Big Bend BDR-X: A Birthday Trip To Remember
03.05.2025
The Logistics: Rentals, New Bikes & Travel Hurdles
Coordinating a rental motorcycle, purchasing a new bike, and flying with motorcycle luggage isn’t exactly a walk in the park.
But despite the extra planning, added expense, and a steep learning curve, it was worth every bit of effort.
Originally, we both secured rentals through Riders Share, assuming it was our best option. But when my Tiger rental fell through almost immediately—and Clay’s GS inquiry turned into something far more personal—we pivoted.
Enter Dan.
A military veteran and fellow rider, Dan not only rented us his GS off-the-books, but quickly became a friend. He picked us up from the airport, stored our luggage, and even offered us a place to stay before our flight home. The kind of generosity you don’t forget.
If you’re ever heading to Big Bend, Dan is someone you want to know—and we’d be more than happy to connect you.
As for my new bike, purchasing through Dream Machines was exactly that—a dream.
This wasn’t your typical dealership experience. Just genuine motorcycle people who made sure everything was ready before I even arrived. From my salesman, Ram Torres, to the documentation team, to Kyle in service—who walked me through every detail of my new ride—it was seamless.
What wasn’t seamless?
Figuring out how to transfer our gear from suitcases onto the bikes—especially with my brand-new Mosko Moto Reckless system that I had never fully set up before.
What fits where?
What goes in which bag?
Why is this taking so long?
By the time we finally hit the road, we were already hours behind schedule.
The Long Haul to Big Bend
The ride out to Big Bend was slow, and by the time we reached Alpine—the official start of Section 1—we were cold, exhausted, and starving.
We walked into the first restaurant we could find… which ended up being one of our favorite food stops of the entire trip.
(For the full experience, definitely check out the YouTube video. Just know we had been traveling since 3:30 AM EST and rolled into Alpine around 9 PM CT—so yes, we were slightly delirious.)
After chatting with just about everyone at the bar, we jumped back on the bikes for the final hour to our accommodations.
A little too eagerly.
We forgot to fuel up.
And yes… I ran out of gas.
Thankfully, Dan had sent us off with a reserve tank (again—Dan, MVP).
When we finally arrived at Space Cowboys, even in complete darkness, it felt surreal. Colored lights glowed through the canyon, and our pod—lit in red—looked like something out of a sci-fi film.
But the real magic?
The stars.
More vivid than anything I had ever seen.
We fell asleep staring at the sky through the clear wall of the pod—a moment neither of us will ever forget.
Riding Big Bend: Letting Go of the Plan
The next morning… we got another late start.
(Time management was clearly not our strength on this trip.)
It quickly became obvious we wouldn’t be able to ride the BDR-X exactly as planned. So instead of forcing it, we made a decision:
Prioritize the experience.
No rushing.
No stress.
No getting stuck on a dirt road after dark.
We set out to ride River Road to Mariscal Mine, Boquillas Crossing, and the Hot Springs (because let’s be honest—I will always chase a hot spring).
While we expected total solitude, we weren’t alone—an off-road rally was happening, and the trails were busier than anticipated.
Not ideal… but it led to one of our favorite moments.
We met George and Karen, a fellow ADV couple from Florida, who helped us navigate deep sand and even captured one of the best photos of the trip—a horse casually watching us struggle.
After exploring Sections 2 and 3, we wrapped up the day at the iconic Starlight Theater, swapping stories with the manager, Pollo (another moto enthusiast), before heading to Buzzards Roost.
Our home for the night?
A teepee.
And not just any teepee—the coziest, most unexpectedly luxurious one imaginable.
Trading Two Wheels for Four Hooves
The next day brought something completely different.
We explored Big Bend Ranch State Park on horseback with Lajitas Stables.
Our guide, Evo—also a motorcyclist—made the entire experience unforgettable. He gave us the confidence to ride, shared local history, and even sprinkled in some Terlingua gossip that made us feel like part of the community.
Riding alongside a couple from Alaska, we made such good time that Evo extended the ride to a second mountaintop, where we had lunch overlooking views that simply can’t be captured in photos.
Some experiences really are meant to be lived, not documented.
(Side note: breakfast at Venga in Terlingua—great vibes, but drip coffee only. No espresso machine. Maybe North Fork Moto needs to step in 😉)
Chinati Hot Springs & Taking the Alternate Route
That afternoon, we continued along Section 3 and onto Section 4 via FM107 to Presidio before stocking up on groceries and heading to Chinati Hot Springs.
Our original plan included pushing on to Godzilla Hill.
Instead?
We stayed.
Watched the sunset.
Soaked in the springs.
Made burritos.
No regrets.
The next morning, we took a chance on the BDR’s alternate route to Marfa—an option with very little available information.
And it paid off.
Wide-open terrain.
Rocky climbs.
A rare water crossing.
And the highlight of the trip—wild horses.
One even let me approach, despite my full ADV gear.
Marfa, Dust Storms & Unexpected Favorites
We rolled into Marfa just as a dust storm swept through the area.
Not exactly ideal timing—but we made the most of it.
We checked out Discovery Points along Section 5:
McDonald Observatory
Fort Davis
Prada Marfa
But our favorite stop?
Valentine Bar.
A dive bar that defies explanation. You truly have to see it to understand it—so definitely check out the YouTube video for that one.
A Caboose, A Tattoo & The Ride Home
To close out the trip, I surprised Clay with a stay in a renovated caboose—perfect for a train lover and the ideal way to end our time in Marfa.
The next day, we took the long way back to San Antonio via Route 90, passing through Marathon and Texas Hill Country.
We grabbed lunch at Bent Rim Grill, swapped stories with fellow travelers, and rolled back into the city just in time for one last adventure:
Mezcal-inspired tattoos by Danae Wylie.
We ended the night on the Riverwalk, raising a mezcal toast at Domingo to an unforgettable ride through West Texas.
And as I write this…
Clay may or may not be browsing ranch real estate.
But first—we’re getting him a Stetson. 🤠
For the full experience, check out our YouTube series—packed with footage, laughs, and behind-the-scenes moments from the ride.
From the Saddle — North Fork Moto
Motorcycles. Backroads. Books. And the stories we collect along the way.
