BDR Prep

BDR Prep: Real-World Training for Your Next Backcountry Discovery Route

A Backcountry Discovery Route is one of the best ways to experience adventure riding – but being ready for a BDR takes more than downloading tracks and packing a bag.

RAWHYDE’s BDR Prep curriculum is designed for riders who are planning to ride a BDR and want to show up prepared, confident, and capable. This weekend course combines classroom preparation, hands-on mechanical basics, route planning, emergency readiness, and real-world riding scenarios that are specific to the BDR you intend to ride.

Whether you’re planning to ride the Colorado BDR, Idaho BDR, Utah BDR, Wyoming BDR, Oregon BDR, or any other official BDR route, this course is built to help you understand what you’re getting into before you get there.

You’ll leave with more than better riding skills. You’ll leave with a plan.

Why BDR Prep?

BDRs are multi-day adventure motorcycle routes that can include remote terrain, long distances between services, changing weather, sand, rocks, water crossings, steep climbs, loose descents, mud, ruts, and navigation challenges. The BDR organization provides free GPS tracks, route information, planning tools, fuel and lodging information, and route updates for riders preparing for these trips. RAWHYDE’s BDR Prep curriculum takes that preparation one step further by helping you develop the skills, judgment, systems, and confidence to actually ride the route safely and successfully.

This is not a generic off-road class. It is a BDR-focused weekend designed around the route you intend to ride.

If your BDR includes rocky climbs, we’ll work on rocky climbs. If your BDR includes sand, we’ll work on sand. If your BDR includes water crossings, we’ll cover water crossings. If your route includes steep, loose descents, we’ll teach you how to manage traction, control speed, and pick the right line.

Everything from logistics to riding technique is covered.

What You’ll Learn

BDR Prep combines classroom discussion, practical demonstrations, mechanical basics, and on-bike training.

You’ll work through the key skills and decisions that can make or break a BDR ride:

• GPS familiarity and route navigation basics
• How to read and follow tracks
• Using BDR route updates and planning resources
• Emergency communication and satellite communicator basics
• What tools to carry and why
• What to pack – and what to leave behind
• Time-of-year considerations, weather, altitude, heat, cold, and road conditions
• Fuel range, water planning, lodging, camping, and food logistics
• How to fix a flat tire in the field
• Basic trail-side problem solving
• Riding a loaded motorcycle in loose terrain
• Climbing rocky “baby head” hills
• Managing sand, gravel, ruts, mud, and rocks
• Water crossing technique and risk assessment
• Steep hill climbs and controlled descents
• Turning around safely on a narrow or uneven trail
• Picking lines through technical terrain
• Group riding protocols and communication
• When to push forward, when to reroute, and when to turn around

Built Around the BDR You Plan to Ride

Every BDR has its own personality. Some routes are known for high alpine passes and changing weather. Others involve desert heat, sand, long fuel stretches, rocky climbs, or remote sections where self-sufficiency matters.

That’s why BDR Prep includes bespoke training scenarios based on the route you plan to ride.

Before and during the class, we’ll talk about the BDR you’re preparing for and focus part of the weekend on the conditions you’re most likely to encounter. The objective is simple: when you see that terrain on your actual ride, it should feel familiar instead of intimidating.

Classroom + Real-World Riding

This weekend includes both classroom and riding components.

Classroom sessions will cover trip planning, GPS use, packing strategy, tools, emergency communication, route research, seasonal considerations, and common BDR mistakes. You’ll learn how to think through your trip before you go, how to prepare your bike, and how to make better decisions once you’re on the route.

The riding portion will include a combination of on-property training and off-property riding, depending on location, conditions, and the focus of the group. RAWHYDE instructors will use controlled drills and real terrain to help you build the techniques required for the BDR you’re planning to ride.

Included With Your Class

Each BDR Prep student will receive a free Butler Motorcycle Map for the BDR they plan to ride.

You’ll also receive the full RAWHYDE weekend experience:

• Friday arrival and orientation dinner
• Two full days of BDR-focused training
• Lodging included
• Chef-prepared meals
• Beverages included
• Access to RAWHYDE instructors and support throughout the weekend

Who This Course Is For

BDR Prep is ideal for riders who have basic adventure riding experience and are preparing for their first BDR, as well as riders who have already completed a BDR and want to be better prepared for the next one.

This course is especially valuable if you:

• Have downloaded GPS tracks but are not fully comfortable using them
• Are unsure what tools, gear, or spares to carry
• Want to understand how to pack lighter and smarter
• Need more confidence riding a loaded adventure bike
• Are concerned about sand, rocks, water crossings, hills, or technical sections
• Want a better understanding of BDR logistics and planning
• Are riding with a group and want everyone better prepared before the trip

Leave Ready for the Route Ahead

A BDR should be challenging, memorable, and fun. It should not be a guessing game.

BDR Prep is designed to give you the riding skills, planning knowledge, route awareness, and confidence to take on your chosen Backcountry Discovery Route with a clear plan and the right preparation.

Show up with a BDR in mind. Leave ready to ride it.