HUGE shout out and thank you to @MotoCampNerd for sponsoring this video and this trip. Check out his store at www.motocampnerd.com/?ref=dork Use promo code "dorkintheroad" to save 10% off your first order! (affiliate link)
You talk to much sometimes. Just ride. Don't feel like you have to always be saying something. Silent moto camping channels have thrice your viewership.
Dude. I suggest when riding with friends you regroup at intersections and gnarly bits. If an incident or navigation error occurs in a trailing rider, it can quickly turn into a serious problem. I speak from experience. Always know where everybody is, and check on their mental and physical status regularly. Surely that’s the purpose of teaming up for a ride in the first place? Look after them, and they will look after you. To do otherwise makes you a turd.
In Ben and Tim’s defense, when they saw me I was trying to fix some camera issues. I did not realize I was stuck until after they had left and I tried to start up.
Maybe one of your best episodes. The filming and narration was top notch as usual but sharing the emotions, frustrations and challenges of riding in tough conditions took this to another level. A cautionary tale of the risks we need to be prepared to tackle when we venture out in remote areas.
I will say that your weightloss journey inspired my weightloss journey so far I have gone from 320lbs 14 months ago to currently 247lbs and my biggest drive is the need to ride
I was 300+ about 10 years ago. I’m 240 now. I ride a KTM 690 Enduro R. If I hadn’t lost weight, I wouldn’t be riding it. I wanna get down so I can ride a 250. I lost weight for the sole purpose of riding smaller bikes.
One thing I have learned when riding in the heat is to take a hydration bladder and DRINK FROM IT REGULARLY. I know we get excited and want to get on down the road but a sip or two every 15 minutes really helps me.
I've had a 250l for 8 years and finally did the suspension this spring. I cannot believe the difference it makes. Replaced the suspension on my V-Strom because of it and it made a huge difference too. The difference in the steering control is amazing. From now on, my bikes will be set up for my weight from the beginning.
Little over 12 minutes in, and I can honestly say "No. Thank YOU for taking us with you, Ben." You'll also have to give us a heads up when Travis has his new bike day for a BDR rig. 🏍
As an Oregonian, I really enjoyed watching this video. Not an easy leg of the ORBDR. Not for the open desert riding, but for the unseen, ever present factors that can end your ride, or worse. As you say Ben, this is no joke. Hydration, and getting stranded are contingencies that NEED to be planned for. Especially when the cows get pissed off at all the 'traffic', and close the gates on us riders..... lol. On a serious note, it was good to hear Travis laughing during dinner time. Glad he made it through the leg. Kudos to Tim for helping out. One of the more adventurous video's of yours Ben. Thank you.
Excellent job Ben and company. I just finished that run a few days ago after the Alvord Desert bypass route and it was nearly 100F the entire time. I know it can be a bit more difficult if camping but try to fill your hydration bag full with ice every morning and then fill the rest of the way with water. It will be cold and refreshing until mid afternoon. If someone has a heat injury you can take your cold water bag out of your pack and place it on their neck or chest to help bring down their temp without wasting water.
Tough day man! Been out there in the desert when the ride was hard, too far, and too hot. At some point you run out of energy and then it gets dicy. Good call to make camp and rest up. Protip: When you know it is going to be long, hard, and hot, start the day at dawn to create a time buffer and get er done before the heat bakes in. Better days ahead.
This is really a good video for letting people know what they are in for riding desert. It's definitely an issue riding the Or BDR, with Desert and cooler mnts later on. That said, as a guy that lived and rode in the desert for 20+ years, you guys can't wear all that heavy "protective gear" I would suggest if you feel you need all the protection, a roost plate and elbow-forearm shields, and knee-shin guards. Think MX gear, but the heavy jackets and pants, is a recipe for over heating. You really would never see a guy that lived out there in the desert with all that stuff on. I totally get it but, no. I have a 3 piece jacket that goes down to mesh, which is kinda cool when its hot, albeit black, which was a dumb choice by me, but something like that would do as well, the problem is that jacket all assembled is like 20lbs and bulky as hell.
Facts. I'm sure those jackets are made to vent super well at speed, but without 60 mph air, it can be risky. I use my perf leather with an evaporative vest COMMUTING in Phoenix, but in the desert, it's an armor vest plus a squirt bottle if necessary.
I was wearing a mesh jersey, mesh pants, and an armored, breathable shirt. That's a light as I was willing to go considering all the highway riding we also had to do to get there and to get home afterward. Everything is a compromise on a trip like this.
