Riding the Idaho BDR from North to South Part 1

Wildfires, breakdowns, equipment damage and even a shooting incident! Our Idaho BDR was certainly action-packed. We rode this 8-day BDR from Canada to Nevada in July 2021 with Backcountry Expeditions.

[@quallsalmighty7441]

Fantastic video! Great story telling, awesome editing and I love the drone work! Inspiring! Can’t wait to plan my first BDR route.

[@bjornaronsson7596]

Absolutely fabulous, so proffesional production. Pure joy to watch, thanks!

[@jamesprecious1035]

Brent, Thanks for another epic episode. Most likely if you are watching Brent's content you are either and ADV Rider or a film maker, either way please spread the word on his channel as he should have 100K+ subscribers with the contribution he makes to this platform and the world of ADV and film making.

[@dennisfant2620]

I have ridden the Idaho BDR. And loved the whole route. I highly recommend it. It is just awesome! It is so remote on some sections. You will not be disappointed! Great video!

[@ShaftDrive]

Absolutely perfect presentation on your videos. Now I know what I’m going to start binge watching over the next couple of days. Great stuff.

[@brentbat]

Thanks.... My channel is a labour of love. I really enjoy combining my passion for adventure bike riding with my love of making videos.

[@CurlyOK1]

Great video. I’ve done the Colorado BDR and it was also sensational, Idaho is next on the list

[@pnwflyfisher7699]

Great presentation of this first part. I have ridden many of these parts on ATV and am looking forward to doing on a bike. Norther Idaho has thousands of miles of old logging and mining roads to explore. Avery is always a great place to stop and wash the dust down with a cold one. Oh Yes the fires suck but it's part of living in the Northwest.

[@michaeldavidheit]

Absolutely wonderful video, truly enjoyed it. I've jeeped that area before many years ago, but never thought to take my bike up there (I had a Suzuki 1100D road bike too heavy for that type terrain) but I'd love to do this on a bike suited for the trail. AND your road repairs ... now there's a course in the making that anyone who wants to ride back country should take and be very good at ... you guys are amazing. Thank you for sharing. Now on to part 2 !!!

[@BlueBox777]

2:05 he's pointing with a knife! Now that's an outdoor tour guide 🤣!

[@890advrrider8]

What a great video! You definitely have a way of telling a story along with documenting the ride with video. Amazing job.

[@garethcouhig6055]

Definitely on my bucket list, thanks for bringing this to my attention,brilliant filming and good narration 👍🇮🇲Manxman

[@rodrigosegura6035]

What a fun and well made video, Neil and Carlos are awesome

[@HardBoiledGregADV]

Excellent production work. What beautiful backcountry riding.

[@FanOWater]

Great Stuff. I loved the Lolo Motorway! It was a blast to ride. Cheers

[@imraniqbal121tutor]

Beautiful ride out . Superb drone footage. I wish I was there .

[@maxangle451]

I was doing the IDBDR the last week of July and we also ran into the fires. The Lolo Motorway was closed from the fires and there was no way to get up to Avery. So, I called it quits and rode over the Idaho Cenntenial Trail into Montana wrapping up my IDBDR for this year. I will try it again next year and like you, do it north to south.

[@timstanton2241]

Love the Skydio.. Really adds to the cinematic experience. Best!

[@RogerHuesser]

Hi Brent. I'm in the midst of watching your video editing tutorials. I highly appreciate your hard work, explaining the creative but time consuming process of producing high quality videos, containing a compelling story. And then I watch your BDR videos. And I get a better sense of how much work it is from filming, over editing and publishing. I really like your style of presenting your experiences to us. Wish you all the best and keep on riding safe! Looking forward curiously, where you go next 🤗

[@brentbat]

Hey Roger, thanks for your note. Yes, it is a fair bit of work, but it is a true labour of love. I really enjoy the film making process, so it's not a burden... I see it as "bonus fun" that I get to have around a trip. My next adventure is locked and loaded. I'm going to do a 9-day solo ride to the Flinders Ranges in South Australia. This location is just absolutely mind blowing stunning, so I can't wait. That is at the end of April.

