Teen Treks

Across America is Across America!

2011-08-19T09:19:00.012-04:00

"The Across America Trekkers triumphantly arrived in New York City on Tuesday under sunny skies. The journey took 28 maps, 16 jars of peanut butter, 7 buckets of oatmeal, 26 flat tires, 4 bottles of sunscreen, 4 cans of bug spray, 6 bottles of hot sauce, 17 bike shop visits, and 14 ice cream stops to ride the 3,487 miles in 54 days through 12 US states and 1 Canadian province. Wow.

In the New York, our first stop was Central Park for a picnic lunch. Then we headed to our hotel, riding through Times Square and along the Hudson River bike path. After some much appreciated showers, the group headed to Chinatown for dinner, followed by sundaes. After a great night's sleep, we took a morning subway ride to the Carnegie Deli, where we enjoyed a big breakfast and marveled at the even bigger pastrami sandwiches brought out to neighboring tables. Afterwords, we explored the city on foot, checking out shops along the way, plus FIT's photography and fashion exhibits, and a Greenwich Village coffee shop. Back at the hotel, the Trekkers were joyfully reunited with their families, and after a tasty dinner and many photos and hugs, the Camels of the Dawn parted ways, each taking home matching bike shorts tans and great memories." -Taylor, Trek Leader

Across America Almost Home

2011-08-15T20:34:00.001-04:00

"The Across America group is almost home - we're only fifty miles from NYC. We have a reservation at a swanky four-star hotel to celebrate, and plans for either sushi or New York-style pizza (both are delicious).
The past couple of days have been wet (thanks to the on-and-off rain), but enjoyable nonetheless. We biked along the edge of the Catskills, saw some live music, and stumbled onto a town's 200th birthday party, complete with square-dancing. As exhausting as it's been, every one of us is sad to see this trip come to an end. NYC, here we come!"

Across America Reunion Trek Seeks Bigger & Bigger Mountains

2011-08-14T10:31:00.002-04:00

Here at Teen Treks, the action is constant. For the across America reunion tour, a short 95 mile day into Lake Placid just didn't cut it in terms of physical activity. In order to kill those regretful ice cream calories the group set out to conquer Algonquin Mountain. After record breaking four and a half hours the group made it up and back down the four mile, three thousand vertical foot trail to the summit. After a delegant homemade lasagna and a fantastic night's sleep in hostel beds it was once again time to ride those bikes! 'Twas a quick 40 mile ride downhill with a nice tailwind to the ferry across Lake Champlain headed for Burlington, VT. After a two hour beach excursion in waiting for the ferry the group set sail for Burlington. The group spent the rest of the day and half of the next exploring the sprawling city and making use of nearby coffee shops in order to feed their addictions, after which it was high time to head off for what had long been awaited...the Ben & Jerry's factory where a quick tour was taken before the battle between Teen Treks and the Ultimate Vermonster. After 20 painful minutes and several casualties the monster was defeated in a valiant effort. With spirits high and energy through the roof the group set off to finish the rest of their journey over tall mountains and against strong winds. With the confidence gained from the Battle of the Vermonster this happy family can and will conquer all that lies in their path!

Niagara-Toronto Trek Reaches Goal

2011-08-12T22:56:00.004-04:00

The Niagara Toronto Trek followed the shores of Lake Erie along the Waterfront Bike Trail from Burlington through to Toronto. In Burlington the group found an awesome waterpark and took a break from cycling to try out the large waterslides and pools. They reached Bronte Provincial Park and made dinner and smoores over the campfire before sunset. Their last day cycling was Thursday and they found a neat pier outside Toronto to swim and enjoy the wonderful lakeshore. For the next 2 days they're exploring Toronto and staying in the downtown youth hostel before busing it back to Buffalo on Sunday.

Across America Comes Home!

2011-08-10T12:46:00.005-04:00

"Greetings from Buffalo, New York, the birthplace of Teen Treks!

The Across America trekkers had a rainy ride into Niagara yesterday morning, where we met Cliff (the man behind Teen Treks!) for some misty sightseeing of the falls. We then rolled on into Buffalo, with Cliff as our "point". (That's leader/navigator in TT language.)

We had a wonderful time hanging at Teen Treks Headquarters, doing some bike maintenance, gabbing, and trying to dry off. The night was spent at a radical hostel in the downtown area, and the Teen Treks family all came over for a very tasty meal followed by some incredible chocolate cake made by Carol. (That's right, AA Reunioners. We got cake. You be jealous.) The Teen Treks family--Ben, Cliff, Carol, and all the leaders and campers--truly is a special one, and we all had a wonderful time enjoying each other’s company!

Speaking of friendly people, we have met a great many on this epic pilgrimage to NYC. We've been blessed with great kindness and generosity from complete strangers (though they are certainly not strangers now!), and we'd like to take a moment to thank them. It's the people we've met that have made this trip over-the-top fantastic. Thank you, thank you, thank you!

Peace and good vibes to all" -Jenna, Teen Trekker

Here is a link to a YouTube video of Jenna & Rebecca, Enjoy!

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=FibG-04GIRg

Across America Reunion Visits Grandma!

2011-08-09T09:21:00.002-04:00

"After our rainy day in New Paltz we took a little ride on up to the Ashokan reservoir before heading on to Woodstock where went swimming in the stream that runs through town. And then we cycled over the river and through the woods to Bryan's grandmother's house for a nice home cooked Italian meal, or should I say feast! Good times. Today we got up early so we could go see Howe's Caverns, a beautiful underground cavern near Albany. Tomorrow we enter adirondack park which will hopefully remind us of the days that we ride through Clearwater National Forest last year." - Adam, Trekker

NYC-Montreal Trek is Winding Down in Montreal

2011-08-08T22:57:00.004-04:00

"We've made our destination - Montreal, and having a great time. Yesterday we checked out the History of Architecture Museum, Old Montreal, the waterfront, and went shopping, all despite some rain showers. Today we're climbing Mont Royal for a nice view of the city and then heading to a labyrinth to get lost for a few hours. We will cook dinner at the hostel this evening before heading to the bus station for our long ride home to the Big Apple. We'll see you parents real soon." - Laura, Trip Leader

Follow the trip:

http://maps.google.com/maps/ms?authuser=0&vps=2&ie=UTF8&hl=en&oe=UTF8&msa=0&msid=206781293978240337088.0004a664e7aa8c643e9d5

Niagara - Toronto Trek is Having a Blast!

2011-08-08T12:32:00.006-04:00

"The first day, we learned each others names. Jonny, Russell, Tyler, Ilana, and Kramer. Tyler remembers them by Jonny on the Spot, Rustling leaves, Kraven, and Ilana Llama. On the First Day we went up to the top of the observation tower at the Buffalo City Hall, walked around a house that Frank Lloyd Wright built, rode our bikes around Delaware Park and then saw a Shakespeare play while eating food from an ice- cream place called Anderson's. On the second night, we had glowing sword fights on Clifton Hill in Niagara Falls, ON. On Clifton Hill, there was a golden man that was selling beads and there was also a fun house that we went inside of. On the third day we were amazed by the Maid of the Mist at Niagara Falls. We had an adventure going towards the Niagara River. We rock climbed many rocks. The third night, we stormed Fort George and Fort Mississauga and then hung out by Lake Ontario. Then we stopped at the golf club and got banana splits. We are having a blast riding to Toronto!" - Jonny on the spot, Teen Trekker

***Correction on the first blog entry***

We posted that the group choose to go to the battleships at the Navel Park rather than the Frank Llyod Wright house, in fact they were actually able to do both!

Across America Reunion Trek is in the Hudson Valley!

2011-08-07T15:50:00.005-04:00

"After passing through the freshwater ponds of western Connecticut, the vast farmland of Dutchess county, and the bustling town of Poughkeepsie, NY, it can be wonderful to sit down to a cup of lavender tea or hazelnut-flavored hot chocolate, sit back in one of the hippest cages around, and relax. This is where you can find the Across America Reunion Trek, traveling at a comfortable pace. Tomorrow, we will hit the catskills and travel north to the Albany area. We hope that this year's Across America Trek is jealous." -Adam, Trekker

Niagara - Toronto Trek Starts in Buffalo, NY!

2011-08-05T16:29:00.003-04:00

The group met up in the city of Buffalo, NY with great excitement for the adventure ahead of them. They took a small loop around the city and found a few bike problems that are expected at the start of any bike trip. After stopping by the legendary local bike shop, Rick's Cycle the second oldest bike shop in the country, they were on their way to explore the city. Deciding to see the Battleships at Navel park rather then the Frank Lloyd Wright houses the group is beginning to understand that biking with Teen Treks is an adventure that they control... and they are loving it! Tonight they're off for Shakespeare in the Park.

Across America Reunion Trek Begins!

2011-08-05T16:25:00.004-04:00

"Excitement rippled throughout New Haven, CT as eager Teen Trekkers made their way to the start of this years marvelous trip. An eclectic assortment of New Haven's finest food awaited our young heroes as they leap into the arms of their comrades. Summer had properly begun. As the evening grew late tales were told of our winters, jazz spilled from the piano as Gavriel and Tyler pounded away and food was constantly consumed. Journals from last year's trip were brought out and stories retold for the umpteenth time. At far too late an hour we retired and awoke to homemade pancakes, replicas from those which were consumed one year ago to the day in Minneapolis. We assembled bikes marveling at their clean and patched up nature, recovered from last year's epic journey. The rhythmic breathing of pumps filled the air while freewheels clicked as chains were oiled, a sound that would hopefully follow us as we rode more down than up. We anxiously set off, wondering how we would ever surpass last years trip, but we knew deep down somehow it'd happen. "Ride safe" was the last we heard as we set off into the great unknown." -Adam, Teen Trekker

Maine Coast Trek Welcomes a New Day!

