Backcountry Discovery Routes
Backcountry Discovery Routes is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit that designs and maintains a nationwide network of off-highway adventure motorcycle routes with free GPS tracks, print maps, and films for adventure riders.
- Company typePrivate
- Founded2010
- HeadquartersSeattle, United States
- Headcount1–10
- GTM typeB2C
- OfferingDigital Commerce or Content
What Backcountry Discovery Routes does
Backcountry Discovery Routes (BDR) is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization founded in 2010 and headquartered in Seattle, Washington, that designs, maps, and maintains a national network of off-highway routes for adventure and dual-sport motorcycle travel. The organization's core product consists of two route formats: BDR Routes, full-length backcountry routes spanning individual U.S. states (currently 15+ states covered with 24+ operational routes), and BDR-X Routes, shorter loop routes introduced in 2022 that make the platform more accessible. Each route is delivered with free downloadable GPS tracks, an interactive map via BacktrackMaps integration, optional printed maps, and an expedition documentary film, with real-time condition updates maintained through website posts and route-specific Facebook groups.
Underlying technology is light and interoperability-focused: BDR does not build its own navigation app but distributes GPS files compatible with Garmin units (Zumo XT, XT2, Montana, 276Cx) and leading smartphone navigation apps (onX Offroad, Gaia GPS, Rever). The technology stack is augmented by a wildfire activity layer, a network of partner motorcycle dealerships providing on-the-ground rider support, and an ambassador program for community advocacy.
BDR's revenue model is a diversified nonprofit mix: an annual tiered supporter program, tax-deductible individual donations, sales of print maps and films through store.ridebdr.com, an annual sweepstakes fundraiser featuring a fully accessorized adventure motorcycle, and industry sponsorships from 50+ motorcycle brands with Touratech serving as founding sponsor. GTM is community-led and event-driven, with BDR relying on word-of-mouth, social media engagement, rider events (Americade, film premieres, dealer screenings), and partnerships with public land managers to drive awareness and route adoption. The organization generates measurable downstream economic impact — over $60 million annually in rural communities across all routes and approximately $9.6 million in motorcycle sales in 2022 — though this is rider spending, not BDR's own revenue.
Backcountry Discovery Routes firmographics
Firmographics- Name
- Backcountry Discovery Routes
- Legal name
- Backcountry Discovery Routes
- Website
- https://backcountrydiscoveryroutes.com
- Company type
- Private
- Founded year
- 2010
- Operating status
- Operating
- Headcount range
- 1–10 employees
- Short description
- Backcountry Discovery Routes is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit that designs and maintains a nationwide network of off-highway adventure motorcycle routes with free GPS tracks, print maps, and films for adventure riders.
- Ownership category
- akta.pro rank
Where Backcountry Discovery Routes is headquartered
LocationHeadquarters
- HQ city
- Seattle
- HQ country
- United States
- HQ region
- North America
Offices1 record
Markets served
Backcountry Discovery Routes business model
Business model- GTM type
- B2C
- Offering type
- Digital Commerce or Content
- Cost components
- Personnel, Operations, Marketing or Sales, Others
Revenue model
- Donations and Supporter Program: Tax-deductible donations from individuals supporting the nonprofit mission. Annual supporter program with multiple tiers offering benefits such as stickers, maps, and merchandise in exchange for membership fees.
- Map and Film Sales: Sale of printed route maps and access to expedition documentary films through the BDR online store (store.ridebdr.com).
- Annual Sweepstakes Fundraiser: Annual sweepstakes fundraiser featuring a fully accessorized adventure motorcycle as grand prize. Tickets sold starting at $25, with proceeds supporting BDR's mission.
- Industry Sponsorships: Support from motorcycle industry brands including founding sponsors, presenting sponsors for specific routes, and general industry partners who contribute funding and in-kind support.