[@stevehicks616]

Great job, nice drone footage, looking forward to part 2 ! I’m still exploring Idaho and Montana, having a blast, doing a lot of backtracking dodging fires.

[@Eli-Just-Eli]

Wow, had to pause to say, Ive driven cross country in this matter many times, often with only a simple atlas and directions from locals. So glad i was born in the west.

[@rashidulislam9636]

What an amazing journey. Getting a glimpse of America from a small town of India.

[@jasonpannett1325]

I like the Rambo knife pointing out the route you know you're in goods hands and you're going to have a great adventure ride.

[@sanjayawsum]

Like always amazing views, scenic ride...loved every second ❤️❤️❤️

[@Advdna]

Great visual overview! Love your drone footage and thoughtful informative narration!

[@ryandee234]

Brent, this is a fantastic video. Amazing drone work and production. Epic music too. Great work, I'm VERY motivated to do the BDR now.

[@brentbat]

Good on your Ryan, glad you found it motivating. check our part 2.

[@kaiarne1]

U are so good at making films! this was a real pleasure watching!!! Thank you!

[@1clickin129]

Brilliant honest video as always. Your production is so good and that drone is next level. Well done and looking forward to more. Cheers.

[@advdan]

Your videos are incredible. The drone shots, the action shots, the production, everything. You sir, have really sold the trip to America and ride some BDR’s to me. Thank you

[@brentbat]

Hey Daniel, glad you have enjoyed the videos... It is a labour of love

[@jerrodlopes9240]

Excellent video! Idaho is truly a treasure.

[@ladytradiej8027]

Weight shifting! perfect example at 3:36. I was being taught how to do that last Saturday on my rideADV tour. I ended up watching for it all through your film. I can't believe your luck with the weather. Omg, I can't help thinking 'what if!' with the shooting incident... Thanks for sharing.😊

[@brentbat]

Thanks Ladytradie Yes, especially where you saw me videoing our instructor - Neil. He rides with great technique and counter balances well going into corners. Yes, the shooting incident was bizarre for sure.

[@PyrateRumRunner]

Very nice production of a great route. Personally, I’d lean back and give it a bit of throttle. 😀

[@LandRoverDS2020]

Give it the beans 😂

[@MarkSDCA]

@@LandRoverDS2020 So what is the origin of that saying?

[@LandRoverDS2020]

@@MarkSDCA English (British)saying, full throttle

[@CascadiaMoto]

Great storytelling and cinematography, very impressive! That JB Weld is great stuff!

[@wokinit]

Awesome ride. Day 2 is my backyard and it's where I do 80% of my riding. Cool to see your videos of areas we spend so much time in.

[@brentbat]

Hey Joaquin, well you live in a lovely part of the world. I really loved Idaho. I'm off on a couple of fun rides in MY backyard over the next few weeks. Swapping gum trees for pine trees :-)

[@jeckyll71]

Glad you got to do the Lolo, too bad about the fires and the damaged tire (btw, I chose the same option in your 'quiz'). I've done the Lolo a couple of times and it's fantastic (as are the elk burgers at the lodge ;) ).

[@brentbat]

Yeah, Lolo and Magruder were the highlights for sure. Beautiful country.

[@timothy1450]

Awesome footage Brent. Appreciate the work you put in. Felt like I was there in Idaho. America is such a beautiful country.

[@John_1303]

The drone footage is absolutely fantastic!

[@owenlushadv]

Great footage!! Looking forward to the rest of this series

[@JulietHotelFoxtrot]

Top shelf video, Brent. Very nicely done. Thanks for your effort and time to put this together. One of the best I've seen. I've watched dozens of BDR videos and yours is truly exceptional.

[@brentbat]

Thanks for your comment Nathan, I appreciate it. It's a labor of love.

[@Rhoenschrat]

Amazing ride and amazing video so far. Can't wait for part 2.

