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Story by Brad Gilmore Photos by the author , Bill Baker , Daniel Dégallier , and Reid Strait
in Them Thar Hills
Riding South Dakota ’ s Black Hills BDR- X
If you ’ re looking for a golden adventure riding opportunity , the Black Hills BDR- X marks the spot . Backcountry Discovery Routes are adventure / dual- sport routes that typically cover entire states and take about a week to complete , with GPS tracks and helpful info provided for free by the nonprofit BDR organization . In addition to its main routes , BDR has mapped out several shorter BDR- X loop routes that can be completed in a few days .
Located in western South Dakota , the Black Hills area is known for its scenic beauty , curvy roads , and historic sites like Mount Rushmore and the Crazy Horse Memorial . When most motorcyclists think of the Black Hills , they think of the Sturgis rally , which brings upwards of 500,000 people to the region every August .
The Black Hills BDR- X is a 355- mile mostly off- road loop that starts and ends in Keystone , just a few miles east of Mount Rushmore , and is divided into three sections .
Backcountry Discovery Routes recommends riding the Black Hills BDR- X counterclockwise , but since it ’ s a loop , you can start and finish anywhere along the route and run it in either direction .
What makes the Black Hills BDR- X such a perfect adventure route is its variety . The landscape includes rugged mountains , dense forests , and wide- open prairies . The route passes through historic towns like Deadwood , Mystic , and Hill City , as well as public lands such as Wind Cave National Park and Custer State Park . There are great campgrounds or more luxurious lodging available . You ’ re never far from civilization , so you can get away from it all yet still have access to gas stations , stores , restaurants , and hotels . The BDR- X route includes flowing gravel and dirt roads , challenging two- track , and some of the area ’ s best paved roads , including Spearfish Canyon Road , Needles Highway , and Iron Mountain Road .
22 / FEBRUARY 2024 / RIDERMAGAZINE . COM