One Week on the NorCal BDR With

[@DorkintheRoad]

Big thanks to MotoCamp Nerd for sponsoring this video and this trip! Check out the world's most carefully-curated selection of motorcycle camping gear at www.motocampnerd.com/?ref=dork NorCal BDR Motocamping Gear List (affiliate links): Wacaco Cuppamoka Pour Over Coffee Setup: motocampnerd.com/collections/coffee/products/wacaco-cuppamoka-portable-pour-over-coffee/?ref=dork Big Agnes Copper Spur UL2 Tent: motocampnerd.com/products/big-agnes-copper-spur-hv-ul2-bikepack/?ref=dork Enlightened Equipment Enigma Down Quilt: motocampnerd.com/products/enlightened-equipment-enigma-down-quilt-20-/?ref=dork Sea to Summit EVAC Compression Dry Bag: motocampnerd.com/products/sea-to-summit-evac-compression-dry-bag/?ref=dork Six Moon Designs Packing Pods: motocampnerd.com/products/six-moon-designs-packing-pods-3-pack-large/?ref=dork Adventure Medical Sportsman 100 Medical Kit: motocampnerd.com/products/adventure-medical-sportsman-100-medical-kit/?ref=dork Flextail Zero Pump: motocampnerd.com/products/flextail-zero-pump/?ref=dork Peak Refuel Titanium Spork: motocampnerd.com/products/peak-refuel-titanium-spork/?ref=dork Nemo Fillo Luxury Pillow: motocampnerd.com/products/nemo-fillo-luxury-camping-pillow?ref=dork Jetboil Flash w/Java Kit: motocampnerd.com/products/jetboil-flash-java-kit?ref=dork Sea to Summit Aeros Pillow: motocampnerd.com/products/sea-to-summit-aeros-premium-pillow/?ref=dork Big Agnes Mica Basin Camp Chair: motocampnerd.com/products/big-agnes-mica-basin-camp-chair?ref=dork UST Spright Solar Lantern: motocampnerd.com/products/ust-spright-solar-usb-led-lantern/?ref=dork Thermacell Mosquito Backpacker Repeller: amzn.to/3Y1PA7I Big Agnes Boundary Deluxe Insulated Sleeping Pad: motocampnerd.com/products/big-agnes-boundary-deluxe-insulated/?ref=dork Giant Loop Cactus Canteen: motocampnerd.com/products/giant-loop-cactus-canteen/?ref=dork Peak Refuel Dehydrated Meals: motocampnerd.com/collections/meals/?ref=dork

[@BigRockMoto]

I'm totally not watching this so I can continue to avoid editing my own video.

[@mattgray9297]

@@BigRockMoto that’s called “research”!

[@jmoneyy2k]

12:10 “I gotta plan my anxiety level” is the truest and funniest thing I’ve heard all week.

[@maryannzamora4860]

haha loved it when you said "I need to plan my anxiety levels" I feel so seen! 😄

[@ADV_Agenda]

Day two was epic, killer lunch at Kit Carson... don't order the coffee 😂 Poor Ian popped his air mattress.

[@BigRockMoto]

great coffee

[@Billet_Badger]

I'm sure there is an interesting back story regarding the coffee. 🤔

[@ADV_Agenda]

@@Billet_Badger it was worse than 100 year old motor oil 😂😂

[@rideoregonfirst]

The key to making any packaged freeze dried meal tolerable is what you ADD to it. Mix in a big can of chicken or ham, add a can of creamed corn or mixed veggies, maybe a couple foil packs of tuna or pink salmon, put it all in a big tortilla,....THEN it'll taste good!

[@brandonrice7989]

You missed Ebbetts pass which is one of my favorite roads. Single lane roller coaster through the trees. Great vid though keep it up!

[@dylanb8427]

Agree! I ran Ebbetts the other week on the T7 for the first time and wow! What a blast!

[@krisfant4749]

So fun! So great to be reliving the route through your eyes, Ben!

[@getlostbrandon]

LoL the end scene eating the Peak food 🤣 Could not have made a better yuk face

[@solidsnake2665]

Camping doesn't always go smooth, but it's always better experience.

[@Crittermoto]

Great series so far 👍🏻 Props to the editor.

[@jonnyqest22]

First moto camping video that made me laugh!! Just a real camping scenario - Ian with the bears and his sleeping pad issue - he looked and was actually miserable - you with the crunchy dehydrated meat crunching in the mic even after 20 minutes of steeping!! Good footage - good comments - good info - GOOD TIMES. I didn’t have to mute anything!!! Jon FL/VT YT700

[@InTransit8911]

Awesome stuff! Always enjoy your BDR videos!

