North East Backcountry Discovery Route

Map not loading? Visit our Main Interactive Map. For best performance and experience, use the latest web browser version of Microsoft Edge or Firefox. We are currently troubleshooting technical issues with Chrome.

The long awaited North East BDR (NEBDR) is our tenth route developed for dual-sport and adventure motorcycle travel.

Crossing more state lines and covering more mileage than any other BDR makes the NEBDR one of the most diverse routes in the BDR series. Every Northeast state delivers a unique adventure motorcycling experience unto itself and while sections can be done over an extended weekend, riders who commit to the entire 1,300-mile route will truly feel as though they had an adventure of a lifetime.

The Butler Motorcycle Map is now available for sale at Touratech-USA and Butler Motorcycle Maps. The film DVD and video-on-demand are also available for purchase.

NEBDR LODGING

The Upper Delaware Inn welcomes business travelers, fishermen and other outdoor enthusiasts planning an extended stay in the area. You’ll appreciate returning to clean, comfortable quarters after a day of working, fishing or hunting.

Address: 521 West Main Street, Hancock, NY 13783
Phone: 607-637-1600

Visit Website »

Address:289 Starlight Lake Road, Starlight, PA 18461
Phone: (570) 798-2519

Visit Website »

Low-key rooms with Mission-style decor have Wi-Fi access, cable TV, writing desks and sitting areas; some provide balconies. Suites add kitchenettes, and separate living rooms with pull-out sofas.

Address137 E Front St, Hancock, NY 13783
Phone(607) 637-7100

Visit Website »

The Western Hotel – a notable 1852 Victorian mansion now listed on the National Historic Register is located in the picturesque Callicoon on the Delaware. Just two hours from New York City, the Western is an idyllic weekend getaway.

Address: 22 Upper Main St, Callicoon, NY 12723
Phone: (845) 887-9871

Visit Website »

Simple rooms and suites have 2 beds, free WiFi, TVs, coffeemakers, fridges, bathrooms and private balconies with river views. The suites offer microwaves and dining areas. There’s also a 2-bedroom apartment that sleeps up to 8, featuring a full kitchen.

Address: 6945 River Rd, Downsville, NY 13755
Phone: (607) 363-7575

Visit Website »

10 casual, ranch-style rooms in an old-fashioned building with a porch, a classic eatery & a tavern.

Address: 110 Main St, Andes, NY 13731
Phone: (845) 676-4408

Visit Website »

Lodging in the hamlet of Andes, NY
Address: 227 Delaware Ave, Andes, NY 13731
Phone: (845) 707-1410

Visit Website »

Looking for a comfortable getaway from the city, a place to warm up after a long day of skiing, or attending a Catskills wedding?  Margaretville Motel offers rates based on single, double, triple or quad occupancy, and the ability to adjoin rooms for larger parties.

Address: 42480 State Highway 28, Margaretville, NY 12455
Phone: 845.586.4464

Visit Website »

The Americana Mountain Lodge is the perfect waypoint for an overnight stay on any ride thru the northern Catskills mountains. We are located directly on the mountain cloves scenic byway in the beautiful Village of Hunter, New York. Call or check out our website.

Address: 8294 Route 23A, Hunter, N.Y, 12442
Phone: 518-628-5068

Visit Website »

Address: 7 Barnhart Road, Lew Beach, NY 12758
Phone: 845-439-4844

Visit Website »

Secluded escape in the Western Catskill Mountains

Address: 487 Dirt Road, Delancey, NY 13752
Phone: (607) 287-8148

Visit Website »

Awaken to the aroma of freshly brewed coffee, baking muffins, and enjoy a delicious gourmet breakfast at this beautiful and historic 18th century Georgian colonial.

Website – https://www.harbourhouseinn.com/ 

Phone – 888-298-8141

Address:  725 North State Rd, Cheshire, MA  01225

Fernwood Forest Campground is family owned and operated. Located in the beautiful Berkshires just off Route 8 in Hinsdale Massachusetts, it offers 44 tent and RV sites on 115 acres of natural woodlands adjacent to the Appalachian Trail. Area golf courses, Tanglewood, Mt Greylock, and other cultural attractions are easily accessible from the campground.