2011-08-05T13:45:00.003-04:00

"On July 3rd we all woke up at 3am, left the camp site at 3:30, and reached the summit of Cadillac Mountain just after 5am to see the sunrise from the point in the US from which it's first visible. To quote Gabe, 'It was the most gorgeous sight I've ever seen!' We ate breakfast and lunch at the top. The descent was equally grueling. After the climb we decompressed by seeing 'Captain America' which, while cheezy, wasn't bad. The movie theater was awesome! It was called 'Reel Pizza' and had super comfortable couches and the option of eating pizza while we watched" - Gillian, Trip Leader

New York - Montreal Trek Enjoys Vermont

2011-08-05T13:42:00.004-04:00

"Yesterday we were in Burlington, Vt. where we stopped at Ben & Jerry's (The original Ben & Jerry's was about 30 miles out of the way so we decided to just stop at a regular one, but hey it was still in Vermont). Six of the teens got a Vermonter which took about 6.3 seconds to finish the twenty scoops of ice cream. We took a great ferry ride across Lake Champlain where we met up with another Trip Leader heading to Buffalo, NY for the Niagara- Toronto Trek. We created a game while biking that involves squeaky toys, Cows and Horses! It's hard to explain. Also, we had a birthday on the trip so we stopped for Rice Crispy treats to celebrate. The biking has been awesome. Vermont is home to some great bike paths. We've had a few flat tires but nothing we can't handle. Overall the group has picked up the pace and is really starting to love biking" - Laura, Trek Leader

Follow the trip:

http://maps.google.com/maps/ms?authuser=0&vps=2&ie=UTF8&hl=en&oe=UTF8&msa=0&msid=206781293978240337088.0004a664e7aa8c643e9d5

Pacific Northwest Trek is "The Amazing Thing"

2011-08-05T13:30:00.004-04:00

"Today was one of the most fun days of the trip. We slept on the beach on an island near Port Townsend. There were little fish and hermit crabs scuttling around in the water. It was nice sleeping on the sand and listening to the waves.

Around noon we found a place to rent kayaks. I apologize for their being no pictures. If I had taken my camera out I am sure I would have dropped it in the lake. One group had a splashing battle and another group poked around some docks to look at starfish. We saw seals too poking their heads out of the water to look at us.

Later in the day Kirsten and I hashed out a surprise for our teens. We kept it a secret, referring to it as "The Amazing Thing". We had all sorts of fun with this. We would yell to the teens, "We are nearing the Amazing Thing" or "The Amazing thing does not like to be kept waiting!" The amazing thing turned out to be a hot tub, swimming pool, and a chance to take showers and do laundry. It was worth the wait.

Our trip is almost over. We decided to tell each other our favorite parts of the trip. For most it was the view on Mt. Constitution and Hurricane Ridge, for others it was the food, and also the cities. We will be flying home soon with satisfaction that our summer was filled to the brim with great experiences thanks to our bike tour!" - Jacob, Trip Leader

Across America Trek Takes Time to Enjoy WI

2011-08-03T10:58:00.006-04:00

"The Across America Trekkers enjoyed spending the past weekend in Madison, Wisconsin, where we took full advantage of the hostel's kitchen, making enchilada casserole, a frittata, pancakes, and smoothies. We spent Sunday afternoon exploring the town on foot, then met up with my mom for dinner at a Nepalese restaurant, followed by scoops of Madison-made ice cream.
We took our time getting to Milwaukee over the next two days, riding on the Glacial Drumlin Trail, checking out coffee shops along the way, and sharing our dinner with a bike-touring ukelele player. In Milwaukee, we visited the Riverwalk and ate at an Ethiopian restaurant before heading to our hotel room for a dip in the hot tub and a movie. Then this morning we rose early to board the Lake Express ferry to Michigan, the ninth state along our route. After napping through the ride, we're ready to hit the road once again." - Taylor, Trip Leader

"Hi! I'm Taylor's mom. On Sunday my friend and I drove up from Illinois to meet up with the Across America Trek group in Madison, WI. Took them to dinner and some ice cream, which seems to have become an addiction for this bunch! They're doing great!!! Looking tanned and fit and strong, and having a blast." -Kim, Taylor's Mom

***Trip Tracker***

It seems that for some reason the Trip Tracker for this trip isn't updating properly. We're going to be creating a new map that will launch in the next few days. Sorry for the Tech Problem!

Also, One of the teens on this trip is raising money for the Make-A-Wish foundation. Here is a link to her personal website where you can learn about and support her great cause, http://www.wishrider.com

Pacific Northwest Trek Has an Amazing Day in Olympia

2011-08-01T16:31:00.005-04:00

"Yesterday we arrived in Olympia National Park. This was probably the hardest uphill climb of the whole trip. The campsite was five miles up and it was another 13 miles or so to the top. The road past the campsite wasn't all that steep and went by pretty fast. We passed through a layer of cloud to get to the top. We worried there would be nothing to see because of the mist but we heard from others that it was clear at the top. The mist was so dense we were all soaked even though it was not raining. It was as dark as twilight in the clouds and it was odd how tunnels materialized out of the mist just 20 feet in front of us. At the top there was a stellar view. It was as good as the view from Mt Constitution on Orcas Island. We watched the mist flow through the mountains as if they were liquid. We stayed up there for many hours because we knew it was cloudy at the campsite. We watched deer and their babies walk around the visitor center. Finally we descended back to camp. We flew 3500 ft down in elevation on our bicycles. It was cold and exhilarating. At night we huddled around the campfire at ate s'mores. Tomorrow we go to Sequim State Park." - Jacob, Trip Leader

The Across America Trek Thru Minnesota and Wisconsin

2011-08-01T15:33:00.005-04:00

The Across America Trek has found some time for activities, even during their 60-85 miles/day itinerary. They stopped at the Wilder Museum in Walnut Grove, MN, biked/walked some awesome 1/2 mile tunnels (it's dark inside) along the Elroy Sparta Trail in Wisconsin, and visited the Dr. Evermor Sculptures in Baraboo, WI. The group took their first day off in weeks yesterday in Madison, WI and are enjoying the cushy beds at the local youth hostel. Life is good!

Pacific Northwest Trek is Having a Great Time!

2011-07-31T09:05:00.001-04:00

"We spent all of today exploring the city of Victoria, BC. The buildings share elements of victorian and modern architecture. There is a stone building which looks like a miniture british parliment and touristy shops all on the same block. We went to the BC natural history museum. We all wondered what the difference was between natural history and regular history. There were exhibits on indians native to the island. The teens saw an imax movie about elephants and monkeys raised by humans. The rest of the day was spent looking at shops and watching street performers." - Jacob, Trip Leader

New York - Montreal Trek Starts Crusing

2011-07-29T14:41:00.005-04:00

A few days into the trip, those leg muscles are starting to grow and the group is kicking it into high gear. Heading for Albany, the teens are really looking forward to staying in a hotel for the next two nights. The group spirits are at an all time high!

Follow the trip:

http://maps.google.com/maps/ms?authuser=0&vps=2&ie=UTF8&hl=en&oe=UTF8&msa=0&msid=206781293978240337088.0004a664e7aa8c643e9d5

Pacific Northwest Trek is in Vancouver!

2011-07-29T13:44:00.004-04:00

"Yesterday we arrived in beautiful Vancouver BC! This is our first hostel since Seattle so everyone was eager to do laundry and go to a restaurant. It was rather strange not seeing raccoons at dinner like usual! But the truth is we missed the wildlife and hope to see more wildlife in Olympia National Forest later in the trip.We entered the south end of the city and decided to take the Skytrain to get the best view. We walked around today because there was so much to do right next to the hostel. We went to a park for lunch and decided to see Harry Potter. Tomorrow we will go to the city of Victoria on Vancouver Island!" - Jacob, Trek Leader.

Maine Coast Trek Puts Miles Behind Them With Ease!

2011-07-28T16:05:00.005-04:00

"We rode really well from our last campsite which was just out side Portland. Our ride into to Portland was done pretty quickly, so we were able to check into the hotel around 2pm. We cooked dinner by the water but unfortunately we did get a little rained on but we found some shelter so that was good. The next day we checked out a lighthouse that was an old military fort. We got to climb around all of the field structures and hang out a little. After lunch we took short ride on a bike path to the beach. After that we came back to the hotel and watched some movies we got up early this morning and are riding really great towards the LL Bean Headquarters." Mark, Trip Leader.

Follow the Trip:

http://maps.google.com/maps/ms?authuser=0&vps=3&hl=en&ie=UTF8&oe=UTF8&msa=0&msid=206781293978240337088.0004a664a1d16b6cbfdda

New York Montreal Trek Bikes the Hudson Valley

2011-07-27T10:56:00.004-04:00

The 12 Trekkers of the NYM-J25 headed through Croton on Hudson, Peekskill, and Cold Spring, and are approaching Poughkeepsie. The days have been long and fairly hot, interspersed with rain showers. Last night the group gladly rewarded themselves with a pizza dinner in Cold Spring and then camped on the shore of the Hudson just north of town. Today the group will visit the Walkway over the Hudson in Poughkeepsie and FDR's home in Hyde Park.

Follow the trip:

http://maps.google.com/maps/ms?authuser=0&vps=2&ie=UTF8&hl=en&oe=UTF8&msa=0&msid=206781293978240337088.0004a664e7aa8c643e9d5

Maine Coast Trek Escapes The Heat!

2011-07-26T14:23:00.004-04:00

"We were worried about the heat again, but we got all of the rain in the morning so we got a little break. It was a nice ride, we had the ocean next to us the whole way. We stopped at Hampton beach and did some swimming, some playing around, throwing balls around, and reading books." -Mark, Trip Leader

Follow the Trip:

http://maps.google.com/maps/ms?authuser=0&vps=3&hl=en&ie=UTF8&oe=UTF8&msa=0&msid=206781293978240337088.0004a664a1d16b6cbfdda

Across America Trek Is Halfway!!!

2011-07-25T12:11:00.002-04:00

"Greetings, web-surfers, touring enthusiasts, intrigued friends, and anxious parental units! (Yes Mom and Dad, that means you..)

We're officially over halfway across the country, and over halfway through our trip! Today, (day 31), we hit the 2,000 mile mark. A celebratory carton of chocolate ice cream was promptly ravaged. Just yesterday we crossed into our seventh state of the trip--Minnesota.

The heat wave we faced last week has finally passed, and it is now possible to ride without the inherent fear of spontaneously combusting. As soon as the temperature dropped, though, the winds picked up. The one day they were blowing in our favor we were able to whiz through our first century of the trip! Since that glorious day, we've unfortunately found ourselves battling some gnarly headwinds as we venture East. If only I'd brought some sails to rig to my bike.... Luckily, we're all in super-rad shape by now, (seriously...I have muscles growing on my muscles!) so we've been able to put up a valiant fight against the gusts.