150 miles even on a paved road, in a dessert with no shade or anywhere to stop, although less likely can become dangerous quickly in high heat! Glad you guys made it. Your cow puns are on point! Lol
Everyone wants to dual sport until its time to do it! Happened to me once on a road bike. I was watching a bunch of RU-vid videos of guys doing long bike rides and got myself all hype! So I decided to go on a 50 mile ride myself in the middle of SoCal's Mojave Desert. About 20 miles into it, I needed to call my family with the truck to come get me!!! 😆🥴
Superb! Great humor and sobering view of adv riding. This is like Ewan and Charlie Part 45.... hahaha. So many of us crave getting into the backcountry on two wheels. There's so much more to it that we realize, and as you have shown, it is not to be taken lightly. Love your videos and the documentation of your adv evolution. Keep them coming.
Man I feel for Trav, heat stroke sneaks up on you and is hard to come back from, props to him for making it through. Top notch stream of cow puns, btw.
Apparently, closed roads are a common occurrence in OR especially when you get into logging country. I gotta wonder if the BDR group didn't do their homework on this one. Enjoyed the video and the lessons learned.
Another Excellent video. I'm in Las Vegas and the heat really ramps up the difficulty. You can go from fresh to completely wilted very quickly, even commuting to work. Heat stroke is no joke, stay hydrated everyone.
Man I feel ya. Officially hit section 5 just now on the IDBDR and it’s been consistently high 80s and hit 102 in riggins. Good thing I’m wearing black!
I commend you for not leaving a man behind. I had that happen to me a few years ago when riding with a new group. I fell behind and didn't see my group again for several hours, and of course, I crashed and tweaked my ribs. I always check to make sure everyone is accounted for when riding and that's great you do the same. Nothing sucks more than riding with people who don't have your back. Loved the video.
In VT I’d bump into guys doing the NEBDR and I’d say a prayer for every loaded down 1190, 1290, and GSA. My BDR bike is a sorted 650 enduro that I continually lighten everything in my kit. I also have a capable large ADV bike but that’s saved for Starbucks.
I'm glad you made it through. It really highlighted the value of sticking closer and of good comms, maps, and supplies (especially water to have enough to keep pushing it without worrying about running out and portable shade.)
Hey there dork in the road! You inspire so much! I’m 300 lbs and i hate it. I finally decided to get up off the couch and off weed and learned to ride this year. I want you to know that I’m proud of you and also know how it sucks to be heavy. I hope we both can go out on the roads and lose some weight. Have a good one. I love your show. My husband and I would love to come ride with you one day. Peace!
This was a fabulous episode, barring some heat stroke. It honestly makes me want to try section 1, just to say i did it. That is part of the satisfaction of desert riding.
Beautiful beginning. I love Harney County! Don't ever assume someone sitting and not moving is not in distress. Get 100% deet. It is the best for mosquitos.
I hear you - I’m in a similar position . Struggling to get rid of weight - started losing and then dropped bike on ankle and broke it. Just had to pull out of the rally i entered 6 months ago which is next week (which I’ve been planning, done off road training for and was trying to lose weight to do). Sad times all round 😢
Real video about what happens in the heat. Liked video. But when group riding especially in hot weather you always stay together, thats why comms are good. Keep up the great videos on all the aspects of dual sport riding and camping.
I enjoyed section 1 and 2, but definitely the most difficult of the route. I was on the trail by 6:30 both days down south and I'm really glad I was. 90+ in tough rocks is no fun at all.
Great video.... Thank you for your leadership and exposure. THE BDRs are not for beginners and the faint of heart. Even those prepared need to be ready.
Good video! Glad Trav survived heat stroke on the heavy bike. Interesting country, some of my favorite remote places, including the hotsprings camp. I missed seeing your shovel and fire extinguisher on each bike, but they probably are lashed in the gear somewhere, right? Thanks for showing the congestion of vehicles too, even eastern Oregon can get busy sometimes. Thanks also for your comments about wildlife killed by passersby; it's a tough place to live, and we just visit for a few hours of fun. You might carry a water filter for safety if someone has a mechanical breakdown; mine has refilled my bottles from desert cattle ponds and several muddy creeks, etc.