Address: 350 Longview Ave., Hinsdale, MA 01235
Phone: 413-655-2292

Visit Website »

Rustic Arts & Crafts lodge with basic accommodations & a restaurant with views, open July-October.
Address: North Adam Road, Adams, MA 01220
Phone: (413) 743-1591

Visit Website »

The pine-accented rooms have country-style furnishings and decor, plus private bathrooms. The family suite offers 3 bedrooms, 2 bathrooms and a living room with a TV, VCR and a minifridge.
Address: 290 VT-100, West Dover, VT 05356
Phone: (802) 464-2474

Visit Website »

Sleep Woodstock Motel, Woodstock’s Unexpected Motel, offers visitors fully renovated, modern, comfortable accommodations, with today’s top amenities, and park-at-your-door convenience. Perfect for all their motorcycle guests. A true motor inn, the motel offers 12 cozy and clean rooms.
Constructed in 1959 this bit of Americana has had a complete to-the-studs renovation. The owners Leslie & Patrick’s love for the area and their historic motel is surpassed only by their commitment to making your stay relaxing. “You’ll sleep well when you put your head on a pillow at our little motel. They promise!

Address: 4324 West Woodstock Rd, Woodstock, VT 05091
Phone: 802-332-6336 p | 914-924-7454 c | 646-792-3320 f

Email

Visit Website »

Cradled by an unspoiled valley and surrounded by the majestic Green Mountains, the Landgrove Inn provides a quintessential Vermont getaway. Innkeepers Tom and Maureen invite you to visit their historic country inn rich in four season activities; experience downhill skiing, cross country and snowshoeing at its finest. Explore nearby villages and cultural spots, or sign up for one of the inn’s world-class visual arts workshops and paint, sculpt and study with the masters.

Address: 132 Landgrove Road, Landgrove, VT 05148
Phone: 800.669.8466

Visit Website »

Warmly decorated rooms feature antique furnishings, sitting areas and Keurigs; some have canopy beds. Suites add separate bedrooms. Some quarters offer soaking tubs and/or flat-screen TVs.
Address: 92 Main St, Grafton, VT 05146
Phone: (802) 843-2248

Visit Website »

Riders will love direct access to Echo Lake, with a small beach and a dock, and kayaks and canoes complimentary for guests.  Could be quite refreshing for riders after a hot and dusty day on the road.  They also offer a robust breakfast as part of the room fee.

Address: 45 Kingdom Road Ludlow, VT 05149
Phone: 802-265-0920

Visit Website »

Featuring Japanese, Tuscan and Moroccan-inspired decor, the lavish rooms offer free Wi-Fi, flat-screens and minifridges, plus separate sitting areas with fireplaces. Suites and cottages may add stone hot tubs.
Address: 452 Royalton Turnpike, Barnard, VT 05031
Phone: (802) 234-9999

Visit Website »

Practical hospitality in the heart of the Mad River Valley.

Address: 731 Vermont Rt. 100 Warren, VT 05674
Phone: +1 (802) 496-3084

Visit Website »

Casual rooms offer free Wi-Fi, flat-screen TVs and minifridges, along with microwaves. Upgraded rooms add balconies and/or whirlpool tubs. Suites feature sitting areas and kitchens.
Address: 4982 Dartmouth College Hwy, Woodsville, NH 03785
Phone: (603) 747-2418

Visit Website »

Barn Door Hostel, located in Rumney New Hampshire, sits directly on the NE BDR. It specializes in hosting outdoor enthusiasts such as Appalachian hikers, rock climbers, off road riders, and even hosts a BMW motorcycle rally each June. The facility is situated on 9 acres of open field and rolling hills, with a cold brook for morning pick-me-ups! They offer camping options, bunk options, private accommodations, and “glamping” (GLAMorous camPING) with structures such as a converted short bus with a tiny stove, and a yurt/tipi hybrid. You can book directly on the website, or call during office hours (3-10pm daily)

Address: 30 Stone Hill Road Rumney New Hampshire 03266
Phone: 603-254-1700

Visit Website »

Ranked #1 on Trip Advisor for Gorham NH hotels and a great location in the down town area. We offer a variety of Gorham NH lodging options for families, couples and business professionals. Were also one of the only hotels in Gorham NH that are pet friendly. We are one of the busiest hotels in Gorham NH located in the White Mountains & take pride in offering our customers cozy comfortable bedding with all newly remodeled hotel rooms.

