Amsterdam-Paris trekkers complete first day of biking!

Today marked our first day of real bike packing. Our trekkers woke up, had breakfast, loaded up their bikes, and hit the road. The group headed west out of Amsterdam, towards the Red Sea. About halfway, a stop was made in Haarlem for lunch. While in town, the group visited the Windmill de Adriaan and the St. Bavo Church. While touring the inside of the church, the group was serenaded by the choir. After the church tour, the group made their way out to the market for stroopwafels and ice cream. After the midday break, the group continued on their route toward the coast. Upon arrival at the campsite, tents were pitched and dinner preparations began. In the evening, the group checked out the nearby beach and watched the sunset over the North Sea. Now, the group settles into their sleeping bags to rest in preparation for another day of trekking tomorrow.

Last day in Amsterdam for Amsterdam-Paris Trekkers.

Our last day in Amsterdam was jam-packed with all things Dutch! We started the day at the Rijksmuseum, where we saw famous paintings from Amsterdam's own Rembrandt. After lunch in the park, we spent some time shopping in the open-air market, and trying out some Dutch herring. We capped off the day with a visit to the famous Anne Frank Museum, and are now prepping for our first long day biking tomorrow.

Amsterdam-Paris Trekkers Hit the Street by Foot & Pedal

Our second day in Amsterdam had even more biking adventures than the first! The morning started with breakfast in bed and was followed by a bicycle safety check (not in bed). We reviewed the "drop system" in the nearby Vondelpark before setting out into the city.  We headed north into the city to join a group walking tour of Amsterdam. On the tour we learned all about the city's history and were able to check out some popular spots. The tour also included a free gouda and stroopwafel tasting!  After the tour, the group had lunch along the canal before biking back to the hostel. Then, the group walked over to check out the Van Gogh Museum. Looking forward to some more fun filled days with a group of awesome trekkers!

First Day - Amsterdam-Paris Trek

First day in Amsterdam! Have you ever been on a highway for bikes? We have! The bike ride from the airport was beautiful and the weather was perfect. Made it to the hostel and practiced biking safely in a large group around the nearby park. Everyone seems to be getting along really well and is excited for the walking tour we have scheduled for tomorrow, as well as a trip to the Rijksmuseum. Stay tuned for more Amsterdam adventures tomorrow!

Welcome Back Trip Leader Mike!

Hello everybody! My name is Mike and I was born and raised in Albany, NY! I think the reason that I wanted to be a leader for Teen Treks is because I know how much I got out of them when I was on the trips as a teen. I have been fortunate to explore cities like Seattle, Vancouver, Paris, and Amsterdam all on two-wheels. In my opinion this is really the best way to see new places; each day has a new destination and a new journey. I had a great time leading a trek from NYC-Montreal last year and could not wait to get back for another one. For me, biking was a necessity that I grew to greatly enjoy. When I have both feet on the ground I enjoyed reading, golf, Frisbee and the natural next step ... Disc Golf! I am looking forward to working with all of you! Stay Classy…

Welcome Trip Leader Sara

Hey there Teen Trekkers! My name is Sara, originally from NYC but I've always loved to be outside in nature. I think traveling by bike is a fantastic way to slowly explore places, meet new people, and learn new things. I have traveled to 10 countries, and I hope that is just the beginning of this one wild and precious life. I enjoy commuting by bike since it's energizing and eco-friendly. I'm interested in gardening and permaculture and I also love to cook! I have experience assistant teaching middle schoolers and also orienting new students to college. Can’t wait to meet you all!! 🤩

Welcome Trip Leader Ben!