Pricing tiers
| Model | Billing | Price |
|---|---|---|
| Freemium | Pay-as-you-go | Free GPS tracks available for all routes |
| Subscription | Annual | Annual Supporter Program with tiered membership |
| Unit Pricing | One time/ perpetual license | Sweepstakes tickets for annual fundraiser |
| One time/ perpetual license | Pay-as-you-go | Print maps and documentary films |
Go-to-market motion3 records
Distribution channels3 records
Marketing channels9 records
Backcountry Discovery Routes product offering
Product offeringCore offering
Backcountry Discovery Routes (BDR) is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit that creates and distributes off-highway adventure motorcycle route systems across North America. It provides free GPS tracks, paid printed route maps, adventure riding films, and a supporter program aimed at helping individual riders plan and execute long-distance backcountry motorcycle trips.
Product overview
Backcountry Discovery Routes (BDR) is a nonprofit organization that creates off-highway routes for adventure and dual-sport motorcycle travel. The core offering consists of BDR Routes (full-length routes across U.S. states) and BDR-X Routes (shorter loop routes), supplemented with free GPS tracks, print maps, interactive maps via BacktrackMaps, and expedition documentary films. The portfolio also includes supporter and donor programs for funding route development, an ambassador program for community advocacy, and resources for rider training, gear, and bike rentals.
Differentiator
Problem solved
Functional benefit
Brands
- BDR Routes: Full-length backcountry discovery routes across U.S. states
- BDR-X Routes
- Canadian Discovery Routes
Products and services
- GPS Route Tracks
Companies that use Backcountry Discovery Routes
Customer profileNamed customers5 records
Segments4 records
Ideal customer profiles1 record
Backcountry Discovery Routes technology and API
TechnologyTechnology focussed No
API detail
- Has API
- No
- API docs
- API detail
Core technology
AI maturity
App detail
Integration5 records
Feature3 records
Backcountry Discovery Routes partnerships and signals
Strategic signalPartnerships
Nine partnerships are on record, tiered presenting sponsor, supporting partner and core.
- All Terra by Alpinestarspresenting sponsorPresenting sponsor for the Ozarks BDR-X route, contributing to the development and promotion of this specific adventure motorcycle route in Arkansas.
- Moto Camp Nerdpresenting sponsorPresenting sponsor for the Ozarks BDR-X route, providing expertise and support for the route development and rider resources.
- Mach 1 Motorsportssupporting partnerFamily-owned motorcycle dealership in Rogers, Arkansas serving BDR riders on the Ozarks route with sales, parts, gear, and service.
- So Live So Ride Moto Ranchsupporting partnerAdventure-centric motorcycle ranch in Ozone, Arkansas offering training, events, and camping for BDR riders on the Ozarks route.
- University of Wyoming Center for Business and Economic Analysis (CBEA)coreAcademic research partner that conducted the 2023 BDR Economic Impact Study, providing rigorous economic analysis of BDR rider spending and its effect on rural communities.
- Motorcycle Industry Brands (50+)supporting partnerOver 50 adventure motorcycle industry brands support BDR through sponsorships, donations, advertising, and supporter program participation, reaching BDR's core audience of adventure riding enthusiasts.
- Backtrack Mapssupporting partnerInteractive mapping platform integrated with BDR routes for enhanced route visualization and planning tools for riders.
- Industry Sponsorssupporting partnerVarious motorcycle industry sponsors that provide financial and in-kind support for BDR's route development and community programs.
- Advocacy Partnerssupporting partnerLand management and advocacy organizations that work with BDR to promote responsible riding and preserve access to public lands.
Scale indicators8 records
Recent moves6 records
Expansion highlights5 records
Backcountry Discovery Routes competitors and assessment
Company assessmentDirect peers
- ADV Rider: Long-running adventure motorcycle forum and community where riders share routes, conditions, and trip reports. Closest direct comparable to BDR's community-driven approach in the same adventure motorcycling niche.