Address: 265 Main Street, Gorham, NH 03581
Phone: 603-466-5496

Visit Website »

The 9 individually decorated rooms feature country-style decor and sitting areas. Most have private bathrooms, others share facilities. Some provide mountain views.
Address: 1107 Main St, Lovell, ME 04051
Phone: (207) 925-1575

Visit Website »

Warmly furnished rooms feature free WiFi, coffeemakers and cable TVs. Upgraded rooms and suites add flat-screens, pull-out sofas and/or fireplaces; suites offer separate living areas, whirlpool tubs and decks. Private condos with dining rooms and kitchens are also available.
Address: 21 Broad St, Bethel, ME 04217
Phone: (207) 824-2175

Visit Website »

The casual quarters feature traditional decor and come with en suite bathrooms, TVs and free Wi-Fi. Relaxed, 2-room suites add pull-out sofas, whirlpool tubs and balconies with water views. Laid-back rooms in an adjacent lodge further add minifridges, microwaves and coffeemakers but do not have air-conditioning.
Address: 2443 Main St, Rangeley, ME 04970
Phone: (207) 864-3341

Visit Website »

The Philbrick Family is a second generation owner, carrying on a family tradition of providing you with the services that will make your stay a most pleasant and enjoyable one. Bald Mountain Camps started in the 1800’s as a sporting camp. We carry on that tradition today adding modern conveniences.

Address: PO Box 332 125 Bald Mountain Rd, Oquossoc, ME 04964
Phone: 207 864-3671

Visit Website »

NEBDR FOOD

Overstuffed sandwiches, hot pizza, cold & hot drinks, essential pharmacy and grocery items can now be found where hardwood stacks of wooden cylinders awaited the likes of Babe Ruth, Joe DiMaggio and Mickey Mantle. The former Louisville Slugger Factory is now home to The Old Bat Factory Mobil Mart, owned & operated by Bass Enterprises of Hancock, NY. America’s newest, and most historic Mobil Mart offers the finest gas, diesel, oil, and petroleum products, along with everything the hungry and weary traveler might need on his journey.

Address: 593 W Main St, Hancock, NY 13783

Visit Website »

Hancock General Store has coffee, healthy snacks, to-go snacks, some outdoor seating and off-street parking.

AddressPark Place / Elm StHancock, NY 13783
Phone: (845) 674-3535

Visit Website »

Aegean Flavor Greek Food Restaurant

Located In the Catskills (Catskill Mountains), in Upstate NY – Northeast USA

Instagram: @aegeanflavorcatskillsny

Facebook Page:  https://www.facebook.com/aegeanflavor

Yelp: https://www.yelp.com/biz/aegean-flavor-fleischmanns-2

Owner is a fellow Dual Sport Rider

Address: 932 Main Street, Fleischmanns, NY 12430
Phone: (518) 339-1451
Hours: Tuesday-Saturday 12-6:30 PM

The Andes General Store serves local products & local needs 7 days a week.

Address: 103 Main St, Andes, NY 13731
Phone: (845) 676-6091

Visit Website »

The Andes Hotel is a bar, restaurant and hotel in the adorable town of Andes, New York in the Catskills.

Address: 110 Main Street, Andes, NY 13731
Phone: 845.676.4408

Visit Website »

Food, gas, and bait — Homemade baked goods and a smile.

Address: 1024 Co Rd 1, Andes, NY 13731
Phone: (845) 676-3244

Visit Website »

Address: 55 Main Street, Andes, New York 13731
Phone: (845) 676-3322
Hours: Saturday: 8:00am – 6:00pm / Sunday: 9:00am – 5:00pm

Visit Website »

Family owned & operated restaurant open for breakfast & lunch specializing in traditional American fare & comfort food. Ice cream in summer. Check site or call for hours.