Hello Current and Future Cyclists and Adventurers,

My name is Ben and I am a born and raised Western New Yorker. The buds and leaves are starting to show up here in Buffalo, and as they do I am only growing more and more excited to leave Buffalo and make some new buds during my first season as a Teen Treks Trip Leader.......Yeah! Just for fun, as a stand-in for a description of my hobbies and interests, I’ve decided that I am going to describe the right speaker from the stereo system in my bedroom. The speaker itself stands nearly 4 feet tall and can often be found playing anything between James Taylor and Juice WRLD at moderate to nearly extreme volumes. It is also adorned with various stickers that I identify with in one way or another, two of which are from Geneseo, NY. The first shows a map of the village and is labeled “SUNY ‘Geneseo Geography’ Department” and the second has the logo from the local farmers’ market. Other significant place based pieces of sticky plastic include one that I bought at a bookstore in Boulder, Colorado and another that says “ I love Our Public Lands” which is acting as a proxy for all of my favorite City, State, and National Parks that even I don’t have enough speaker space to represent individually. To quickly mention the others, I also have a “Modern Lovers” sticker from a Jonathan Richman show, a “NY Renews” sticker from my favorite NYS-based coalition of environmental justice focused non-profits, the “Burton” logo that fell off of my ski gloves, and finally a somewhat preemptive “Teen Treks – Be Adventurous” sticker that I picked up recently at a bike touring workshop. Additionally, and in conclusion, atop the speaker sits a book of essays and maps of New Orleans that I purchased in preparation for what turned out to be my favorite road trip to date. In the past, I have worked with teen interns on a mobile farmers market and really enjoyed it because we were entering new communities and learning about the world that we live in first hand. I am really looking forward to continuing that trend by getting dirty and sweaty on the road this summer with some new friends.

Welcome Trip Leader Cara!

Hey everyone, Cara here! I am so pumped to be leading trips with Teen Treks, as bike touring has become one of my favorite and most fulfilling hobbies! I am originally from Long Island, but work/graduate school brought me to Binghamton, NY. I currently work with teens as a community health educator, which involves mentoring youth and teaching about healthy lifestyles. I began touring in college when I biked the entirety of Long Island in one weekend and decided I never wanted to stop. I biked from NYC to Baltimore, MD, did a few short tours around the east coast, and then biked from NYC to Los Angeles, California--my longest tour that took 3 months and spanned 15 states! I am always eager to spend my time off outside exploring. My other hobbies include: hiking, kayaking, playing guitar, knitting, sewing, and reading. I also LOVE to travel! I studied in Edinburgh, Scotland, and spent some time backpacking through various European countries. This summer, I am looking forward to learning about new places, having meaningful group experiences, exploration, adventure, and that unbeatable feeling of a huge meal after a full day of touring!

Welcome Back Trip Leader Anna!

Hey y’all! I’m Anna, I hail from New Haven, Connecticut, and I’m thrilled to return to Teen Treks as a trip leader for a second summer! Last June, I led a trip from Buffalo to Toronto, and I had such a wonderful time exploring a little bit of New York and a little bit of Canada with a really cool group of people. I was no stranger to bike touring, though, because I happen to be a Teen Trek camper alumna! I have loved bicycling ever since I was young, but Teen Treks really fostered that love when, at 14, I biked from New York to Montreal. The following summer, I went on the Across America Trek and had one of the most challenging, formative, and overall awesome experiences of my life. I met one of my very best friends on my cross country trip, and she and I actually went on our own bike tour last August through northern Montana and Canada! When I’m not passing through the world on two wheels or studying as a college student, I’m most likely reading nonfiction, talking about pop culture with my friends, baking yummy things, or simply walking around my city, listening to music. I couldn’t be happier to spend another summer with Teen Treks, and I can’t wait to see what new things I’ll learn and what adventures will unfold this year!

Welcome Trip Leader David!

Hey Trekkers! I’m David from Brooklyn, NY. I’ve been running an urban farm with youth for the past few years in New York. I started bike touring as a teenager, riding across Iowa at age 13 and coast-to-coast at age 14, and I’ve kept up the habit ever since! Some friends and I started a bike club called Friends With Bikes, introducing many new people to the wonders of traveling on two wheels.  I spend a lot of my time growing, cooking, and preserving food, and I definitely will be packing my homegrown hot sauce in my panniers. My love of eating and cycling are complementary, and I look forward to all of the roadside eating as we travel through new places.

