STRANDED | Riding the Idaho BDR - Episode 1

The Idaho BDR is an incredibly unique experience due to the variety of terrain, unpredictable weather, and humbling expanses of true wilderness.
In the summer of 2023, my father and I chose to ride the 1600 mile long Backcountry Discovery Route. This is episode one of our journey.
The day began with bright skies and a solidified plan for the next 14 days, but we soon realized that we would be at the mercy of nature.
Enjoy the video and the 7 episode long series that follows.
#adventureriding #motocamping #dirtbike #moskomoto #idaho #backcountrydiscoveryroute #singletrack #motocross #motovlog #adventurerider #enduro #moto #backcountry #FE501 #xr650l
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[@madjack_757]

For anyone wondering, this is a remastered version of the original IDBDR episode 1 that was showcased earlier on this channel. The entire series has been remastered with YT shorts, new music, new narrations, previously not show clips, and more. Enjoy the videos 🤙🏼

[@johno1142]

The best thing to do when the rain starts and the gumbo appears is to stop and set camp. Best to take it easy and not gumbo out the bikes. Plus the clutches get smoked real quick. Fun adventures anyway being able to share with your dad.

[@madjack_757]

We found that out the hard way.. Hahahaha

[@mauihugebong]

100%!!! These days when I hit mud like that I’m off the trail and under the tarp or in the tent. Trying to push on in those conditions is asking for injury and/or damage to the bike…. Had to learn the hard way myself. Great footage of your adventure!!

[@jewelrymaker1607]

Exactly! same with Nevada and E.Oregon. I live in SW Idaho. If is starts to rain on the Clay, you better put your bike away OR your going down. Its the worst Clay Ive ever dealt with. We tell newby's where I live if it doesn't have rock on it dont even THINK of driving/riding on it till it dries out. The good thing is it only takes a couple hrs, after the rain stops, for it to firm up again

[@lessmore444]

Stop yourself, or let gumbo do it, your call.

[@neilestenson6595]

Awesome start. Adventure....

[@typicaladamo]

45 seconds in and I'm thinking, how in the hell do these guys only have 3600 subscribers??? So I sub'd twice! 😂 Cheers fellas!

[@madjack_757]

Thanks so much for the support!!

[@4tech69]

This is why it's adventure riding! Quality video.

[@madjack_757]

Thanks dude! 6 more episodes to come!

[@willestunts]

Underrated video. This was a super cool watch

[@madjack_757]

Thanks dude! I got 6 more episodes comin 🤙

[@DirtRiderLife]

I feel for you! We had a similar experience on ORBDR day 1, lost a clutch and the whole of our trip. I'll never push on in that stick mud again, lesson learnt shelter in place and sit it out no matter how long it takes

[@madjack_757]

You're 100% right. That experience is a huge reminder to turn off the emotions and act rationally. I think we were stressed about getting struck by lightning which caused us to push harder than we should have. Lesson learned..

[@Huskydoggg]

Mud sucks! Thanks for filming even when the going gets really tough and frustrating. 👍

[@madjack_757]

It was a gnarly experience.. glad you enjoyed the video!

[@MitchellCamps]

Very cool! Great video. Would love to do this with my father

[@madjack_757]

I highly recommend doing it! BDR has done a great job developing these routes and even people with MX or free riding backgrounds can get into it. I rode MX for most my riding career, but the long distance treks are amazing to experience.

[@fumanversion]

Thanks for sharing. This video is a great example of Mother Nature vs. motorcycle adventuring. On a side note, I have to keep watching just to see how long the subframe on that XR lasts!

[@madjack_757]

Gotta say, mother nature wins nearly every time!.. Believe it or not, even with all the added weight from luggage, the bike handled everything!

[@sheldonhilchie8982]

Lol. Sorry not laughing at you. We did the route from Creston BC South last year but had great weather. Didn't even see rain which made the route a totally different experience. Great edit.

