Arizona Backcountry Discovery Route Announced

A motorcyclist in yellow and black gear rides a white overland adventure motorcycle on a dirt road, passing a rusty, abandoned truck in a dry, rugged landscape with sparse trees.

Winter is the perfect time to set your sights on that bucket list, and start planning your next motorcycle escape. For riding ideas look no further than the non-profit Backcountry Discovery Routes and their latest project, the Arizona Backcountry Discovery Route (AZBDR). The AZBDR is the fourth installment in the Backcountry Discovery Routes series of trans-state routes created for dual-sport and adventure motorcycle travel.

The AZBDR is a 750-mile scenic ride across the state of Arizona, beginning at the Mexico border and finishing at the Utah border. The route consists of mostly remote dirt roads, that pass through iconic locations including the Mogollon Rim, Sunset Crater National Monument, Grand Canyon and the Navajo Nation.

 

Paul Guillien, President, Backcountry Discovery Routes: “Arizona has so many different landscapes you can ride in a single day. We discovered very remote and seemingly untouched wild lands, pristine mountain ranges, and a surprising number of water crossings. I think the AZBDR is the most remote and challenging of the routes so far. It really takes the word ‘Backcountry’ to new levels for the Backcountry Discovery Routes concept.”

The AZBDR documentary provides an in-depth look into the creation and first expedition of the AZBDR. Follow a group of riders on adventure motorcycles including the Yamaha WR250R, KTM 990 Adventures, BMW F800GS, and the 2013 R1200GS as they camp from their motorcycles, tackle tough terrain, and enjoy the stunning and varied landscapes of Arizona’s remote backcountry, including historic old west towns, remote deserts, pine-covered mountains, beautiful canyons and Native American lands.

The AZBDR release includes free GPS tracks and route travel information, a waterproof map, and expedition documentary on DVD.

A green tent and yellow duffel bag are set up next to a loaded overlander motorcycle in a forested campsite. Camping gear and a helmet are visible, with trees and other campers in the background.

Four overlanders ride motorcycles along a dusty dirt road through a desert landscape dotted with cacti and shrubs, distant mountains rising under a clear sky.

A motorcyclist rides an adventure bike on a dirt road through a cactus-studded desert, showcasing the Arizona Backcountry Discovery Route by Butler Motorcycle Maps—an epic overlanding journey from Mexico to Utah on rugged, unpaved roads.

 

For more information: www.backcountrydiscoveryroutes.com

 

The AZBDR DVD and map will be released March 1, 2014.

Christophe Noel is a journalist from Prescott, Arizona. Born into a family of backcountry enthusiasts, Christophe grew up backpacking the mountains and deserts of the American West. An avid cyclist and bikepacker, he also has a passion for motorcycles, travel, food and overlanding.