Highlights of this past week have included watching breathtakingly beautiful sunrises whilst riding at dawn, buying ten bags of Chex Mix at one time (it was one of those 10 for $10 deals... we just couldn't resist!), and sleeping in past 7:00 A.M. for the first time so far this trip. We also cycled through Little House on the Prairie territory and watched part of a pow-wow....so cool!

We've been having a BLAST out here as we trek across the U. S. of A., and we hope y'all are having at least half as much fun as we are!

Peace, and good vibes to all!"- Jenna Hill, Teen Trekker

Follow the trip:

http://maps.google.com/maps/ms?authuser=0&ie=UTF8&hl=en&oe=UTF8&msa=0&msid=206781293978240337088.0004a66235ae4e48d4ce7

Pacific Northwest Trek Makes It To The Top!

2011-07-25T12:01:00.002-04:00

"We stayed in Moran State Park today. We decided to hike up Mt. Constitution. A sign said three and a half miles to the top and we felt like we walked that far vertically! Once at the top we were stunned by the beauty of the view. We could see Mt. Ranier and Mt. Baker plus some jagged mountains on Vancouver Island. Many of the teens said it was the most amazing view they had ever seen. You could spend a lifetime exploring the San Juans. Orcas is only the tip of the iceberg. Ironically Mt. Constitution used to be at the tip of an iceberg because the whole area was carved out of glaciers many years ago." -Jacob, Trip Leader

European Phantom Trek Hits England

2011-07-25T11:44:00.003-04:00

"Partying London, peeping the big ben (which is actually just the bell of the tower) from the skyline as we swerve on the left side of the road. Enjoying all the ethnic meals, and excited to go to the Tate modern tomorrow. The hostel is brick, wooden and beautiful. Just a few blocks away we walked in the Beatles footsteps, walking with swag." - Tyler, Trip Leader

Follow the trip:

http://maps.google.com/maps/ms?authuser=0&vps=2&hl=en&ie=UTF8&oe=UTF8&msa=0&msid=206781293978240337088.0004a66409c08d24d426d

New England Coast Trek Takes a Look Back

2011-07-24T15:36:00.005-04:00

"I am having an awesome time with Teen Treks. Biking along the coast has been a blast because as we're biking we can look for cool places to swim along the way. I loved going to Block Island, RI it was small, but busy. We had a great little camping spot up in the woods. I thought Providence was really fun because we were in a fancy hotel in the middle of the city, right next to a mall, which was like, the biggest building had ever seen! On the cape we stopped at this really cool store and I saw this old Mexican skeleton from the day of the dead festival, when I asked the lady at the front of the store how much it was... I expected it to be about sixty bucks... but it was only twelve dollars! I'm having a fantastic time" -Henry Danielson, Teen Trekker

Follow the Trip:

http://maps.google.com/maps/ms?authuser=0&vps=2&hl=en&ie=UTF8&oe=UTF8&msa=0&msid=206781293978240337088.0004a664be5340c56cbca

Maine Coast Sets Out In Boston, MA

2011-07-22T16:59:00.004-04:00

On an amazingly hot and humid day, the group met up in Boston, MA. Lucky for the group, there wasn't much biking planned for this first day. They spent the afternoon exploring downtown Boston, and really enjoyed Boston Commons. Tonight they will stay in a hotel and wake up early ready to ride!

Follow the Trip:

http://maps.google.com/maps/ms?authuser=0&vps=3&hl=en&ie=UTF8&oe=UTF8&msa=0&msid=206781293978240337088.0004a664a1d16b6cbfdda

European Phantom Trek is Back in England!

2011-07-22T11:45:00.004-04:00

"On Tuesday night we left the Netherlands by way of ferry from Hoek van Holland. The overnight ferry had comfortable (but compact) cabins, giving us a good nights rest for our first day back in England. It was back to riding on the left side of the road for our two days ride to Cambridge, where we currently find ourselves. Although Cambridge does not have nearly as many bikes as Amsterdam or The Hague there are many bicycles in Cambridge. Today we are going to explore Cambridge University and go punting on the River Cam. And tonight we plan to enjoy Sheaksphere performances in the university." - EP Teen Trekkers

Follow the trip:

http://maps.google.com/maps/ms?authuser=0&vps=2&hl=en&ie=UTF8&oe=UTF8&msa=0&msid=206781293978240337088.0004a66409c08d24d426d

European Phantom Trek Bikes The Netherlands

2011-07-21T15:46:00.005-04:00

The European Phantom bikers left Amsterdam for Harlaam to tour a working, reconstructed windmill. The group then biked south on a damp day on the windy dune bike paths to Den Haag where they spent the night in a youth hostel to avoid the torrential rains. A fun stop in that city was the MC Escher Museum before biking on to Hoek van Holland to catch their overnight ferry across the Channel to Harwich, England for the final leg of their adventure.

Follow the trip:

http://maps.google.com/maps/ms?authuser=0&vps=2&hl=en&ie=UTF8&oe=UTF8&msa=0&msid=206781293978240337088.0004a66409c08d24d426d

Pacific Northwest Trek Starts Out on Foot

2011-07-19T20:54:00.004-04:00

"The Pacific Northwest group arrived in Seattle yesterday and has been enjoying the city by foot while waiting for bikes to arrive. Today we visited the Fish Market, the EMP museum, the SciFi museum, and took a look at the space needle! The Fish Market had tons of fresh fish and vibrantly colored flowers. In the museums, we learned a lot about the history of the Seattle music scene (Nirvana and Jimi Hendrix) and also saw an exhibit about the making of Avatar. In the Avatar exhibit we were even able to use virtual reality to see how we would look as a Na'vi. We almost have all the bicycles and we are excited to start biking tomorrow to our first campsite in South Whidbey Island State Park!" -Kirsten, Trek Leader

New England Coast Trek Leaves Providence, RI

2011-07-19T15:57:00.005-04:00

"Providence was very fun. We stayed at a hotel and after diner walked around and kind of got lost but it was hilarious. We saw the last Harry Potter movie at the mall, which was huge. We went shopping, it was awesome. Today we biked and 30 miles from Providence to Massachusetts and we're staying at this old campground. There is a vending machine that is from the 70's, probably not but it only cost 40 cents! My legs are starting to get used to the biking. It was really hard in the beginning. At the campground there is a nice guy who gave us firewood and everything. We've been meeting a lot of nice people lately. Not at all like in my town so I found it surprising. Well that about sums it up. Since I'm writing this on the 10th day, see you in 6 days peoples." -Giovanni Asperti, Teen Trekker

Follow the Trip:

http://maps.google.com/maps/ms?authuser=0&vps=2&hl=en&ie=UTF8&oe=UTF8&msa=0&msid=206781293978240337088.0004a664be5340c56cbca

Across America Trek is in South Dakota!

2011-07-19T14:45:00.004-04:00

"Here we are in south Dakota! Riding out the heat wave with afternoon
naps and sunrise pedeling. For this we have re-named our crew the
"camels of dawn."

Highlights of the past week:
Left big sky country (Montana)
Cut through the black hills to see Devils Tower
Crossed into our 6th state - South Dakota
Walked around Spearfish during their annual art fair...got some free lemonaid
Caught some zzzs in front of a bike shop before they opened
Saw the final installment of the Harry Potter series
Met a guy whose biked in nearly 50 countries
Roadthrough the Badlands National ParkAnd now we are eating lunch outside on an 1880s replica town

Tomorrow well be crossing the Misouri and treading on through Minnesota!

So long for now!" - Max, Trip Leader

Follow the trip:

http://maps.google.com/maps/ms?authuser=0&ie=UTF8&hl=en&oe=UTF8&msa=0&msid=206781293978240337088.0004a66235ae4e48d4ce7

Lake Ontario Trek peddles past Oswego, NY

2011-07-19T09:31:00.003-04:00

The group is peddling its way trough central New York and loving it. With the heat and humidity reaching near record levels, the group is starting the day a little earlier than normal to avoid that mid-day sun. They also have been stopping often at the many parks that dot the path, including several stops at the beach. The teens are about 70 miles from finishing their loop around the lake. Keep it up!

Follow the trip :

http://maps.google.com/maps/ms?authuser=0&vps=3&hl=en&ie=UTF8&oe=UTF8&msa=0&msid=206781293978240337088.0004a66489b5b30f5ae75

New England Coast Trek Gets a Taste of Providence.

2011-07-17T13:42:00.004-04:00

"Yesterday we had a lovely day in Newport and got to see the Breaker mansion, which I learned was built by the Vanderbilt's as a summer home. It was really cool looking back into the gilded age and hearing stories via audio tour of both the lavishly wealthy and the servents of the mansion.

Today we made it to Providence and found some great food and the Waterfire festival. We found a Chinese culture festival and right next to it were two food trucks. The teens either ate Korean or gyros and they were delicious. After that we ate ice cream and cannoli . Because it was a neat local thing I think everyone had a good time. It was also right next to the Waterfire festival which was great. The girls are already excited about all the shopping that awaits them tomorrow. Joe, Henry and Gabe are really into the festival right now and Alex is just happy to have eaten fried dough. Giovanni is down for anything. I didn't know a trip could go this well before tonight. Everyone here is having a blast and I am excited for the trip to continue and for the adventure that awaits us." - Colin, Trip Leader

Follow the Trip:

http://maps.google.com/maps/ms?authuser=0&vps=2&hl=en&ie=UTF8&oe=UTF8&msa=0&msid=206781293978240337088.0004a664be5340c56cbca

Maine Coast Trek Finishes Strong!

2011-07-17T13:17:00.005-04:00

The first Maine Coast Trek finished the adventure with great success! Congratulations on behalf of the Teen Treks staff. Your journey of just over 350 miles is one we're sure you will never forget.

Here is the group atop Dorr Mountain... a fitting final photo.

Follow the Trip:

http://maps.google.com/maps/ms?authuser=0&vps=2&doflg=ptm&ie=UTF8&hl=en&oe=UTF8&msa=0&msid=206781293978240337088.0004a6649835860c2921a

European Phantom Gets Poetic in Amsterdam

2011-07-17T11:52:00.013-04:00

"Amsterdam is great, the people are nice with good English accents too. Everyone bikes and the sights are breathtaking. We're having a great time and enjoying europe to the max.

AMSTERDAM (an acrostic)
Always fun
Many canals
Stoners
Tulips
Everyone bikes
Red Light District
Dam Square

Anne Frank House

Multatuli"

- The Whole EP Group

Follow the trip:

http://maps.google.com/maps/ms?authuser=0&vps=2&hl=en&ie=UTF8&oe=UTF8&msa=0&msid=206781293978240337088.0004a66409c08d24d426d

Lake Ontario Trek Crosses back into the USA!

