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ADV NewsBDR Releases Its Second BDR-X Route, The “PA Wilds”

BDR Releases Its Second BDR-X Route, The “PA Wilds”

A new shorter route that loops comes to the beautiful Keystone State.

Published on 09.07.2022

Backcountry Discovery Routes has released the PA Wilds BDR-X, the second in the series of a new concept consisting of shorter BDR-style routes that loop. If you haven’t heard about this new format by the non-profit organization, BDR-Xs are typically 300-600 miles in length, take only a few days to complete, and conveniently take riders back to wherever they started the route. These make them a great option for those that don’t have the time to do a full BDR.

Backcountry Discovery Routes releases PA Wilds BDR-X in Pennsylvania

A BDR-X can be a brand new route in a State where there is no BDR yet or a spur off of an existing BDR. For example, the PA Wilds BDR-X is an extension loop off the Mid Atlantic BDR in Pennsylvania offering a few more optional advanced sections for those looking for a challenge. 

The route starts in New Columbia and covers over 500 miles through Pennsylvania State Forests and bucolic farming landscapes. Most of the riding is on dirt and gravel tracks mixed with short pavement stints at the start, in between the forests, and at the end of each section. The east side of the new BDR-X includes parts of section 8 and 9 of the MABDR but then turns west into the PA Wilds before looping back to the start in New Columbia, PA.

Backcountry Discovery Routes releases PA Wilds BDR-X in Pennsylvania

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“The route is designed in 4 sections with convenient places to eat, camp or lodge overnight at the end of each section. The beauty of being a loop route is that riders can start and finish from any point along the route,” states the BDR.

Section 1: New Columbia to Wellsboro

Backcountry Discovery Routes releases PA Wilds BDR-X in Pennsylvania

This stretch includes section 8 of the MABDR. Most of the terrain is flowy gravel but the route has been set up with several optional more technical trails for those looking for something a bit more challenging.

Section 2: Wellsboro to St. Marys

Backcountry Discovery Routes releases PA Wilds BDR-X in Pennsylvania

This section goes through the town of Renovo and then heads North into the Hammersley Wild area, finishing in St Marys. This route gets a bit more scenic and twisty with more stretches of dirt complimented by a great pavement stint in the middle.

Section 3: St. Marys to State College

Backcountry Discovery Routes releases PA Wilds BDR-X in Pennsylvania

This section, in the heart of the PA Wilds region, goes through the Elk State Forest area which used to be a strip mine before it was reclaimed by the DCNR and turned into an elk sanctuary. Its visitor center is considered a world-class elk resource facility.

Section 4: State College to New Columbia

Backcountry Discovery Routes releases PA Wilds BDR-X in Pennsylvania

This section goes through Rothrock State Forest taking riders into the scenic Whipple Dam State Forest and then over into Bald Eagle State Forest. The route also includes a couple of drivable trails on the main route then some more twisty turny scenic stretches, ending back in New Columbia. If you are up for some fun time in the mud, Sharpback Hollow is an optional 4-5 mile section that is swampy, rutty and wet about 10 miles from the end of section 4.

Route, Tracks and More

Backcountry Discovery Routes releases PA Wilds BDR-X in Pennsylvania

The free resources for BDR-X’s are similar to that of traditional routes and include an interactive map, free GPS tracks download, a short documentary film, a printable map and FAQs.

You can now find free GPS tracks and trip planning resources for the PA Wild BDR-X at ridebdr.com.

Photos by Backcountry Discovery Routes

Author: ADV Pulse Staff
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