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SPRING 2018 ISSUE 01 / VOL . 03
Editor ’ s Letter
Interstate Travel
IN THE SUMMER OF 2013 , two riding buddies and I set off from Ventura , California , and rode 700 miles north along the eastern edge of the state , a day-and-a-half-long journey on scenic U . S . Route 395 . A half-mile before crossing into Oregon , we turned right onto County Road 2 , an unpaved byway that snakes its way into the Warner Mountains of Modoc National Forest .
Laden with camping gear , tools and several days ’ worth of supplies , our adventure bikes were fine on pavement , but on that steep , loose , technical forest road , they felt heavy and awkward . By the time we reached the ridge , we started to get our “ dirt legs .” Soon after crossing Dismal Creek , we saw our first trail marker , and thus began our 750-mile , off-pavement adventure on the Oregon Backcountry Discovery Route , a north-to-south crossing of the remote eastern part of the state . Five days later , tired and dusty , we arrived in Walla Walla , Washington .
The OBDR is managed by the Oregon Off-Highway Vehicle Association , which sells paper maps and GPS tracks for the various sections . Inspired by the OBDR , similar routes have been created for other states by Backcountry Discovery Routes , a “ 501 ( c )( 4 ) non-profit organization whose mission is to establish and preserve off-highway routes for dual-sport and adventure motorcycles .” North-south , cross-state routes have been established for Arizona , Colorado , Idaho , Nevada , New Mexico , Utah and Washington , as well as the recently completed Mid-Atlantic route , which passes through remote parts of Virginia , West Virginia , Maryland and Pennsylvania . For each BDR , there ’ s a documentary DVD , a Butler Motorcycle Map , free GPS tracks and useful information on the ridebdr . com website .
Just as Backcountry Discovery Routes helps with route planning , the touring features in Favorite Rides & Destinations provide you with must-ride roads , points of interest , hidden gems and printable maps to help you plan your next motorcycle tour .