2011-07-15T15:08:00.003-04:00

The group said good bye to the great country of Canada and a big hello to the United States when they crossed back into the states earlier today. Last night they stayed in Cape Vincent - Tibbetts Point Lighthouse Hostel. The great hostel and the triumph of the boarder crossing has the group spirit at an all time high!

Follow the trip :

http://maps.google.com/maps/ms?authuser=0&vps=3&hl=en&ie=UTF8&oe=UTF8&msa=0&msid=206781293978240337088.0004a66489b5b30f5ae75

New York - Montreal Trek in Northern New York and Vermont

2011-07-14T16:01:00.007-04:00

"Once we left Albany, we rode to Schuylerville. It was an easy ride except for the heat, but luckily we found a rope swing on the Hudson where we cooled off. That night we slept in a Yacht basin, where we cooked pancakes as "Brinner", and enjoyed a gallon of Arnold Palmer.The next day, we rode into Lake George. We were very early, so we stopped to play mini golf, where we sat and relaxed under misters. Then, we swam in Lake George to cool off again before biking to our campsite where we cooked burritos, swam, and went to sleep.

We woke up early the next morning, excited to take the Discovery Cruise across Lake George and eat a big breakfast buffet on the boat. We relaxed on the deck of the boat and played card games, before getting off and riding. Along our ride, we saw tons of cows. Then, we had to take a ferry into Vermont because a bridge was still being built. We ate S'mores and told ghost stories before retiring to our tents.

We were awoken by crows the next morning, one of which crashed into our tent. We saw more cows and farmland along

our ride, and a lot of maple syrup. The ride that day was the hardest yet, with tons of hills and a lot of heat. We were relieved when we arrived in Burlington, where we visited the original Ben & Jerry's and, of course, ate some delicious ice cream. Unfortunately, when we rode back to our campsite it was pouring rain, but we trooped through it, setting up our tents and wal

king into Burlington for a great dinner out. Today we started out on a ferry back to New York. It was an hour long, with a snack bar that sold yummy maple syrup candies. The ride after the ferry was easy except for a few brutal hills, but we arrived in Plattsburgh and ate lunch and took a nap near the boardwalk. Now we are going to our campsite and resting up for tomorrow, when we cross the border into Quebec." - Khaya Cohen, Teen Trekker, with contributions from all of the trekkers on the trip!

Follow the trip:

http://maps.google.com/maps/ms?authuser=0&vps=2&ie=UTF8&hl=en&oe=UTF8&msa=0&msid=206781293978240337088.0004a664f85ac1f256511

New England Coast Trek Stops in Mystic, CT

2011-07-14T11:24:00.005-04:00

"Got to Mystic today aftera long day of bikng filled with yummy treats. We got free Slurpees from 7-11, mystic pizza and ice cream by the quart. Here's what some of our Trekkers had to say:

"This is my first time biking like this. The people on the trip are friendly and nice, it is adventure I had never thought of doing but I am glad I havehad the chance to go. This is a trip I will never forget!" - Gabby Smith, Teen Trekker

"This bike trip is a continuous adventure. It connects you with frinds, and gives you chances to become a stronger person. I am having fun and I hope that will continue." - Maya Blumenberg-Taylor, Teen Trekker "

We can't wait to get to Block Island, we hear the beaches are great! " - Lauren, Trip Leader

Follow the Trip:

http://maps.google.com/maps/ms?authuser=0&vps=2&hl=en&ie=UTF8&oe=UTF8&msa=0&msid=206781293978240337088.0004a664be5340c56cbca

European Phantom is in Belgium!

2011-07-14T11:20:00.004-04:00

"After a tedious day of traveling by trains with our bikes we arrived in beautiful, medieval Ghent. After dropping our bikes at the hostel, we walked around in the rain in search of a good snack. And what better to have in Belgium but, waffles! We then climbed to the top of the belfory, the historic watch tower in the center of the city. All in all, despite the rain, a nice first day in Belgium." - Tyler, Trek Leader

Follow the trip:

http://maps.google.com/maps/ms?authuser=0&vps=2&hl=en&ie=UTF8&oe=UTF8&msa=0&msid=206781293978240337088.0004a66409c08d24d426d

Lake Ontario Trek is about halfway around the Lake!

2011-07-13T09:34:00.004-04:00

The group is having an amazing time skipping from one small beach town to another. Now in Sandbanks Provincial Park, the teens are about halfway around the Lake Ontario! Way to go! The teens have completed around 250 miles and they have another 250 to go. Good Luck! Here is the teens taking a time out for a well earned lunch.

Follow the trip :

http://maps.google.com/maps/ms?authuser=0&vps=3&hl=en&ie=UTF8&oe=UTF8&msa=0&msid=206781293978240337088.0004a66489b5b30f5ae75

Maine Coast Trek is in Orland, ME

2011-07-12T12:15:00.005-04:00

The Group has pulled into Orland, ME. They decided to go a little off of our suggested route at the advice of a local. He insisted that the alternative route was far better for biking, and he was right! While it did add a few miles to the daily ride the groups efforts paid off with stunning views like this light house! The teens ate dinner a restaurant called Old World Potato, where they specializes in, you guessed it, baked potatoes. The group loved it!

Follow the Trip

http://maps.google.com/maps/ms?authuser=0&vps=2&doflg=ptm&ie=UTF8&hl=en&oe=UTF8&msa=0&msid=206781293978240337088.0004a6649835860c2921a

New York - Montreal Trek is making a splash in Lake George!

2011-07-12T11:57:00.002-04:00

The group has made it to Lake George, NY, named for the huge lake of course. With the hot 90 degree days this rope swing looked far to tempting to pass by. Nearly every teen took a turn splashing into the cool Lake George waters. After a few hours swimming the group went to play a round or two of mini golf. This trip is really falling into the daily cycle of riding. Amazingly they cut 40 minutes off the expected time during today's ride!

Follow the trip:

http://maps.google.com/maps/ms?authuser=0&vps=2&ie=UTF8&hl=en&oe=UTF8&msa=0&msid=206781293978240337088.0004a664f85ac1f256511

European Phantom is enjoying Paris!

2011-07-12T10:16:00.004-04:00

"After seeing Versailles, we became acquainted with Paris by taking a walking tour. As our guide lead us through many of the famous sights he told us not only general information about the buildings and gardens but also funny stories about the history of the sights. After a bit of rest in the afternoon, we headed out to spend our evening at the Eiffel Tower. After climbing many stairs and taking a couple elevator rides, we finally made it to the top. We spent half an hour at the top appreciating the spectacular views and taking many selfies to document our visit. Later that night we biked around Paris and looked for a good place to get some crêpes; they brought a sweet ending to a great day in Paris." - Rachel Eisenberg and Penelope Duus , Teen Trekkers

Follow the trip:

http://maps.google.com/maps/ms?authuser=0&vps=2&hl=en&ie=UTF8&oe=UTF8&msa=0&msid=206781293978240337088.0004a66409c08d24d426d

Across America Trek Rides Over the Continental Divide

2011-07-12T09:20:00.005-04:00

"Montana has been very good to the Across America Trekkers so far. After some rest and Chinese food in Misoula, we returned to the road. Two solid riding days brought us to Butte, where we waited out a storm over french fries at a local diner. The next morning we rode over the Continental Divide, and then enjoyed coasting downhill for most of the rest of the day. We stopped off in Three Forks for lunch, where we visited the town's historical museum, which exhibited a 65 pound taxidermied beaver, a barbed wire collection, and a 19th century tools and clothes. After another night of camping, we rode into Bozeman on Saturday morning. While the leaders took care of some bike repairs, the trekkers explored the town's downtown. When we heard that Main Street would be closed to traffic that evening for the Tour de Bozeman bike races, we decided to stick around and watch. Afterwards we made root beer floats and took a dip in our motel's hot tub. We got out early the next morning, and according to our odometers, reached the 1,000 mile point of our trip. Two more full biking days has brought us out of the mountains and into Billings, where we're preparing for the next leg of our journey." - Taylor, Trip Leader

Follow the Trip:

http://maps.google.com/maps/ms?authuser=0&ie=UTF8&hl=en&oe=UTF8&msa=0&msid=206781293978240337088.0004a66235ae4e48d4ce7

New England Coast Trek Crossing Connecticut

2011-07-11T18:05:00.002-04:00

We just came into Rocky Neck Park after a great day biking in CT. High points included lunch at a Farmer's Market and swimming at the beach. We made great time today and got to the beach. Everyone is excited for Mystic Pizza tomorrow.

Follow the Trip:

http://maps.google.com/maps/ms?authuser=0&vps=2&hl=en&ie=UTF8&oe=UTF8&msa=0&msid=206781293978240337088.0004a664be5340c56cbca

European Phantom Follows Seine into Paris

2011-07-09T20:46:00.005-04:00

The European Phantom Trek is biking along the meandering Seine River through the cities of Rouen where the group visited and heard a concert in the famous Cathedral and onto Giverney to tour Monet's home and lily-pad gardens. They left the river for a detour to the Palace at Versailles and then they found the river again in the center of Paris. They have 3 nights in Paris and are staying in the youth hostel Jules Ferry near the Republique.

Follow the Trip:

http://maps.google.com/maps/ms?authuser=0&vps=2&hl=en&ie=UTF8&oe=UTF8&msa=0&msid=206781293978240337088.0004a66409c08d24d426d

New York Montreal Trek Makes it to the Capital

2011-07-09T14:40:00.005-04:00

“We are in our sixth day of our trip. We started out on bike trails into Croton, NY. We enjoyed camping and watching a 360 degree view of fireworks!. Our second day was brutal, because of the heat and hills. However, we finally made it to Snow Valley Campground, where we told ghost stories and ate cake. Our third day was very easy riding. It was mostly down hill. We stopped at FDR's house in the afternoon, and then continued on to our campground. That night, we had a water balloon toss and ate S'mores around a campfire while playing cards. We were sad to lose Daniel and Jacob from the trip. However, excited to continue on with the trip.

