountry Discovery Routes on YouTube, Instagram and Facebook
🌐 Learn more at RideBDR.com
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“In the beginning when BDR was founded, this byproduct of us running these routes, a byproduct of helping these small towns, I don’t think it was an immediate realization. But then when it started to come to light, the organization was like, ‘Wow, this is a really great thing. We need to lean into that.’ And then it probably became one of the criteria of where we run these routes.
Getting back to the economic impact, study… We did one in 2017 and one in 2022. I think in 2017, we probably only had about seven routes. I think the economic impact, total monies from out of state, that was being put to these small towns was 17 million dollars [annually] across all the routes. Then in 2022, we had more like 10 or 11 routes in that area. That number jumped to $60 million. Our riders, and this is the ones we know of, right? So the $60 million is going to these small towns across the United States. So something we’re super proud of.”
-Tim James, Backcountry Discovery Routes Board Members
“It’s so great to kind of revitalize these communities and doing it in such a positive way. And of course, motorcyclists love the scenery in a lot of these rural communities. So I think it’s a really great partnership and it just kind of naturally fits.”
-Heather Wilson Schiltz, Momentum: A Motorsports Podcast Host