[@geoffreykrueger5562]

If Ian took you through Markleeville to get to Carson Pass, you missed out on Ebbetts Pass, which is a fantastic ride. The section 3 bypass is a lot of fun, tight twisties too.

[@The10thManRules]

Adventure music for an adventure ride.

[@stephenjacques554]

Your riding not cheating all good for me. Best part rerouting new adventure your doing what you need and love. Be safe be well friend. SJ

[@majorlee1]

I all so want to say that moto camp nerd is great. Ordered big Agnes tent and Ben personally thanked me for my purchase and got it to me really quick right before a camping trip. 👍

[@deanmalkewich2366]

I’m not impressed. Did he come set it up for you?

[@majorlee1]

I am so sorry you are not impressed. Do you need someone to help setup your tent?

[@deanmalkewich2366]

@@majorlee1i think you’re matching my sarcasm with more sarcasm, but can’t tell for sure.

[@stephenbarabas6286]

​@@majorlee1 also is easier to type than all so

[@adventuremulemoto]

Nice video. Personally I wouldn't have skipped Ebbets Pass. However, the mini rant at 13:04 is spot on! Thanks for sharing Ben.

[@defaultuser3410]

Wow, beautiful scenery.

[@tonyjourneyman1944]

Made me remember why I rarely camp. Bread, cheese, waffle iron, done. Beer. Cheese toasties for dinner and breakfast, coffee. Get going.

[@KK6USYHamRadioAdventures]

Awesome ride, I have camped at Hell hole before great fishing. I guess I have been on some of the BDR before it was, Thanks for the real footage!

[@123dwd]

hey Dork, when you do a soak in the bag meal, it will rehydrate better and stay hot if after you zip it closed, just drop the whole thing back in the empty insulated jet boil pot. I've had those peak meals and they're not amazing, but better when not crunchy!

[@MikesProjectsandHobbiesMC]

I agree about BDR videos not really showing road conditions. They tend to base highlights on the stops along the way. Managing anxiety levels is awesome and spot on. LOL

[@beetfarmer8933]

Those dehydrated meals are better if after you put in your hot water, you insulate them. I've wrapped them in my coat or you could try an insulated sleeve. It actually makes a difference.

[@dualsportoutdoors]

I ride in the area you guys were in pretty often. You guys only scratched the surface of that area's beauty

[@MericanAdventures]

Nice, i camped at hell hole reservoir (can't remember which camp ground) back in 93 when I was stationed at Beale AFB. It was a very remote lake back then. Sadly none of this was on 2 wheels at the time. California was a lot nicer, less developed, and less crowded back then.

[@TJ-oi5qe]

Great scenery good friends and motorcycles, what more could a guy want!?

[@ericsweetadventure]

Awesome Letterman'esque spittle launch at 'but' near the end!!!! Replay that!!!

[@heirvon_558]

Very enjoyable video. I've done section III. I am looking forward to section 4 and beyond.

[@emfl4437]

You lucky guys, Uncle Tom's cabin was closed when me and my buddy went through. I would have loved to have had a beer there. 🏍️🍻 Big Meadows campground is a great spot. The camp host, Gary, is an awesome guy

[@MikeMueller]

Very funny. I had the exact same meal, just a few miles from you at French Meadows Campground last week. We were the only ones in that campground too! We were hit by yellow jackets, and that particular dinner was one of their favorites!

[@berthazeleger4710]

Love your video’s but can’t help it that you and Ian somehow remind me of beavis and butthead 😂 keep up the good work, greets from The Netherlands

[@majorlee1]

😂

[@scrout]

Hahaha, b&b were never this cool....

[@TheIdlesurfer]

Cool might be overstating the lads, well, coolness​@@scrout

[@MrTmax74]

Lol

[@vincelavecchia8219]

So fun. Some zingers in there. Can't wait to ride that thing.

[@MeerkatADV]

Those waterbars coming down towards Kyburz are treacherous!

[@jameslee5428]

Still laughing, and giggling right along with you guys. Real deal adventure riding. You three are rocking it! Be safe out there, and enjoy that adventure bike riding.

[@manybikes]

Fantastic series! Love seeing you guys out there getting it done. I like camping too, but every couple days a hotel recharge is necessary.