Our fourth day, we did a lot of riding. We decided to do more riding and then phantom camp. We stopped in the town of Hudson for pizza and found a place in the woods to camp. Yesterday, we made extremely good time, except for some bike problems and wrong turns. When we found our hotel, we decided to have a movie night with popcorn, taquitos, and Harry Potter! Our sleep was very nice. Today we are touring Albany. We stopped at a bike shop to drop off our bikes and are walking the city. We stopped at the Egg, the Capitol Building, and the NY State Museum. We will have lunch and shop on Lark Street, and then head back to our hotel pool ! :-)” – Abbey Ulman, Teen Trekker with contributions from all of the teens on the trip!

Follow the Trip:

http://maps.google.com/maps/ms?authuser=0&vps=2&ie=UTF8&hl=en&oe=UTF8&msa=0&msid=206781293978240337088.0004a664f85ac1f256511

Another New England Coast Trek Heads Out

2011-07-09T14:32:00.005-04:00

11 Trekkers and leaders Lauren & Colin set out for 16 days of biking along the Long Island Sound and Atlantic coast, passing through Connecticut, Rhode Island, Block Island, Cape Cod, and Boston. Today they will be swimming and camping at Hammonasset State Park.

Follow the trip:

http://maps.google.com/maps/ms?authuser=0&vps=2&hl=en&ie=UTF8&oe=UTF8&msa=0&msid=206781293978240337088.0004a664be5340c56cbca

Lake Ontario Treks' First Week on the Road

2011-07-09T11:07:00.007-04:00

"Week 1

Here we are on the Lake Ontario trek, between Buffalo and Toronto. We have already done a variety of things including crossing customs and arriving into Canada, getting soaked on Niagara Falls' Maid of the Mist, playing tic-tac-toe with peanut butter and jelly banana sandwiches, going shopping 14 times for lunch and dinner, and biking over 165 miles.

I am happy to notice the quality of the Food Commitee's meals increasing, much to my stomach's approval. The First Committe's lunch consisted of PBJs . Now, if you open everyone's panniers, you'll find a huge variety of condiments ranging from sweet potato hummus, curry powder, and if we're lucky, nutella.

When all of us met on the very first day, none of us knew each other. Now, after a week, we are all best friends. The first day, the typical conversation at dinner would be this:

"Hey, um, um, ummmm-"

"Bryson"

"Will you please pass the sandwich meat?"

"Yes of course"

But times have changed. And the past is not recent anymore. This is a current example of our dinner-time conversation:

"Yo yo yo!" I say, "Hook me up with that salsa!"

"I don't see it," says Laura. "And I'm wondering where the Hot Sauce is."

"Where's the hummus?" says Chris. "I want hummus."

"Fifty gold stars to whomever brings me hot sauce right now."

"Not in MY panniers!" says everyone.

"Someone's got to have hummus!" says Chris

"CHUMM-ous!" says Sylvia.

And this conversation goes on...

Camping has become increasingly easier. Rocks are a mutual hate if the tent is pitched ontop of them. The camping is INTENSE! (pun definitely included.)

Today we are on our way to a Hedge Maze. Walker is scared that we will all make it but one person; I hope that's not me!

Last week, while sitting around a camp fire, we played a game called "Mafia." The mafia won. That wasn't supposed to happen.

A few days ago, we visited a waterpark. Sam, Jason, Dan and I rode 1 ride the whole time. It was pitch black inside and it was so sick.

I hope everyone enjoys reading this as much as I enjoyed writing it. The Lake Ontario trip is awesome, as anyone here would tell you. Peace out, Bro, and read my next post next week.

Bryson Nager,

AKA Mike Bryson.

PS: Stay Hydrated with our Water Words of the Day:

1. "Aqua"

2. (Call:) "Tip That Jug" (Response:) "Chug Chug Chug!"

3. (Call:) H2 (Response:) Oh Yeah!

4. Sip It, Or Ticket!

5. Quench Yourself Or Bench Yourself

6. Drink Water- (Why?) It's Getting Hotter!" - Bryson Nager, Teen Trekker

Follow the trip :

http://maps.google.com/maps/ms?authuser=0&vps=3&hl=en&ie=UTF8&oe=UTF8&msa=0&msid=206781293978240337088.0004a66489b5b30f5ae75

Across America Trek: Looking Back on Week Two

2011-07-08T09:56:00.006-04:00

“Here's week #2! It's been another week for the Across America crew, so it's time for another weekly summary. This week's highlights were:

Day 8

Leaving Walla Walla (and, sadly, the cozy hotel room)
Seeing a sign for fifty-cent fries. Evidentally, the sign wasn't supposed to be up, but we got them anyway
Spending an hour looking for a town called Delaney; we never found it. Ghost town, ooooh...

Day 9

Morning climb to the top of Alpina (elevation 2600).
Eating knockoff triscuits for midmorning snack. Mmm, woven wheats.
Making fried rice for dinner

Day 10

Biking through scenic forests in Idaho, and doing 60 miles before lunch
Wading in a frigid stream, even though only one person braved the cold
Having someone offer to tow us across the US. We had to refuse… but it was tempting

Day 11

Hanging out at a gas station for three hours, talking to another cyclist
Finally making it to the top of Lolo Pass after climbing it for three days. The last three miles were the worst.
Celebrating the Fourth of July by cooking pea soup at 10 pm, and hiding all our food in the campground bathroom so bears didn't eat us.

Day 12

Talking to cyclists about to climb Lolo Pass. We wished them good luck, and were secretly thankful to not have to climb it again.
Finally getting cell phone reception and calling our anxious parents. "Why haven't you updated the blog yet?”
Visiting the Adventure Cycling office. Holy cow. The walls had photos of tons of other cyclists that had biked cross-country (one guy did it twelve times), and there were articles and memorabilia from the Bikecenntenial everywhere. The staff took our photos and let us stay in the lounge for a couple hours.

Day 13

Making lots of Made-it-Ade. "What?! Two bottles in one day? You're a fiend!"
Finding a road with zero cars on it!
Talking to a friendly couple from North Dakota with really strong Dakotan accents

Day 14

Seeing a crystal-clear lake as we climbed another mountain pass
Almost getting stuck in a rainstorm, but making it to Butte just in time.
Having the group leaders attempt to outlaw cookies. That wasn't a highlight…shame on you guys.

See you next week!" - Rebecca George, Teen Trekker

Follow the trip:

http://maps.google.com/maps/ms?authuser=0&ie=UTF8&hl=en&oe=UTF8&msa=0&msid=206781293978240337088.0004a66235ae4e48d4ce7

Lake Ontario pulls into Toronto, ON

2011-07-07T12:13:00.004-04:00

The group has had an exciting few days. After spending a lot of time exploring the Niagara falls region the group got on the bikes and started to ride. They soon got the hang of it and quickly have put about 105 miles in the past three days. Yesterday the group pulled into Toronto, ON and will spend the new two days finding out everything Toronto has to offer.

Follow the Trip:

http://maps.google.com/maps/ms?authuser=0&vps=3&hl=en&ie=UTF8&oe=UTF8&msa=0&msid=206781293978240337088.0004a66489b5b30f5ae75

Maine Coast Trek: A Day in the Life

2011-07-07T09:25:00.004-04:00

"Yesterday I road 53 miles from York, ME to Portland, ME even with having several flat tires. That night it was nice to sleep in a hotel and sleep in instead of waking up at 7am in a tent. We've found many good places to go, swimming spots which were refreshing after being on a bike in the blazing hot sun. Today we spent three hours playing Ultimate Frisbee and I caught both game winning catches. We also went to the biggest outdoor store I have ever seen which included a whole floor for guns and another whole floor for fishing gear. One of the bad parts of New Hampshire and Maine is that there are massive amounts of bugs that will bite you from head to toe, so I have been wearing long pants and a rain jacket at the camp sites. Other than the bugs the trip has been spectacular! " -Noah Monastersky, Teen Trekker

Follow the Trip:

http://maps.google.com/maps/ms?authuser=0&vps=2&doflg=ptm&ie=UTF8&hl=en&oe=UTF8&msa=0&msid=206781293978240337088.0004a6649835860c2921a

New England Coast Trek Found Another Place to Swim

2011-07-06T20:05:00.005-04:00

The New England Coast Trek reached Cape Cod yesterday following some neat bike paths and bridges on their way to Sandwich, MA. Today they tried out the beaches in Dennis, MA during their days ride toward Brewster, MA and Nickerson State Park.

Follow the Trip:

http://maps.google.com/maps/ms?authuser=0&vps=2&jsv=351a&ie=UTF8&hl=en&oe=UTF8&msa=0&msid=206781293978240337088.0004a66367aabbc3e4e1d

New York-Montreal Trek Checks out the FDR Home

2011-07-06T19:52:00.003-04:00

The New York-Montreal Trekkers continue their way up the Hudson Valley. They had a great 4th of July at Croton Point Park where the fireworks were awesome. The next day was a very hot and hilly ride visiting the Hudson shoreline to cool off and the quaint town of Cold Spring. Today they passed through Poughkeepsie and stopped at FDR's home for a historic tour before finding their way to their campground at Mills State Park.

Follow the Trip:

http://maps.google.com/maps/ms?authuser=0&vps=2&ie=UTF8&hl=en&oe=UTF8&msa=0&msid=206781293978240337088.0004a664f85ac1f256511

European Phantom Explores France

2011-07-06T10:46:00.007-04:00

Off the boat in France the group had to adjust to biking on the right side of the road and a new language. Luckily several group members speak French. Their days ride included the Pont de Normandie , a modern suspension bridge over the Seine and the town of Honfleur, one of the most beautiful cities in France. Their day ended at the campground on top of a hill overlooking the Seine in the small village Conteville.

Follow the Trip:

http://maps.google.com/maps/ms?authuser=0&vps=2&hl=en&ie=UTF8&oe=UTF8&msa=0&msid=206781293978240337088.0004a66409c08d24d426d

European Phantom Trek Crosses the Channel

2011-07-06T10:35:00.005-04:00

Biking through Southhampton and onto Portsmith was beautiful as the group followed a coastal route of bikepaths and 3 ferrys (including a small, very pink ferry). They arrived in Portsmith in time to walk through the Maritime Museum to see many famous boats of the once powerful British Navy. Late that night they caught an overnight ferry that took them to LeHavre, France.