[@lazzybug007]

You got me in first 10 seconds of the video... subscribed 👍

[@ShineBright__]

Sir !! this is 1 of the best GS expedition i ever seen and the main reason for that is for the simplicity and easy going perfect for beginner riders who wants to experience it

[@brentbat]

You are right Tony, If was new to Adv riding and wanted to take my GS on a multi-day offroad adventure and not worry that the terrain was going to get too hard.... This is perfect.

[@edwardmiller6353]

Wow, Great video and adventure! Commentary adds so much to video!

[@brentbat]

I agree Edward.... I think it is about telling a story... People want to follow a journey or a story more than they want to just watch footage of people riding motorcycles on random tracks.

[@KaneTerry]

I would have gone with option "D" great video

[@Nathan_Rave]

“I don’t fully understand the nuances of Americans.” Brother, none of us who live here do either! Just roll with it and enjoy. Thank you for the fantastic video.

[@brentbat]

Thanks Nathan LOL..... Yes, I've learned to just roll with it and smile... look for the positives and not dwell on the negatives. Glad you enjoyed it.

[@sanjosejeff]

Beautifully done. Better than many I’ve seen on KZbin. I’m gonna hold to my guns and say middleweight adventure bikes are gonna become more and more popular and adding some single track options for them is a plus for younger riders. Love the GS tho. I’m 56 and figure at about 70 I’ll buy one and do more fire road stuff

[@brentbat]

I swapped my GS for a Husky 701 and now I’m riding a lot more technical tracks and loving it.

[@orpaztron]

Looks like an amazing trip. With the 701 option C would probably passed safely. Waiting forward for part 2.

[@ronangevine4778]

Great video guys 😎 really enjoyed it..

[@cerberuscyber991]

💕💕💕💕💕💕Thank you Brent for the lovely video💕💕💕💕💕💕i finish my pop corn this time🤭 you really made my day. Im gonna watch it again and again until you release a new adventure video💕 cant wait to see part 2 yeppy 😁

[@vinothkumar4052]

You may be underrated, but ur contents are so good and i find it like non commercial and good quality show. Always looking out for your travel vlogs. They are so good to watch and very much inspiring. 👏👏👏

[@brentbat]

Thanks Vinoth. Glad you are enjoying my channel... It is a labour of love.

[@CaptainCrankyMotovlogger]

Brilliant video Brent. That tour is so well done in every way, and my god the Skydio... seeing how much trust you put in it just shows how well it has flown for you - and the footage is epic :)

[@LPOneThree]

Idaho is my favorite state. Used to travel between Washington and North Dakota for work and got to see Idaho regularly. Another great place to visit is the Black Hills of South Dakota, where I live now, not the magnitude of Idaho but a certainly a beautiful place to explore 😀

[@brentbat]

Another place for my bucket list.... My list just seems to get longer and longer :-)

[@kalboadventuresretiredinth6431]

Exploring Asia back country routes now, and absolutely adding this on my bucket list. great job filming!

[@jdc3636]

Those drone videos are so nice. Thanks for sharing

[@HarrisNisar]

Following and loving your rides. An adventure rider from Pakistan

[@UncleLongbeard]

what a views. It's hard not to be impress by the beauty of the nature in States. You also made me want to ride off road instantly :)

[@calprimo11]

Superb camera work!

[@thebikernaturelover59]

I really enjoyed this video/ editing having sharing your experience with us

[@thebikernaturelover59]

Your Questioning during riding on the rocks was right. I will also selected for aiming the rock Lying in the rut. We have also faced the same situation alot of time during off-roads tracks .

[@link7373]

Really well shot. You put a lot of effort in, and it shows. Nicely done.

[@brentbat]

Thanks Link7373, It's a labour of love. I really enjoy the video production process.

[@rickreese5794]

Just subscribed, well done mate !

[@ithninhashim2936]

Thank you for sharing the view and moment.

