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BDR Ambassadors

BDR Ambassadors are dedicated volunteers that donate their time, energy and expertise to the organization. They help scout new routes, maintain existing routes and aid when re-routes are required. Ambassadors are the “face” of BDR offering guidance to riders whether out on the route or in the community. They assist with fundraising efforts, manage film screenings and rise to the challenge when special projects are requested.

As a 501c(3) non-profit organization, BDR relies heavily on the generosity of our volunteers to help deliver on our mission of developing and preserving off-highway riding opportunities for adventure and dual-sport motorcycle travel.

Volunteer Opportunities for BDR Ambassadors

1. Local Route Representatives

Goals/Opportunities:

  • Become a specialist in at least one BDR route.
  • Help with route scouting and reroutes.
  • Answer route questions.
  • Help create and curate a list of route lodging and food options.
  • Work with local businesses to promote BDR and award the “BDR Business Supporter” sticker to businesses that serve BDR riders.
  • Recommend local businesses for Resources Listings (training, touring, rental companies, dealers, etc).

2. Movie Premieres & Dealer Relations

Goals/Opportunities:

  • Help organize movie premieres.
  • Talk to at least 3 local dealers about movie events.
  • Organize at least 1 movie theatre event.
  • Recruit volunteers to help staff the event.
  • Work with local dealers and encourage them to stock BDR merchandise (maps, stickers, hats, etc).

3. Community Outreach & Education

Goals/Opportunities:

  • Organize or attend at least 2 events a year (trade shows, classes, presentations, etc).
  • Volunteer at BDR events.
  • Moderate BDR Facebook Groups
  • Teach BDR classes and clinics.
  • Organize and lead BDR presentations.
  • Lead Women’s specific outreach.

Benefits to Ambassadors

  • Have the satisfaction of being a part of the BDR organization and participating in planning its future.
  • Receive a special Ambassador t-shirt, sticker, patch.
  • Ambassador’s Name/Headshot /Bio listed on the the website.
  • Networking – gain new friends and contacts in the industry, and share your passion for BDR and the adv lifestyle.

Who Can Become an Ambassador

Individuals shall meet the following criteria to be considered for the BDR Ambassadorship:

  • Be a Seasoned ADV’er.
  • Be a current BDR Supporter (at any level).
  • Have a personal referral from a current Ambassador, BDR Board Member or staff.
  • Have ridden at least two of the BDRs.
  • Have passion for the BDR mission.
  • Can commit to at least 20 hours a year as a volunteer for BDR.
  • Be a Team Player and Collaborative Spirit.
  • Bring about diversity to the Ambassadors group.

How to Become an Ambassador

  • We accept new applications annually September-December only.
  • If you have a personal referral from a current Ambassador or BDR Staff, please send an inquiry using the button below.
  • Individuals may be notified of their inclusion in the Program after submitting an inquiry .
  • Ambassadors can opt in/out of the Program on an annual basis.
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BDR Ambassadors

Nathan Fant

Location: Gresham, OR

BDRs Completed: WABDR, CABDR, UTBDR, ORBDR

Bikes:KTM 500 EXC & KTM 790 Adventure R

About:  Nathan is one of the longest standing and beloved BDR Ambassadors.  In the past, he helped out as BDR’s Routes Manager, and is currently serving on the BDR Routes Development Committee.  Nathan is the co-architect of the ORBDR, is contributing to the development of the CABDR-North, and occasionally lends his talent as videographer and photographer for BDR projects.

Kristina Fant

Location: Gresham, OR

BDRs Completed: CABDR, WABDR, and parts of UTBDR

Bikes: KTM 690, Beta trainer

About: Kris Fant enjoys all things motorcycling and volunteering. An opportunity to do both at the same time for the BDR organization is a dream come true!

When she is not working her day job as

Marc Axelberg

Location: Carlisle, PA

BDRs Completed: MABDR, PA-Wilds BDR-X, Most of the NEBDR

Bikes: 2020 Africa Twin Adventure Sports

About: Marc has been riding since a young person- with breaks for life events that we all experience.

Kane D. Wagner

Location: Youngstown, OH

BDRs Completed: MABDR; sections of AZBDR, UTBDR, & COBDR

Bikes: 2021 Yamaha Tenere 700, 2012 Husqvarna TE310, 1974 Harley-Davidson Shovelhead

About: Kane has always had a passion for adventure and the outdoors and when he purchased his first motorbike in 2012, he was hooked.

Juddy Arnold

Location: Carlsbad, CA

BDRs Completed: UTBDR, NVBDR, CABDR South, AZBDR and multiple sections of COBDR.

