RECKLESS 80L REVOLVER

TOUGH GEAR. HARD TRAVEL.

100% Waterproof Adjustable Leg Angle

RIDE, CAMP, REPEAT.

Ultra-Durable Materials

The Reckless 80L is designed for off-road riding/camping, Backcountry Discovery Route exploration, and international fly-to-ride trips. The 100% waterproof dry bag system expands and contracts for a variety of load sizes and riding conditions. It doesn’t require pannier racks and features adjustable leg angles allowing it to fit enduros and larger ADV bikes, making the v3.0 ‘Revolver’ our most versatile Reckless system yet.

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In The Saddle On The Latest Backcountry Discovery Route

As I slide my foot forward to drop the kickstand and turn off the sound of my idling engine, I am surrounded by a scene from another century. The rocky canyons in front of me open up to a limitless view of the horizon, with untouched desert in all directions. The only sound I hear is the gentle breeze of the wind; it carries with it the slight scent of sagebrush. I am stopped at a little oasis in the desert, a rocky canyon along the Oregon BDR that feels like the place a cowboy would have stopped at while driving cattle through this region 150 years earlier. A spring feeds a pool from which cows stop to drink. Following the sounds of water trickling down the sides of the rocky canyon walls, I hike up to the source to fill my bladder with the most refreshing spring water. Our Oregon BDR Expedition Team is deep in the heart of the vastly unpopulated area in southeast Oregon, on the newly released Oregon Backcountry Discovery Route.

The Orbdr Route

One of the most anticipated BDR routes, the Oregon BDR is 700 miles from start to finish and is divided into 7 sections, ranging from as little as 63 miles up to 150 miles between fuel stops. The route starts in the tiny, one-store town of Denio Junction, NV, and ends in the beautiful rolling hills of Hood River, Oregon at the Columbia River. After nearly five years of scouting work, not only is the Oregon Route finally here to satisfy the itch of every two wheeled adventure traveler, it is magnificent in its portrayal of natural beauty and diversity of terrain that Oregon offers. Beginning with high desert open sagebrush land in the south, the route traverses Ponderosa Pine forests with extensive lava rock formations in central Oregon, and ends in the Cascade mountain range, with its beautiful Douglas Fir forests, volcano peaks, rivers, and lakes on the northern border. While the world may picture Oregon as a lush, green rainforest, when you ride this route, you’ll experience diversity beyond your wildest imagination.

SECTION 1: DENIO JUNCTION TO PLUSH

The word that comes to mind for Section 1 is remote. Standing atop Beatys Butte, there is a 360 degree view of land as far as the eye can see. As we rode through this high desert terrain, our contact with civilization was limited to remote cattle ranches. The route follows wide open desert two-track roads that become fairly rocky and challenging at times. Later in the riding season, as temperatures heat up and precipitation becomes rare, roads can become more sandy with loose silt beds that nearly swallow your front tire. Caution is the best practice but for the confident rider, this type of challenge is one that is welcome.

The route in this section takes you farther away from civilization than most BDRs. This is the longest section between fuel stops, at about 150 miles. Lodging is rustic and will need to be booked well in advance, so plan accordingly. Dispersed camping is widely available and intensely beautiful. We camped at Hart Mountain Hot Springs the first night and enjoyed a relaxing soak in the springs before bed. A much needed bit of rejuvenation for the challenge of Fandango Canyon ahead.

SECTION 2: PLUSH TO CHRISTMAS VALLEY

Section 2 starts in the small town of Plush, Oregon that got its name from a local card game played in the 1800’s during which the town was a hub for cattle and sheep ranchers. Leaving town, the roads quickly change from paved, to a wide gravel road, to a rough and narrow two-track that requires a choice between the high line or the low line on each side of the track. Before long, you’ll be traveling through undeveloped roads of the Coyote Hills and down into Rabbit Canyon, then alongside the seasonal Lake Abert. This section can be especially sandy and rocky at times the further north you get on Sheep Rock Road and Fandango Canyon. The area was once the bottom of a sea bed which left behind large areas of sand deposits. Those sand sections are accompanied by ever more challenging rocky sections, and by the time you get to Fandango, you’ll be in some of the most challenging rocky terrain on the main route. You’ll know you’re through the worst of it as you begin your descent into Christmas Valley.

SECTION 3: CHRISTMAS VALLEY TO SUNRIVER

Our stay at the Lakeside Motel was a welcome rest from the previous day’s rocky, hot, desert punishment. The many, many rocks we bounced over led to not only the previous days trailside flat repair, but a badly damaged front tire to change this morning before starting the day. Tire repairs complete, we made our way north, and were grateful for some time to relax a little and enjoy the scenery. Just outside of Christmas Valley, we stopped at Crack in the Ground, an aptly named land feature that includes a short hike in an interesting two-mile-long, 70-foot-deep crack in the earth. Just past that, Green Mountain offers a stunning 360 degree view of the surrounding area and also offers a great spot to camp.

Landscapes change as you leave Christmas Valley, offering up fragrant Juniper trees, giant Ponderosa Pines, and red volcanic gravel roads. We found ourselves soaking up the quintessential Central Oregon adventure riding with all of its high desert sights and smells. This section has more than a few barbed wire fences. The rule is to leave it how you found it.

There are two optional side trips in Section 3, but both are worth visiting if you’ve got the time. For star gazers or those looking for a great campsite, the Pine Mountain Observatory is a worthwhile stop, with views of the local landscape and OHV trails for miles. Newberry National Volcanic Monument is a delightful side trip with two sparkling lakes that fill the caldera left by ancient volcanic activity. These pristine lakes are home to both camping and cabins.

Dropping into Sunriver involves one of the most fun sections of dirt on the route. This section includes banked turns and roads that are textured to entertain adventure riders! This section was nicknamed “The Luge” by the film team as it reminded us of a bobsled run for your motorcycle! So fun!