2014: Another Great Summer of Biking!

We're closing out another fantastic season!  This summer, our Treks brought together kids from all over the US, plus Europe and Asia, for biking adventures they'll never forget.  They visited lively cities and small towns --

 -- and got out in lots of wide-open spaces:

They camped out together,

cooked out together,

learned how to fix their own bikes out on the road,

devoured gallon after gallon of ice cream,

and made lots of close friendships:

They hiked and biked through stunning wilderness spots --

 -- and breezy beaches,

stopping along the way to learn about local history,

pick up lunch goodies at farms,

get off their bikes and out on the water,

and check out museums, art, comedy shows, music festivals, thrift shops, and pretty much everything else they could pack into each day.  They biked hundreds of miles together, up hills and down them, on bright, sunny days and through the rain.  Not a lot of kids can say they've accomplished these kinds of things, but every one of our Trekkers can!

We'll post our 2015 trip schedule later this year, so you can start planning your Trek for next summer.  See you then!

New England Shore Trek Hits the Beaches in Provincetown

After a climb up Pilgrim Monument -- 252 feet tall! -- to take in sweeping views of Provincetown, its harbor, and the surrounding dunes, our second New England Shore Trek walked along Commercial Street and sampled some delicious malasadas from a Portuguese bakery. 

Then they biked a beautiful bike trail for a fun afternoon at Race Point Beach.  They're getting in plenty of sun and sand -- yesterday, they went to Coast Guard Beach, often listed among America's top 10 beaches.

The group has been camping out at Dune's Edge Campground, and today, they'll catch a morning ferry to Boston and spend the night at the Doubletree Hotel.  Tomorrow, they'll take a bus back to NYC for last goodbyes.  Congratulations, New England Shore Trekkers -- you're almost home!

Pacific Northwest Trek Sets Up "Tent City" at Port Townsend

Russell, one of the Pacific Northwest Trekkers, has a thoughtful (and pun-full) post for us:

I am writing this blog from tent city, reflecting upon our day of intensity.

After starting the day with a "late" wake-up time of 7:30, everyone was energized and ready to roll. We breezed through most of the 32 miles of the day, with the last mile providing a smallish hill. We had plenty of time to think during the ride.

We cruised into Fort Warden state park around 3:30. Monique managed to get a seaside campsite. After tossing our stuff, we went to the bay to go kayaking and SUPing (stand up paddle boarding).

Dan, Monique, and I took the paddle boards out first, while David and Teddy opted for kayaks. Our first expedition resulted in Dan falling into the frigid northern waters five times. We lost track of time in the wide ocean, staying out for fifty minutes.

When we returned, the second group of Anna, Sunny, and Serafina stayed out for about the same amount of time. Getting back to camp, we set up a glorious tent city (where all tents are connected by a tarp-covered "courtyard.") We prepared and ate our delicious dinner of summer curry, then went outside to watch the sunset and practice our Scottish caber tosses. Two days until we return to Seattle!

 Could you ask for a more perfect evening on the ocean?

The Pacific Northwest group will have one more night camping out, in Kitsap State Park, before returning to Seattle for a couple days in one of America's most bike-friendly cities.

New York - Montreal Trek Reaches Croton Point Park

Our second group of New York - Montreal Trekkers enjoyed their ride into Croton Point Park along a scenic bike trail.  It was a hot day, but everyone stayed in good spirits (and drank plenty of water).

The Trekkers set up camp together, explored the beach, and took some well-earned showers.  They'll continue up the Hudson Valley, heading to Fishkill, NY next.

New England Shore Trek Visits Portsmouth, Newport, and Providence

Our lead New England Shore Trek got off the ferry from Block Island at noon, landing at Portsmouth.  Even with the short day, they found time to take a cliff walk and tour the mansions in Newport before biking to their campsite for the evening.

They rode the East Bay bicycle path and picked up a new friend on the beach:

They're now enjoying two nights in downtown Providence, exploring the city by bike.  Last night, they had a tasty dinner out at Kebab & Curry:

Beginning tomorrow, they'll be biking through Massachusetts for about a week, heading toward Boston!

