Across America Trekkers Found the Best Bike Shop Yet

July 28- We started our day by sleeping in juuust a bit longer than usual to avoid the torrential downpour that graced our campsite this morning. Once it stopped, we crawled out of our tents and made the best breakfast of the trip- bacon and eggs on English muffins. We set out shortly after, armed with cold water bottles that had been gifted to us by an old PE teacher, to crush some miles before lunch at a bike shop in Mankato. Branton led the way and we arrived in great time. Lydia headed toward the bike shop, where she was greeted with a caramel roll and free bike maintenance, while the crew grabbed lunch makings. We lounged at the bike shop for lunch; Katie took home some goofy socks and Branton revamped his tire, and both proclaimed it the best bike shop we had visited thus far. The head mechanic gave us a great bike map that we used to get out of town, so we set out biking along nice country roads. As the golden light of the day began to appear, we stopped in at a tiny gas station just about 10 miles out of camp to grab water. We met an awesome older gentleman who tipped us off onto the newly paved, not yet vehicle accessible, old highway that would take us into town. He also suggested we check out the town's fairgrounds for a great camp spot (with warm showers!) We headed off into the sunset and spent the last few miles of our day riding blissfully alone along the aforementioned highway, listening to John's music and watching the sky churn through hundreds of shades of purple. We headed straight to the grocery store to grab dinner and treated ourselves to birthday cake ice cream and fudge sauce. The fairgrounds were amazing, as promised, and we went to bed squeaky clean.

Across America Trek Rides Miles and Miles Along the Columbia River

The Across America Trek is cycling east from Portland.  Yesterday they cycled to Moiser, OR,  Early in the day they had their first lesson on flat tires to remove a staple.  Highlights of the day included picking blackberrys along the trail, seeing Bridge of the Gods which is a beautiful mural outside Cascade Locks, OR, and a picnic lunch along the river bank. The group is making a Caprese Pasta Salad for dinner and camping in the most beautiful camping spot so far.  It's way above the river and you can see miles and miles in each direction.

Across America Treks to Fort Stevens State Park

The Across America Trekkers arrived safely at Fort Stevens State Park in Oregon after a long day that was punctuated by quite a few bike problems. That didn't break their stride though! With the outstanding help of a great bike mechanic, the group was soon back on track and arrived to the campground in one piece. With their bellies full from a very tasty goulash, the Trekkers soon retired for the evening in preparation for the great days of biking and adventure that lie ahead.

Bike Across America this summer with Teen Treks!

Biked across America with Teen Treks this past summer. What an incredible experience!!!  I learned so much about myself, my bike, and my country over my eight weeks of biking.  I loved my experience this summer and would definitely recommend it.  It's hard work (with fun), but if you want to push yourself and do something so amazing that you can tell stories about it for the rest of your life -- go for it!! 

 Daniel, Across America Trekker, 2012

Welcome to our toughest trip!

Ride 3,800 miles across the U.S. over 8 amazing weeks -- this trek is truly an accomplishment and always a life-changing experience.

Your trip begins in Oregon, where you'll dip your wheels in the Pacific Ocean on a cool, misty beach. Then it's out toward deep forests and the wide-open plains, the Rocky Mountains, Chicago, and so much more!

You'll bike through Oregon, Washington, Idaho, Montana, North Dakota, Minnesota, Wisconsin, Michigan and along the Great Lakes to Niagara Falls. Then, follow the Erie Canal bike route across NY state to the Hudson River for a short 150 miles into NYC, ending the trip at Coney Island.  Along the way, you'll camp, hike, and swim, stop in picturesque town squares and ride past some of the world’s tallest skyscrapers.

Across America’s northern route lets our bikers enjoy their summer travel experience, compared to (much, much hotter) southern cross-country routes. But don’t kid yourself -- you will bike close to 100 miles, some days, so you’ll need to be in good shape.

When you travel by bike, you get to know the world better.  You get the flavor of the culture in the small towns and rural areas, and you see cities differently, too.

America is full of quirky -- and kind of amazing! -- independent art, friendly small-town diners, and beautiful vista after beautiful vista.  See it all with us this summer!

Even George Washington wants to come -- we just need to find him a bike!

We're running two Across America trips this summer, for teens entering grades 10 and up:

• June 25 - August 18
• June 29 - August 22

Apply now to reserve your place on this one-of-a-kind experience!  Or sign up for one of our other super trips: New York City - Montreal, Pacific Northwest, California Coast, New England Shore, European Phantom, Maine Coast -- and more!

