Ken and Alex Bernstein were among a dozen riders - many who had come from out of state - to participate in the two-day event put on by WEST 38 MOTO, Photo by LCGross
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Exploring the Back Roads. Adventure motorcycling makes a stop in Globe

Dirt bikes came to Globe in early May when Dusty Wessels of WEST 38 MOTO hosted a two-day training camp as part of a five-day/six-night Backcountry Discovery Routes (BDR) tour of Arizona. We caught up with the group at their camp in Six Shooter Canyon. Over a dozen riders signed up for the training in Globe, with several coming from out of state. 

Backcountry Discovery Routes was established in 2010 to promote motorcycle tourism, bringing dollars and awareness to the small rural communities that line the routes. The organization works with land managers and agencies responsible for public land to keep trails and remote roads open for motorcycling. (To learn more about BDR routes and the Arizona route, visit BDRride)

In Arizona, BDR stretches from the Nogales border to the Utah border. The middle section passes through Mammoth, Globe, and Young. Starting on the US/Mexico border, the 750-mile route stays east of Tucson and Phoenix and explores the historic Empire Ranch, the Sierra Ancha cliff dwellings, the Mogollon Rim, the Saguaro Cactus Forests, the Navajo Nation, and the Vermillion Cliffs, with options to view the Grand Canyon from vantage points most people never see.

With a passion for the adventure motorcycle industry, Wessels has logged more than 200,000 miles of riding and motorcycle camping. He launched WEST 38 MOTO in 2014, offering essential training to riders at all levels, plus coaching and touring events. His reputation as an “instigator of campfire camaraderie” makes his tours unforgettable and generates repeat customers. 

Dusty Wessel (center) lays out the afternoon schedule with riders. Photo by LCGross

In addition to BDR tours, Wessels provides safe-riding training for dirt riding. Statistically, dirt bike riding is much safer than riding four-wheelers – even though many people believe the opposite. Choosing a dirt bike versus an ATV makes you 50% less likely to suffer a fatal accident. 

But that doesn’t mean dirt biking isn’t dangerous. 

Dirt riders can reduce their risks of breaking bones or worse by wearing protective gear, keeping their bike maintained, and avoiding combining alcohol or drugs with riding. 

To help reduce the risks, WEST 38 MOTO offers training to help people adventure ride safely. The training focuses on the fundamentals of controlling the bike at slow speeds, using the clutch, brake, and throttle to maximize riders’ capabilities. To learn more about training and rides with WEST 38 MOTO, visit west38moto.com.

 “It’s not about terrain, it’s about technique and skills.” –Dusty Wessels, WEST 38 MOTO

The route through Arizona takes riders through Mammoth and Globe. See BDRride.

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