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6th Annual BDR Fundraiser Ride
Over 50 ADV riders gathered at the Palm Canyon Hotel & RV Resort in Borrego Springs, CA at the end of March for the 6th Annual BDR Fundraiser Ride. This event brings together BDR supporters, Ambassadors and industry professionals for a weekend of BDR-style riding, presentations and important discussions about the work and plans of the BDR organization.
The location of the event changes every year, but the fun and camaraderie among the attendees remains the same. This confluence of energy, common interests and BDR focus translates into ideas and action plans that guide the organization.
Exceptional riding in the desert and mountain terrain during the day, and afternoon soaks in the pool, culminated in serious discussions and serious fundraising (plus some great laughs) over dinner in the evenings.
As a tradition, the BDR team honored outstanding companies and individuals with special awards:
The Industry Award – KTM North America, Inc.
For setting a new standard for corporate support and cooperation with the BDR.
Volunteer of the Year – Tracy Jeffries
For her selfless dedication to the the BDR mission, positive can-do attitude and always with the infections Tracy Jeffries smile.
Visionary Award – Glenn Johnson
For having the vision and generosity to initiate new forms of fundraising for the BDR.
Big thanks to our tireless volunteers!
Juddy Arnold and Fernando Casos for scouting the routes.
Tracy Jeffries, Weil Penders, Ron West and Tim Gettier for helping run this event.
Bryan Pullen and Summit Spring Water for donating the best tasting water from the source.
Mt. Beautiful Wines our long-time wine sponsor provided their delicious New Zealand Pinot Noir and Sauvignon Blanc wines for the event, including as gifts to attendees. Winery representative Suzanna Mannion also brought her motorcycle to the event and provided professional photos for this article.
BDR Access/Advocacy Plan & Allocations Fund
A key presenter at the 2019 fundraiser was Ed Stovin, Board Member of CORVA (California Off-Road Vehicle Association), and President of San Diego Off-Road Coalition. A passionate and knowledgeable speaker, Ed talked about local access efforts, challenges facing local OHV groups, and reinforced the importance of BDR’s efforts on behalf of the adventure community.
Bill Whitacre, BDR Treasurer, presented the new BDR Access & Advocacy plan, which focuses on BDR establishing closer connections with state and national advocacy groups that fight for access and carry out the BDR mission on the ground.
The BDR continues to support organizations like the CORVA, NMOHVA (New Mexico Off Highway Vehicle Alliance), and the TPA (Trails Preservation Alliance), and has established an Allocation Fund of $12,000 to support non-profit groups on an annual basis.
BDR funds will help protect access and will enable these groups to monitor any access issues that might impact BDR routes or other riding areas that are important to our supporters.
Non-profit groups that share the BDR mission can now apply for BDR funding, using the BDR Grant Application Form.
The BDR Board has also created a Reserve Account of $25,000 that is earmarked for supporting access fights. These funds may or may not be used in any given year.
Support of the Elephant Rock Motorcycle Trail System in New Mexico
The BDR recently pledged $7,500 to support the development of the Elephant Rock Motorcycle Trail System in northern New Mexico, an important area that will be a great resource for a wide range of Off-highway users, including dual-sport and adventure touring motorcycles.
This BDR contribution together with funding from the Trail Preservation Alliance, New Mexico DOT, and other local user groups has created the $70,000 budget required to carry out the project which will actually create miles of new trail for dual sport and ADV motorcycles in a prime backcountry area. The work on the project begins in July, 2019.
Read more about the Elephant Rock Motorcycle Trail System Infrastructure and Enhancement Grant.
BDR Partnership with International Motorcycle Shows® (IMS)
Last year, BDR has partnered with the Progressive® International Motorcycle Shows® (IMS) as hosts of the Adventure Out! space at all seven shows during the 2018-2019 season.
We hosted the Adventure Out! space, and set up the BDR campsite display in the main area to help tell the BDR story. We also gave multi-media presentations on BDR and other Adventure Motorcycle related topics several times a day through out the weekend.
Additionally, attendees experienced the CABDR-South in 360 degree Virtual Reality by sitting on a motorcycle and wearing Virtual Reality goggles.
We are hoping to build on the success of this partnership in 2019/2020, and plan to see you at the next IMS show!
Launched the 9th BDR Route – the CABDR-South
Last year marked the release of one of the most anticipated BDR projects to date, the Southern California BDR (CABDR-South), the 9th route in the system of backcountry adventure routes.