im a big guy, semi new rider, and youre channel got me to get out there and start riding again. I really wanted a Tenere, and local dealer said the wait time was after December. I got super lucky, and someone had a deposit and never showed up and I’m picking my new bike up on Monday🤘🏻 ps-I was looking for gear and looking for some MIPS helmet and gear, and every time I look in the comments there’s like six or seven that say, dork in the road got me here hahahahaha great channel, and great resource 🤘🏻🤘🏻🤘🏻
Great Video, some day I would love to make the trek up north and do the Oregon BDR , I appreciate real people riding not a staged production video, looking forward to the rest of your trip, props from AZ,
As you have probably figured out, you should be riding through the desert in the early morning and resting at camp in the afternoons. Starting section 1 at 11 o"clock in the morning on a 90+degree day, not a good idea. Did the route couple of weeks ago loved every section of it. Especially the desert the wild flowers and views We're amazing
I've done several parts of the OG Oregon BDR and many tracks of the current, new OR BDR, before it was a BDR. Most of it solo. I would not do to that today, since my health has declined some and I'm smarter. Well, I think I am smarter. I have to agree with you, there is a time, while on a ride in the desert, that all you want to do is to get out of it. Great job on getting the first section completed, well completed enough.
I've ben running 2~3 miles a day for a couple years and started weight training about 2 years ago to keep in shape for riding. But I had a hernia and just got out of the hospital a week ago so no bdr for me this year. I was planning on riding the ibdr but now i have plenty of time to watch you ride the Obdr. Have fun.
Rode 14 hours from ETX to Creede Colorado Friday. Temps were in the upper 90's. Almost passed out getting off the bike. Had to start pouring a bottle of cold water on my shirt under my riding jacket at each fill up. The heat is nothing to take lightly. Glad you all made it back.
That eastern summer PNW heat is no joke🥵 I’m glad travis is ok - my brother almost died from heatstroke it’s absolutely no joke- I noticed a lot of black double and triple layers not sure I would do that in the heat, I know you dress for the slide not the ride but some lighter colors ,white ,tan, even pink 😁anything but black for me when riding in summer…
Hey dork, it's good to see you out there riding. That's kind of my own old stomping grounds. I was born in Lakeview and spent a lot of time around Heart Mountain plush Paisley and all that area. You probably don't remember me but I rode up from Roseburg to Albany to ride with you guys we took a ferry that day. Take care Dar Tice
Nice. I heading out on the ORGBDR next friday. I have 16 days. Leaving N Idaho heading south by Hells Canyon, then west through the Ochoco's, then south by Prineville, Crater Lake, south to backside of Mt Shasta, south to Mt Lassen, South to Tahoe Keys, visiting family for a few days boating, then north over Mt Rose, North to Reno, then Gerlach, I think i will be one week before Burning Man, north to Denio and my ORGBDR starts. Going solo. gonna be epic. Thanks for sharing your video's. I will be taking a lot of video but I am slow to edit.... oh and i just got an 1 gallon Giant Loop bag, so 3L on my back and aux 1 gal.
Great video! Seeing the real struggles and thankful no one had bike issue's, pinch flat or worse and Thank god you guys got Trav to camp, heat stroke is a bad thing to have happen and on a bike is even worse, i had a heat stroke about 10 years ago and still to this day it affects me at time's with the dizzy and disoriented. Electrolytes and plenty of water
I've used a tarp off my motorcycle to just get some shade. and strip off the gear to cool off. Feels amazing after a tough hot ride. Easy to pack up and keep moving.
I started riding dirt bikes in 1966. I started out small and gradually went with bigger bikes. 2 years ago I found a 1994 XT600. I bought a 1986 XT600 new and rode it for years and loved it. The 86 600 was a dirt bike that you can take on the road. The 94 600 is a road bike that you can take in the dirt. THERE IS A DIFFERENCE!!! Last year I was riding my 94 XT600 on a 2 track road in Idaho. I was going around a downed tree, and I just got off-balance and tipped over. It took me 25 minutes to figure out a way to lift up that TOP HEAVY, HIGH GEARED monster. I am not a small man, 6'3" and 230 pounds, and I just could not muscle that beast upright. I took it to my favorite bike shop, and had them sell it for me. I still have a 2022 TW200 duel sport, and I do love it. I do 99% of my dirt bike and quad riding alone. I do carry a PLB (Personal Locater beacon), because I am fully aware that crap happens. I have ridden 200 miles in the desert around the Alford desert on my 86 XT more than 35 years ago. I understand what you are riding through and what the roads are like. Sorry to say, my 100 mile rides are over for me. I am 76 years old, and I am nowhere near the capable rider that I once was. LOL My little 200 is a nice little bike, and most importantly, I can pick it up if it tips over. One thing about those barbed wire gates, if it is Rancher opened, I will leave it open, but if it is not Rancher opened, I will close it. How do you tell, you may ask? A Rancher will open the gate fully and lay it next to the fence line. They do that so that the cows do not get tangled up in the wire from the gate. Entitled idiots open it and leave it next to the road. I am too much of a wuss to even attempt to carry camping gear with me on my 200, and then sleep on the hard ground. Where I live in Idaho, there are bears and mountain lions in abundance. I will take my camp trailer with me if I want to camp out. I enjoyed watching your video. It brings back memories. I laid out the first Christmas Valley 100 mile cross-country race, many many years ago.