[@louisdriscoll2580]

You got to know when hold ‘em, know when to fold them, know when to turn around

[@madjack_757]

Couldn't have said it better myself

[@AT2021Rocker]

Man, great video! Felt I was right there with you. Did the IDBDR from north to south in 2022 but only down to Lowman. No mud but heat and one broken rider and written off bmw GSA. Still an awesome experience. Tried WABDR in 2023 but tremendous heat and three out of 6 out with back problems.

[@madjack_757]

Thanks! Keep an eye out for the rest of the 7-episode long series. Thats brutal! It just goes to show you that often times these BDR's are an endurance test. Completing them isn't always easy and not everyone makes it to the end. Nonetheless its good to try!

[@roadhazard64]

I rode the NVBDR back in 2021. There had been a bunch of rain in northern Nevada a few days ago before I got up there. The roads were perfect. Once that clay dries out it’s a perfect road surface, and almost no dust. Rode part of that same route you got stuck in heading out from Jarbidge to loop back to Elko. Beautiful country.

[@madjack_757]

Totally agree, the area was incredible while the sun was out. It was remarkable just how bad it gets when the rain starts though..

[@roadhazard64]

I could tell by the fossilized tracks of cars stuck in the mud. I was so glad I had got there when I did. BDR’s are awesome. Planning to do the Idaho this fall.

[@madjack_757]

Good luck on your IDBDR! Riding it in early fall is fine, but late fall has potential for snow so be careful!@@roadhazard64

[@roadhazard64]

For sure. Early September.

[@jacobgibson9814]

​@@roadhazard64 im in reno and looking for people to do BDR's with. I ride a pan am and have all my gear :)

[@davidkinkade4764]

Some solid Type 3 “fun”.

[@madjack_757]

yeah forget about type 2 fun all together lol

[@Meaphil]

Damn, rough conditions. Good job making it out! Those bikes look absolutely packed though, would argue you might have over done it with the gear but not sure it would have made any difference in the end with that clay. Thanks for sharing and great work making it out!

[@madjack_757]

Thanks! The packing was really really tough. Perhaps we could have found a way to reduce the load slightly, but we packed and repacked everything over and over and tried to take off anything we thought we might not need.. the problem with using a dirtbike instead of an ADV bike is that they need a lot of maintenance. For example, I did 3 oil changes and 2 air filter changes to complete this route. That alone takes a side pannier just to pack the tools, parts, and other chemicals.

[@Spokanedualsport]

Unfortunate first day, great video though! Excited to watch the rest of the series, hoping to ride some Idaho BDR this year.

[@madjack_757]

It was gnarly.. I’m glad ya enjoyed the video! Next episode out tmrw morning. I highly recommend riding the route!

[@mototrailz]

😱subscribed 👍

[@madjack_757]

Thanks!

[@haroldyazzie3538]

Yup, trying to work in the mud isn't fun. I've been there , brother.. and ride safe 😊

[@madjack_757]

Not fun at all hahahaha! Thank you! I’ll keep the rubber side down 🙏🏼

[@HansSoloYolo]

Mere moments into the first video and my heart is racing trying to figure out how you're going to get through the situation. Great camera work, and I can't wait to watch the rest of the series. Happily subscribing as well!

[@madjack_757]

Thanks so much for the support!!! Hope you enjoy the series 🤙🏼

[@kigman1980]

Cool as hell you did that with your dad. That was brutal but you guys made it and stronger for it. Clay is everywhere around here.

[@madjack_757]

I was so stoked I got to share the experience with him 🤟🏼 I’m glad we made it out and I have a much greater respect for clay and mud now 😂

[@travisfranklin107]

Had a similar challenge on the Utah BDR on a GS, Africa Twin, and Ducati Scrambler. That mud is no joke! Awesome video! Did the route with my dad, too, and that makes for awesome memories!

