Off-road motorcyclists plan stop in Ten Sleep this summer

TEN SLEEP – At the Ten Sleep Town Council meeting Tuesday, Feb. 1, Justin Smith of Ten Sleep Brewery discussed an upcoming event would be an economic boost to the community this summer.

The economic opportunity comes as a team of off-road motorcyclists who will be stopping overnight in Ten Sleep this summer on their 800- to 1,000-mile long route. According to Smith, the route will bring the motorcyclists through Ten Sleep and Hyattville, then up to Paintrock Lake Lodge.

The route was organized by Backcountry Discovery Routes (BDR). According to their websites, BDR is a “non-profit organization that creates off-highway routes for dual-sport and adventure motorcycle travel.” Every year since 2010, with the exception of 2021 due to the global pandemic, BDR has introduced a new route with free GPS tracks for the community.

The organization’s work includes rider education, safety campaigns and promoting responsible travel for motorcyclists traveling the back country. They are a volunteer-powered organization that works with agencies and land managers to keep trails and remote roads open for cycling.

According to their website, “each route generates new tourism that delivers sustainable economic relief to less-advantaged, rural communities. This creates local stakeholders who will help fight to keep access for dual-sport and adventure motorcycles in these backcountry areas.”

According to Smith, by contacting him, he will be sure that businesses get put on the website for the motorcyclists to reference during their stay.

Motorcyclists taking the Backcountry Discovery Route through Wyoming will be traveling primarily June through September.