Bikes: ’22 KTM 890 Adventure R, ’18 KTM 500 EXC-F, ’94 Suzuki DR350SE, ’77 Yamaha XT500, ’09 Suzuki TU250X, ’05 & ’03 Yamaha R1, ’82 Suzuki GS1100E, ’75 Honda CB400F

About: As one of BDR’s longest-serving Ambassadors, Juddy enthusiastically works to expose more people to adventure riding and the freedom, wonder, and possibility it inspires. He has been the Trail Master/Host for multiple adventure rallies, including the 2019 BDR Desert Ride Fundraiser. He also promotes Backcountry Discovery Routes through his professional relationships within the motorcycle industry, and runs a private club for adventure riders based in California. 

Tim Gettier

Location:  Wirtz, VA

BDRs Completed: COBDR

Bikes: R1200GSA

About: Tim was first introduced to Dual sport / Single track travel in 2008.

Mark Plank

Location:  Temple, TX

BDRs Completed:  IDBDR

Bikes:  Suzuki DR 650SE, Kawasaki KLX250, KTM 300 XCW

About:  Mark is retired military and has a background in law enforcement. 

John Ciribassi

Location: Mainesburg, Pa

BDRs Completed:  MABDR, COBDR, AZBDR, NEBDR, CABDR, WABDR, IDBDR, WYBDR, Pa Wilds BDR X, Red Desert BDR x

Bikes: KTM EXC350F, Yamaha T7 (2), BMW R1200GS

John is the owner of Emmaus MotoTours

About: John has been riding since he was in grade school, riding mostly motocross (Yamaha YZ 125 and CZ 250).

Craig Palen

Location: Middletown, MD

BDRs Completed: MABDR

Bikes: 2014 Suzuki Vstrom 1000, 2009 Kawasaki Ninja 500

About: Craig has been riding off/on road and racing for the past 50+ years. First in the very rural area of the southern tip of Michigan 

Matt Manuel

Location: Surrey, BC

BDRs Completed: Oregon

Bikes:2018 KTM 1290 Super Adventure R

About: Matt has been riding adventure bikes for the past 20 years and loves exploring anywhere with anyone. An advocate of riding in general, and especially adventure riding, he helps organize local rides for all skill levels and

Chris Cawein

Location: Moscow, TN

BDRs Completed: UT, CO, ID

Bikes: 2016 BMW R1200 GS, 2020 KTM Six Days EXC500, 2008 KLR 650

About: Chris recently retired after 35 years at FedEx. He held various positions in management and project management. A lifelong

Robert Pack

Location: Johnson City, TN

BDRs Completed: MABDR, NEBDR, sections of WYBDR & COBDR.

Bikes:2022 KTM 890 R, 2020 Husqvarna 701 Enduro, 2022 KTM 350 EXC, 2019 Honda Grom.

About: Robert rides ADV and other off-road motorcycles as much as possible, preferring long multi-day rides and challenging terrain. Over the past year or so he has assisted a fellow BDR Ambassador with route development.

Johnathan Langley

Location: Gilbert, AZ

BDRs Completed: NMBDR, AZBDR, IDBDR, WABDR, COBDR, CABDR, NVBDR

Bikes: BMW GS1200 Rallye, KTM790 Adventure R, Husqvarna TE300, KTM 500 EXC, KTM 1190 Adventure R

About: I’m a lifelong lover of motorcycles and traveling. After spending 25 years in the powersports industry, I’m now splitting my time between the Canadian Rockies and the Sonoran Desert, riding everywhere and everything in-between.

Tom Nagle

Location: Atlanta, Georgia

BDRs Completed:NEBDR, Many sections of COBDR & UTBDR

Bikes: KTM 1090R, KTM 500EXC, KTM 450 EX-F, Kawasaki KLR650, BMW K1200RS, Triumph Trophy Sport

About: For Tom, motorcycles have absolutely been positively life changing with 33+ years of touring, guiding, off-road racing, and training.

Wendy James

Location: Greer, SC

BDRs Completed: WYBDR, MABDR, and sections of NEBDR

Bikes: ‘06 KTM 200EXC, ‘75 Honda CB200, 2016 Kawasaki KLX125

About: As a young girl Wendy James cruised on the back of her father’s Honda in Honolulu, Hawaii, and as a grown up, she mastered clutch control in Chicago’s big city traffic on her 1975 CB200.

Greg Skarvelis

Location: Redmond, OR

BDRs Completed:CABDR, WABDR and IDBDR

Bikes: KTM 690 Enduro and Tenere 700

About: Greg has been an avid motorcyde rider since the age of 16 when he picked up his first motorcycle, a Honda CB750.

Kyrie Eppley

Location: Corbett, OR

BDRs Completed: WABDR, COBDR, IDBDR, ORBDR and AZBDR

Bikes: KTM 690r, KTM 350EXC-f, Husqvarna 300TE, Beta 200 Trials bike

About: Kyrie dabbled in riding dirt bikes in the desert of Arizona with her Dad and brother as a young girl.