Pacific Northwest Trek Goes International

Trekker Teddy has an update for us from Vancouver:

Yesterday we traversed the border into Canada, covering 45 miles as we traveled into Vancouver.  Along the way, a stranger, Tracey from New Westminster, BC, talked to us about our trip and bought each of us gift cards to help us on our way.  We also received plenty of directions from other people on how to navigate the streets and bike paths to reach Hosteling-International of downtown Vancouver.  For dinner, we treated ourselves to sushi, teriyaki, and udon noodles at a Japanese restaurant.

Today, we slept in a bit since we weren't traveling far.  We went to Granville Island and explored the shops, which ranged from a public market full of fresh food to a store selling dragon-related items.  We also bought a challah since it's Friday! After heading to McDonald's for lunch to spend some of the gift cards we received, we headed to a beach at Stanley Park.  While it was cloudier than we'd expected, we enjoyed our time there, attempting to solve a crossword puzzle and burying Dan and Russell in the sand.

Tomorrow we will tackle our longest mileage day as we head to Victoria, BC!

Huge thanks to good Samaritan Tracey, wherever you are! 


Here's Monique putting the finishing touches (or handfuls?) on burying Dan and Russell in the sand:

And redheaded Trekker Anna, who knows karate, found a very appropriately labeled package of "Ginja-Ninja Ginger Beer":

We hope it was tasty, and we hope Canada continues to be a lot of fun for our Trekkers!

Bike through the gorgeous Pacific Northwest with Teen Treks this summer!

Spend time in some of the world's most beautiful natural settings and check out hip northeastern cities on this unforgettable 18-day bike adventure. You'll follow the Puget Sound out of Seattle, riding alongside breathtaking views and through laid-back Washington towns, north into Canada.

A ferry will take you to the San Juan Islands, a lush, wooded archipelago where great blue herons, barred owls, harbor seals, and even orcas make their homes. 

Next, you'll head into Victoria, British Columbia's charming capital city.

Then it's back down to Washington, where you'll get 3 days to camp, bike, and hike in the almost impossibly green forest of Olympic National Park.

The weather in Washington in the summer is nothing short of idyllic, perfect for biking and camping out.

You'll visit historic Port Townsend and lovely Birch Bay, which has the warmest and safest salt water beach on the coast, then visit Vashon Island and stay at an especially fun hostel -- it has teepees and covered wagons to sleep in!

This trip ends with 2 days sightseeing in Seattle, enjoying great local restaurants and culture.

The Pacific Northwest Trek features moderate biking (30-50 miles per day). Teenagers entering grades 10-12 will have a blast on this trip. We're running two Pacific Northwest trips this summer:

• June 26 - July 13 (trip code PN-JN26)
• July 17 - August 3 (trip code PN-J17)

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

Bike from New York City to Montreal with Teen Treks

Spend an amazing 16 days this summer traveling through the U.S. and Canada with Teen Treks!  Join a great group of high schoolers on our popular New York City – Montreal bike trek for some of the best cycling and most fun stops on the continent.

Head out from NYC early in the morning, following the Hudson River.

Enjoy the gorgeous countryside of upstate New York and go through smaller towns and Albany, the state capitol.

Stop off for the beach and water fun at Lake George.

Dig into Ben & Jerry’s famous (and enormous) Vermonster, a 20-scoop sundae served in, yes, pretty much a giant bucket. 

Come back up through NY state to head into Quebec, Canada. 

Spend 3 days exploring Montreal, hearing Quebec French, eating poutine (Canada’s favorite junk food – fries with fresh cheese and gravy), and seeing some of the world’s most beautiful architecture.

Like all Teen Treks, this trip gives the group flexibility on the daily details of the route.  If everyone wants to bike hard to get to the lake faster so you have more time on the beach, or if everyone wants to take it easy at a park, stop to appreciate a view, or make an extra ice cream stop, you can do that.

 

This trek ends with a bus ride back to NYC, where you’ll spend a day in Manhattan before heading home.

