The Oregon BDR Experience: Episode 1 (ORBDR Section 7)

The Oregon BDR Experience
Episode 1: Leaving Home & Section 7
In this episode, I leave home with my friend, Dr K, starting north of Seattle, Wa. We had a blast riding our fully loaded Tenere 700 adventure bikes on paved roads into the mountains around Mt Rainier and then over to Mt St Helens. We intended to camp on Section 1 of the Washington BDR. However, due to a slide and fires we had to re-route to Trout Lake. It turned out to be better than what we could've hoped for. After departing Wa state, we began our trek south on the ORBDR, starting at Hood River. We rode through the Oregon wine country before leaving pavement for gravel. The byways here were rocky and offered a little bit of challenge to make it interesting. Unfortunately, we had to re-route to Hwy 35 due to road closures (fires) and ended up on pavement before regaining gravel at the start of Section 6. Our journey was a blissful ride full of amazing scenery and fantastic vistas AND dramatic views of the largest volcanoes in the PacNW along the way.
OBDR Route Description
The Oregon Backcountry Discovery Route (ORBDR) is a 750-mile, multi-day off-pavement ride designed for adventure and dual-sport motorcycles. The route traverses a vast climate area. The ORBDR is probably the most diverse BDR route to date in this regard. The RideBDR website suggests that folks start in the southern desert near the Nevada/Oregon border and traverse north with gradual ingress towards pine mountain forests. We did the opposite, as we started our trip north of Seattle on adventure motorcycles and explored ancient pine forests of Washington State and enjoying some of the southern portions of the WABDR. We officially started the ORBDR at Hood River and worked our way through the northern Oregon cascade mountains witnessing all the major volcanos of the state, after which, we found ourselves in the remote high deserts of the southeastern portion of Oregon. Lava rock, “moondust”, sand and mountain rock were forces to be reckoned when riding a motorcycle through here. The sagebrush, lava tubes and glaciated volcanoes are sights to behold and experience along the way. These natural wonders provide a prime rugged outdoor adventure experience. Be prepared, however, as the Oregon BDR is not to be taken lightly. It is one of the hardest routes they have mapped out to date. Beginners are urged to cut their teeth elsewhere. Explorers should be prepared to be self-sufficient, camp, prepare for rain, extreme desert heat along with the many physical challenges provided by the terrain all without the comfort of cell phone service or motels. Distances along the route are measured by hours to travel rather than miles. We did not move fast. Instead, we took a cautious and methodical approach, touching on all the highlights of the wilderness and skipping a few of the more technical challenges to maximize our Experience. To avoid the extreme heat, we planned out trip in September to avoid the summer crowds and summer heat. We were fortunate as the highest temperatures experienced were no more than the low 80’s (deg Fahrenheit)
I hope you thoroughly enjoy this episode of our travels. It is presented to show the joys, wonders and hardship of this route from a non-sponsored, not-for-profit perspective.
Please “LIKE”, “SUBSCRIBE” and comment if you enjoyed this. It will encourage me to do more of these types of productions in the future.
As always, Thanks for Riding with me, ~GrizzLee
Read more of my Moto travels here:
www.advrider.c...

[@5dTraveller]

Hi GrizzLee, I've finally found some free time to relax and watch your series. You're very lucky to be able to ride in these places and it's a privilege to be able to watch you doing it. Thanks for showing us some fantastic scenery, I'm looking forward to the rest of the trip. Cheers, Mick

[@RubiKonAdventures]

It’s my pleasure. Yes, I am fortunate for sure. Thanks for riding along… ~Grizz

[@vincelavecchia8219]

Look forward to getting to see this whole trip. Looks great so far. Thanks for sharing and putting it together.

[@RubiKonAdventures]

Five episodes posted. See them here. kzbin.info/aero/PL0xedfQCyRy6qR4Kt6F65gHUU7mja93kK&si=NYC243RlnbfWIlFz Thanks for riding along ~Grizz

[@bcinspectorman]

Looking forward to this series of adventure videos.