Follow the trip: http://maps.google.com/maps/ms?authuser=0&vps=2&hl=en&ie=UTF8&oe=UTF8&msa=0&msid=206781293978240337088.0004a66409c08d24d426d

Across America pulls into Missoula, MT

2011-07-05T15:28:00.003-04:00

"Across America is rolling into Missoula, Montana today, after spending our Fourth of July climbing up Lolo Pass in Idaho. It was 5200 feet up at the top! We followed the Clearwater River to the Lochsa River as we climbed, and the scenery was beautiful. Blue skies, tall pines, and clear rivers. We rode 70 miles that day, and 85 the day before, so we're looking forward to a restful afternoon in Missoula." -Taylor, Trip Leader

Follow the Trip: http://maps.google.com/maps/ms?authuser=0&ie=UTF8&hl=en&oe=UTF8&msa=0&msid=206781293978240337088.0004a66235ae4e48d4ce7

New York - Montreal Trek Heads North Up the Hudson

2011-07-04T20:57:00.005-04:00

"Everything went great today! After meeting early this morning at the 42nd St. Library in Manhattan, we caught a train up to Tuckahoe to begin our bike adventure. We had a good time getting lost a couple of times and everyone getting used to their bikes. We took a break during the hot day to enjoy some ice cream sandwiches and are about to head off to hopefully see fireworks over the Hudson!" -Elise, Trip Leader

Follow the Trip:

http://maps.google.com/maps/ms?authuser=0&vps=2&ie=UTF8&hl=en&oe=UTF8&msa=0&msid=206781293978240337088.0004a664f85ac1f256511

New England Coast Trek is Living it up in Providence, RI

2011-07-03T23:57:00.005-04:00

From the grunge of camping and biking to a luxurious Marriott hotel in downtown Providence. These Trekkers are livin it up. On Saturday they played group games in Roger Williams Park and hung out at the Waterfire Festival in the evening. On Sunday they biked around Providence and in the evening the girls went for dinner and a movie (Midnight in Paris) and the boys did dinner and an arcade. Now back in their hotel they are getting ready for tomorrows ride toward Cape Cod.

Follow the trip:

http://maps.google.com/maps/ms?authuser=0&vps=2&jsv=351a&ie=UTF8&hl=en&oe=UTF8&msa=0&msid=206781293978240337088.0004a66367aabbc3e4e1d

Maine Coast Trek's First Biking Day

2011-07-03T23:44:00.005-04:00

On Saturday morning the Maine Coast Trekkers got an early start out of their Courtyard Marriott hotel and caught a train to take them beyond the Boston burbs. They started biking in Salem, MA. and took some really nice back roads up to Gloucester. The day was not uneventful with their share of flat tires, derailleur adjustments, and a few extra miles due to a wrong turn. Nevertheless the group is in great spirits and made it to their campground in time to cook dinner.

Follow the Trip:

http://maps.google.com/maps/ms?authuser=0&vps=2&doflg=ptm&ie=UTF8&hl=en&oe=UTF8&msa=0&msid=206781293978240337088.0004a6649835860c2921a

European Phantom is Biking in England and Loving It!

2011-07-03T18:38:00.005-04:00

"We've been biking through hills upon hills of Europe, yelling at every new hill, and smiling at every downhill. Upon our travels we made friends at the youth hostel in Salisbury, people from Australia, other parts of Europe, and just annoying yelling kids. We visited a great bunch of stones at Stonehenge (overrated) and then hit the Salisbury Cathedral, and took a very long tour with a hilarious old English man, seeing the earliest clock still around. The architecture of England is beautiful as is all of England. We just biked to the beach and are now skipping stones in the river, peace."- Milo Selchaif, Teen Trekker

Follow the trip:

http://maps.google.com/maps/ms?authuser=0&vps=2&hl=en&ie=UTF8&oe=UTF8&msa=0&msid=206781293978240337088.0004a66409c08d24d426d

Lake Ontario Trek Began Today

2011-07-02T13:21:00.007-04:00

10 strong bikers and 2 Trek Leaders arrived in Buffalo for an awesome 500+ mile adventure around Lake Ontario. With no time to waste, they crossed the boarder into Canada over the Peace Bridge. Today the're biking 20+ miles to Niagara Falls, where the best views are seen from a bicycle. For the next 2 nights they are staying at the Canadian Niagara Falls Youth Hostel and tomorrow they will bike into NY to ride the Maid of the Mist under the falls and do some amazing hiking in the Niagara Gorge.

Follow the trip:

http://maps.google.com/maps/ms?authuser=0&vps=3&hl=en&ie=UTF8&oe=UTF8&msa=0&msid=206781293978240337088.0004a66489b5b30f5ae75

New England Coast Trek in Newport, RI

2011-07-02T13:13:00.006-04:00

A great day in Newport, RI on the Cliff Walk and seeing Mansion Row. Late in the day the group found a nice beach for a cool dip in the Atlantic. The group is heading today to Providence along some beautiful bike paths and will spend the next 2 nights at the downtown Marriott.

Follow the trip:

http://maps.google.com/maps/ms?authuser=0&vps=2&jsv=351a&ie=UTF8&hl=en&oe=UTF8&msa=0&msid=206781293978240337088.0004a66367aabbc3e4e1d

Across America Haikus

2011-07-02T12:58:00.004-04:00

"Last night our group wrote a bunch of haikus for the blog. Here they are:

Last night we tie-dyed.
Our fingers are shades of blue.
So are our t-shirts.

Woke up with waffles.
A continental breakfast
In Walla Walla.

We washed our bike shorts.
Clean clothing feels magical.
Thank you, Super 8.

Lunch in gazebo.
Met biker going westward.
Good luck with headwinds.

Fifty cent fry-days.
Found in Dayton gas station.
What a great value.

Try some Made-It-Ade:
Lemon juice, honey, and salt.
Max's recipe.

Two thousand foot climb.
Then ice cream in parking lot.
Thank you, Pomeroy." -AA Trekkers

Follow the trip:

http://maps.google.com/maps/ms?authuser=0&ie=UTF8&hl=en&oe=UTF8&msa=0&msid=206781293978240337088.0004a66235ae4e48d4ce7

European Phantom Trek Heads for Stonehenge

2011-07-02T12:40:00.005-04:00

After 2 days of biking the rolling hills through Basingstoke and onto Salisbury the group has 2 nights in the very nice Salisbury youth hostel. Today they left their panniers and took a leisurely ride (18 miles) to Stonehenge to view those ancient stone monuments. Along the way they passed through small villages with beautiful thatched roofed houses and village squares.

Follow the trip:

http://maps.google.com/maps/ms?authuser=0&vps=2&hl=en&ie=UTF8&oe=UTF8&msa=0&msid=206781293978240337088.0004a66409c08d24d426d

Maine Coast Trek Begins in Bean Town!

2011-07-01T13:19:00.003-04:00

Boston, MA is a great place to start an adventure. The group is off exploring everything that Boston has to offer. This year we have a new way of keeping track of our trip, custom maps on Google. Here is the link to the Maine Coast Trek map. It will be updated as the trip continues so be sure to check back regularly http://maps.google.com/maps/ms?authuser=0&vps=2&doflg=ptm&ie=UTF8&hl=en&oe=UTF8&msa=0&msid=206781293978240337088.0004a6649835860c2921a

European Phantom Trek Rides South!

2011-07-01T12:44:00.005-04:00

The teens are riding south to the town of Basingstoke, England. Along the way they are passing through the beautiful English countryside, dotted by small towns it is the best way to see the real England.

Follow the Trip:

http://maps.google.com/maps/ms?authuser=0&vps=2&hl=en&ie=UTF8&oe=UTF8&msa=0&msid=206781293978240337088.0004a66409c08d24d426d

Across America Trek: Looking Back on Week One

2011-07-01T10:55:00.004-04:00

"Hello from the public library in Walla Walla, Washington! The Across America crew is taking an easy day after an eventful week. Although we normally don't have time to write blog entries, today's leisure time seemed like the perfect opportunity. So, in order, the highlights of each day:

Day 0

- Everyone flying into Portland, causing various amounts of jetlag/culture shock

- Bus ride on beautiful Oregon roads to the Seaside hostel

- Assembling bikes under the stars

Day 1

- Dipping our bike wheels into the Pacific (and filling our shoes and chains with wet sand)

- First ride, first climb

- Cookies with peanut butter at the top of a hill

Day 2

- Waking up to a car show

- 7% grade on a downhill...yikes

- Going to a bike shop where the only thing the mechanics accomplished was eating cupcakes

Day 3:

- Getting multiple flats

- Crossing into Washington

- MASSIVE CLIMB (around 1000ft)

Day 4:

- Mosquitoes everywhere

- The map lying about the flatness of the road

- Finally finding a town, and finding out the grocery store was, 1. In White Salmon, 2. Up a hill.

Day 5:

- Seeing pietroglyphs/Great Plains-like terrain

- Eating lunch at an aluminum plant

- Entering a thirty-five mile stretch of emptiness

Day 6:

- Uneventful biking for most of the day, aside from a giant tailwind (some of the group hit 25 mph on the flats)

- Hitting our first real town in two days

Day 7:

- Entering Walla Walla

- Getting to a hotel

- Coffee with milk (yaaay)

Trip statistics so far;

Jars of peanut butter: 4

Flat tires: 8

Bags of pretzels: 3

Impromptu icecream stops: 2

Buckets of oats: 2

Visits to bike shops: 4

States: 2

Laundry stops: 1" - Rebecca George, Teen Trekker

Follow the trip:

http://maps.google.com/maps/ms?authuser=0&ie=UTF8&hl=en&oe=UTF8&msa=0&msid=206781293978240337088.0004a66235ae4e48d4ce7

Across America Trek Travels to Roosevelt, WA

2011-06-30T11:50:00.005-04:00

The group has rolled into the second state of the trip, the great state of Washington. On their way to Roosevelt, WA the group is having a great time traveling along.

Follow the trip:

http://maps.google.com/maps/ms?authuser=0&ie=UTF8&hl=en&oe=UTF8&msa=0&msid=206781293978240337088.0004a66235ae4e48d4ce7

European Phantom Trek Starts in England

2011-06-30T09:35:00.007-04:00

"The day started at the airport when the four trekkers first met after our arival in England. Our first ride was a little shaky because it took some getting used to the weight on the back of our bikes and riding on the LEFT side of the road. Dispite the challenges, we made it to Windsor castle with relative ease and spent a few hours bonding and exploring the ancient structure. After sight seeing and laughing at the guards in the funny hats who seem to not have ankles we strolled into town and ate dinner at a real english pub where we chowed down on some scrumptious pub grub. It was a great first step on our European adventure".-Joni Geller, Teen Trekker.