[@madjack_757]

I’ve always said, “it ain’t an adventure until something goes wrong” 🤙🏼🤙🏼 I gotta imagine that must’ve been tough with a big bike like a GS

[@coarsegoldkid]

I rode the Idaho BDR on my KTM690 with friends a few years ago. We didn't have the weather you had. Very good video production throughout the project.

[@madjack_757]

Thanks so much!!

[@danmiles8190]

That was some nasty mud! That stuff grinds your sprockets, chain, output seal and everything else it comes in contact with to nubbins. You have to watch it when you spray off a bike with that amount of mud on it, so you don't drive it into the hub seals even more than it already is. I would be pulling all of that apart to clean/lube everything!

[@madjack_757]

We did everything we could to clean it in the field. Luckily the bike is back home and in perfect shape thank god. Just needed a new clutch after that mess 🫣

[@johnbishop1911]

I had to learn early how to ride in that area. I'm not far from Jarbidge. I was broke in riding that crap on a 1981 KDX 80😁

[@madjack_757]

I salute you my friend because I wouldn't wish that kinda mud on any riders hahahaha. Though I can imagine learning to ride there taught you to be a hell of a good rider and how to read your terrain well.

[@paultannahill5043]

I hate those completely avoidable mistakes. It wouldn’t have been fun to set up camp and wait out the rain, but… well, you know where I am going with this.

[@madjack_757]

I think if we did just stop and set up camp, the whole trip would have been entirely different

[@paultannahill5043]

@@madjack_757yes, that was your point of no return! 😅 That clay mud is serious business!

[@dustinkingman3498]

Wow, that’s so much gear on that 650l. “Fun” start to the ride.

[@madjack_757]

You'd be surprised how much you need to carry to do a long distance ride like this! It was definitely a type 2 kinda fun, but it was absolutely worth it

[@dustinkingman3498]

I’ve ridden the Idaho bdr, I try to go as light as possible (40L). I can’t imagine ridding that 650 with so much weight up high. Loving your editing, looking forward to see more of your adventure.

[@rocks4brains]

Had a similar experience on the CO TAT on big bikes. Had a jeep with us who got out to the next town and arranged for a jacked truck and trailer to come in and drag us out next day. Rest of us had to stay the night on the mountain. My bike had a cracked side casing. Ordered a replacement over nighted to nearest dealer duct taped and oil canned my way there and replaced it in their parking lot to finish the ride to Moab and back to Houston.

[@madjack_757]

Dude!! That’s so gnarly 😂 Glad you made it out safe, but I bet it was a sketchy night out there on the mountain. Sometimes the best adventures go like that tho.

[@rocks4brains]

@@madjack_757 Great video BTW. Will look for the rest of the story. Did you die? No? then it was a good adventure.

[@gastonbelanger5346]

Dirt Bike Gambler song On a hot BDR ride day For extreme trails bound to nowhere. I met up with an old guy rider We were both tired of no pre~ride sleep So we took turns a-starin’ At the adventure in the shade The curiosity took us And he began to speak. ~~ He said, “Son, I’ve made a life Out of seeing clapped out bikes And knowing what parts are bad By the way it’s Duct taped on. So if you don’t mind me sayin’ I can see your out of Duct tape For a taste of you Gator Aid I’ll give you some advise ~~ So I handed him my bottle And he drank down my last swallow Then he bummed an 8mm socket And ask me for a ratchet too. And the entry line got deathly quiet And his face lost all expression Said, “If you’re gonna race, boy You got to race it right ~~ You got to know when to hole shot’um Know when to clutch’um Know when to roost away And know when to WFO run. You never count your points lead When you’re Beer benchracin’ The’ll be time enough for countin’ When the Trophy’s dealins’ done ~~ Every Pro rider knows That the secret to surviving Is knowin’ what shit to throw away And knowin’ what shit to keep. Cause a heavy right hands a winner, And very numb hands are losers, And the best hands you can hope for Is no arm pump for a grip you can keep. ~~ And when he finished speakin’ He turned towards the signup sheet Crushed down my Gator Aid bottle And somewhere in his bench race story, The old guy rider he broke even And in his final words I found good bullshit that I could keep ~~ You got to know when to gass’em Know when to power wheelie’um Know when to smok’um away And know when to have yeehaw! fun. You never count your secret race money When you’re sittin’ at the parts counter The’ll be time enough for part$ countin’ After the Wife’s household countin’s done ~~Gasser Classic~~