[@dannyreddy]

Watching yours and Ian's videos just make me hate florida 😂

[@lukefish7562]

Two solid dudes whom I appreciate. 🏍️💨

[@magnusb6311]

Nice ride and scenary. What are those antennas you and Ian have sticking out of the backpaks? Did you bring 2m radios with you?

[@StoltHD]

Always have a tube of TEC-7 in the tool roll...

[@advredbikes]

Thanks Ben for that awesome video. What amazing views is stunning up there. I always knew Ian didn’t like camping. That’s why he has a motorhome and no back up sleeping pad. I hope he got it fixed. And I could see that you really enjoyed your food that night. Thanks so much, ride well and ride safe.

[@blackshark2088]

Nice! I love it! Greetings from Germany!

[@BruceTenHoeve]

spectacular views, wow

[@toddbickel1119]

I did section 1-5 in 4 days in August with my brother. He on a Husqvarna 701 and myself on a KTM 450 exc. We avoided the 395 closure but had a reroute on section 3 for fire danger closure, which was on a private logging area so i took that as code for they don't want you there. Ride ended with a boot sole blowout that put us on highway for close of section 5. Stayed in motels at Markeeville, Kyburz, Truckee and Graeagle very friendly host. Supported the economy instead of sleeping on the ground. Plenty tired at the end of the day

[@dloneyv8]

Long time subscriber but haven’t watched for a bit. Enjoyed catching up as it were. Beautiful KTM by the way. Cheers and please keep up the grind! You’re killing it in my book. 🍺

[@seanhewitt2521]

I gave up on inflatable camp pads to many flats after midnight.

[@untamedsmiles1338]

Awesome

[@tonsofbees537]

Love your bdr videos they are very helpful! When I do this bdr I’ll probably watch this series several times

[@ogasi1798]

what a beautiful no pressure bike ride 🙂 so envious of you lot over the atlantic

[@butcherknife59knife46]

Thanks Ben. The 2 of you do make a good mix of laughs. Ride safe and keep up the good videos. Around Bend Oregon out on 2 wheels

[@ericsweetadventure]

Nice to see some camping jokery!

[@jamesonpace726]

Ah gawd, the burns are just heartbreaking....

[@osimnod]

I believe you rode through the Caldor Fire burn area which started a little south of Placerville and went uphill to nearly take out South Lake Tahoe. On Ian's mattress, that's why I'm partial to Therm-a-rest style pads: pretty hard to puncture and make worthless.

[@MotoProspector-pv6wf]

French Meadows Reservoir is nice and bright in that area.

[@jeremycarr3920]

What amazing scenery what adventure bikes were built for

[@sorenmelchior]

Fun video and nice country to ride through. Too bad no one had a patch kit for that air mattress. They only weigh a few oz and would have saved Ian from sleeping on the ground. Depending on the size and location of the hole, even a tire patch might have worked.

[@salorjim1000]

Love Topaz Lake! We are actually looking to possibly move there from Temecula (very close to Big Rock Moto's home).

[@OriginalKaw4Life]

Wrap the dehydrated food bag in something that will insulate it, so the water doesn't cool off too quickly. That way you won't have a watery meal and we won't have to listen to you slurp. 😛

[@campeteracing]

Great job amazing views Question, what are the big antennas for sticking out of your backpack?

[@davidbarth3504]

I was also wondering the same thing

[@outsideguy3633]

A meal cozy insulated pouch prevents complaining about crunchy meat. Tiny footprint. Weighs about the same as a cigar. Turns crunchy cuisine into a happy meal.

[@paultannahill5043]

“I’ve gotta plan my anxiety levels!” 😂

[@dtrex392]

Yeah, those dehydrated meals never re-hydrate in the time they say. Usually 50%-100% more time. And I now avoid the ones with hard-to-rehydrate things like beans. Pasta rehydrates best. Even rice often stays crunchy.

[@davidbarth3504]

Great video! Have you ever made a video showing what gps unit you use and how to load it to the unit and get turn by turn directions for the the bdr box file?

[@boblynch7535]

This is in reference to the Triumph 400. I wasn’t smart enough to know how to get back to you on the short. I’m holding out for a serious Himalayan competitor version of the 400. There’s Triumph build quality but it seems their 400 would also have significant weight savings. Is it too early for a comparison?