Jim Blais

Location: Chesterfield, VA

BDRs Completed: MABDR, NEBDR, IDBDR, COBDR, WYBDR, WABDR & PABDR-X

Bikes: Yamaha T700

About: After a career in the financial service sector for a major motorcycle company and then as an owner/operator of a dealership, retirement is Jim’s next career!

Chris Bronstorp

Location: Albuquerque, NM

BDRs Completed: NMBDR, UTBDR, CABDR, AZBDR, COBDR

Bikes: BMW R1250GS

About: Chris Bronstorp is a man that isn’t afraid to get his hands a little dirty. Having a degree in fine arts in sculpture and trained as a diesel mechanic, there was no question whether he’d take his motorcycle off-road.

Chip McMann

Location: Lebanon, IN

BDRs Completed: WY, MA, NM, AZx2, UT, NV, ID, COx6, WA

Bikes: KTM 1290 SAR, KTM 1190 Adventure-R, KTM 500 EXC-F, KTM 300 XCW

About: Chip is an adventurer at heart and motorcycles are his method of travel. He enjoys seeing the world and meeting new people and find that motorcycles are a great facilitator of both.

Lana Tsurikova

Location: Framingham, MA

BDRs Completed: MA, NE

Bikes: R1250GS, KTM 250 EXC-F

About: Lana comes from the car racing world, but after discovering adventure riding, this became a love from the first sight. She travels locally and internationally to explore new routes and to meet new people.

Mani Vermaas

Location: Brookhaven, GA

BDRs Completed: MA, CO, ID, CA-South, WY

Bikes: T7, F800GS, TE3001

About: Mani got started in riding ADV bikes as an escape from Brooklyn over the past 10+ years. 1000+ mi later and with many BDRs under his belt, his passion continues.

Hank Wallace

Location: Ashland, MA

BDRs Completed: MA, NE

Bikes: R1250GS, KTM 250 EXC-F

About: Hank enjoys all kinds of motorsports, but ADV riding has become his passion. He loves the BDR’s mission and shares it with everyone he can. Although you may find him at a local motorsports competition or motorcycle track day on occasion, getting out on the trails and finding a new place to ride is what he loves the most.

Jovani Roa

Location: Pingree Grove, IL

BDRs Completed: CO, WY, CA-S, Red Desert BDR-X

Bikes: Ténéré 700, KTM 500-EXC-F

About: Jovani is a professional RiderCoach and instructs ADV & dirtbike classes, 2-wheel and 3-wheel street courses, and sportbike clinics. He is passionate about BDR’s mission to promote rider education, safety, and responsible travel along the routes.

Allen Annett

Location: Gardnerville, NV

BDRs Completed: ORBDR, CABDR North, sections of IDBDR.

Bikes: 2020 r1250GSA

About: Allen is a recently retired supervisor in the solid waste industry of 25 years. He loves riding his 2020 BMW 1250GSA, alpine skiing, camping, hiking, fishing and pretty much anything outdoors.

Canice Harte

Location: Park City, UT

BDRs Completed: WABDR, IDBDR, UTBDR, AZBDR, COBDR, CABDR South

Bikes: 2024 KTM 890 Adventure R, 2022 BMW R1250GS Adventure, 2012 Triumph Scrambler 900 and a 1965 Honda CB77

About: Canice is a lifelong motorcycle enthusiast, husband, father of two and an outdoor industry executive who loves adventure.

Brian Duke

Location: Valley Grande, AL

BDRs Completed: COBDR, SEBDR (Assisted with Route)

Bikes: 2019 KTM 790 Adventure R, 2016 KTM 500 EXC, 2017 KTM 125 SX,

About: Brian has been riding off-road motorcycles for 50 years, starting at just 5 years old on a 1974 Honda MR 50. With a distinguished 26-year career in state law enforcement, Brian specialized in Commercial Motor Vehicle Enforcement and Commercial Driver License regulation. He retired in 2019 but returned in 2020 to continue contributing part-time.

Chad Warner

Location: Greer, SC

BDRs Completed: All 13 BDRs

Bikes: BMW 1250 GS Adventure

About: Chad’s passion for motorcycles began over 50 years ago when his dad would pick him up from elementary school on a motorcycle.

Matt McCourt

Location: Blue Ash, Ohio

BDRs Completed: NEBDR, MABDR, WYBDR, COBDR, PA Wilds BDR-X, Chattahoochee BDR-X, Black Hills BDR-X

Bikes: BMW 1250 GSA, BMW 1250 GS, Aprilia Tuareg 660, BETA 430 RR

About: Matt discovered that life is a journey when adventure motorcycling hit him like a ton of bricks. He began riding in March of 2021 after purchasing his first bike—a BMW GS 1250 Adventure, which now boasts 60K miles.

