Motorcyclists Tackle New Backcountry Discovery Route Through Wyoming

Wyoming is a paradise for one of the fastest growing groups of motorcycle travelers.

These are riders who carefully plan their trips with a goal of traveling up to 300 miles a day, rarely ever putting a tire on a paved road.

Adventure bikers pack their motorcycles with lightweight camping gear and a few tools to ride through the backcountry and see places they've never seen.

They cross creeks, climb steep hills, get stuck in mud, sometimes crash, and inevitably break down all for the chance to share some stories around a campfire at night.

They know now to stand on the foot pegs, lean back and let the bike's suspension soak up the terrain. They crave the feeling of a knobby tire hooked up on a firm trail and they know that more throttle is generally the answer to challenging terrain.

Matt Palazzolo is a retired U.S. Army helicopter pilot who lives in Lander next to the Wyoming Backcountry Discovery Route (WBDR), an organized collection of trails and dirt roads that dissect the Cowboy State, north to south. The route was officially designated in 2022. Wyoming is the 11th state to designate such a route.

Moto Wyoming

Last summer, after hearing the steady thumping of four-stroke motorcycles on the WBDR, Palazzolo felt like he was missing out. He put his mind to it and found a way to combine his love for adventure motorcycle travel with a new occupation.

Palazzolo founded Moto Wyoming, a small business that offers rentals, gear and logistical support to motorcycle travelers from Lander, which is near the center point of the WBDR.

"I primarily offer a rental bike fleet that's ready to go on the WBDR," Palazzolo said. "We also provide custom logistical support and route services. We help put routes together for people who may only have a few days."

For $200 per day, Palazollo will provide a fully-equipped Kawasaki KLR 650. The WBDR is a 950-mile-long trail for intermediate level riders. It's southern starting point is at Baggs. From there it heads east to Centennial then north to Alcova. From there the route heads west to Atlantic City, then north through Lander and on to Shoshoni where it winds along the Big Horn Range to Ten Sleep. From there the route continues north to Burgess Junction and on to the Montana border.

He said people need to know the basics of riding to include shifting gears, braking and turning, and he makes sure of that before they can rent his bikes.

Bring Tools, Expect To Use Them

The Kawasaki KLR 650 is the rugged workhorse of the adventure bike world, he said. It's not particularly fast or light and takes some getting used to because it has a high center of gravity. It's like the Jeep of the adventure motorcycle world. It's not flashy but it chugs along at a reliable pace and if something breaks, it's generally easy to repair.

Repairs are something everyone who travels the WBDR can expect and a good tool kit is mandatory. Flat tires are one of the most common trail repairs, he said.

Palazzolo said he's ridden the WBDR from Alcova to Lander and a bit north in the Shoshoni area. He said the Beaver Rim area is challenging and in other places riders can expect deep sand and sticky mud after storms.

The WBDR is mostly good dirt roads and two-track trails. "Everyone should carry some tools and an emergency communication device like a Garmin In-Reach," he said. "That way if someone gets hurt they can get help. On a lot of the WBDR there is no cell service."

Palazzolo also recommends a lightweight tent, camping chair, small camp stove and a cooler to keep drinks cold. Travelers should be flexible and shouldn't try to extend more than 200 miles in a day.

"Have an alternate plan in place, don't ride at night, and don't push past your limits," he said. "Be prepared to take care of the bike and keep going."

There are a few places where motels, restaurants and camp grounds are available on the route.

Wyoming Backcountry Discovery Route

The WBDR is the most remote of all 12 backcountry discovery routes. Routes are established in Idaho, Montana, Utah, Oregon New Mexico, Washington, Colorado, Nevada and Arizona. South Dakota was recently added to the list and three other trails pass through multiple eastern and southern states.

Although the routes were designed for motorcycle travel, they are open and accessible for all users from horseback to utility terrain vehicles. In a documentary posted on Youtube, the Backcountry Discovery Route crew discussed how they locate and string together the various dirt roads, trails and some highways to establish a route. They struggled to find trails connecting Wyoming's mountain ranges.

Backcountry Expertise

Neal Benton is an avid adventure bike rider and guide from Casper who has traveled the length of the WBDR three times. He said last year the WBDR was popular and during his trips he met riders from across the U.S. This year travel on the route got a slow start because the late spring left a lot of snow and mud in the high country.

"I enjoy traveling on two wheels," Benton said. "I've lived in Wyoming for nearly 50 years and there are still a lot of places where we ride that I've never seen before."

Benton said the camaraderie is an important part of the experience. Sitting by a campfire at night talking about the day's adventures and challenges fuels his passion for the sport.

"It's a great sport and it's a growing sport for people who like a challenge and want to get off the beaten path," Benton said.

Benton recommends soft luggage for carrying camping gear on a motorcycle because it doesn't hang up in tight spots on narrow trails. Hard panniers can haul a lot of gear and people tend to overload them, he said.

"It's a great sport and it's a growing sport for people who like a challenge and want to get off the beaten path," Benton said.

A Documentary Film

A group of riders filmed a documentary of the entire route through Wyoming last year. The group rode mostly BMW motorcycles and shot a lot of the video using drones.

The BMWs are on the other end of the adventure motorcycle spectrum. The Kawasaki KLR, Suzuki DR, Honda Africa Twin, and various KTM and Husqvarna motorcycles are largely chain-driven dirt bikes made street legal with lights.

The Beamers are street bikes adapted to off-road terrain. Many of them have 1250 CC air-cooled four stroke twin cylinder engines, plastic fairings, shaft drive, anti-lock brakes, traction control, adjustable suspensions, large aluminum panniers, and much more.

Expert riders don't miss a beat in negotiating difficult terrain on these much heavier bikes, but in the film there are a few examples of some less experienced riders opting for pavement detours around some of the more difficult sections of the WBDR. One such instance is in the Beaver Rim area.

Located about halfway between Alcova and Atlantic City Beaver Rim is an escarpment in Fremont County. The route runs several miles along a cliff face that offers a spectacular view of the surrounding area. The trail has been used by Native Americans for over 10,000 years.

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