[@whoiskyran1446]

Man, that’s a tough start! It’s very humbling to plan something, probably to the T, just to get punched in the chin and watch the plan turn to 💩 😂… I’ve had plenty of experiences like that in the Army. Humbling times !! Super awesome your dad’s there to do it with you. Stories for the family!! 💪🏽

[@madjack_757]

Its funny how rough it was in the moment vs how much I loved editing it afterwords lmao. Dude I bet you had a hell of a time in the Army! A close friend of mine was 82nd Airborne at FT Bragg and I heard all kinds of stories.. Yeah I'm 22 now and I just get more and more invested into my work as I get older, so it was really valuable to share that experience with him.

[@whoiskyran1446]

@@madjack_757 That is amazing 😆, sucks in the moment but makes a hell of an enjoyable memory afterwards. And now yall have video to look back on and relinquish in joy 😊 🙌🏽 That type 3 fun, the experiences I try and get my friends to do but no one willingly wants to go through the suck lol.. Heck yah! BRAGG, that’s exactly where I was. I wasn’t 82nd, instead a part of a specialized airborne unit there but gosh darn, good memories! (And bad ones 😆) You’re just getting started and already knocking down trips and memories like these with ya pops!? 🙏🏽 Blessed bro!! Cudo’s to yah.. Or course it’s good to focus on that career, but don’t loose sight of what actually matters, your LIFE. I just came back to work after 2 year break, learned a lot and shaped my mind in ways I didn’t think would happen, but here I am again planning to take off for years again to get back to enjoying and exploring in life 💪🏽 It’s short, enjoy it! 🫡

[@luis4727]

This was crazy, glad you made it out ok. I nearly bought an xl500 thanks to you, do you think it would've made it out of there? I don't think i've ever seen a big thumper struggle as much as in this video. Can't wait for the other videos to come out!

[@madjack_757]

Me too! It was the first time in my 10 years of riding that the weather really humbled me. I love my XL500, but man I think that mud would have swallowed up any bike.. It was a super unique kind of dirt that was known only in that area for turning to clay when absorbing any water. Once that happened, it was game over because the mud just packs into your drive train. Hope you enjoy the rest of the series! 6 more episodes coming out Sundays and Wednesdays.

[@c0ck_l2oach75]

Damn, I dont think I have ever seen a situation that rough. You and you're Dad were at ground zero. Hell of a job capturing it.

[@madjack_757]

Thanks man! It was definitely tough to film the whole thing in the storm, but i'm happy with how it came out. I've been riding for 10 years but that was the first time weather really humbled me.

[@c0ck_l2oach75]

@@madjack_757Definitely. The weather at times decides how fast a situation can take a negative turn. You are absolutely correct. Looking forward to the rest of the series brother.

[@madjack_757]

Yeah it really does.. Thanks man! Episodes are rollin out every Wednesday and Sunday.@@c0ck_l2oach75

[@donwatkins9769]

Hey I am hopeful too. Was that day one? Well I am waiting to see what else is coming your way. Hopefully not a grizzle. FYI the clay in southern Utah is ten times worse. You don't get out.

[@madjack_757]

That was day ONE if you can believe.. Only 13 more days to go.... Huh thats good to hear since thats where I'll be filming next hahahahaha!

[@frostbitevinnie]

Gumbo is treacherous!

