Evan and I rode sections 1, 2, 3, and 4 of the Northern California Backcountry Discovery Route, NCBDR, in August 2024. We normally ride Adventure Motorcycles on these BDR routes, but we opted for a van-based adventure this year and ride lightweight dual sport motorcycles. We first set up at Trumbull Lake Campground off 395 north of Lee Vining. Day #1 we rode south on Hwy 395 to Mammoth Lakes and started north on section 1. On section 1 we rode all four “CAN1 ALT Harder” sections. The challenges were rocky and sandy sections with a few hill climbs. We had to observe and pick our way through and around rocks and exposed roots. The sand was deep on the Old Rail section, but it was only 3.1 miles. I want to come back to take time to explore Bodie Historical Ghost Town, but due to time we just made a quick stop. Evan hit a rock north of Bodie, tearing a hole in his rear tire, emphasizing the importance of picking your way around sharp rocks. We could patch it and make it back within a couple of miles of camp when heat from the pavement caused it to come apart. I went back for a van. Day 2 Evan went into Mammoth and found a new tire at a little repair shop before we drove the vans to Silver Creek Campground on Hwy 4, east of Ebbets Pass. We rode sections 2, 3 and 4 from this location. We had to ride a lot of pavement to make this work, but in this area of California, twisty pavement is a joy. On section 2 because we were heading south we did the Bridgeport to Bear Valley easy route south and then the CAN2 ALT section north. Mt Patterson was fun and an amazing viewpoint worth the challenge. Again watch for the roots. The sweetwater loop was not too challenging until we got to Summersault or Cartwheel hill. It was off-kilter and had deep ruts, which you can see in the video. There is a sidetrack that people have made to avoid it, but we missed that, unfortunately. As BDR recommends, give your plenty of time to this advanced section as it is slow and remote. Day 4 we left camp and fished the Section 2 pavement along Hwy 4 to start Section 3 in Bear Valley. This section was fast and beautiful, but it was made even faster due to a pavement detour due to a dirt road closer south of Lower Bear River Reservoir due to apparent storm damage. We finished in Kyburz and fueled before hitting about 85 miles of pavement back to camp. Day 5 we did that whole section of pavement north to Kyburz to begin Section 4. Section 4 was fast and fun and included the old Pony Express Trail and Uncle Tom’s Cabin where we stopped for a soda and visit with the caretaker. From Uncle Tom’s Cabin, the route to Hell Hole Reservoir was through a few-year-old burn area that felt a bit post-apocalyptic. Make sure to spend take some time at Donner Summit to visit and learn about the history. We had lunch in Truckee before a long stretch of pavement back to camp. Again, riding out and back from camp of a route like this certainly add a lot of pavement, but I felt like all the pavement was a joy in this part of California so I have no regrets from me. Next year, the plan is to finish Sections 5, 6, 7, and 8 on big bikes before heading to Washington State for the Washington Backcountry Discovery Route, WABDR. If you have any questions, feel free to give me a shout-out.