The new Southeast Backcountry Discovery Route leads to the deep south of the USA. Far away from the well-known tourist highlights, a trip along this route provides deep insights into the soul of America.
Text: Jim James, photos: Ely Woody
As an adventure rider, you develop a very specific attitude towards being on the road. You appreciate the unknown, accept detours and enjoy the unexpected. When I set off with the team on an expedition along the new SEBDR, I didn't realise how deeply I would have to embrace this philosophy.
The winding roads along the SEBDR are seemingly endless.
Stopover at the historic Webb Brothers Store in Reliance, Tennessee.
I have spent decades exploring America on my motorcycle, but the Southeast was still a blank spot on my mental map. I had the same questions that many motorcyclists from other countries ask themselves: Are there any adventurous routes there at all? Is the terrain challenging and inspiring? Are the landscapes and culture as captivating as in the Rockies or the Pacific Northwest? The answer, as I quickly realised on this trip, is a resounding yes.
SEBDR route architect Kirk Lakeman (front) on one of the challenging alternative routes.
THE NEW SOUTH EAST BACKCOUNTRY DISCOVERY ROUTE
The SEBDR is the latest addition to our growing collection of adventurous routes through the backcountry of American states. This nearly 2,100-kilometre route begins on the bright white sandy beach of Navarre Beach, Florida, and winds its way through Alabama, Georgia, Tennessee and North Carolina before connecting to the Mid-Atlantic BDR (MABDR) in Damascus, Virginia. This route completes our offering on the east coast. Combined with the Mid-Atlantic BDR and North East BDR, adventure riders now have access to a continuous, approximately 5,600-kilometre adventure route from the Canadian border to the Gulf of Mexico coast.
The SEBDR can also be very dusty.
FROM THE GULF TO THE APPALACHES
The warm October sun shines over Navarre Beach as we begin our journey north. I climb onto my fully loaded Yamaha Ténéré 700 and watch the sparse pine forests roll by. The team quickly finds its rhythm. Laughter and cheerful banter fill our intercoms as we kick up clouds of gravel in high spirits.
Brian Duke, scout for the Alabama section of the route, guides the team through his home state.
Centuries-old houses can be seen along the route.
One of the first highlights is a stop at the Conecuh Sausage Café in Evergreen, Alabama. It's a simple roadside diner that you would never find on any of the relevant travel websites, but here we eat the best sausage of the entire trip. With full bellies and full tanks, we are ready to continue. The terrain changes constantly and requires the utmost caution on our part – fine sand, hard forest trails and red clay follow one another until we reach the foothills of the Appalachians on rocky climbs. The deeper we venture into Alabama, the more the landscape surprises me. Cotton fields ready for harvest, cities from the Civil War era and dense forests full of autumn colours make it clear: this is a region full of contrasts.
Selma, Alabama: site of the civil rights marches in the 1960s.
We drive through Selma and cross the Edmund Pettus Bridge. It is a striking moment that transports us back in time to the era of the civil rights movement. The bridge, named after a Confederate general and member of the Ku Klux Klan, is the site where police brutally stopped a protest march by black civil rights activists in 1965. In a second attempt, Martin Luther King finally succeeded in leading a march across the bridge to Montgomery, the capital of Alabama, under massive protection from the military and National Guard. For those who want to delve deeper into this complex and painful era of American history, a visit to the local museum, housed in the city's historic railway depot, is recommended. A little further north, we climb Flagg Mountain – the southern end of the famous Appalachian Trail – and look out over a vast, forested wilderness. This view gives us a first impression of how much untamed land still exists in the East.
CHARACTERS THAT COMPLEMENT EACH OTHER
This time, our team consists of a mix of BDR veterans, new faces and international guests. Tobias Wachter from Edelweiss Bike Travel has flown in from Austria, Jocelin Snow brings her energy and charisma to the table. And our documentary filmmakers Sterling Noren, Michael Bielecki and Ely Woody capture the journey in fascinating images, working hard behind the scenes the entire time. The group quickly blends into a close-knit unit. We ride together, eat together and tell stories around the campfire. Every day brings new challenges and strengthens our sense of community.