[@Nerb1]

Brent, your cinemaphotography is top notch. I even love the carrying one audio into the next clip. Bad luck on the rock.

[@brentbat]

Thanks Nerb, I'm always trying to improve. Yeah Rock was a bummer... but hey.. that is adv riding. I hope you are surviving lockdown ok.

[@DirtChimps]

I'm 41 seconds in and I have already liked and subscribed. ;)

[@OdySlim]

Hi Brent, Nice channel. Thank you. I ride but am more of an overlander. I will enjoy watching your adventures. Regards from Ody Slim

[@brentbat]

Thanks Ody Slim, I think a lot of the content will be interesting even if you are an overlander, I watch a lot of 4X4 content as well.

[@mikecolesvids]

I enjoyed seeing that aspect of riding in Idaho. As a proper dirt biker Idaho is know for its high concentration of backcountry single track. It’s the ultimate moto van paradise!

[@brentbat]

Hey Mike Yeah when I was passing through Yellow Pine I met the couple who owned the general store (big dirt bikers) and they were telling me how good the single track was around there. I also met an Australian guy riding a KTM who had a chainsaw on the front, and he was maintaining/clearing some of the trails. Yeah, I'd love to go back with my 701 and do it again with a more off-road capable adventure bike.

[@Mauipat]

After coming out of The Lost Trails Wilderness, in Montana. I headed over to do the Idahoe BDR, In the middle of July 2021, too. I was riding 2014 CRF250L Honda, By now I'd been Traveling back country roads for two months, starting out In San Diego. I still had two and a half months more to go. I was riding solo without GPS, using Maps, which made for exciting side trips, and the occasional getting lost. You guys had better luck getting through Idahoe than I did. On the way to Wallace I found out Pierce had seven fires raging between Wallace and Pierce. It was at this point I decided to head out of Idahoe and head towards Joseph, Oregon. Anyway If you'd like to see some of my videos I've got about seventy videos from that trip on KZbin. You can find them under : Pat McGuinness. Aloha and Happy Trails.

[@brentbat]

Wow, You are hard core Pat. 2 months riding solo without GPS. Are you riding without GPS because you want to increase the sense of adventure or for some other reason? Yeah, we were certainly dodging fires left right and center. I'll check out some of your videos. Take care

[@gregparrott]

I off-road Idaho, in the area close to Wallace about the same time (August 2021). (ATV instead of a bike.) The number of forest fires in Idaho, as well as smoke from fires in both Oregon and California last year was the most prolonged I've ever seen. Even California's giant, 963,000+ acre 'Dixie' fire swept smoke north into parts of Idaho. It looks like the diversion around the active shooter was actually the BEST part of that day's ride. I've also ridden back roads in Wyoming, Utah, Arizona, Nevada, and California. My opinion is that Utah is tops for scenery and variety. But be aware that many of its roads are more technically challenging than anything shown here. Pick a route that's KNOWN for its suitability to what you plan to ride.

[@brentbat]

Thanks Greg... I'm doing two BDRs this year. Can't wait. I'd love to do Utah, and I don't mind riding more technical terrain as long as I'm on the right bike. (will probably do it on a 701 rather than a GS)

[@castle228]

Fantastic! Looking forward to Part 2!

[@maximusmiles8435]

That Skydio was awesome. I loved the footage and angles it can shoot from. Stunning! You did a really good job of putting it all together, nice work.

[@brentbat]

Thanks Miles, I saw your earlier question about the type of drone, but obviously you figured it out. Part 2 talks more about the drone setup.

[@maximusmiles8435]

@@brentbat I asked a second question in part 2. How you got that over the shoulder shot. Yeah a few minutes in I heard you mention the drone. I was thinking that was it.

[@brentbat]

@@maximusmiles8435 Hey Mikes, no the over the shoulder shot wasn't the drone, I had an Insta360 camera on a little arm that was hanging out of my backpack. The 360 camera has a trick where it hides the arm automatically, so it looks like it is floating in space just over my shoulder. Once I get out of lockdown I'm going to do an instructional video on how I use and edit the 360 video camera footage.