- Rever: Motorcycle-focused GPS routing app with a community of riders uploading and sharing routes. BDR integrates with Rever as a compatible platform, and Rever competes directly for route-discovery mindshare among adventure riders.
- Ride with GPS: Route planning and navigation platform popular with cyclists and motorcycle tourists. Offers comparable trip-planning functionality and hosts user-generated route content that competes with BDR's curated catalog.
- onX Offroad: Offroad mapping and GPS navigation platform covering backcountry trails and roads. BDR tracks are compatible with onX Offroad, and the platform competes for the same off-highway route-discovery use case.
- MotoQuest: Motorcycle tour operator offering guided adventure and dual-sport tours across multiple countries. Competes with BDR for the same adventure motorcycle tourist dollars by offering supported, paid tour experiences.
- RIDE Adventures: Motorcycle tour and rental company offering supported adventure tours and self-guided trip planning. Directly competes with BDR for adventure motorcycle tourism bookings along similar geographies.
- Gaia GPS: Outdoor GPS mapping app with backcountry and offroad layers. BDR tracks are compatible with Gaia GPS, and it serves as a competing route-planning platform for the same adventure user base.
Emerging players
- Overland Expo: Overland travel community and events organization serving the adventure-vehicle enthusiast base. Adjacent outdoor adventure space with overlapping enthusiast demographic and event-driven community model similar to BDR.
Others
- American Motorcyclist Association: Largest U.S. motorcyclist advocacy organization focused on rider rights, land access, and safety. Comparable in nonprofit advocacy mission and overlap with BDR's land-access and responsible-riding initiatives.
- Backtrack Maps: Interactive mapping platform that BDR integrates with for route visualization and condition reporting. Functions as an enabling technology partner rather than direct competitor, but operates in adjacent mapping/routing space.
Market position
Strengths5 records
Weaknesses5 records
Competitive moat5 records
Key risks6 records
Key highlights7 records
Customer concentration
Backcountry Discovery Routes social profiles
Digital presenceBackcountry Discovery Routes compliance and trust
Trust signalCompliance1 record
Backcountry Discovery Routes financial estimates
Financial estimateRevenue estimate
Valuation estimate
Backcountry Discovery Routes leadership team
Management profileNumber of profiles
Profiles2 records
Backcountry Discovery Routes funding detail
Funding detailFunding overview
Funding rounds1 record
Investors1 record
Funding detail is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →
Backcountry Discovery Routes M&A and investment
M&A and investmentM&A
Investments
M&A and investment is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →
Frequently asked questions about Backcountry Discovery Routes
What does Backcountry Discovery Routes do?
Backcountry Discovery Routes (BDR) is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit that creates and distributes off-highway adventure motorcycle route systems across North America. It provides free GPS tracks, paid printed route maps, adventure riding films, and a supporter program aimed at helping individual riders plan and execute long-distance backcountry motorcycle trips.
Is Backcountry Discovery Routes a public or private company?
Backcountry Discovery Routes is a private company. It is classified as nonprofit foundation owned and is currently operating.
When was Backcountry Discovery Routes founded?
Backcountry Discovery Routes was founded in 2010. It employs 1 to 10 people.
Where is Backcountry Discovery Routes based?
Backcountry Discovery Routes is headquartered in Seattle, United States, in the North America region.
How does Backcountry Discovery Routes make money?
Four revenue lines are on record. Donations and Supporter Program is the primary driver. The others are map and Film Sales, annual Sweepstakes Fundraiser and industry Sponsorships.
Who are Backcountry Discovery Routes's main competitors?
Direct peers on record are ADV Rider, Rever, Ride with GPS, onX Offroad, MotoQuest, RIDE Adventures and Gaia GPS. Overland Expo is listed as an emerging player. Others are American Motorcyclist Association and Backtrack Maps.
Does Backcountry Discovery Routes have an API?
No public API is recorded for Backcountry Discovery Routes.