Riding the Transcontinental Railroad National Historic Byway.

The BDR organization’s hard work to develop and publish 1,000-mile routes we can ride without hitting pavement is not a small feat. The routes take us to intimate parts of a state and provides us an opportunity to challenge ourselves, giving us bragging rights when done. However, a deeper appreciation of the route is often lost to the thrill of the ride.

The older I get, the importance of “checking off” an epic route isn’t as important to me as it once was. Don’t get me wrong, I still love the satisfaction and sense of accomplishment, but I want more. To me, it’s all a bit shallow without gaining an understanding the history behind the route and the hearty souls that built it, an element which was not really the intent of the designers.

What is your ADV experience worth?

This is the question the BDR organization is trying to determine. But in my opinion, this is just the first step in helping to legitimize our ADV sport and recognize our contribution to local and state economies. I applaud BDR for taking the reins on this, I hope state departments of tourism continue to run with it.

Epic snowpack, bloated rivers, and impassible mud are likely to make the 2023 ADV season a memorable one. Many rides will be delayed, essentially compressing the riding season for some of us.