Backcountry Discovery Routes Steps Up: $25,000 Donation to Rebuild Damascus, VA Post-Storm

Backcountry Discovery Routes Steps Up: $25,000 Donation to Rebuild Damascus, VA Post-Storm

Seattle-based nonprofit Backcountry Discovery Routes (BDR) has made a decisive move to aid the small town of Damascus, Virginia, in its recovery from the devastation caused by Tropical Storm Helene. The organization, known for pioneering adventure motorcycle routes across the U.S., contributed $25,000 to the town’s relief fund, marking a significant moment in BDR’s commitment to supporting rural communities along its routes.

Damascus, often referred to as “Trail Town USA” for its unique convergence of five iconic trails, including the Mid-Atlantic Backcountry Discovery Route (MABDR), has become a vital waypoint for adventure riders since the MABDR’s launch in 2017. Riders bring an influx of tourism dollars—filling hotels, patronizing local businesses, and fueling up before taking on the scenic route. However, the storm’s flooding on September 24, 2024, left homes, businesses, and trails severely damaged, threatening the town’s economy and its future as a tourism hub.

The Road to Recovery

Through its Access & Advocacy grant program, BDR allocated funds to the Damascus Strong Fund, which supports infrastructure repairs and trail restoration. BDR representatives Tim James, Kirk Lakeman, and Michael Bielecki personally delivered the check at a town council meeting on November 5, 2024, where the emotional exchange underscored the significance of the town’s role in the adventure riding community.

“The scale of destruction was sobering, but so was the spirit of the people in Damascus,” shared Tim James, BDR Board President. “Their resilience and unity inspired us to act quickly and decisively to support them as a cornerstone of our route network.”

The Future Looks Bright

Damascus is set to play an even larger role in the BDR ecosystem with the launch of the South East BDR (SEBDR) in Spring 2025. This new route will connect the Gulf of Mexico to Damascus, positioning the town as a dual-route hub and promising increased visitation by motorcyclists. With projections pointing to these two routes becoming the most popular in the network, the future economic boost to Damascus comes at a critical time.

The BDR’s mission to stimulate rural economies through tourism is backed by data: a 2023 study highlighted a $60 million annual economic impact driven by BDR riders across all routes. Damascus, already a beneficiary of this model, stands to gain even more in the years ahead.

For those eager to see how adventure riding fosters economic development in small communities, the BDR Economic Impact Study is a must-read. This contribution to Damascus exemplifies how partnerships between organizations and rural towns can lead to resilience, recovery, and growth.