[@LoriOnTheBrightside]

Watching him spend hours picking the clips and the music and melding it all together, makes it even more amazing to see the final output

[@adventurod]

Really enjoy the mix of video, drone, helmet, and selfie. This takes a lot of effort and it’s appreciated. Fun to watch the adventure through your “lens”.

[@RubiKonAdventures]

I very much appreciate your comments. It is a lot of work and a labor of love. I’m happy to share. Comments like yours make it worthwhile to continue making this content. Huge thanks for riding with me ❤❤ ~GrizzLee

[@jrdepew]

Great editing, looking forward to sitting on my couch and watching!

[@RubiKonAdventures]

Cheers buddy🎉 ~Grizz

[@wingrider6116]

I really enjoyed the ride along and am looking forward to the next leg! Thank you and you guys be safe!

[@podthewelder]

Epic!!!! Love that area around st Helens!!! ORBDR is fun!!! My backyard!! Can’t wait to see the rest of your adventure!!! Thanx, -Pod- 🏍🤙🍻

[@RubiKonAdventures]

Luv your back yard. Thanks for riding along. ~GrizzLee

[@stevel7957]

Good stuff as always Lee. Really like the sound mix. Lookin' forward to the rest of the series...

[@RubiKonAdventures]

Thanks buddy. I have lotsa time to put more work into this. More to come. ~Grizz

[@jackwalsh1468]

Grizz, I enjoy the videos and the "Love its", too. Cheers, Mate.

[@RubiKonAdventures]

I have to add the “Love it’s” just for you 😊. Cheers ~Grizz

[@jackwalsh1468]

@@RubiKonAdventures Grizz, thank you very much. Sunny sends kind regards to Lori and you, too. Cheers, Mate.

[@Dalevd]

Glad I found you..enjoy …

[@rogermeyer860]

Great to see you back filming/riding Grizz! i bet you liked the lighter/better off-road Tenere 700 on the ORBDR...Do you still have your big GS and sidecar w/ GS? I took two great trips last summer, one to Idaho via Lolo Pass and the other south through the Humboldt Redwoods (camped under them for the first time).

[@RubiKonAdventures]

Oh yes, I still have my GS Rallye. Great all around bike. I also have the GSA Sidecar for touring with the dog. Hope to post a multi-day trip with the pooch soon. That was a fun 5 day tour on dirt and SNOW! I love riding in Idaho and going to the Lost Coast and losing myself in the Redwoods. That's a great GS tour route for sure. Thanks for riding along. Maybe we meet on the road someday.🍻 ~GrizzLee

[@janrsten9201]

Hello from Norway! I'm also riding T7,same model as yours👍 realy nice videos 👍

[@RubiKonAdventures]

Awesome. Norway is on my list of places to visit. Thanks for riding along. ~Grizz

[@AT2021Rocker]

Superb!

[@mnnorthwoods2520]

Some of those rock guard rails in Washington look like the ones the CCC did in NE Minnesota. Looking forward to the next installment.

[@RubiKonAdventures]

Thanks for joining me on this journey. Stay clear of them cattle. :-) ~Grizz

[@SteelHorseman]

Awesomeness!!!

[@RubiKonAdventures]

When u get your new GSA. Come on out for a visit😊

[@SteelHorseman]

@@RubiKonAdventures it’s on when that happens!

[@drewhbend]

did sections 6 and 7 in August- so much fun! Thanks for the video. Curious how you got to St. Helens south if you were able to avoid I5? I live in Seattle area as well and took 410 through Yakima to get down there to avoid interstate

[@RubiKonAdventures]

We rode hwy 410 out of Enumclaw to Packwood thru Mt Rainier park. Then we took Hwy 12 heading west to Randle. From Randle , I believe we took FS 25 a ways and then took off on FS 26 which spit us out by the “miners car” on the windy ridge road. Hope this helps. Thanks for riding along. ~GrizzLee