Film Trailer Released for the South East Backcountry Discovery Route Project
January 14, 2025
Seattle, WA – (January 14, 2025)
Backcountry Discovery Routes® (BDR®), the non-profit organization dedicated to preserving off-highway riding opportunities for adventure motorcyclists, has released the trailer for its newest route, the South East Backcountry Discovery Route (SEBDR). The full-length expedition documentary will premiere during the Route Release Party on Saturday, March 1st, at the Aurora Cineplex/The Computer Museum of America in Roswell, GA, and launch a nationwide film tour with over 80 screenings planned at motorcycle dealerships and clubs.
The SEBDR, BDR’s 14th cross-state route, is an epic 1,300-mile journey through the diverse and stunning landscapes of the South East. Starting at the Gulf of Mexico in Florida, the route travels across the Florida panhandle and winds its way through the Appalachian Mountains in Alabama, North Georgia, Tennessee, and North Carolina, before concluding in Damascus, Virginia, where it connects to the Mid-Atlantic BDR.
Riders will experience a stunning range of climates and topographies, from dense forest roads and scenic overlooks to picturesque lakes, roaring rivers, and optional challenging sections. Twisty paved roads add to the fun, while the unique charm of southern culture and cuisine provides a memorable backdrop for the journey. The route can be enjoyed for most of the year from early spring to late fall, somewhat unique among the BDR collection.
With the release of the route, free GPS tracks, detailed travel resources, and the official SEBDR Motorcycle Map will be available to help riders plan their own unforgettable SEBDR adventure.
One of the unique challenges in creating the SEBDR was navigating the aftermath of Hurricane Helene, which caused significant damage to communities and roads along the route. During filming, the team was unable to complete the final 300 miles of the proposed route. However, since then, BDR scouts have verified that the majority of the final leg is rideable as originally planned. The recovering local communities will benefit greatly from the economic boost that BDR motorcycle travel will bring, helping to support their rebuilding efforts.
The SEBDR marks a significant milestone for BDR, completing the East Coast Trilogy —three interconnected eastern BDRs that create an epic route from the Gulf off Mexico to the Canadian border.
FILM & ROUTE RELEASE
The documentary showcases the BDR team, special guests from Harley-Davidson, Triumph Motorcycles, Edelweiss Bike Travel, and local BDR scouts as they navigate the unique challenges and scenic landscapes of the all-new route.
The SEBDR film will premiere on Saturday, March 1st, 2025, in Roswell, GA, with representatives from BDR, Harley-Davidson, Triumph, and other industry partners in attendance. Tickets for the film premiere are available now at www.RideBDR.com/SEBDR
Accompanying the premiere, free GPS tracks, digital maps, FAQs, and travel resources will be released at 12:00 PM PST on March 1st on the BDR website. The waterproof SEBDR Motorcycle Map will be available for purchase at the BDR Online Store.
SEBDR FILM TOUR
Each year, nearly 100 motorcycle dealerships and clubs nationwide host screenings of BDR’s newest film, bringing the adventure riding community together for an evening of inspiration and camaraderie.
Motorcycle dealerships and clubs interested in hosting a SEBDR screening can select any date that works for them and sign up on the BDR website at www.RideBDR.com/SEBDR.
“I’m thrilled to share the SEBDR with riders who want to experience the South in a special BDR way. Traveling from the Gulf to Southern Virginia, some of my favorite parts of the route include the white sands of the Florida panhandle, the rolling cotton fields in southern Alabama, the rugged trails of the Talladega and Chattahoochee National Forests, and the heart of the Great Smoky Mountains. This fun and flowing route offers a little bit of everything and is accessible to riders with moderate off-pavement experience.”
“Supporting the BDR and riding the SEBDR with the team was an incredible experience. Coming from Austria, everything about the Southeast was new and unique to me—the landscapes, the culture, and the riding itself. The mix of twisty roads, rugged trails, and the warmth of the local communities made this route truly special. Edelweiss is proud to continue supporting the adventure motorcycling community in the U.S., and the SEBDR is a fantastic addition to the BDR lineup.”
ROUTE SPONSORS
The SEBDR project was made possible thanks to partnerships with key industry sponsors:
Harley-Davidson – supported its second BDR project, following the release of the Big Bend BDR-X in Texas. H-D’s Pan America Tour Manager, Justin Kleiter, joined the SEBDR filming expedition to showcase the Pan America’s capability in BDR terrain.
Triumph Motorcycles America, a new OEM sponsor, provided Tiger 900 Rally Pros for the SEBDR film crew and guest riders, demonstrating their commitment to adventure motorcycling.
Edelweiss Bike Travel, a leading motorcycle tour company offering guided tours around the world, continues to support the adventure motorcycling community in the US by sponsoring its third BDR route. The company’s owner and managing director Tobias Wachter, traveled from Austria to ride his first Backcountry Discovery Route on the East Coast.
BDR is grateful for the support of its industry partners, including:
Touratech, Eurosport Asheville, Mosko Moto, Motoz Tires, SENA, Alpinestars, Outback Motortek, Rev’It!, Colorado Motorcycle Adventures, KLIM, Austin Moto Adventures, West 38 Moto, Rogue Moto, Rever, SoCal Off-Road School, Cyclops, Black Dog Cycle Works, Moto Camp Nerd, and Doubletake Mirror.
For more information about the SEBDR, film screenings, and route details, visit www.RideBDR.com.
About BDR
Backcountry Discovery Routes® (BDR®) is a 501c(3) non-profit organization that creates off-highway routes for adventure and dual-sport motorcycle travel. The organization’s work includes promoting rider education and safety campaigns, driving economic relief to rural communities, and encouraging responsible motorcycle travel in the backcountry.
BDR delivers turn-key trip planning resources to the community including GPS tracks, digital maps, travel information, route condition updates, YouTube videos, Q&As, and other information – all available 24/7 on www.RideBDR.com.
Since 2010, BDR has created routes in Washington, Utah, Colorado, Arizona, Idaho, New Mexico, Nevada, the Mid-Atlantic region, Southern California, the North East region, Wyoming, Oregon, Northern California, and soon in the South East region. In 2022 BDR introduced a new concept of shorter, BDR-style routes that loop, called BDR-X. Current BDR-X routes include Red Desert, Wyoming; PA Wilds, Pennsylvania; Steens Mountain & Alvord Desert, Oregon; Black Hills, South Dakota, and Big Bend, Texas.
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