Wyoming Backways Adventure Trail (WYBAT)

Self Guided Adventure Package

Adventure loop around the best of the Wyoming Rocky Mountains and Yellowstone

The Wyoming Backways Adventure Trail forms a 1,462 mile loop around the backcountry of the state. This adventure is designed for overland vehicles, adventure motorcycles and dual sport motorcycles. The route includes sections through the Medicine Bow National Forest, Shoshone National Forest, Bighorn National Forest, Yellowstone National Park, Teton National Forest and the high desert plains. In some sections the route even follows the Great Continental Divide Route.

Each section includes some moderately technical routes, including remote two-track through regions of high-deserts, short-grass prairies and alpine forests. You will experience expansive views from 11,000-foot mountains, cross two major rim escarpments and pass through many other seldom visited areas and historic mining towns and on your return route, you will pass through Yellowstone. This is some of the most remote country in the lower 48 states.

Is this route right for you?

This route is not good for beginners, you should be very experienced in backcountry travel and prepared for any difficulty or failures. This route includes options: both easier and harder routes. As an example for those wanting to avoid river crossings we have added workaround route options. For those just tired and wanting to end the day early, we have added easy paved shortcuts. And for those tough guys wanting more, we have added some challenging routes.

This is a 7 day adventure bike ride making a big loop around the state. Riders will be staying in different motels each night during the week. Some riders may truck their bikes to the start of the ride and then leave their vehicles at the beginning of the ride for the week. You will need to make your own arrangement for this. Riders will be eating in restaurants during the week, so no need to bring cooking equipment or food. The riding should be scenic to rough depending on your choices.

The exciting part about this ride is that riders can choose their own level of adventure exposure each day to meet their desire and excitement.

Each day our route will take us to the next motel and a few days we will have an option of lunch on the trail. Each morning riders will grab breakfast and team up with their riding buddies, grab their daily snacks and begin their adventure. The day's adventures are long with many rich options along the way.

After the day's ride, riders perform bike maintenance and join up for happy hour and dinner. Then it is often to bed early as the next day comes quickly.

Riders should also carry any supplies for bike repairs and maintenance on the trail (like flat tires).

Self Guided Adventure: This ride is designed to be a self-guided adventure. As GPS units have become both more powerful and easier to use, it has enabled anyone to be able to easily find their way along the trail. For many, this allows them to just experience the Adventure without the burden of getting lost. The Adventure Packets include: Custom route maps on micro SD card for Garmin gps units, a ride description booklet, both daily 11x17 printed maps and mini 5x8 quick reference maps. It also includes a list of hotels and their contact information. Everything you need to have a great adventure.

Route Choices: Don't put yourself in a bad spot. gpsKevin route maps always include route options. We recognize that weather and conditions can change. We design these adventures with multiple routes in different colors. The main adventure route is colored Blue, then there are easier and harder options, Green and Red, respectively. This allows riders to choose their own level of adventure appropriate for their own skill and desires. We don't want to put you into a challenging spot without options; we let you make the choice.

How does the ride navigation work?

This is a self-led GPS ride; all riding is on your own. You are responsible for your own riding. You are given a GPS map file and instructions on how to use your Garmin GPS unit. People will hook up in small groups of less than 6 riders and tend to ride together. You are not encouraged to ride alone. You are responsible for your own riding and yourself.

(see my ride Navigation Video)

Are you right for this ride?

When something goes wrong on a ride, would your riding friends say that you are more likely to need help or more likely to give help? You should be in the more likely to offer help camp. This ride is filled with riders that are more likely to give help, so most of the time the riders never need help. Additionally there is all the normal stuff: come prepared to maintain your bike, fix your bike on the trail, repair flat tires, deal with bad weather and rain and make a joke or two.

How do I make the GPS stuff so easy?

I develop very high quality ride maps custom for our ride. They come from much of what I and others have ridden. I take the best from all my rides and make new ones.

(See my Custom Ride Maps Video)

Note from me, gpsKevin

My goal for this ride is simple: great riding. You can count on great routes and places to ride.

But in addition, the ride is about discovering new places, meeting new friends, seeing new parts of the Southwest.

Thanks

gpsKevin

FAQ's

Q: Would this be a good ride for new riders?

A: No, this ride is for intermediate and experienced riders only. The riding has easy route choices and tough route options. Each evening we will study the following day's choices. You will find lots of supportive people at the ride.

Q: What are motel room arrangements?

A: You are on you own to make arrangements. I recommend reservations.

Q: What bikes are right for this ride?

A: Bikes from dualsport to large adventure bikes can all do well, it depends on your ride choices

Q; What do I do if I don't have a Garmin gps?

A: Buy one, you need it. Get a Garmin, it is still the most reliable

Q: Is the riding really on my own?

A: Yes, but almost everyone hooks up and rides with a friend, or a new friend.