Scott Harding

Location: Parker, CO

BDRs Completed: COBDR, WYBDR, NMBDR

Bikes: 2018 BMW R1200 GS Rallye, 2014 Yamaha WR450

About: Scott’s love for motorcycling began around 1970 when his uncle let him ride a Honda Mini Trail 50 each summer during visits to his grandparents’ house in North Carolina.

Neil Ross

Location: Bentonville, AR

BDRs Completed: Ozarks BDR-X, Black Hills BDR-X, parts of AZBDR, IDBDR, COBDR, WYBDR, MABDR, NEBDR

Bikes: Ducati Multistrada V4S, Honda Africa Twin

About: Neil Ross is an adventure motorcyclist with more than 45 years of riding experience across enduro and dual-sport bikes, cruisers, and modern adventure motorcycles.

Eric Krise

Location: Monroeville, NJ

BDRs Completed: NEBDR, MABDR, PA-Wilds BDR-X

Bikes: 2024 Triumph Tiger 900 Rally Pro, 2024 BMW 1250 GSA

About: Eric lives in Monroeville, NJ with his wife Stephanie and 3 children, Paige, Cali and Cole. Eric and his family are outdoorsmen and love to be in the woods. From a young age he found his love of off-road motorcycles.

Kurt Forget

Location: Sandpoint, ID

BDRs Completed: COBDR, WYBDR, ORBDR, CABDR-N

Bikes: BMW R1300GSA, HD Pan America, KTM 390 ADV R, KTM 950SE

About: Kurt Forgét has been a long time passionate ADV rider for over 25 years. It was this passion that drove him to create Black Dog Cycle Works in 2007. The exploration and friendships that are created through these BDR routes are priceless, and he looks forward to supporting the sport even more as a BDR Ambassador.

Harley Harrison

Location: Belgrade, MT

BDRs Completed: IDBDR, UTBDR, WYBDR, Steens Mtns/Alvord Desert BDR-X, ORBDR, WABDR, MTBDR

Bikes: BMW R1200 GS Adventure

About: Harley is a Marine Corps veteran with deployments to Afghanistan and elsewhere, and an avid outdoorsman deep down to his core.

Any possible excuse to be outside and in the back country is a win in his book. Backpacking, hunting, mountaineering, rafting, skiing, fly fishing, you name it. You’ll always find a fly rod packed away in his bike somewhere; he has a hard time passing by many of the remote streams along the routes without stopping to target some wild trout.

Ryan Stuart

Location: Rio Rancho, NM

BDRs Completed: NMBDR, MABDR, Portions of COBDR, UTBDR, AZBDR

Bikes: Primarily R1250 GSA, and R12 GS

About: Ryan has been riding motorcycles off-road for over 25 years and has been involved in numerous off-road and on-road racing disciplines. His passions center around anything with a motor, dirt and exploration. BDR has become his true calling as it combines the activities he’s always loved with a mission he feels is “Imperative, not only for preserving respectful access to some of our countries most amazing areas, but also for the support it brings to local communities and the livelihoods of those who live there.”

Rachel Stuart

Location: Rio Rancho, NM

BDRs Completed: NMBDR, MABDR, Portions of COBDR, UTBDR, AZBDR

Bikes: BMW 1300GS, BMW 750GS

About: Rachel was introduced to motorcycles and riding ADV in 2024 after many years of off-roading in different disciplines thinking she was “too short” to ride ADV motorcycle. The first time she took her bike off-road she was hooked and never looked back. After attending multiple group trainings, private trainings and group rides honing her skills, she enjoys the challenge of the ride and is addicted to the feeling of achieving an obstacle she thought she couldn’t.

Ryan Dee

Location: San Diego, CA

BDRs Completed: WABDR, AZBDR, CABDR-N

Bikes: KTM 890 Adventure R, KTM 500 EXC, KTM 1290 Super Adventure S

About: Ryan is an avid dual-sport, ADV, and sport touring rider who has recently retired and is planning on spending a lot of time on motorcycles now! He’s a nerd for GPS, maps, and route planning. Based in San Diego, he rides a lot of terrain in the Southwest and Baja. And he loves whiskey!

BDR Emeritus Ambassadors

BDR Emeritus Ambassadors are individuals who have served BDR for many years or played a foundational role in the organization’s growth. While they are no longer involved in day-to-day ambassador duties, their contributions helped shape the BDR program and community. This designation honors their lasting impact and recognizes the important role they continue to hold in BDR’s history.

Andrew Phillips

Bryan Pullen

Jill Oliver

Neil Taylor

Shalmarie Wilson

Todd Polonsky

Tracy Jeffries

Trevor Morton

Victoria Zandonella

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