New Trek for 2014: Green Ireland

We have two new routes this year!  Check out some of the exciting (and beautiful, and all-around awesome) things you'll be able to see and do on our Green Ireland Trek:

Bike through 4 distinct regions of Ireland: Clare, Kerry, Cork, and the Midlands.

Tour medieval castles, the Ring of Kerry, and the Cliffs of Moher.

Get to know charming rural villages and the lush Irish landscape.

Visit bustling Dublin and Galway.

This 28-day trek will take you through Ireland’s major cities and the gorgeous countryside it’s known for.  We’ll travel on bicycle paths and small roads, sometimes sharing them with sheep and cows (yes, really!), climb through Bunratty Castle and other medieval sites, look out across the Atlantic Ocean from the Cliffs of Moher, ride through the green hills of Connemara, and discover traditional Irish music.

You’ll enjoy welcoming Gaelic hospitality in small cities like Limerick, Kilarney, Cork, Kinsale, and Clifden, and get to visit Galway and Dublin, both world-class cities.  Along the way, you’ll experience thousands of years of Celtic history, music, culture, and food.

This moderately challenging ride (30-50 miles a day; some hills, but not too many) is best suited for high schoolers entering grades 10 through 12. We’ll be running Green Ireland June 25 - July 22 (trip code GI-JN25) and July 2 - July 29 (trip code GI-J2).

Visit TeenTreks.com to apply to be one of the first trekkers to bike Ireland with us, or sign up for one of our other super trips: Across America, Pacific Northwest, European Phantom, California Coast, New England Shore, Amsterdam-Paris, New York-Montreal -- and more!

Farewell 2013 Season!

Teen Treks' 2013 season has flown by, and as summer turns to fall, the office is winding down for the season.  It has been a blast!  From the beaches of Cape Cod, to the islands of British Columbia, and the streets of Paris, our Trekkers have been lucky enough to see some fascinating parts of the globe.  
Cliff and Alexa enjoyed meeting Trekkers and families in Buffalo, New York City, Block Island, Massachusetts, and Connecticut; it was wonderful to see groups working hard and enjoying themselves.   
Our Leaders were tireless, working to climb hills in South Dakota, to fix flats in pouring rain, and round up Trekkers who missed a drop.  We thank all of our Leaders for their hard work and dedication.  
Most of all, we are happy for all of the Trekkers who decided to do something out of the ordinary this summer by hopping on a bike for weeks at a time, often to new places with new people (who turned into close friends).  From town to town, country to country, our Trekkers have grown as young people and bikers, all while traveling hundreds of miles and having fun.

Teen Treks would like to thank all of the teens and families for participating in our bike trips.  Everyone has helped to make 2013 another exciting season of cycling.  We hope that you join us again next season for more new cities, beaches, hills, food, and friends.  

Thank you for choosing Teen Treks, and have a great year.

See you in 2014, where adventure awaits!

Some European Phantomers

Maine Coast

Pacific Northwest

Niagara-Toronto

Across America

New England Shore

California Coast

Some European Phantomers

New York-Montreal

Lake Ontario

New York-Montreal

Across America Meets the Atlantic Ocean-A Final Ride

Yesterday afternoon, Across America accomplished their massive, 55-day ride from the Pacific Ocean in Oregon to the Atlantic Ocean in New York City!   

The Trekkers blasted through a 106 mile final 24 hour push through hills, dips and New York City traffic before arriving to the Atlantic Ocean boardwalk.  Despite getting about 4 hours sleep, the cyclists were beyond excited to have accomplished their 3,500+ mile ride.   

The determined group completed their Trek to Coney Island's beach with a joyous crowd of family eagerly waiting.  After taking a quick dip in the ocean, everyone headed to a nearby restaurant for some gourmet NYC pizza.  It was a thrilling afternoon for the cyclists and the families to celebrate such a massive accomplishment.  

 It has been amazing to watch a group of strangers unite and become a force of strength through mountains, rain, hail (!!), deserts, forests and thousands of miles.  Across America was a whirlwind ride of a lifetime, and we send our congratulations to everyone. 

Teen Treks wishes you all the very best as you part ways, even out your tans and catch up on sleep.  Have a wonderful summer!

To all of the Trekkers, Leaders, families, friends, strangers, bike shop employees and everyone in between: THANK YOU!

Way to go Across America!

Across America's Time in Iowa

Across America Leader Julian checked in with us about the group's last few days in Iowa.  They are approaching Chicago and have simple plans: deep dish pizza, going to the movies and showers.  Some of the kids will be getting packages and letters sent to Monique's Aunt, who they will be staying with.