Welcome Back Trip Leader Isabel!

Howdy, Isabel here from Buffalo, NY! I am a senior at University of Buffalo studying Environmental Studies and Graphic Design. I led two treks last summer for Teen Treks - the NYC to Montreal Trek and the Maine Coast Trek. Since then, I've spent the last six months doing a semester in New Zealand and spending lots of time biking and hiking. Bike touring is one of the best ways to travel in my opinion. My hobbies other than biking include, backpacking, travel, reading, and drawing. I look forward to meeting all of you and can't wait to get on the road this upcoming summer!

Welcome Back Trip Leader Dan!

I'm Daniel and I'm excited to be leading with Teen Treks again this summer. I was a trekker back in the day, and ever since then I've been hooked on Teen Treks.  I live in Cowlesville (were there are indeed cows) near Buffalo NY.  I've traveled through the US and Canada some of which has been through Teen Treks.  I enjoy everything cycling - from cycling myself or just picking up a copy of Adventure Cycling magazine to read about others doing cycling.  I enjoy being outside, including working for a friend's organic vegetable farm, hiking and using my cell phone to photograph nature. I also enjoy cooking & baking but occasionally I take trips to try out the various farm to table restaurants in Western New York.  I led 6 Teen Treks trips before I started working full time and these days I try to get out and lead at least one trip each summer .  I'm looking forward to taking some time off from work to get out on my bicycle again this summer.

Welcome Back Trip Leader Yael!

Hi Trekkers!

My name is Yael and I’m originally from New Jersey. I love to travel around America and hope to eventually visit all 50 states (I'm at 36 right now!). I’m currently a graduate student studying school psychology and I work in research with preschoolers and their parents. I love to bake cookies for my friends and go hiking and bowling. I've worked as a counselor in overnight and day camps, and as an intern at a farm-based school where I helped students take care of their favorite farm animals, like llamas, sheep, cows and even an emu. I had an amazing time as a trekker on the NYC-Montreal trip when I was younger and I returned to Teen Treks to lead 2 awesome trips last summer. I’m excited to help guide an incredible, safe and fun experience this summer! I can’t wait to meet everyone, load up the bikes and hit the road on a new adventure!

Welcome Trip Leader Kyle!

HELLO!

My name is Kyle and I’m from River Vale, New Jersey. I’d say I’m a bike ride away from New York City, but I’ve learned biking distance can mean Canada with Teen Treks. I’ve been a camper with Teen Treks for the last 4 years, completing 5 treks including Across America, Pacific Northwest, and Lake Ontario. I can’t wait to be on the other side of things and get to experience being a Trip Leader. Outside of Teen Treks I have travelled around Scotland, as well as other cities in Europe, the New River Gorge in West Virginia, and Salt Lake City, Utah. When I’m not biking, I like to ski, rock climb, cook, camp, sing, and I even write my own stand-up comedy. I can’t wait for another awesome summer traveling with Teen Treks!

Welcome Back Trip Leader Katie!

There’s a journey between point A and point B often missed in a car. We throw our stuff in the passenger seat, hit the gas and quickly get to our planned destination without ever noticing the scenery, take in the smells or interact with the world around us. That’s what I absolutely love about bicycling. The journey. On a bike, you can have random conversations with pedestrians at stoplights, notice the frenzy of birds flying overhead and feel the morning chill quickly awaken tired eyes.

My name is Katie and this will be my third year leading for Teen Treks. Every year I meet some of the most hilarious, wonderful kids you’d ever find. I love watching their love for biking evolve, sharing warm meals together after a wild day, and finding cool swimming holes on the ride and jumping in no matter how cold. These trips fuel my adventurous spirit, and knowing I’ve gotten to have those experiences with some great kids gives me a lifetime of memories.