The ‘Graffiti Bridge’ over the Cahaba River.
Cemetery in Talladega National Forest with graves from the Civil War.
After crossing the border into Georgia, the terrain becomes rockier and more technical. From Cave Spring to Ellijay, a mix of fast gravel roads and narrow forest trails takes us further north. We take the time to visit picturesque viewpoints such as Jenkins Gap to take in the view of the landscape. The accommodation along the SEBDR is as varied as the terrain. One night we sleep in a hiker's hut on the Pinhoti Trail. Another we spend at Mulberry Gap Adventure Basecamp, a paradise for bikers and hikers alike, where we are served a hearty meal.
HALLOWEEN IN THE FORESTS OF TENNESSEE
In Ellijay, Georgia, we enjoy what is perhaps the best coffee of the trip at Das Kaffeehaus – an unexpected discovery in this small town in the mountains. Strengthened by espresso and good conversation, we cross Tennessee and spend the night in the cosy cabins of Welcome Valley Village on the Ocoee River. That evening, a new rider joins us – Dustin Wheelen from the RevZilla blog Common Tread. Just as Dustin joins our group, the weather turns cold and wet – and the terrain becomes increasingly challenging. It's Halloween, and the gloomy forests of Tennessee provide the perfect backdrop.
Overnight stay in a historic covered wagon: Welcome Valley Village in Benton, Tennessee.
Rough alternative route to the Skyway Motorway.
WITT ROAD AND NORTH CAROLINA
The next day, one of the most famous sections of the route is on the agenda: Witt Road. The numerous water crossings in this area are known for their tricky rocky bottoms and unpredictable depths. Due to the recent rain, these fords are a real challenge for us. But we approach the task with caution, carefully choosing our lines and navigating all the watercourses without any slip-ups. On the drive to North Carolina, we climb higher and higher into the mountains, where fog and rain await us. Heated grips and rain gear provide some comfort.
Maria's Diner in Andrews seems like paradise to us, where we warm up with hot food and coffee while our equipment hangs on chairs to dry. Given the damp, cold weather, we treat ourselves to an overnight stay at the Nantahala Village Resort today. After a long day in the rain, this is the perfect place to dry off, exchange stories and prepare for our final stage.
Trail in northern Florida.
MISSION ACCOMPLISHED
Our final stage takes us along Winding Stairs Road and up to Mile High Campground, the highest point of the SEBDR at 1,648 metres. Now our journey is complete: we started at sea level and are now enjoying the view over the Appalachian Mountains. Sterling and Michael record the final interviews while Ely takes photos. We reflect on our experiences and the lessons we have learned. For me, this trip on the SEBDR is much more than just another motorcycle trip; it has taken me back to the roots of my passion for adventure riding.
The entire SEBDR film expedition team at the Pinhoti Outdoor Centre in Sylacauga, Alabama.
15 YEARS OF BDR
Backcountry Discovery Routes (BDR) are more than just GPS data. They are experiences that have been carefully curated to inspire. They take adventure riders to small towns and forgotten places. They support the local economy. They preserve access to public land. In 2025, BDR celebrates its 15th anniversary. Over 32,000 kilometres of routes have been developed. BDR continues to grow and will soon be developing new routes in Texas, Montana, Michigan, Ohio, Northern California, the Adirondacks, British Columbia, Canada and many other regions.
The mission is the same as it was 15 years ago: to build a community, preserve routes and enable enduro travellers to make unique discoveries. In this sense, the SEBDR is not just another line on the map. It is a window into a region that is too often overlooked by travellers. It is proof that adventure is not always associated with high altitudes or remoteness.
Further information at www.RideBDR.com
THE AUTHOR
Tim James is the chairman of the board of the non-profit organisation Backcountry Discovery Routes.