The group is really excited to get to Chicago, and has been busting out centuries (100 miles) for the past few days; waking at dawn and biking until dusk shows how dedicated everyone is!

Excitement for the massive buffet!  This proved to be one of the best and worst choices all at once...

From Julian: "Iowa has been very flat and filled with corn fields as far as the eye can see. However, the westernmost part of the state around Sioux City was hilly. We couldn't take any of the main roads due to there being no shoulder, so we enjoyed cruising down the back roads."

From Julian: "Above is the gang in Correctionville, IA. We came up on this display of military equipment. My favorite part of Iowa has been seeing all the small towns and meeting the nice locals. Everyone we come across is so interested in the trip and willing to go the extra mile for us. Last night (Monday night), a cop we met took us into his backyard and he opened his house up to us."

The group is chugging away to get to Chicago!

Across America..Somewhere in Iowa

The Across America gang is doing a fantastic job in cycling high miles, and have done a few centuries in the past week (except for a day or two where there were bike issues). 
The group has found a new motivation-getting to Chicago, where they will stay with Monique's Aunt, who lives in nearby Wheaton, IL.  The thought of a day off in a big city (seems like ages ago that the Trekkers have been in a busting metropolitan area) is keeping the crew pushing on through the corn fields.  
The group has spent the weekend along Route 7, which they are loving because of the back roads and mile after mile of flat farm-filled land.  Originally, they were following Route 20, but found that the tiny/non existent shoulders was unsafe.  The group asked around and spoke with some locals and tweaked their route to much better roads.  And If the group is in need of a break, they have an activity called  "corn running", or simply running down the rows of corn.  Seems to be a big hit with the boys, who do this a few times a day.  The group has been happy and healthy, and have been enjoying many a stir fry and rotisserie chicken.  And the weather?  Contrary to a typical Iowa summer, they are actually in a much appreciated cool spell.  This means that is actually is cold in the morning to the point of wearing a few layers, but then warms to somewhere in the 70's during the day.  
At the group's current pace, they are set to arrive in Chicago on Wednesday night, taking Thursday as an off day.

Across America Leaving South Dakota-on to Iowa!

The Trekkers are having a few final hours in Sioux Falls, SD.  Earlier, they had to replace a rack, and now they are onto South Dakota's biggest buffet, a stop they could not refuse!  The Trekkers plan on feasting then enjoying an evening ride out of South Dakota-aim is about 75 miles-bringing them into Iowa.  All is well with the group and they plan on having Chicago as their next major stop in about 5 days.  Previously, the group met up with Ethan's mom, who eagerly traveled to see the group from Minneapolis.  Great rides ahead!

Always make time for ice cream.

seconds, please!

Sioux Falls

Across America in South Dakota

The Trekkers are in South Dakota, and are doing a great job in having high mileage days (about 80 miles).  The land is flat and the weather is nice, and the occasional prairie and reservations towns are a much appreciated reprise.  After realizing that a visit to Mt Rushmore would have included an uphill battle of 25 miles (turning the visit into a whole day event instead of a 2-3 hour visit), the group decided to skip the carved rocks and to continue east. 
The group is headed to Sioux Falls (South Dakota's biggest city), and are passing the time by creating road games and stopping at the many quirky places along the way...
 
Among the places they've visited:

Wall Drug, Wall SD
Located at the fringe of the Badlands, Wall Drug became a famous stopping point for travelers because of its offer of free ice water to anyone who visits.  It has since become a massive complex-a mall even-that includes lots of souvenirs, home wares, an apothecary, eatery and outdoor amusements like the one below:

Wall Drug

Wall Drug-where coffee will set you back 5 cents!

1880 Town, near Murdo, SD.

A town inspired from the movie Dances with Wolves, which was filmed at the spot that is now 1880 town.  Many of the film's set relics were gifted to the owner of the land as a thank you for allowing the movie to be filmed on the property.  From there, artifacts and authentic buildings from around South Dakota were brought together and assembled to make 1880 Town.

Original Wells Fargo post

1880 Town's main stretch

Skeleton man walking a skeleton dino, Murdo SD

The group couldn't figure out why this creation was perched roadside...

Time zone change!

Yes, they have moved on to the next time zone!

If the group continues to have early mornings and high mileage, they should be on to the next state in the next 4-5 days.  Sioux Falls is pretty much at the border of Minnesota and Iowa, so they will have to decide their next state soon...