Address2102 State Route 30, North Blenheim, NY 12131
Phone(518) 827-5588

Visit Website »

Proudly owned and operated by the Shaver family for 5 generations.
Address: 8 Alder Rd. Livingston Manor, NY 12758
Phone:(845) 439-4947

Visit Website »

TASTE THE FLAVORS OF MOROCCO

Bebert’s makes the Best Moroccan Condiments
in the World in Upstate New York!

Address: 1164 Main St, Fleischmanns, NY 12430
Phone: (646) 979-7798

Visit Website »

Sap Bush Cafe, also located at 832 W. Fulton Rd, is open every Saturday from 9-2.  There you can enjoy a fabulous farm-to-table meal, or sip lattes & nibble fresh pastries from our espresso bar.  They also make a fabulous bloody Mary!  Their meats, wool products, local (and not-so-local)  beer & wine are also available for purchase.

Address: 832 West Fulton Rd
Ste 2
West Fulton, NY 12194

Your stop for delicious deli sandwiches and salads, staples and splurges for the kitchen and pantry, and the place to meet up for coffee and a chat while in Warren.

Address: 10 Cornwall Rd, Warren, CT 06754
Phone: (860) 868-3354

Visit Website »

Great deli and coffee shop right on the route in Becket, MA

Address: 30 Washington St, Becket, MA 01223
Phone: (413) 729-6366

Visit Website »

Family owned and operated offering tasty sandwiches, a wide variety of ice cream flavors & shakes, and a relaxing space with shaded picnic tables.

Phone: 413-346-8109

Address:  13 Main St., Cheshire, MA  01225

Charming country store with full deli, beer, wine groceries, lottery, gas, Vermont Maple products, and take out options.

Address: 6828 Main St. Readsboro, VT
Phone: (802) 423-5477

Visit Website »

A store was first built on this site in the mid-1840s. The first post office in Bridgewater was established in the store in the 1860s and was located here until just before World War II (1941). The store was burned to the ground in 1889 by burglars and was rebuilt on the original foundation and open again in the spring of 1890. It has served the community since that time as a local gathering place.

Address: 5680 US-4, Bridgewater Corners, VT 05035
Phone: (802) 672-6241

Visit Website »

Established in 1832, The Barnard General Store stands as one of Vermont’s oldest General Stores. Located on peaceful Silver Lake, the store’s rustic wood floors, old fashioned lunch counter, and charming wood stove create a setting that you just can’t find anywhere else.

Address: 6134 VT-12, Woodstock, VT 05091
Phone: (802) 234-9688

Visit Website »

Located on Valley Road in North Waterford, Melby’s Market & Eatery has been providing locals with their grocery and home cooking needs for nearly three decades.

Address: 46 Vermont Rt. 103 South, Chester VT 05143

Visit Website »

We are a small seasonal (May – Dec) country store located at the corner of Route 302 and Wallace Hill Road in Wells River Vermont.  We offer awesome hot coffee all day and cold drinks including a wide variety of craft beer and soda, novelty ice creams and on occasion hot food vendors like Woodfired Pizza, BBQ, and Grilled Cheese.  We have great cell service, are just a quarter mile from fuel and minutes to full services restaurants or a greasy spoon.  We have an onsite restroom for patrons, plenty of shade and front porch to relax on. For BDR riders we offer limited camping for up to four tents at a first come first serve basis.  You can make reservations by calling 802 757 2020, talking to one of the owners during business hours, or it can be used on the honor system if after hours.  Recommended donation, of $25.00 per night per tent.

Address4304 Wallace Hill Rd, Wells River, Vermont 05081
Phone: 802 757 2020

Address: 4761 Dartmouth College Highway Woodsville, NH 03785
Phone: (603) 243-0089

Visit Website »

Located on Valley Road in North Waterford, Melby’s Market & Eatery has been providing locals with their grocery and home cooking needs for nearly three decades.

