About
Backcountry Discovery Routes, or BDR, is more than a creator of maps; it is the architect of modern adventure motorcycling in North America. Operating as a 501(c)(3) non-profit organization, BDR has methodically charted a new world for enthusiasts, establishing and working to preserve over 13,000 miles of primarily off-highway routes for dual-sport and adventure motorcycle travel. Its core mission is delivered through a powerful combination of free, carefully planned GPS tracks, high-quality documentary films, and a deep commitment to the riding community. Here is the story of how a small group of riders transformed a passion into a national infrastructure for adventure.
RideBDR: History and Growth
The organization was formally established in 2010 by a trio of dedicated riders: Paul Guillien, now Board President; Bryce Stevens, a current Board Member; and Rob Watt, who serves as the Executive Director. Their inaugural project, the Washington Backcountry Discovery Route (WABDR), set the template for everything that would follow. It was a rigorous, remote, and breathtaking journey that proved a concept: that a well-researched and fully documented route could unlock parts of the country previously inaccessible to the average adventure rider. Adopting the tagline, “A new adventure every year,” BDR has since expanded its library to include 12 distinct routes, methodically adding a new state or region to its growing atlas of exploration.
RideBDR: Team and Structure
BDR’s status as a 501(c)(3) non-profit is fundamental to its identity and operations, ensuring its work remains focused on its mission rather than profit. The organization is steered by its founders and a dedicated team of specialists. Guiding the on-the-ground work is Tim James, the Director of Route Development and a GIS Specialist, whose expertise is critical to the creation of the routes themselves. Director of Operations Inna Thorn manages the intricate logistics, while Director of Partnerships Kevin Woody fosters the corporate relationships essential for funding. The board is further strengthened by Curtis Cummings, a Strategic Advisor. This structure is sustained entirely through a combination of individual donations and key corporate partnerships, a model that has proven both resilient and effective.
RideBDR's Content and Market
The core BDR “product” is the route itself—a curated, multi-day journey through a state’s backcountry. From the Mid-Atlantic Backcountry Discovery Route (MABDR) in the east to the rugged Wyoming Backcountry Discovery Route (WYBDR), each offering is a complete adventure package. The organization’s latest release is the Northern California Backcountry Discovery Route (CABDR-North).
Supporting these routes are the organization’s essential services. BDR provides carefully plotted GPS tracks for each route, available to the public free of charge. Each new route is accompanied by a feature-length documentary film chronicling the first expedition, which serves as both inspiration and a practical guide. These films are distributed widely on platforms like YouTube, Amazon Prime, and Vimeo on Demand. Recognizing a need for more accessible adventures, BDR has also introduced BDR-X routes—shorter, loop-style offshoots like the Red Desert loop in Wyoming and the PA Wilds loop in Pennsylvania. In the North American adventure motorcycling space, BDR has no peer; it has established itself as the preeminent authority on long-distance, off-highway motorcycle travel.
How RideBDR Creates Content
BDR’s success hinges on a consistent and proven “three-part recipe.” First, the team, led by route-finding experts, scouts and develops a new route annually, typically ranging from 500 to 1,000 miles. This process involves immense logistical planning, landowner outreach, and verification of trail conditions. Second, a professional film crew documents the first expeditionary ride along the new route, capturing the challenges and scenic beauty to produce the annual documentary. Third, and most crucially for the community, the organization releases the finalized GPS tracks and all associated travel resources to the public for free, empowering thousands of riders to follow in their tracks.
RideBDR's Impact
The quantitative impact of BDR is significant. With 12 routes covering more than 13,000 miles, the organization has created a vast and accessible network for riders. The annual film release has become a major event in the adventure community, driving engagement and inspiring travel. This travel, in turn, provides a measurable economic boost to the small, rural towns that dot the BDR routes. Beyond tourism, BDR’s direct financial impact on the community is codified in its BDR Motorcycle Preservation Grant Program. Launched in 2022, the program has already awarded $120,000 across 21 individual grants, providing critical funding directly to trail-riding clubs and organizations working to preserve off-road riding access.
RideBDR: Public Reception
Public reception for BDR within the adventure motorcycling community has been overwhelmingly positive. The organization is widely praised for the professional quality of its films, the reliability of its GPS tracks, and its commitment to rider education and safety. However, its growth has led to a minor but persistent point of confusion that the organization has had to address: The T.W.A.T. Disambiguation. An entirely unaffiliated route, the Trans-Wisconsin Adventure Trail (T.W.A.T.), shares a naming convention that has caused some to mistakenly associate it with BDR. Dossier analysis confirms there is no connection; BDR’s routes are distinguished by a far more rigorous vetting process, professional support materials, and the institutional backing of a formal non-profit.
RideBDR's Philanthropy
BDR’s most significant industry initiative is its Motorcycle Preservation Grant Program. This program institutionalizes the organization’s commitment to “Preserving Riding Opportunities” by directly funding the grassroots clubs and organizations that perform on-the-ground trail maintenance and advocacy. The distribution of $120,000 in just two years underscores the program’s serious intent. This philanthropic work, along with the creation of the routes themselves, is made possible by a roster of major corporate partners, including industry leaders such as Touratech USA, Butler Motorcycle Maps, KLIM Technical Riding Gear, Backcountry.com, and BMW Motorrad USA.
RideBDR Today
Backcountry Discovery Routes has successfully evolved from a passionate idea into an essential institution. By creating a replicable model for route development and resource distribution, it has systematically lowered the barrier to entry for high-adventure travel. The organization’s influence is now twofold: it is a primary driver of participation and tourism in the adventure motorcycling segment, and with its grant program, it is becoming a key force in the fight to preserve off-highway trail access for future generations. With the recent launch of the Northern California route, BDR’s trajectory remains fixed on the horizon, promising a new adventure, every single year.