[@maximusmiles8435]

@@brentbat Look forward to it.

[@hankwojo]

Awesome! I would have chosen the same option as you. I once saw a video that stated to approach the object straight on for the best outcome. You didn't fall, go down or get thrown, etc. You were in control. The worst that happened was a puncture. I think with choosing any other options it could have ended worse. I could be wrong but who knows. Anyway, the video was great, the scenery spectacular and looking forward to part 2.

[@tadpoletrekker]

Brent, I hope you're planning on entering Skydio's "Win a trip to Frankfurt" contest. Beautiful footage, great story telling, inspirational editing! Well done!

[@brentbat]

Hey there Peter, thanks for your note. I did see the Skydio competition, but it looks a bit too "hard core" for my liking... I think it is more aimed at Professionals etc. For me... video production + Adv bike riding is a labor of love.

[@tshansen]

I'm amazed by the amount of different footage you have collected in a group ride like this. I see that as a huge challenge my self sometimes. And the voice over feels so natural and makes such a huge difference in story telling. I have to dive deeper into this part of the storytelling myself. Thank you for setting the bar so high with this production. It motivates and inspire alot 👏🏻 The tire change is so well done and documented.... damn it mate.. this was really nice to watch 👏🏻 Cheers from Norway 🇳🇴

[@brentbat]

Thanks TShansen, I appreciate your comments. Yes, its always tough riding in a group and trying not to disrupt the group to get the shot. Often I would sprint up ahead... then stop and get shots as the group went past, or I would buy myself sometime to launch the drone without them having to wait. It's easier if the pace is manageable... if you are riding with a fast group that are going for it.... it is much more challenging.

[@RodgersWithaD]

We all need a Neil around 🤣. That Skydio footage is impressive!

[@Visheto_achumi]

Hey brent i love your every video's. Nice edit, nice scenarios and nice bikes🚴. Thank you for taking us to #IDAHO this times Patiently waiting for the part 2

[@brentbat]

Part 2 should be up tonight.

[@scholarghost]

Video is lit af Please upload more content

[@krissy251190]

From now on, I only ever use a knife to point out routes on a map. Great Vid!

[@brentbat]

Hey Robert.... Yes, and if you talk during the briefing, you get the knife pointed at YOU :-)

[@fortismonsadv]

@@brentbat Classic military technique amongst SOF and infantry - lovely! I really appreciated the knife being used. Classic!

[@richjones859]

Yup never point on a map with your finger. Rule number 1

[@midisax]

Fantastic video

[@peterdallman4550]

I know most of those areas very well. So much more beautiful when there is no wildfire smoke, unfortunately it’s happening more and more frequently!

[@alexmacdonald258]

There's another way around the King Street block that doesn't take 2 hours-follow the access routes to the Hiawatha Trail bus route, and pick up the Moon Pass Road off that.

[@Adventurerider76]

Great video, I love riding this area

[@argomotoriders]

Amazing video. It is shocking you encountered an 'active shooter' but it does show the stress the last few years has placed on everyone, including those in the more rural parts of the country. Hate to see it. Love the use of drone footage to tell the story here. We just finished Section 1 of the WABDR but my footage is no-where near as visually interesting as yours!! Great job Brent.

[@brentbat]

Hey Red Dead.... Thanks for your note. Yeah the drone takes the footage to a whole new level... that is for sure. You also need to do quite a few flights with it to get the confidence with the drone and also work out how to do the more dynamic shots where the drone is moving around you. If the drone is just sitting there following you, that will get old quickly.

[@gsrossco]

Great video, one of the best adv motorcycle videos I've come across, great production/editing.

[@brentbat]

Thx Gravel Chef. Actually I think my newer stuff is even better. I’m constantly learning, experimenting and improving. Which I love.

[@gsrossco]

@@brentbat Certainly looks like you are having fun with the motorbike and the filming. I look forward to watching your other content.

