Before you read any further watch this video, then we’ll talk. https://youtu.be/V0PzB-hcl4o

2 minute and 24 second pause…

I’ve ridden a thousand miles through the Himalayas, Kathmandu to Lhasa and I never imagined that similar rugged terrain was in my back yard. If you ever considered taking on the mighty Himalayas on two wheels, take on the California BDR as a test ride.  California has thirty thousand miles of back roads through protected wilderness of mountains, valleys, streams, sand and riverbeds that challenge adventure riders of every level.

What is Back Roads Discovery?

Backcountry Discovery Routes is a 501(c)(4) non-profit organization whose mission is to establish and preserve off-highway routes for dual-sport and adventure motorcycles. Through education, advocacy, and promotion of responsible motorcycle travel, BDR seeks to preserve backcountry motorcycling opportunities for generations to come. These are routes anybody can ride. BDR works with the forest service, land managers, and agencies responsible for public land, to keep trails and remote roads open for motorcycling. Through careful investment of funds and resources, BDR is able to map new routes, provide free GPS tracks and advice, create photo and video archives of the routes, and educate the motorcycle community about managed travel on public lands. Backcountry Discovery Routes’ goal is to create a new Backcountry Discovery Route each year for the Adventure Community. For each BDR route, a full-length documentary film, a Butler Motorcycle Map, and free GPS tracks are produced. BDR works with motorcycle dealers across the U.S. to organize BDR film premieres and training seminars.

Eight BDR routes have been available until now. The long awaited Southern-California BDR (CABDR-South) is the ninth route developed by the BDR organization for dual-sport and adventure motorcycle travel.

The documentary film features 4-time Baja 1000 Champion and Dakar Rally top 10 finisher, Quinn Cody, who grew up riding and racing in the Southern California deserts. “I’ve been riding in the deserts of California all my life, and was happy to discover some new dirt two-track and stunning locations on the CABDR – South. This route showcases the best backcountry terrain, scenery, and history SoCal has to offer. Riders will definitely be challenged in many ways on this route, but will have the backcountry motorcycle adventure of a lifetime. I can’t wait to share this route with the community.” – Quinn Cody

The 820-mile route primarily uses dirt roads and takes riders through unique points of interest, such as historic mines, petroglyphs, ghost towns, natural hot springs and more. The ride starts in Yuma, AZ and ends in Benton, CA crossing through the arid SoCal desert, making the route great for travel during the colder months of the year.

Like all the previous eight BDRs, the CABDR-South will include free GPS tracks, travel resources. The Butler Motorcycle Map and the film DVD are now available for sale at Touratech-USA and Butler Motorcycle Maps and a feature length expedition documentary film on DVD and video-on-demand.

If sleeping at the world’s highest monastery at the base of Mt Everest is your cup of tea then check out www.ridehigh.com  or my blog at Motorcycling the Himalayas