PA Wilds BDR-X
The PA Wilds BDR-X route — Pennsylvania backroads, forest, and ridgelines. Glamp or camp, you tell us.
The Ride
A full-week adventure riding the Pennsylvania Wilds Backcountry Discovery Route (BDR-X) through the heart of PA's most remote forests and state game lands. Everyone meets up in State College, PA — the closest convenient launch point for Virginia riders — and we start and end the trip from there. The BDR-X route itself takes four full days to complete, so we've built the week around it: Day 1 and Day 7 are travel days in and out of State College, Days 2–3 and 5–6 are riding days on forest service roads, gravel, and two-track, and Day 4 sits in the middle as a built-in rest / recovery day to do laundry, wrench on bikes, swim, hike, or just decompress. Open to all skill levels — beginner, intermediate, and advanced — since the majority of the BDR-X route is beginner-friendly with a little bit of everything mixed in for the more experienced riders. Default plan is glamp & ride — primarily Airbnbs and cabins reserved for the group in advance — but we're polling the group: if enough riders prefer camping in the dead of summer to keep costs down, we can flip this to a camp & ride. Capped at 10 riders.
What riders said
About our last weekend.
"Great event, well directed and organized by John and Anthony."
"Count me in for the next one!"
"Excellent routes, delicious food, and overall very professional. They really care about everyone in the group!"
Help us pick the week
We're finalizing the dates for this 5-day trip (2 travel + 3 riding). Vote for any week that works for you — we'll lock the date with the most interest and email you the details.
Trip Outline
- Day 1 (Sat) — Travel day: meet up in State College, PA, settle into the first stay, group dinner on your own, route & safety briefing
- Day 2 (Sun) — Riding day 1: kickstands up after breakfast, ride the first BDR-X segment, overnight at the next stay
- Day 3 (Mon) — Riding day 2: full day on the BDR through the PA Wilds, regroup at the next stop
- Day 4 (Tue) — Rest day: laundry, bike maintenance, hike, swim, decompress — optional short shakedown loop for anyone restless
- Day 5 (Wed) — Riding day 3: back on the BDR-X, deeper into the wilds
- Day 6 (Thu) — Riding day 4: final big ride day, finish the loop
- Day 7 (Fri) — Travel day: pack up, breakfast, ride or trailer back to State College and head home
Included
- · Full trip coordination — we plan and book everything so you just show up and ride
- · Group lodging reserved in advance (Airbnbs / cabins by default — camping if the group prefers it)
- · Curated route following the full PA Wilds BDR-X tracks (4 days of riding)
- · Built-in rest day in the middle of the week
- · Daily itinerary and GPX files shared in advance
- · Two ride leaders coordinating the group on the road
- · Small group experience — 10 riders maximum
Good to know
- · $50 deposit reserves your spot — fully refundable if the trip doesn't fill up. Final ride price invoiced after the survey closes and the camp vs. glamp call is made.
- · Final price depends on lodging style — glamp (Airbnbs/cabins) costs more than camp
- · Meet-up point: State College, PA — closest convenient launch for Virginia riders. Trip starts and ends there.
- · 7-day structure: 2 travel days + 4 riding days + 1 rest day in the middle
- · Saturday → Friday timing — uses Mon–Fri vacation only, weekend days for travel
- · Limited to 10 riders for safety and coordination
- · Open to all skill levels — beginner, intermediate, and advanced. Most of the BDR-X route is beginner-friendly, with sections that step up for more experienced riders.
- · Insurance coverage TBA — we're confirming whether AMA covers this event or if supplemental insurance is required
- · Meals are not included — food and drinks on the route are on you
- · If we go camp & ride, you'll need to bring your own camping gear (tent, sleeping bag, pad)
- · Bike trailering may be available for a few riders — contact us to arrange (additional cost)
What to bring
- · Riding gear — helmet, jacket, gloves, boots
- · Basic tools + tire repair / plug kit
- · Hydration pack or water bottles
- · Cash/card for meals, fuel, and drinks along the route
- · AMA membership card (or number)
- · Rain gear and layers for changing mountain weather
- · Personal overnight bag (camping gear only required if the group votes camp & ride)
Your bike & skill
- · Open to all skill levels — beginner, intermediate, and advanced
- · Majority of the BDR-X route is beginner-friendly gravel and forest service roads, with sections that step up for more experienced riders
- · Comfortable on gravel, forest service roads, and two-track
- · Comfortable with possible mud and minor water crossings
- · Street-legal / plated dual-sport or ADV bike with knobby or 50/50 tires
- · ~150 mi fuel range, in solid mechanical condition (fresh tires, chain, brakes)
Weather & cancellation
Rain or shine. Adventure riding happens in the rain — bring proper rain gear and dress in layers. The only weather cancellation is a severe storm that makes riding or driving genuinely unsafe. In that rare case, we'll reschedule or refund. Otherwise, the standard policy applies: full refund up to 30 days before the event.
Reserve your spot
PA Wilds BDR-X
Late July / early August 2026 · exact dates TBA · $50 per rider · deposit · fully refundable
Riding with a friend? Sign up together and we'll knock $20 off each of your rides — just mention their name in the notes.