[@brentstratton2224]

I'm just here to order heated gear off Amazon. Lol, I guess I'll have to check out another video to get the link. Ps I'm split on the orbdr or norcal bdr next year now

[@SydewayzStan]

Gotta go with the sweet pork and rice!

[@DavidLPitman]

Good stuff, Ben. I would say that Ian needs a patch kit, or a better patch kit. Although it sounds like without some peer pressure, he aint campin anyway..!!

[@johnjaques342]

Super sad amount of burned up area. Poor California. We have that as well in BC.

[@jordyhartkamp9116]

Why are there so many dead trees on this route? Forest fires? Great video again.😊

[@karisumner4709]

Any chance you were in Tonopah off 95South on Thursday? Saw a group at the hotel staging but it was a gas and keep going stop

[@MichaelORourkeProd]

Honestly, I would appreciate a DITR forensic analysis of what caused Ian’s bad night, and suggested solutions to it. 😊

[@ALinthePacificNW]

great series Ben. I'm planning on the NorCal this summer. I discovered the pour over coffee set up too. way easier than the press. What is the antennae looking thing poking out of yours and Ian's packs?

[@rssb0102]

Wow this looks incredible! I dream of one day doing a trip like this but i have one hurdle to go over. Do you have any advice to stop a numb butt? I have a 2017 KLR with the stock seat and I can only ride for about an hour until my but bone is too sore and I have to stop. Would an upgraded seat actually make a notable difference? Did you upgrade your seat when you had your KLR? Cheers!

[@rolandwheeler4842]

Nice! But when you get to be 65 so will stop at Uncle Tom's cabin and have drinks and stay there for the night...

[@Moeejo-de]

Hi Ben, Thanks for the funny video! Did you show the most challenging parts that you road in those BDR sections? I ride a 2023 Suzuki Vstrom 800 DE and I would consider myself between a beginner and intermediate rider. What do you think? Thanks, Brenda

[@bigjoe4020]

Yep, I have slept a few times in the ground when the air mattress failed. That's why professional full timers don't use them, they use a foam roll which never lets you down. I still use them because I like punishment :(, no that not it...pack size & comfort is the reason.

[@bendfeldtseedinc.7701]

What radios, helmet headsets do you guys run?

[@alexicon_]

aw man! you had to bypass my area, was really hoping to see that section.. guess i'll have to go have a look next season for myself :) all the road sections have reasonable turn outs for slow bikes?

[@wb7skk]

What handheld radios are ya'll using ?

[@PyrateRumRunner]

May I ask what you are using for your radios? I see an antenna but curious to know more.

[@doroncohen]

Can expedition trucks drive BDRs?

[@JamEWalsh]

How's that Morini? I checked his channel and didn't see any videos about it. I would love to know what his experience has been.

[@MichaelByrnes-sl6hu]

What a crew!!! Motorcycles are faster than cars. Try riding in New York lol. Great video gentleman

[@coronan1]

What clip on windscreen is that?

[@TNCexcavation]

Curious what nav you’re running ?

[@dfj555]

Hi DORK, what do you think about the Tenere 700?

[@DorkintheRoad]

kzbin.info/www/bejne/rmbMZ42nlJaDqac

[@chrispaul1120]

Have you met Ken Condon

[@Resort_Fans]

Poor Ian!

[@thodoris3790]

why you havent review vstrom800de?

[@mikeday4383]

Why no OnX?

[@Motosportz]

Is it "Root" or Rout"?

[@keithbecker8852]

Which gps app is that you are using on your phone?

[@awatts222]

Mmmmmm MREs The worst is when you don't mix it good enough, and you munch down on a spice pocket.

[@jchapman1351]

As you’re a hater of KTM’s how many times has it left you stranded? 15k on mine and zero.

[@friesenwayne5320]

Mosko gear on? ….. welcome to the dark side!

[@Kamel419]

I feel like its not a camping trip if *something* doesnt quite go according to plan

[@karlfonner7589]

Dude, your bike looks like the truck in the Beverly hillbillies and you didn’t bring a patch kit for your mat? Note to self-only go on BDR’s with people who have KLR’s

[@DorkintheRoad]

He had a patch kit. It ripped on the seam right next to the valve and wouldn't seal

[@sawdog007]

OMG, Ean hates camping, next thing he won't want to ride motorcycles anymore. Camping and motorcycles go together like ham n eggs.

[@DorkintheRoad]

He was having a rough first two days

[@robertf4129]

holy hell, it is an oxymoron!

[@addictedtobedrock5282]

Jeff is into some weird stuff….