[@brentbat]

@@gsrossco There is plenty of content there to keep you amused. Take a look a the Flinders series... probably my best ride and best production yet.

[@gsrossco]

@@brentbat Will do, the Flinders is one of my favourite places on Earth, I have been there a few times on a motorbike, just love it, although a bit treacherous when it rains.

[@brentbat]

@@gsrossco Agreed on the Flinders when it's wet. I never knew it had that much clay, I always just thought it was rocky. Boy was I in for a shock when I got rain over there.

[@OneEyeGoating]

I just finished a short ride and was worried about the same thing, sharp rock falls. Luckily you had backup!

[@Elskins]

Loved every second!

[@coffeytnmilk]

Exceptional work! Well done.

[@CathodeRayNipplez]

Awesome! Nice to get out of the country. I can't even get out of the house.

[@brentbat]

Hey Flaming Hedgehog.... Yeah, I feel for you... I chat with my riding buddies from Sydney regularly and they are climbing the walls.... buying shit for their bikes.... polishing them... and polishing them again. I'll be back there in a few days and super locked up in Quarantine...so I'll be paying the piper, but at least I got an amazing ride in.

[@CathodeRayNipplez]

@@brentbat Cool. Come and join the party! Oh... hang on.. 😆

[@spinstressandfelonmatthews6150]

I did it on a 2012 Super Tenere, it was an amazing trip.

[@io_metre]

Beautiful journey you've made. Thank you for sharing. Warm greetings from a Russian biker 👍🏻

[@brentbat]

Thanks for your note. greetings from an Aussie biker.

[@ADVRaiderKTM]

Great video!

Excellent camera work, editing and narration as per usual. I didn't know about the BDR, I only knew that there was an American version of the Trans European Trail, so it's nice to see that you can just hop on a flight and to a tour there.

[@brentbat]

Yeah, there are a few tour companies that give you a turnkey experience which is great. Especially if you can't or don't have the time for the logistics and planning.

[@canadianlady777]

Neal seems like the perfect your leader...I’d feel comfortable in his hands and that he could save me at any time....

[@brentbat]

LOL..... I'll definitely forward your comments to Neal.... that will make his day. :-)

[@robbiegarscadden2311]

Amazing video and very jealous. While I dont have the riding skills for off road trails like this, its just stunning stuff to see.

[@brentbat]

Robbie, it doesn't take much to this type off road riding. I did a 3 day training course and I was very comfortable on dirt after that.

[@Kwhopperfan]

Beautiful footage, makes me want to quit my job and ride!

[@RozalynVeersma]

Trying to pack my house to move out and you’re making it so hard! 🤦🏻‍♀️😂🙏🏍💨 Idaho is on the bucket list! 🤞😂🍀

[@brentbat]

Ok. You can’t blame me for your procrastination 😀 Yeah Idaho is spectacular. I’m doing Colorado bar this year and also riding in Utah and Arizona. 👌

[@dansklenicka8403]

Wow what fun looking ride !

[@Cycle9568]

I rode this route north to south as well.

[@nytrydr2]

What a fantastic adventure and great job you did on the video! I bought my BMW f800GS thinking I would be going on adventures like this, unfortunately I haven’t been able to make time for it and mostly use my bike to commute to and from work.

[@brentbat]

Hey Anderson, well all it takes is for you to put a stake in the sand and plan an adventure. Even if it's just an overnight camping trip or staying in a cabin. Get on to a local facebook adventure riding group... find a buddy and do it. You will love it I'm sure. The f800GS is a great machine for it.

[@dogmandan79]

I live in the northern part of Idaho. I’m dying to get into the BDR this year.

[@MrHumpo75]

Great video can’t wait for the next one

[@brentbat]

Thanks Gary... editing it now while I'm in quarantine. Hopefully a few more days it will be done.

[@NickMasseyRideon]

wow this would have to be pretty high up on the bucket list

[@jeffrhoads3829]

Exceptional Journey, would love to do this!