I hear ya on the heat... try riding all day on trails (KTM 250 exc 2 strk) in FLA during the summer when the low is 82 and high is 94. Oh, and it's humid a f. The thrill of riding wins out over the heat, but maaaannn is it brutal! Great video!!! And yes, Keto is amazing!
Great job on this one Ben, heard the temps in the beginning & I thought wow, that's nice and cool for me I'd love that 😂 .....(AZ ). From bad experiences hydrating a couple days before in hot temperate environments is vital, be surprised how quickly the stages of becoming a heat casualty come on, Liquid IV are great to have on hand
Great video. Looks super fun. We now use FRS radios to keep in touch while riding. You sometimes have to shut off the bikes if things are too loud, but at least you know what is going on. I know people like to take those large BMWs off road, but that sure wouldn't be my first choice.
That heat is no joke. Tests man and machine. Great video! Hey just curious why you aren’t running comms? My riding buddy and I got Senas a couple years ago and we love it. More enjoyable and safer for so many reasons in my opinion.
That was a GREAT video, Ben! Gives me a real feel for the type of tracks I'd ride. It also shows no terrors for my little TDub other than fuel. Since I already have a GL gas bag with me, no worries. Thanks for sharing it with us!
Maybe a Sena communication?😮 I could feel your tension of the first route. An my injured shoulder was aching. Getting an MRI. Hopefully no tare. Thanks for sharing. 😊
I have a Cardo and Ben uses Sena. I hear Cardo's latest firmware lets you easily pair with Sena, but it's over Bluetooth instead of the longer range Mesh system
We have these little powder electro light replacement packs they give us at work called “ Squenchers “ I pack them on our BDR trips man they work so good. Working on an asphalt paving crew daily , there is your proof of extreme temperatures and how they really help with hydration. The flavors taste good and there’s no sugar also
The big bikes are no joke, my son and I rode Oregon bdr late June 24. I was on a 1090 ktm, it is now for sale… was to heavy for me and made me feel like a beginner.
we are doing this ORBDR august 6 - 12th , i am worried about the heat i dont do as well with it anymore , just ordered one of those freezing vests hoping that helps or works and ill be carrying Pedialite ALSO i am doing it on my 901 would you say it is more difficult terrain wise than the WABDR or ??? would you try it on your T7 ?? how we are getting there + our time constraint we are skipping most if not all of section #1 though
35:35 The main reason I will likely never be able to get rid of my DRZ. It's right in that sweet spot of just light enough to work with when the unexpected happens. 😃
Great video! Thanks so much for the honest ever day joe assessment. My mate and I are leaving to Field Station in a couple days. Are you still feeling day one could be skipped? Was there gas in Plush? Thanks I’m advance. I’ll check the BDR website all well. Cheers
So 450L or 300L for the BDR's? I've got a Tiger 900 for the big bike friendly off road stuff but looking for something smaller to tackle the more technical stuff. 250lb with riding gear plus camping gear. I'm not an aggressive rider.
I live in Las Vegas and would love to ride with you if ever possible! If nothing else, stop in for a safe place to park your bike and shower up and relax in a year-round pool. I only got into motorcycles upon moving to Nevada, would've loved to ride back when I lived in western Washington and be under some of that "shade" that I can never find out here.
HEAT !!! Riding in the Heat ! A tip from Texas where the heat index is ranging from about 107 to 116 degrees' And I am still riding. Get yourself a cooling vest from places like Lowes, Home Depot or Amazon for about 30 bucks to wear under your PPE jacket. Just get it wet and it will stay wet for about 3-4 hours while lowering your core temp by 10-12 degrees. It is a game changer !!! When needed, just pour a 17-ounce bottle of water down your collar front and back to recharge the vest. Now your go to go 🤠👍
Good video. You probably have this in another video, but what are you riding? I'm guessing its a 500 Honda or so. My KTM 300 two stoke would not be an ideal bike for your ride, even if it is very light.