Though I wish my every-day life could be spent bike-touring, I try to keep life as adventurous as I can. I’m a program director for a community tennis association in San Antonio, Texas, where the weather stays warm enough to bike to work almost year around! I’m also a writer, covering topics on social equity, health issues and my favorite form of writing- telling stories about fascinating people I meet! I try to be outside pretty much any time I am not sleeping, so you might find me running local trails with my four-legged partner, swimming in the river, or creating my own weekend bike tours!

I’ve travelled to many countries, mostly to meet people and write stories, and lately, I’m finding there is so much more of America I’d like to see. The itch to explore strikes me almost daily, so I can’t wait to get on the road again, to meet another wonderful crew of teens and see where the journey leads us!

Welcome Trip Leader Amanda!

Hello!

My name is Amanda. I was born in New York but will forever be a Florida girl. I moved to North Florida when I was three then to South Florida to attend FAU. There I studied Art Education and have been working with kids of all ages ever since. Currently I am a 6th grade math teacher and absolutely love my job. One of the many reasons I love my job are the opportunities I get to travel. I traveled and lived in Taiwan for 6-months teaching English as a second language. While I was there I got to travel to the Philippines, Hong Kong and many different parts of Taiwan.

I knew I wanted leave town for part of my summer break and my first thought was to be a camp counselor somewhere in the mountains. Though, a Florida girl I love the mountains. My family had a vacation home upstate New York where we spent the winters and summer, skiing and hiking. In my search for a camp consoling job I stumbled upon Teen Treks and was eager to apply. I thrive on physical activity and I am super eager to lead this summer!

In my spare time I like to use my creative side by making eco-friendly household materials, paintings, jewelry, and anything else I can come up with. I also enjoy being active very much, especially outdoors. I love to go on long runs down the beach, snorkel, paddle-board, and casually ride my bike.

I’m looking forward to an amazing and adventurous summer!

Welcome Back Trip Leader Elliott!

Hello trekkers!  My name is Elliott and I am from Buffalo, New York.  I’m very excited to have this opportunity to get out on the open road with you all, clear our minds, and see all the sites our route has to offer.  I have traveled quite a bit, not only in the United States but internationally as well.  My family is very spread out throughout the states which provide me with great opportunities for adventure when I get to visit them.  Additionally, I’ve traveled to many of the Latin American countries for service trips through my college and a handful of European countries for backpacking adventures.  My hobbies include biking (obviously), hiking, camping, backpacking, and in the winter months, snowboarding.  Throughout college I’ve led numerous hiking and backpacking trips to both the Adirondacks and Catskills with fellow students. I look forward to our adventures together and the ability for us to detach ourselves from the hustle and bustle of everyday life.  This can be done so easily by putting down our phones and experiencing the world around us.  This is my second year as a Teen Treks Leader and couldn’t be more excited to do it all over again!  See you all soon!!

Welcome Trip Leader Lauren!

Hey Trekkers!

My name is Lauren and I’m from Buffalo, New York. It’s still cold here, but I can’t wait to break out my bike and hit the open roads! I’ve had a certain fondness for bike travel ever since my bike became my primary method of transportation back in college. Neither rain nor snow stopped me. I miss those days, and love relying on my own 2 legs to get me places. I also enjoy running, singing along to my favorite music, camping, and road trips. Since graduating from college last spring, I have kept myself busy teaching high school and middle school Spanish and also coaching track. I’ve visited a lot of really cool cities over the past year, and am looking forward to building my sightseeing resume this summer with other adventurers (that’s you!)

European Grand Tour & Blizzard Sale - The Adventurer Vol. 19 No. 1

European Grand Tour Trekkers Highlight Their Awesome Adventure!

