NOW AVAILABLE:
New NEBDR Tracks Including Revised Section 8
July 1, 2020
NOW AVAILABLE:
Thousands of riders a year travel along BDR routes. So, when BDR became aware of motorcycle-access issues in Maine after the initial release of the NEBDR, the responsible thing to do was to pull Sections 7 and 8 out of the GPS files and pause the sale of Butler maps until we had a solution. Section 7 was vetted and back in the GPS tracks within a few weeks. Section 8 however was a little more complicated.
The team went to work immediately studying maps, researching laws, and speaking with local officials in the state. As it turns out, it is very difficult, if not impossible, to layout a contiguous, border-to-border, off-tarmac route through the state of Maine that is 100% accessible for motorcycle travel.
Simply put, a good deal of the backcountry land in Maine is privately owned – in large part by giant paper companies who use it for logging operations. While the land owners often give the right of way on their road systems to cars, and in some cases snow mobile and ATV clubs, they rarely extend that invitation to motorcycles. It is a bias that we do not fully understand, but it exists and is not likely to change any time soon.
After countless hours of in-depth research and fruitless scouting efforts to find a new way of taking the route to the Canadian border in Maine, the team ultimately realized a need for alternative thinking. The answer to delivering a new rock-solid Section 8 during the 2020 riding season was in the Granite State.
The solution was to extend Section 7, just past its original terminus in Oquossoc, to the town of Rangeley. Section 8 will now travel west out of Rangeley and then north on remote dirt roads deep into the backcountry of New Hampshire up to Rhubarb Pond — just a few hundred yards from the Canadian border. Before entering the final stretch on dirt, riders will have the choice to instead head north on tarmac to the Chartierville Canadian border crossing. For those looking for even more off-road challenges, the GPS file will also offer two bonus dirt tracks right out of Rangeley including a rocky climb to the top of the outstanding Quill Hill lookout.
The updated NEBDR GPS tracks include slight revisions to all 8 sections so riders should check out the interactive map and section descriptions and be sure to download the new GPS file before setting out on the NEBDR.
The interactive map is now live on the website here and the GPS tracks can be downloaded here.
The new NEBDR Butler map is in print production now and will be available for purchase by mid-July at www.Butlermaps.com or www.Touratech-USA.com.
BDR Annual Supporters will receive their free NEBDR maps by mail as soon as they are finished printing. If you purchased the original NEBDR map from Butler Maps, Touratech USA, or any other online/retail outlet, please reach out to that seller directly for their exchange policy.
Thank you for your patience. We look forward to seeing ride reports from your adventures on the NEBDR this summer. Share your stories and photos on the NEBDR Facebook Group page.
Ride Respectfully. Ride Right. Ride BDR.
– The BDR Team
Ride Respectfully. Ride Right. Ride BDR.
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