The CABDR-South documentary film featuring the 4-time Baja 1000 Champion and Dakar Rally Racer Quinn Cody of KTM, was screened at over 40 film premieres at dealerships and theaters around the country. The free GPS tracks and the waterproof Butler Motorcycle Map put thousands of excited riders on the remote scenic trails, and historic destinations of this incredible desert route.
The KTM Bike Sweepstakes
We couldn’t have predicted the wild success of the BDR Special Edition KTM 1090 R sweepstakes in our wildest dreams! With the generosity of you, and over 2,500 participants, and our Presenting Sponsor KTM, who donated the 2018 KTM 1090 Adventure R to our first Bike Sweepstakes Fundraiser, we raised over $100,000 for the BDR organization!
We also couldn’t have wished for a more deserving winner than Michael Tune of Fayetteville, AK, who has been a BDR supporter for a number of years and has ridden a few BDR’s prior to winning this bike.
For those wishing to try their luck at winning one more time, in a few months, we’ll be offering the hot new KTM 790 Adventure R, and YOU can buy the winning ticket.
Future BDR Routes
As we celebrate the 10th anniversary of the BDR, our team and volunteers are working around the clock to finish scouting and planning our 10th route, the NEBDR, scheduled for release in February of 2020. The NEBDR will be a 1,000+ mile route taking riders BDR-style through 5 states – from the PA/NY border to the Canadian border in Maine.
A big shout out to our local Ambassadors who have put in countless scouting hours into this project to help us experience the most exciting backcountry trails in their states. Thank you to BDR Board Member Tim James, Ambassadors Bryan Pullen, Victoria Zandonella, Eric Milano, and Andrew Phillips for your commitment and support!
Scouting also continues for the WYBDR route planned for release in 2021. One of the last frontiers in America, with 48% of the state being public land, the WYBDR will be the most remote adventure of all the BDR’s created to date. It’ll be worth the wait and is expected to be extraordinary!
European Tourism Initiative
While we in the United States are lucky to have access to our public land for recreational off-road activities, motorcycle riders in Europe are not so lucky. With limited off-road riding available in Europe, there is demand from European riders desiring adventures in the U.S, beyond the well-known Route 66 offerings.
With 9 established backcountry routes and “turn-key” motorcycle itineraries, BDR is uniquely suited to provide authentic off-road riding experiences that are desired by Western Europeans.
BDR will be embarking on a PR campaign to attract European Tourism on the BDRs by partnering with a select few U.S. motorcycle touring and rental companies, who specialize in BDR tours. We believe this will increase the economic impact made to less-advantaged rural communities along the routes and will help preserve our access to this form of recreation.
New BDR Website Launch
One of the most important accomplishment of this year, was the launch of the new BDR website. We have moved to the WordPress platform, completely revamped the look and structure of the RideBDR website to make it easier to navigate and find the information riders need. We have also increased the amount of real-time information, available with ArcGIS map software for our interactive maps. Riders can now check snow levels, view current weather conditions and wild fire activity on the interactive maps, and have an easier way to check for recent updates before heading out.
The new website launch would not have been possible without the support of the incredible team at James Howard Creative Group, and BDR Ambassador and Map Extraordinaire Jill Oliver, who volunteered her time to create and manage the new interactive maps.
Economic Impact of the BDR
When the BDR organization was created in 2010, our goal was to create a new Backcountry Discovery Route each year for the adventure community. Over the last 10 years, the BDR’s mission has evolved, and now also includes delivering significant measurable economic benefits to rural communities across the country.
When a new BDR route is created, thousands of adventure motorcyclists and overlanding adventurers, ride the route, generating millions of dollars in new expenditures at local hotels, campgrounds, restaurants, taverns, gas stations and general stores.
The Economic Study BDR commissioned found that in 2017, BDR routes generated $17.3 million in new tourism expenditures. The Colorado BDR, for example, was created in 2013. In 2017, the route generated $4.2 million in new motorcycle tourism expenditures from out-of-state visitors. The study also showed that some 1,170 motorcycles were purchased to ride BDR in a single year. The BDR team is happy to see so many people get out and explore the backcountry by motorcycle.
If you like what the BDR organization is doing, support us by making a donation today!
Donations made during the month of July, will be doubled by a matching grant created by BDR supporters at the Fundraiser Ride.
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