[@donwatkins9769]

What a fun father and son adventure. NOT! Just kidding. You guys will have lots of fun talking about this ride the rest of your lives. I love your videos Jack.

[@madjack_757]

We look back on the adventure super fondly!! It was a crazy adventure though for sure.. Thanks so much for the support!!

[@mototrailz]

Bro same thing happens to me with my 500 1 month. Funny enough the only guy in our group who did not have problem with the mud packing inside the chain and therefore making it skip teeth of the sprocket was the one who had a super loose chain. Note to self if you ride this type of s**t loose the chain way more than usual. But it was scary i thought i broke my gear box 😳

[@madjack_757]

That sounds gnarly.. Where were you guys riding at? Honestly the loose chain makes sense because the chain picks up the slack as rocks pack into it. Dude busting a gearbox out in the middle of nowhere would be a game ender.

[@mototrailz]

@@madjack_757 Portugal 👍

[@texlee1640]

Man I am miserable just watching this lol, y'all got hit dead in the throat with those conditions. That said, this is all part of the ride, your own personal experience, different from the guys before you and those who will come after. Y'all definitely had a rough go of it there on Day 1 but I can't wait to see how the rest of the ride unfolds.

[@madjack_757]

I've always said, it ain't an adventure until something goes wrong! I hope the next riders that go through that area are treated better by the weather.. Episodes coming out every Wed/Sun for a 7 episode long series 🤙

[@jacobdaily3038]

Can i give you advice for next time? Stop once in a while stand the bike on the kickstand and run it on the kickstand. Itll clean the tire off and the chain out

[@tommaples9174]

I did half of the NV bdr and the full Idaho Bdr on my Enfield. It was awesome went in August 2022. Only problem was I got a flat tire and ran out of money about 2/3 of the way. $300 dollar's is not a enough 😂

[@madjack_757]

HA! That sounds like a an adventure. Sometimes its best to just go tho and just see what happens

[@onebigchevy16]

What a sticky gooey mess!

[@RidingWithDom]

That’s one hell of an episode 1 😅 Doesn’t matter how much you prepare or plan in advance, there will always be something unexpected, it’s all part of the adventure 🤙 that road side surgery on the xr in the mud 😬 sheesh. Lol than bro casually tells you “Can’t believe nobody told you not to go up there when it’s wet” 💀

[@madjack_757]

Dude wanna hear the best part.. When I looked at the map of our route later on, that whole section was highlighted bright orange and said AVOID WHEN WET hahahahahaha. In our defense tho, the rain started after getting 60 miles into the middle of nowhere lol

[@RidingWithDom]

@@madjack_757 lol well not much u can do when your 60 miles in, at that ping you just gotta embrace the suck! Glad you guys made it out in one piece. Also I think it’s soo badass that you and your dad can set out on a journey like this, how awesome 👌

[@madjack_757]

For real! The only thing I think we ought to have done is probably try to set up camp right there instead of trying to push through the mud. Thats what ultimately screwed us over with the XR's clutch pack. Tho we really were only pushing so hard because we were sitting in the middle of a sage brush field on a couple of two wheeled lightning rods while lightning was cracking around us lol. I was so stoked I was able to do this route with my Dad. I'm 22 now and as I get older I have less time to go out riding with my original riding buddy, so this was a good opportunity.@@RidingWithDom

[@RidingWithDom]

@@madjack_757 yeah this is so awesome you guys can do stuff like this. I’m in my 30s and i just got into riding. My dad was never into riding, and we never rode as kids, although now he thinks it’s super cool that I go out and ride, we’ll never ride together and do something like this

[@madjack_757]

Thats a shame because its such a good family sport! Someday maybe if you have kids you ought to introduce them to the sport. At least you're able to make videos though and your dad can watch and sort of be there with you which is cool.@@RidingWithDom

[@user-qf3hl2wf7i]

Which cameras do you use?

[@madjack_757]

I have 2 gopro 11s, 2 gopro maxes, and a dji mini 3 pro. At least those were the cameras I used for this project in particular.