Address: 927 Valley Rd, Waterford, ME 04088
Phone: (207) 583-4447

Visit Website »

Located on Valley Road in North Waterford, Melby’s Market & Eatery has been providing locals with their grocery and home cooking needs for nearly three decades.

Address: 224 Main St, Greenwood, ME 04255
Phone: (207) 875-0011

Visit Website »

Located on Valley Road in North Waterford, Melby’s Market & Eatery has been providing locals with their grocery and home cooking needs for nearly three decades.

Address: 1007 Main St, Lovell, ME 04051
Phone: (207) 925-1051

Visit Website »

NEBDR FUEL

Website – https://find.shell.com/us/fuel/10005038-173-north-st

Phone – 413-743-1654

Address:  173 North St. (Rte 8), Cheshire, MA  01225

NEBDR MOTORCYCLE DEALERSHIPS

MAX BMW MOTORCYCLES

NY, NH, CT

WEBSITE

Started in 2002 in North Hampton by Max Stratton, a trade technician specializing in motorcycle and automobile repair, MAX BMW Motorcycles now operates four convenient locations around the Northeast.

All dealerships feature state of the art repair facilities, door-to-door pick-up and delivery services, organize over 30 community events and classes on top of offering the biggest inventory of new and used BMWs in the Northeast.

NEBDR PACKING LIST

This packing list serves as an example and is not intended to be a complete list for your backcountry riding needs. Feel free to customize this list to work for you.

  • Helmet
  • Boots
  • Goggles
  • Gloves (2 sets)
  • Protective gear (pressure suit, Leatt brace, knee braces)
  • Jacket
  • Pants
  • Balaclava or neck gaitor
  • Water bladder or bottle
  • Hydration pack
  • Ear plugs

FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS

Below are answers to some of the Frequently Asked Questions about the North East Backcountry Discovery Route.

The North East Backcountry Discovery Route is the tenth route developed by the BDR organization for dual-sport and adventure motorcycle travel. Riders will test their endurance and skills on this epic 1,300-mile backcountry tour of the Northeast Region up to the Canadian border. The tracks wind through seven states and nearly a dozen state forests on dirt and gravel roads, challenging seasonal and Class 4 roads, and twisty tarmac. Expect scenic views, endless forest roads under a canopy of trees, rocky expert-only sections and the highest elevations in the Northeast. Every state delivers a unique adventure riding experience unto itself.

The NEBDR uses seasonal roads that open as early as April 30th in NY and as late as May 30th in VT, NH & ME. The earliest the route can be ridden in entirety would be June 1st. Depending on the winter snowfall, the route can be very muddy and slippery in some places during the spring time and early summer. The best time to ride the NEBDR is mid-June to mid-October.

BDRs are generally designed for the average adventure rider on a fully-loaded adventure or dual-sport motorcycle. The NEBDR is suitable for riders with intermediate and above skill level. You can expect to cover sections with deep ruts, loose rocks, sand, rocky hill climbs/descents and other challenges. There are some trails that are very tight – almost single-track style. Road conditions change from week to week based on the time of year and recent weather. There also may be some deep puddles/water-crossings especially early in the season.

The route includes a number of Class 4 (unmaintained) roads in Massachusetts, Vermont and Maine that are very technical and are only recommended for riders with advanced off-road skills. Work arounds are available for these technical sections for riders with less technical abilities.

Depending on the year, the Northeast can be pretty rainy. If the season is particularly wet, the terrain will be more difficult to ride due to mud, ruts, and slippery rocks. It can also get very hot and humid in July and August. Flies and mosquitoes are an issue in spring and summer – bring bug spray. September and October are ideal months to ride this route as it is typically mild, dry and bug-free.
Be sure to check the interactive map at the top of this page for current conditions and use a reliable weather app on your phone during your ride.

Yes. As with all the BDR routes, the NEBDR was designed for riding South to North, but it can absolutely be done North to South. The route ends at the Canadian border – so there may be a good number of Canadians heading south on the route. Please be prepared for two-way traffic and always remember to Ride Right to avoid head-on collisions around blind corners.