Follow the Trip:

http://maps.google.com/maps/ms?authuser=0&vps=2&hl=en&ie=UTF8&oe=UTF8&msa=0&msid=206781293978240337088.0004a66409c08d24d426d

New England Coast Trek Hits the Beach!

2011-06-29T14:14:00.003-04:00

Now that they are on Block Island there is only one thing to do... get to the nearest beach! The weather on Block Island is 81 degrees with a slight breeze from the west, could you have a better day at the beach?

Follow the trip: http://maps.google.com/maps/ms?authuser=0&vps=2&jsv=351a&ie=UTF8&hl=en&oe=UTF8&msa=0&msid=206781293978240337088.0004a66367aabbc3e4e1d

New England Coast Trek Cruises on Land and Sea!

2011-06-29T12:33:00.003-04:00

After finishing an amazing 40 miles on their bikes the group went aboard the Block Island Ferry. After changing a few tires the teens made the 40 miles, the most miles the group will do in a single day, look easy. Enjoy Block Island!

Follow the trip:

http://maps.google.com/maps/ms?authuser=0&vps=2&jsv=351a&ie=UTF8&hl=en&oe=UTF8&msa=0&msid=206781293978240337088.0004a66367aabbc3e4e1d

New England Coast Trek Finds the Pool!

2011-06-28T10:02:00.003-04:00

It didn't take long for the group to find out the best way to cool off and relax those leg muscles is to dive right in! Tomorrow the group will take a ferry to Block Island, RI.

Follow the trip:

http://maps.google.com/maps/ms?authuser=0&vps=2&jsv=351a&ie=UTF8&hl=en&oe=UTF8&msa=0&msid=206781293978240337088.0004a66367aabbc3e4e1d

Across America Trek finds its way to Portland, OR

2011-06-27T15:34:00.006-04:00

The journey continues, as the group finds its way back to Portland, OR. After flying into the "city of roses" a few days earlier they traveled west to Seaside, OR where the trip officially began. Now, with the first hundred mile behind them the group is starting to find its groove.

Follow the trip:

http://maps.google.com/maps/ms?authuser=0&ie=UTF8&hl=en&oe=UTF8&msa=0&msid=206781293978240337088.0004a66235ae4e48d4ce7

New England Coast Trek Stops in Mystic, CT

2011-06-27T15:23:00.009-04:00

After three days of biking, the group pulled into the sleepy beach town of Mystic, CT. They soon focused their attention on the famous Mystic Pizza for lunch. Full of pizza the group is in great spirits and really looking forward to spending the night in a hotel.

Follow the trip:

http://maps.google.com/maps/ms?authuser=0&vps=2&jsv=351a&ie=UTF8&hl=en&oe=UTF8&msa=0&msid=206781293978240337088.0004a66367aabbc3e4e1d

New England Coast Trek is Biking from New Haven to Boston

2011-06-25T14:00:00.007-04:00

Eleven excited Trekkers and their Trip Leaders Todd and Kaitlyn biked away from the New Haven train station in Connecticut this morning for a beautiful ride along the Atlantic Coast (Long Island Sound) and will spend tonight at Hammonassett State Park.

Follow the trip:

http://maps.google.com/maps/ms?authuser=0&vps=2&jsv=351a&ie=UTF8&hl=en&oe=UTF8&msa=0&msid=206781293978240337088.0004a66367aabbc3e4e1d

Across America Trek Starts The Season!

2011-06-23T13:17:00.005-04:00

A big congratulations and good luck to the teens embarking on the Across America Trek! Follow them on our blog all summer long. This year we have a new way of keeping track of our trip, custom maps on Google. Here is the link to the Across America Trek map. It will be updated as the trip continues so be sure to check back regularly

http://maps.google.com/maps/ms?authuser=0&ie=UTF8&hl=en&oe=UTF8&msa=0&msid=206781293978240337088.0004a66235ae4e48d4ce7

Welcome Laura!

2011-06-23T13:10:00.003-04:00

Hey Teen Trekers!

My name is Laura. I’m from Buffalo, NY and I love my bicycle! My other passions include painting, drawing, swimming, running, photography, music, sewing, chocolate and coffee. I’ve been a lifeguard and taught swim lessons for the past five years. I recently got a degree in Architecture from the University at Buffalo and will be heading to Boston in the fall to start my Masters of Architecture at MIT.

I love to travel; I love the independence and freedom of taking off on my bicycle for a new adventure, and I love all of the new people to meet and new perspectives to be gained from traveling. I studied abroad last summer in Barcelona, Spain and got to explore all of the awesome architecture over there. I was also able to check out Paris, Amsterdam, and got to see Spain win the World Cup in Madrid! This summer I’m excited to explore roads a little closer to home.

We’ve just finished a week of Leadership Training packed full of bike mechanics, camping, laughing, and delicious cooking. I got to meet and hang out with a really awesome group of Leaders. I’m looking forward to two stellar trips that I’ll be leading with Chris this summer-around Lake Ontario and from NY to Montreal. I look forward to meeting all of you Trekers!

Hey Lauren!

2011-05-18T11:31:00.001-04:00

Hi Trekkers! My name is Lauren and I can't wait to meet you all this summer! I love meeting new people and working together to accomplish our goals. I have been working in homeless outreach, school social work, and case management for several years and now finally have a year left in school before I get my Masters in Social Work. I also do puppetry and stilting all over Baltimore, and am involved in setting up a community arts group with my sister and some friends. I also love riding bikes and running! I sometimes take a weekend and ride to a campsite with my fiancé. It’s the best way to get quality time and really connect with others cause all you have is what you're carrying on your back!

Say hello to Kaitlyn!

2011-05-18T11:28:00.004-04:00

Hello everyone! My name is Kaitlyn and I can’t wait to lead for Teen Treks! In December I will be graduating from Tennessee Tech University with a degree in Environmental Journalism. I moved from my hometown of New Braunfels, Texas four years ago to play tennis in college. Now that it is all coming to an end, I am ready for new adventures in my life! Growing up traveling from tournament to tournament, I gained a love for the open road and discovering new destinations. I have been all over the U.S, Mexico, the Caribbean and Europe where I spent some time learning Spanish in Spain! I have found biking is one of the best ways to travel around and see all the beautifully land around you, which is why I love it so much. Biking is just one of many hobbies of mine though. I also really enjoy hiking, running, river rafting, music, photography and writing. I have found writing and photography is a great way to reflect on all this world has to give you and allows you to appreciate all you have seen. Nothing makes me smile more than good people, which is why I am so thrilled about meeting all of you. I can’t wait for some fun in the sun this summer!

It's Todd!

2011-05-17T09:35:00.003-04:00

Hey Teen Trekkers, I’m Todd. I have a bachelor’s degree in recreation management from SUNY Brockport. I enjoy camping, hiking, backpacking, trail running, rock climbing, and of course biking! (Pretty much anything outdoors) I also love to travel and experience new things while learning about other cultures. Just last summer, I backpacked throughout Costa Rica and I hope to do the same in other countries sometime in the future. Recently, I’ve been working as a substitute teacher, and eventually, I plan on going to grad school to become a certified teacher. Needless to say, I just love having a good time while discovering new things, and I'm very excited about working with Teen Treks this summer!

Welcome Alicia!

2011-05-17T09:24:00.003-04:00

Hey Teen Trekkers, my name is Alicia. I was born and raised in beautiful southern California but moved to Toronto, Canada for my career. I’m a professional toy designer, a.k.a., I’m an adult who gets to play with toys for a living! Currently I work as a freelance designer in Buffalo, NY and use my bike as my primary source of transportation. I absolutely love cycling and the knowledge that I am not only doing something good for myself but also for the environment. In addition to biking I enjoy hiking, camping, swimming, Kan Jam, gardening, knitting, sewing, screen-printing, drawing, music and the fun that comes from random adventures! I love meeting new people and experiencing new cultures. I have traveled throughout the U.S., Canada, Italy, France, U.K., Switzerland, Germany, and Mexico. There is something that you get from traveling on a bike that you just wouldn’t experience otherwise and I am so excited for the journey that awaits! This is going to be one unforgettable summer; I can’t wait to be a Teen Trek leader!

Greetings Kirsten!

2011-05-16T10:03:00.002-04:00

Hi! My name is Kirsten and I will be graduating from Cornell University with a degree in Geology. I am originally from Pennsylvania (right on the Delaware border), but haven't spent much time there recently. I have had some pretty cool summer experiences in the past three years, such as being a camp counselor in Maine, working on trails in Alaska, and doing geology research in the back country of Yellowstone National Park. But, I have a feeling this is going to be one of the best summers yet! I like to do anything outdoors including: hiking, rock climbing, swimming, running, of course biking, and tennis. I am so excited to meet everyone and can't wait to start biking!

Hey Mark!

2011-05-09T10:37:00.002-04:00

Hello, my name’s Mark and currently I live in Oregon. I have spent the last two years in the Pacific Northwest volunteering as a Math Tutor through a program called AmeriCorps. Before that I received a degree in Information Management (points if you know what that is) from Syracuse University, in my hometown of Syracuse, NY. Since vacating the snowy tundra of Upstate New York and entering the rain soaked northwest I have become an avid biker and hiker. I have spend many a day’s traversing the lush moss coated forests and costing through the miles of desolate farm land, this place is truly unique.

When I’m not on my bike or exploring the woods, you can find me on my skateboard, off taking pictures, editing films, or creating crafts to leave in random places. I cannot control the excitement I have for our summer of adventures and I look forward to meeting every last one of you!

It's Gillian!

2011-05-06T09:32:00.004-04:00

Hey Teen Trekkers I’m Gillian! I’ve been an educator for the majority of my life. I began coaching swimming at age 15, and went to Miami University of Ohio for my Bachelor of Science in Education. I worked first in public schools around Cincinnati before moving to Connecticut where I taught English, coached soccer, swimming, fencing, and track, and have been a dorm parent for the last five years. I'm very proud to say that I just completed my Masters in Liberal Studies at Wesleyan University

In high school I lettered in soccer, cross-country, basketball, gymnastics, swimming, track, and softball. During this time, I traveled to Canada, and in college I went to Russia and Italy. All the trips were related to various singing groups of which I was a member. I have sung in chapels and cathedrals in St. Petersburg, Moscow, and St. Peter’s in Rome among others.