[@user-qf3hl2wf7i]

Thanks. I'm looking into a drone

[@madjack_757]

@user-qf3hl2wf7i the mini 3 pro is killer. They just came out w the mini 4, but honestly just save your money and get the mini 3. I feel like the upgrade from the mini 3 to the mini 4 is not worth it compared to upgrading to like the mini 5 when the come out with it you know?

[@user-qf3hl2wf7i]

One more thing. Bf wants to know where you got your vest.

[@madjack_757]

@user-qf3hl2wf7i it’s a klim vest 🤟🏼

[@Impedancenetwork]

Your dad has WAAAAY too much shit on his bike. I rode to Montana and back to Houston, camped every night on trails in Colordao, New Mexico, Wyoming and Montana. Jesus Christ I didn't have nearly as much crap. 1 pair of clothes, 2 socks, rain gear, tents and extra 2 gallons of gas. A phone charger extra batter pack and toolkit. All in a Mosko Moto 40L saddle bag. I mean for fuck sakes man trim the hell down! That first aid kit is ridiculously big. As soon as it starts to rain I set up my tent. I start looking for a camp site 2 hours before dusk. And knowing the weather is so important! Dam this is hard to watch. If you want an adventure you got one.

[@madjack_757]

lol I don’t kno what to tell ya man, we tried our best 😂

[@powderpig55]

And when that crap dries it's like cement.

[@madjack_757]

Yeah it’s horrible 😂

[@frogsintheforest]

Why would anyone think of making pottery?

[@madjack_757]

Cuz we got stuck in clay

[@jacobgibson9814]

Sweet content, dude! I hope you keep it up

[@madjack_757]

Doin my best!!

[@GoonDick]

As a Nevada resident, I can say with absolute certainty that Nevada mud sucks.

[@madjack_757]

It'll eat ya alive man. Just add water.

[@marcs3278]

anyway you can send me a maps of the locations and routes you took?

[@madjack_757]

Check out the official IDBDR map and down south near jarbidge next to the main route you’ll see an orange highlighted route that begins at grassmere. That’s the route we took in 🤙🏼

[@marcs3278]

thank you sir. @@madjack_757

[@amtcruiser]

The worst mud I ever saw.

[@pauldub5767]

You guys packed way too much crap , I’d pitch a tent and wait out the storm. Also putting in gear with the side stand down 😅. Not to mention not using the chain adjustment mechanism on the xr to adjust the chain. I’m shocked you guys made it past your driveway 😂.

[@noidreculse8906]

That looks horrible, if I ever did the ID BDR, I would start at Trinity Lake and North

[@madjack_757]

Its pretty remarkable how much that storm impacted the entire journey itself. Despite the struggle, I look back on that as being a unique part of the experience!

[@noidreculse8906]

@@madjack_757 Young man, you are showing yourself to be a jack of all trades, your ability to repair the broken bike in the field rivals your cinematography and editing. I know how much set up is required for a nice shot plus your drone footage is spectacular 🙌🏻🥂

[@madjack_757]

@@noidreculse8906 thank you so much for the kind words. I’ve worked very hard to do all of this and comments like this feel very very rewarding to me. I’m excited for the projects ahead!

[@davejones1207]

A gun? Crime is bad there? Or is that just for road signs?

[@madjack_757]

I’m a firm believer in the use of the second amendment for protection from whatever presents the need 🤙🏼

[@SM-yq9ig]

Best thing I like to do before starting a trip is not checking weather, and gearing bike to do 100 mph so it stalls out at 10 mph..

[@madjack_757]

Took time off work for the trek so there was no adjustment. Can’t remember if the weather report even showed the storm. I geared my bike to handle high speeds without putting excessive strain on the motor. Did you not see the mud we rode through? Sounds you’re more of a commenter than someone who actually would do one of these kinds of rides.