Yes. Sections 7 and 8 contain alternate tracks that use the Maine ATV trail system. They are the only areas on the NEBDR that require a permit. The registration fees go towards the development and maintenance of ATV trail systems in Maine. This is an ideal way to help BDR deliver on our mission to preserve OHV riding opportunities. The permit is issued by Maine’s Dept of Inland Fisheries and Wildlife, and is an online -only process.  Once completing the online application and paying the appropriate fee, a permit will be mailed to you within 30 days. However, you can download and print a “temporary” proof of registration that must be carried with you giving you access to Maine’s ATV trail system immediately. (Please Note: you must choose “ATV” from the list of options to receive the appropriate permit, “motorcycle” is not an option)

https://apps1.web.maine.gov/online/atv_snow/index.htm

Most riders average 150-200 miles a day on a backcountry motorcycle trip. On average it takes 7-8 days to complete the entire NEBDR depending on your personal riding style. Factor in daylight hours – days are much longer in the early season than towards the end of the riding season in the fall. Also keep in mind that you could potentially face challenges along a route of this length – so it’s a good idea to plan for at least one bumper day or even a rest day. And remember, you will need to plan for extra time for the return home after completing the route.

Never pass fuel. It’s one of the golden rules of adventure riding. The longest distance between gas stops on the NEBDR is no more than 125 miles, however if you skip a stop you could be looking at a 200+ distance. Even if your bike’s range is way beyond the fuel stop distances, we recommend carrying extra fuel.

The NEBDR includes some of the most densely populated states in the US, but like other BDRs, the NEBDR runs through remote areas that in some cases offer minimal lodging opportunities directly on the route. Motels and Inns are universally available in small towns both along and slightly off route. Some lodging options are listed on the NEBDR page. Most of these small towns have a limited number of rooms, and vacationers from the metro areas flock to these rural destinations during summer and fall to enjoy all sorts of activities. Hence, it’s advisable that you plan properly and make reservations when possible.

We highly recommend that to plan your adventure on the NEBDR, you use online lodging/travel aggregators in addition to the listing of lodging options on the NEBDR page and the NEBDR Butler Map.

Public campgrounds are plentiful along the route but tend to book up especially during the summer. A few of the public campgrounds are identified on the NEBDR map as a small tent icon and are listed on the www.RideBDR.com/NEBDR page. Primitive camping is also available throughout the route but be aware that each state has their own guidelines so it’s advisable to check state websites. Check for a listing of campgrounds along the route on www.RideBDR.com/NEBDR.

In most cases camp fires are allowed, but check with local Ranger Stations to determine if campfires are allowed before you build one. In most cases, campfires are only allowed in fire rings. Be sure to fully extinguish fires so they are DEAD-OUT. Use water to ensure a fire is fully extinguished and the ground is left cool and wet.

This route cannot be ridden without the use of GPS tracks. Be prepared and bring the NEBDR Butler Map AND your navigation device with the latest NEBDR GPS tracks loaded. Free GPS tracks are available for download on this site. The route can also be navigated using the REVER smartphone app available at rever.co. The NEBDR expedition documentary film is a great source of information about the route and is available for purchase on DVD at touratech-usa.com and butlermaps.com. The film can also be bought or rented via on-demand video platforms like Vimeo and Amazon On-Demand.

Any GPS unit capable of handling 15 track logs with a minimum of 1500 points each is suitable for use on the NEBDR. Garmin models that work best for this application are: Zumo 590/595/395/396, Montana, and 276Cx. Many other GPS units are compatible with the GPX file format, check the owner’s manual of your device for more information.

Cell phone service is very limited on this route so a satellite communication or tracking device is recommended for emergency situations.

Any bike that has a license plate, can run knobby tires, has adequate suspension, can carry the gear you will need, and has enough fuel range. Most adventure or dual-sport motorcycles will be suitable for the trip. However, if you are planning on doing the Class 4 technical sections of route, we recommend a mid-sized or single-cylinder bike for this route unless you are very comfortable on a big bore bike in rough technical terrain. We do not recommend you taking your pride and joy or brand new 1200 cc bike on this route unless you’re prepared to potentially damage it. Even very experienced riders on our team reported being challenged on larger bikes by some of the technical sections of the route during the filming expedition. Choose the bike that you are the most comfortable riding in challenging terrain and that you are not afraid to drop a few times.