The New York – Montreal trek features moderate biking (30-50 miles per day) and camping as well as stays in hostels and hotels.  Teenagers entering grades 9-12 can enjoy this short trip, which is packed with things to see and do.  We’re running several New York – Montreal treks this summer:

• June 23 - July 8 (trip code JN-23)
• June 30 - July 15 (trip code JN-30)
• July 7 - July 22  (trip code J-7)
• July 28 - August 12 (trip code J-28)
• August 4 - August 19 (trip code A-4)

Visit TeenTreks.com to apply to bike New York City – Montreal 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, Maine Coast -- and more!

Bike Trips for First-Time Explorers

Kids as young as 11 can get in on their first cross-country bike adventure with Teen Treks, on our First-Time Explorers and Easy routes.   These trips stick to quiet trails, tow paths, and little-used roads, and require as little as 15 miles biking per day. 

Some of these popular trips are already filling up!  Reserve your spot now, so you don't have to face the dreaded "SOLD OUT" label on that trip you had your heart set on.

First-Time Explorers trips (15-25 miles/day):

• D & R Canal Trek for students entering grades 6-8
• Connecticut-Rhode Island Trek for students entering grades 7-9
• Niagara-Toronto Trek for students entering grades 7-9

The D & R Canal Trek follows the historic D & R Canal Trail through Pennsylvania and New Jersey.  Ride across the Delaware River where George Washington made his crossing, see 18th century farmhouses, and tour picturesque downtown districts and the Princeton campus on this great six-day introduction to bicycle touring.

The sandy beaches, charming New England towns, and winding back roads along the Connecticut-Rhode Island Trek are a biker's paradise.  This ten-day ride starts in NYC and goes through New Haven, Guilford, Hammonasset State Park, Block Island, Newport, and Providence before coming back to NYC by bus.

Our Niagara-Toronto Trek follows awesome bike trails around Lake Ontario.  We start in Buffalo, NY and cross into Canada on the first day to visit Niagara Falls and Goat Island, then see the lake freighters at on the Welland Canal, spend a day at Confederation Water Park, and head to Toronto for two days to explore Kensington Market, major museums, Chinatown, and the Toronto Islands.  This ten-day trek ends with a bus ride back to Buffalo for wings and last goodbyes.

Easy trips (20-35 miles/day):

• Cape Cod Trek for students entering grades 7-9
• C&O Canal Trek for students entering grades 7-9
• New England Shore Trek for students entering grades 7-9

The Cape Cod Trek heads south out of Boston past Plymouth Rock, to Cape Cod and Martha's Vineyard.  Over 14 days, you'll tour fishing and resort towns and enjoy cabin camping as you make your way up to Provincetown, then come back to Boston for two days visiting sites like Fanueil Hall and Harvard Square, seeing Shakespeare in the Park, and checking out trendy eateries and shops.

Bike the New England Shore with Teen Treks for 14 days, and see beautiful coastal towns and all the beaches you can handle.  We meet up in NYC, then take a train out of the city to start cycling up the coast through New Haven, Mystic, Groton, Block Island, Newport and Cape Cod, ending up with two days in lively, historic Boston.  A bus brings you back to NYC for a day, taking the trek full circle.

On the C & O Canal Trek, you'll bike for 16 days from Pittsburgh to Washington, DC, taking the Great Allegheny Passage (Rail to Trail) and the C&O Canal Tow Path -- no cars or traffic.  You'll get to go whitewater rafting, see Frank Lloyd Wright's Falling Water house, ride a 19th century canal boat, and visit Civil War-era sites at Harper's Ferry.  The last two days, we spend sightseeing in our nation's capital.

  

Our leaders get extensive training in first aid, mechanics, and leadership techniques, and they're all at least 21 years old. Many of them have taken trips just like the ones they're now leading, and many have led for Teen Treks before!

We love to help trekkers of all ages discover how much they can accomplish.  We camp out some, and we stay in clean, friendly hotels and hotels; we make oatmeal around the fire, and we eat out everywhere we go so you get to know places' local cuisine.  You'll make lifelong friends and come away with memories you'll treasure.

For more information on all our treks, including route maps, dates, and costs, visit Teen Treks' website.  Email or call us (716-566-7908) any time with questions.  We'd love to help you choose the best trip for a fantastic, unforgettable summer!