Backcountry Discovery Routes?

[xtopherm]

Has anyone tried any of the Backcountry Discovery Routes? (https://ridebdr.com) They publish long overland routes (for a fee) which seem mostly focused on the off-road motorcycle crowd, but are supposedly Jeep friendly. Anyone have any experience (positive or negative) with any of the routes? Just curious.

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[tobyw]

I've done a pretty good stretch of the WABDR, and it was a lot of fun. We took a slightly modified route a couple of times and actually found our path to be more fun and provided a couple of awesome viewpoints that the published route bypassed, so I'd encourage you to stray a little here and there if you have any extra time in your schedule.

 

[chacomaya]

A group of us did the Colorado BDR last August on motorcycles, and I'd say most of it is totally Jeep-friendly. The parts I recall that perhaps were not were easily circumvented. One caveat - a couple of the passes on that route were closed due to wildfires, so I cannot speak for those (nor can I remember offhand which ones they were), but if you were interested, I could find out.

 

[rsmith56]

I have ridden most of the New Mexico route on ADV bikes. I think it could be done by Jeeps except a couple of single tracks which have bypasses on the map. You can also download maps to a gps that helps you stay on route, as a lot of the roads are not marked well. Buggies and UTV and ATVs are not really good, as there are lots of connectors that are on public roads/highways.

 

[houstonstroker]

I have a subscription to Trails Offroad. Does everything I need it to do.

 

[GATORB8]

I have a subscription to Trails Offroad. Does everything I need it to do.

I don't believe the BDRs are on TOR. They are in OnX pro IIRC, I've run a section of MABDR with no issues.

 

[C.Sco]

Has anyone tried any of the Backcountry Discovery Routes? (https://ridebdr.com) They publish long overland routes (for a fee) which seem mostly focused on the off-road motorcycle crowd, but are supposedly Jeep friendly. Anyone have any experience (positive or negative) with any of the routes? Just curious.

What's the fee for? It appears to let me view all their precise routes on a detailed map without even signing up for an account or anything

 

[GATORB8]

What's the fee for? It appears to let me view all their precise routes on a detailed map without even signing up for an account or anything

You'll want it GPS'd, it'd be tough to make all the turns with a paper map. I think it's a donation, plus the motorcycle GPS read out format, the guys must have spent a ton of time developing the route.

As I mentioned, it should be accessible in OnX Pro if you have it.

 

[embedded rock]

Each of the BDRs have a good file that can be downloaded. I do this and load them into a Garmin for bike riding, and into Gaia maps app for the Jeep. With Gaia, I can download a section for the map data to use without cell service. Android Auto the Haia app to the screen and I'm monitoring the route.

 

[ArmyRN]

I've done the WABDR and the IDBDR. Awesome routes. Download the GPS tracks, but also buy the paper maps. They compliment each other.

We took Jeeps on both, and no issues. Just know some trails are tight, especially in the PNW. IF YOU TAKE A TRAILER, KEEP IT SMALL. I'm talking WWII size. If you can sleep inside it, it is probably too big.

I want to do the ORBDR next.

 

[Adv_aw8s]

I've done the Nevada, Idaho, and Colorado BDR's on a motorcycle. They are all completely jeep friendly. Last summer we did sections of the Idaho BDR with 10 jeeps and half of us had trailers. No issues at all! I love the BDR routes.

 

[TORRyan]

I don't believe the BDRs are on TOR

These entire routes are not specifically mapped on Trails Offroad, primarily because it is a combination of different trails, paved roads, difficulties based on sections, etc. However, a lot of the individual trails are mapped and just mentioned as being part of those much larger routes.

Has anyone tried any of the Backcountry Discovery Routes?

I've only done the COBDR. Can't speak for any others, but from my experience, most of their routes are full-size friendly. CO was. There is quite a bit of pavement involved and then maybe 75% gravel and smooth dirt pounding. Some mild-moderate passes, and on a motorcycle, difficulties are far different than a jeep. Cobblestone is really no big deal when you have 4 tires on the ground, vs two. Nothing in the CO one is anything I would rate difficult.


There is the option now on Trails Offroad to just take the GPX files they provide and import them into your Trails Offroad library. Bring the track, their waypoints, and then you can overlay it with the trail guide data and see what parts may be more difficult, and also be able to tell which trails are open/closed for various reasons, helping you make detour decision.

 

[JLUR Farout]

We are looking to do either WA, OR, or ID in May of this year.

 

[ArmyRN]

Yes, very small teardrop will work. Bigger isn't better. Short, and essentially the same width as your Jeep should be your goal. Trails in the PNW get narrow. I've done the WA and ID BDRs.

 

[JLUR Farout]

Yes, very small teardrop will work. Bigger isn't better. Short, and essentially the same width as your Jeep should be your goal. Trails in the PNW get narrow. I've done the WA and ID BDRs.

Cool. Our Oregon Trail'r DoDrop Alpha has a body width of 48" and a total length of 11'. I can snake my 2 door and camper through a viper pit . We are on the eastern side of the oppressive State of WA.

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