DOT approved knobby tires are strongly recommended. Riding this route without a least a 60/40 tire (60% dirt, 40% road) could be dangerous.

Segments of this route can be ridden two-up for those experienced in riding off-highway with a passenger and luggage. However, we strongly advise against riding the Class 4 and other technical sections of this route two-up.

Yes. There are gates and/or barricades along the route – especially in early spring and late fall when seasonal roads are closed. In spring and early summer there may also be temporary closures when towns are repairing washouts and other road hazards. Check the BDR website for route updates before you go.

Please abide by posted road closure signs. Ignoring these signs is a sure-fire way of getting a road closed for good. That said, sometimes locals will post unofficial “road closed” signs on public roads for their own personal reasons. Additionally, a town may not have removed a “closed” sign from a seasonal road – even though the sign right next to it clearly displays the open/closed dates. In these cases, use your best judgment – if in doubt navigate around the closed road and report it to BDR. And please remember never to engage in arguments with local land owners.

We do our best to post the most up-to-date information on our Route Updates Page. We depend on the BDR community to inform us about route and road conditions, so if you encounter any road closures or severe conditions that are worth reporting, please contact us with the information.

There is also a dedicated NEBDR Facebook Group Page. We recommend that you join the group prior to your trip to read trip reports and comments from other riders about their experience on the route.

Don’t forget to use our Interactive Map to get route conditions in real time. Read this Article to a quick tutorial on how to use the Interactive Map.

The Northeast is a habitat for many animals like deer, moose and bear as well as smaller animals like coyote, porcupines, and snakes — all of which make their way to the road at some point. Use caution in heavily wooded areas as animals can and will cross your path along the route – especially at dusk. Appropriate food practices while camping is an absolute must for your safety and the animal’s safety.
Yield to all animals whether wild, domestic, or live stock by slowing down or stopping. Many locals in rural areas keep their dogs off-leash on their property and dogs love to chase motorcycles – be cautious and considerate.

Our greatest concern in developing this route was the close proximity of roads/trails to residential homes. In many cases, the backcountry roads we use have homes along them and/or pass through small villages, whose residents are used to peace and quiet, and might feel disturbed by engine noise and dust made by groups of motorcyclists passing through.

It is absolutely essential that you Ride Respectfully and follow the tips outlined in our Ride Respectfully campaign. Remember, it’s up to all of you to preserve our access – we can easily lose access to many of these roads if we don’t practice proper etiquette. Always represent BDR and the ADV community in the best light.

You can contact Bill Gross, a local from Hancock, NY (located at the start of the NEBDR) who has a few parking lots available for BDR rider to park their vehicles for a fee.  You can reach him at 607-237-3078.

Rating the Routes by Difficulty

We often get requests to provide the difficulty ratings of the BDR. We do not officially rate roads or routes because the difficulty can change from day to day depending on weather, changes in road conditions, and road damage caused by a variety of forces including wind, storms, flooding, snow, logging, forest fires and more.

The difficulty experienced by an individual also depends on their off-road skills, level of fitness, stamina, bike size and amount of weight carried on the bike. For these reasons we can’t provide a rating system like a ski resort or OHV park.

We can help you a bit by ranking the existing Backcountry Discovery Routes from most difficult to least difficult. Here is the list: CABDR-South, NEBDR, AZBDR, ORBDR, WYBDR, UTBDR, COBDR, NVBDR, WABDR, NMBDR, IDBDR, MABDR.

So CABDR-South is the most difficult especially if you ride the expert sections and MABDR is the easiest in general terms. Although MABDR is the easiest there are still a few challenging rocky sections and the several water crossings that can get very difficult if the water is high.

Be sure to also review the FAQ’s for each route and our General FAQs prior to embarking on your trip.

Backcountry Discovery Routes is a 501c(3) non-profit corporation. © 2022 - 2023 Backcountry Discovery Routes, Inc. All rights reserved. Terms of Use.