In my twenties, I began going out with local groups and biking an average of 36 miles per outing. A few years ago I purchased my dream road bike and get on the road for short and long rides as often as my busy schedule allows. My other interests include reading, mimicking (not mocking) accents, singing, perfecting her French, and learning and experiencing as much as possible. I can’t wait to take on my next exciting challenge, Teen Trek Trip Leader!

Meet Julia!

2011-05-04T09:19:00.002-04:00

Hey everyone, I’m Julia! I’m excited for bike adventures with you this summer! I live in Vermont where I work as a potter. At the clay studio I make pottery to sell and I also lead a program teaching teens how to throw pots on the wheel. We all have fun exploring our creativity, laughing at ourselves and getting muddy. I grew up in Massachusetts, went to college in Vermont, studied abroad in Mexico and lived in Nevada for a year. I’ve been lucky enough to do some traveling in the US, Mexico, India, Nepal, Canada, Great Britain and Ireland. What an incredible world we live in! I can’t wait to explore it more with all of you. I love traveling and riding bikes and I’m guessing that you probably love these things too. Some other activities I really enjoy are: making music, hiking, camping, whistling, drawing, star-gazing, kayaking, dreaming, doing Laughter Yoga, cooking, wandering, speaking Spanish, reading, crazy-dancing and finding shapes in the clouds. I’m really looking forward to being a Teen Trek leader this summer. We’re going to have some wonderful adventures together!

Greetings Elise!

2011-05-03T15:46:00.003-04:00

Hello Teen Trekkers! My name is Elise. In a couple weeks, I will finish my Masters degree in social work. I live in Buffalo, NY, but have traveled all over the U.S., as well as Mexico, and many countries in Europe. I have an extreme passion for traveling and being outdoors. Through my traveling experiences I have gained an appreciation for different cultures and learned how to enjoy life! On top of traveling, my hobbies include hiking, biking, Pilates, being creative, and spending time with interesting people! It seems like I am always working on planning my next fun adventure, and I can’t wait for the next one to be having a blast while biking and traveling around with all of you!

Say hello to Chris!

2011-04-29T15:29:00.004-04:00

Hey everyone! I'm Chris and I'm really looking forward to doing a lot of bicycling with all of you this summer. It's a great way to see all sorts of scenery and really appreciate the world's energy in addition to discovering our own. I graduated from Ithaca College this past December as a film and photography major and writing minor. If there's one thing I love as much as the outdoors it's pushing our brains to think in new and exciting ways. Most of my free time is doing crafts from screen-printing to sewing to doodling or making up a new project. I've highly enjoyed riding in Ithaca's local Finger Lakes region and can't wait to ride in all new places while meeting a whole bunch of great new people! I guarantee we'll all have a great deal of fun camping/hostelling, learning, and of course, bicycling!

Teen Trekkers meet Taylor!

2011-04-05T11:10:00.003-04:00

My name is Taylor and I live in Chicago. This spring I’ll graduate from Roosevelt University majoring in Sociology. I’ve always loved to travel, and my studies have given me a greater appreciation for new places and people. I’m learning Spanish too, which I got to use last summer when I biked through Mexico and Central America. I’ve also ridden around Nova Scotia, and have visited 48 states throughout my life. (I still need to go to South Dakota and Alaska.) Biking is my favorite way to travel because of all the incredible and unexpected sights and experiences along the way.

At home in Chicago, I get around by bike, even in the winter. (Well, once in a while I take the bus too--Chicago gets cold!) I also enjoy cooking, crafting, yoga, jogging, and listening to music. In the summer, I go swimming and camping every chance I get. I love to sew, and have my own little business selling handmade hats. I’ve had lots of other interesting jobs too--I’ve been a lifeguard, a camp counselor, a circus tutor, and an organic farmer. I love adventure, and try to laugh through challenging times. I’m really excited for a summer of biking, camping, friends, and fun...and hopefully plenty of ice cream!

Meet Max!

2011-03-29T10:21:00.003-04:00

Hello teen trekkers! I’m Max from Berkeley, California. I’m super excited to lead a great group this summer. I love bike travel, because you’re not watching the world pass by behind a pain of glass (like you would in your car)… you’re in IT, breathing the air and soaking in the sun! After my first bike tour from Berkeley to New Mexico, I was hooked. Since then I’ve been traveling in Ecuador, Peru, Mexico, Guatemala, and of course the good old United States. I love writing, drawing, hiking, camping, telling stories, eating, playing music, and most importantly, being goofy and having fun. For the past four years I've worked at a youth summer camp in Berkeley promoting peace, respect, community, and equality. And these are some of the values I continue to carry with me while traveling as I grow as a student of the world (and at UC Berkeley).

Mundane Monday Just Got Better! Meet Your Newest Leader!

2011-03-21T12:08:00.002-04:00

Hi, I'm Jacob! It was my love of bikes that led me to Teen Treks. I remember riding all over my neighborhood the moment I got my training wheels taken off, and I haven’t slowed down since. A trip to Mt. St. Helens was my first real tour. To get there I traveled up the Oregon coast, through the windy Columbia River Gorge, then up a three thousand foot climb to camp at the base of that huge, broken mountain. Since then I’ve toured the whole west coast and up to Vancouver, BC.

Right now I live in Eugene, Oregon and I work at a gymnastics club. I am one of a lucky few individuals whose job involves adolescents and trampolines! Besides the gym, I have been working towards becoming a bike mechanic by volunteering at a local bike co-op. Also, I’ve gotten into bike advocacy. In my hometown, cycling group’s work with city planners to make sure all new construction is bicycle friendly.

This summer I look forward to sharing my experience and love of touring with a fun group of people!

Drum Roll Please...Announcing Teen Trek's Newest Leaders!

2011-03-17T15:23:00.003-04:00

As promised, we have some great new leaders for this summer! Throughout the next few weeks or so, login to meet Teen Treks newest members! We have been searching high and low, and we are happy with whom we've discovered! We know you will be too!

Meet our first new leader:

Hi my name is Colin and I cannot wait to lead a Teen Treks tour this summer! I've been involved different camps for the past two years-the last being a Film camp! As a Television Production major at Emerson College in Boston, Massachusetts, I have the opportunity to work in a unique college setting, allowing my inner nerd to show through (I’m really into sci-fi, math competitions, Star Wars, and Doctor Who). My passion, however, is traveling and cycling. I like to have fun and I like it when the people I'm with are having fun. I'm looking forward to spending some time outside this summer touring and I'm excited to meet you!

Don't forget to check us out on Facebook!

Newest Teen Trek Member

2011-03-09T17:17:00.002-05:00

Hey guys!

My name is Casey Higgins and I am the new Program Coordinator at Teen Treks! It is my job to make sure that every teen has the best experience on each tour this summer, and I am dedicated and driven to make that happen! Throughout the next few months you will be hearing from me-getting you geared up for your trip! If you have any questions or need anything at all, please feel free to email me at casey@teentreks.com or give me a call 716.566.7908. I am incredibly excited about this summer, and I hope you are too!

2011-01-14T17:20:00.004-05:00

BONDING WITH YOUR BIKE (and bike naming contest!)

I don’t know about all of you out there, but I’ve bonded with my bike. Now, I know what you’re thinking (something along the lines of “wow, what a weirdo….”). But hear me out!

I bought my gorgeously yellow bicycle last summer, and I have to say, it was love at first sight! Fred, as I have so affectionately named him, is a great bike. He’s reliable and colorful, and awesome!

Before you bust out laughing hysterically, think about it! I love spending time on my bike, and I am sure you guys do too. I think it’s perfectly normal to name your bike (although I have also named myPublish Post car. Francois, if anyone was wondering).

I can’t be the only person out there who has named their bike, and to prove it to you, I have decided to host a contest. For all of you who get back to me with not only the name of your bike, but a picture of it too, I will put all your names in a hat, and pick 5 to send Teen Treks tee shirts to!

So get your cameras ready, and tell me those names!!!!

Post your picture of your bike, along with the bike’s name on our Facebook page and I will contact the winners in a few weeks. I can’t wait to see what names you’ve chosen!!!

Miss your bike?

2010-10-01T12:26:00.000-04:00

Remember those days of biking into the sunset, eating ice cream with friends, and being in the sun all day? WE MISS THEM TOO!!! Summer is over...the weather is getting cooler...its hard to bike in the snow. Hope you these pictures keep you warm until you can come adventure with us again next summer!

2010 awesome Photos

2010-09-24T14:21:00.000-04:00

All of our trekkers (and our lovely leaders) are home safe and sound, and sadly the summer is coming to an end.
So I figured it was time to take a look back on the summer, and I figured I would share it with you all!!

Here are some of the awesome pics I found from this past summer. And of course, if you have any more to share, I would love to get them from you!! E-mail me at marisa@teentreks.com. Who knows, maybe your favorite pic from the summer will make it onto our website this year!

10 Bikers, 55 Days, 3600 Miles; 1 Awesome Country to Cross

2010-08-25T15:34:00.004-04:00

Ten weary yet jubilant Across America Trek bikers arrived at Coney Island in Brooklyn to dunk themselves and their bicycles in the Atlantic Ocean at 6:15 p.m. on August 18th, They finished a 3600+ mile journey that began 55 days earlier in the Pacific coast town of Seaside, Oregon. Averaging 70 miles per day and maxing at 112 miles on the second to last day these bikers completed a personal accomplishment like no other. The mob of parents, friends, and family members celebrated with the bikers on the Coney Island Boardwalk until dusk. It was a great finale to a fun and challenging adventure.

MC-A6's Garrett Solomon's Words from the Road

2010-08-11T10:51:00.002-04:00

8/08/2010
We awoke to the whistling of a guy named Chucky. Chucky was someone who lost both of his sons to heroin over doses and decided to take a stand. So now he does anti drug talks at schools. In addition to this he videotapes himself taking a dip in the ocean everyday. We decided to join him. (go to Chucky'sfight.com and look at the video dated 08/09/2010!!!) After we took the dip we rode around the town on our bikes. At around noon we were ready to begin riding. We rode and stopped at a diner for a delicious lunch (and air-conditioning). After lunch it was time to hit the road again and before we knew it we were pretty close to our camp site, we quickly stopped and had really good pizza for dinner. After that we rode a little bit more to our campsite. We unpacked our stuff and then jumped in the pool where we had our nightly discussion about the day. After our swim in the pool we were all ready to go to sleep and after a quick campfire which was a great way to end our fantastic day we all went to sleep.