What is the absolutely best way to experience Europe? By Bicycle! Last summer the European Grand Tour spent an incredible month bicycling and visiting the very best of Europe ...  Our last day! We spent our time in Regents Park and Hyde Park, then biked around the city on London’s “cycle superhighway.” We talked about highlights of our trip and what we’ve learned about ourselves and each other. Zoe: This being my first time in Europe, I loved exploring all the new places. Seeing how bike friendly the Netherlands is, the beautiful countryside of England, and the cities of Paris, Ghent, and Brugge was so incredible. It was also amazing to be able to interact with local people and other travelers. I’m so happy to have biked this tour and seen and done all that I did. Henry: Belgium and Netherlands were by far my favorite countries. The bike friendliness, the amazing cities, and beautiful scenery made it an unforgettable experience. One particular day I loved was phantoming in the Netherlands by the ocean, and waking up and having breakfast on the beach. Also all the dogs! Andy: I loved all four countries we went to. The highlight of England was watching the musical: A Comedy of a Bank Robbery, which had me laughing my butt off the whole time. My favorite part of France was climbing the Eiffel Tower and looking out over the city. The best moment in Belgium was watching the World Cup game in the town square. Although Belgium did not win, the atmosphere was still very cool. Last but certainly not least, I loved Holland for its friendly bike lanes and riding along the beach and phantom camping in the sandy dunes. Aimee: I love the Netherlands!!! I expected the awesome bike lanes to end when we left Amsterdam, but we had them all the way to the ferry. I would like to go back and bike across the country someday. The culture isn’t all that different from ours, but it’s an adventure to get around a country where you don’t speak the language. My favorite place to stay was actually in England, though, when we slept at a spacious hostel with its own gardens and farm. “Rabbit Village” won me over in about two seconds. David: Hearing French every day was a highlight for me, and, of all the places we visited, I would most wish to return to Paris. The bike lanes of the Netherlands were incredible — as were the art museums. The cobblestone streets of Ghent and Bruges in Belgium were wonderful to wander and get lost in, and beginning and ending the trek in England was special because the growth of the group was evident, whether asking strangers for directions, navigating without a GPS, or making collaborative decisions.

Announcing our Blizzard Sale!  - $250 off any Trek* Sale ends January 31, 2019. Take advantage of our Blizzard Sale and get $250 off any trek for summer 2019! Use coupon code BLIZZARD250 to get $250 off next summer's bicycle tour! We're always thrilled to see returning trekkers from previous summers, siblings of past trekkers, & friends of past trekkers! When you talk to friends and family this holiday season please tell them about our amazing trips and this special discount for the remainder of January! *Coupon code is not applicable to any purchases made in connection with a commission based referral service.

The Pacific Redwoods Trek! - December Sale - The Adventurer Vol. 18 No. 36

Brand New for Summer 2019! The Pacific Redwoods Trek! One of our favorite bicycle touring routes in the United States is now Teen Treks' newest trek! We're exited to announce the addition of the Pacific Redwoods Trek to our 2019 Trek Calendar! This 3 week trek for trekkers looking for a real challenge traverses the Oregon and California Redwood Coasts from Seaside, Oregon all the way to San Francisco! Featuring stunning oceanside roads atop towering cliffs, visits to numerous Redwood forests in Northern California, an excursion out to California's fabled Lost Coast, and a final day of bicycling across the Golden Gate Bridge straight into spectacular San Francisco! Learn more about the Pacific Redwoods Trek! Only 11 Days Remaining in our Holiday Sale! $300 off any Trek for the month of December!* Happy Holidays from Teen Treks! Don't know what to get your adventurous, outdoor loving teen for the holidays? Look no further! Take advantage of our Holiday Sale and get $300 off any trek for summer 2019! Use coupon code HAPPYHOLIDAYS2018 to get $300 off next summer's bicycle tour! We're always thrilled to see returning trekkers from previous summers, siblings of past trekkers, & friends of past trekkers! When you talk to friends and family this holiday season please tell them about our amazing trips and this special discount for December! *Coupon code is not applicable to any purchases made in connection with a commission based referral service.