August 23 and 24, 2024, were two unforgettable days spent exploring sections 1 and 2 of the Northern California Backcountry Discovery Route (NorCal BDR). I had been itching for a proper off-road adventure, and with Mahesh offering me the keys to his KLX230, the timing was perfect. A few friends from the ADV Rider community joined in, making this trip not just about the ride but also about camaraderie and shared challenges.
I started by renting an older Toyota Tacoma off Turo to haul the bike. The plan was to drive to Bridgeport, California, use it as a base, and take on the route from there. After checking into the cozy Bridgeport Inn and unloading the KLX, I set my sights on tackling Section 1 that afternoon.
Day 1: Exploring Section 1
The adventure began with Conway Ranch Road, a scenic two-track dirt road off Highway 395. It was sandy in spots, but the KLX230 handled like a dream—light, nimble, and confidence-inspiring. From there, I picked up Cottonwood Canyon Road via Pole Line Road, heading toward Bodie. This was an easy stretch, and I found myself pushing the bike, enjoying its responsiveness.
Bodie, the historic ghost town, offered a great photo stop before I climbed out on Bodie Masonic Road. Despite hearing warnings from other riders about the difficulty, the climb felt manageable. Maybe the KLX was just the right bike for the job, or maybe I got lucky, but either way, I was having a blast. The route offered a few fun water crossings and eventually led me down Aurora Canyon Road to Highway 182.
Before calling it a day, I made a quick detour to the Travertine Hot Springs. The area was peaceful, and I chatted briefly with a group of Swedish travelers soaking in the springs before heading back. On the trail back to Bridgeport, I encountered a bull snake lazily crossing the path—a fitting end to a day that felt deeply connected to nature. After riding 59.1 miles of mixed terrain, I parked the bike and grabbed dinner at Rhino’s Bar & Grill. The burger was decent, the beer refreshing, and the crowd had a small-town charm I wasn’t quite used to from the Bay Area.
Day 2: Conquering Mount Patterson
Day two brought reinforcements. Prashanth arrived with his CRF250, Prathap brought his Aprilia Tuareg, and Suraj joined with his CRF300L. Together, we planned to tackle Section 2’s hard split—Mount Patterson, which stands at an impressive 11,673 feet (3,558 meters), making it the highest point on the Northern California BDR. Its elevation and rugged terrain make it a challenging yet rewarding ride for adventure enthusiasts.
We started by riding down Highway 395 to Burcham Flat Road, a dirt superhighway where 60 mph felt easy and exhilarating. From there, the real fun began as we turned onto Lobdell Lake Road. The climb up to Lobdell Lake, around 9,500 feet, was scenic and peppered with shallow water crossings. The crisp air at the lake signaled that we were in for a cold day.
Prathap quickly discovered that the gnarly climb to Mount Patterson was too much for his Aprilia and decided to bow out early. The rest of us pressed on. The trail was steep, rocky, and unforgiving. My KLX struggled on the steepest inclines, its limited power requiring me to rev and dump the clutch to keep moving. Suraj had a small tip-over, and Prashanth, despite multiple crashes, showed remarkable determination, making it up 95% of the climb before his bike succumbed to the punishing terrain.
The final stretch to the summit felt surreal. The trail flattened briefly, revealing a landscape that looked like Mars—complete with a quirky sign that read “Mars with Flowers.” The last push was brutal, with loose rocks and relentless wind, but I made it to the top. There, a flag marked the summit, and I paused just long enough to snap a few photos before retreating from the freezing winds.
On the descent, I passed Suraj, who had decided to turn back after repeated attempts to climb the particularly tricky last hillclimb. At the base, we regrouped, shaken but exhilarated by the challenge we’d just faced.
We ended the ride by exploring FS-22482, a rugged road with one massive water crossing that nearly took me down. After a few miles, the terrain became increasingly tough, so we turned back to Lobdell Lake. Prashanth’s bike needed some roadside fixes—his bent shifter forced him to descend the mountain in first gear. Once repaired, we made our way back to the lake.
Wrapping It Up
With about 60 miles logged that day, I felt a mix of pride and exhaustion as I loaded the KLX back into the truck. We shared a few laughs, exchanged photos, and then I began the long drive home, stopping at Taco Bell on Highway 108 for a quick dinner.
These two days of riding were everything I could’ve hoped for—a perfect escape into the mountains, shared challenges, and the simple joy of a little bike that could. There’s something deeply satisfying about tackling tough trails and coming out the other side, stronger and more connected to the adventure. This trip was a reminder of why I ride: for the thrill, the camaraderie, and the moments of pure, unfiltered freedom.
Sujit Kirpekar 