Amsterdam-Paris Trekkers Follow the Canals to Ghent

Today we were up and out early and headed for Ghent. The route was another beautiful one and we made it to Bruges' rival city just in time for lunch. After lunch we walked around the city and did some window-shopping, and tried to take advantage of the air conditioned stores (90°F today!!) After checking into our hostel, we had a little time to cool off and rally before a yummy dinner of Turkish pizza, followed by ice cream for dessert. We really enjoyed the evening sightseeing, and are really excited for the tours and adventures we have planned for tomorrow.

Marco Polo at the Hawthorne Inn and Suites - NY-Montreal Trekkers

I loved swimming in the river in Cold Spring, NY, and all the hilly terrain was difficult - Allison

I liked getting fro yo and swimming in the pool. Having to go through all the stress the past two/ three days was hard - Alisa

Hey what’s going on guys,  welcome back to the blog. So basically today we were chilling and biked a cool 28 miles ye - Andre

Today was most relaxing and entertaining. I cannot wait until tomorrow! - Winston

Salutations 👋. Today was really fun for us Trekkers. My favorite part was the road at the end of our trek. The two hardest parts where the hills as well as keeping up with Jacob, speeding ahead of the entire group. Overall all, today was a blast - Jake

The first two days have been really fun. I’m going to be working extremely hard to keep up with Jacob. I enjoyed licking ice cream in our short and frequent breaks - Gabe

The beginning of our trek has been really fun. My favorite parts have been biking along the river and in between the mountains. I also have liked biking through small towns and swimming in the river. The hilly paths have been hard, but in the end we pulled through - Jonah

Bro, biking is mad fun.  I been cooking and stuff and that real fun, mmMmm yum.  Today I swam in a pool. Mmm yes very rewarding. Peace out - Jacob

Biking around New York State has been fun so far. I have been cooking dinner and been getting bitten by bugs. Arguing about what to get for dinner has also been fun- Charlie

The hills and valleys have been pretty tough today but we made it all the way to Fishkill, New York. Hopefully the rest of the trip will be uphill from here (not literally). A good way to end today was cooking quesadillas in the hotel mini kitchen. Overall a good trip so far - Wyatt

Amsterdam-Paris Trekkers Explore Bruges

Our day today was spent exploring the medieval city of Bruges.  After a hearty breakfast at the hostel, the group set out for the center of the city, the Markt. Here, the group climbed the 366 steps to the top of the Belfry of Bruges and  received a spectacular 360 degree view of the surrounding area. Also at the Belfry, the group received a rude awakening at the top of the hour by the bell tower. After descending the stairs, the group joined others on a walking tour of the city. The tour taught all about the history and legends of the city. This included stories behind the city's swans and the names of landmarks. After the tour, the group made their way to a nearby shop for artisanal bagel sandwiches. After lunch, the group was on the hunt for Belgian chocolates and waffles. In the afternoon, the group toured the Gruuthuse Museum and the Church of our Lady Bruges. After a long day of city touring, the group split and some did laundry and others prepared dinner in the hostel kitchen. After a long day of discovering Bruges, the team is resting easy in preparation for their last day of true bicycle trekking.

Biking to Bruges

We made it to Bruges, Belgium this afternoon! The weather was beautiful, and we all especially enjoyed the relaxing bike ride today. We stopped along the way for coffee, lunch, and even a short ferry ride. We were also excited to celebrate trekker Andreis's birthday, so we capped off our day with ribs for dinner. Looking forward to exploring Bruges tomorrow, and eating lots of chocolate and waffles along the way!

FIRST DAY: New York - Montreal Trek

Anxious bikers assembled this morning in Bryant Park in midtown Manhattan at 8 a.m. for the beginning of their 16 day, 400+ mile adventure up the Hudson Valley, through the Adirondacks, cornering Vermont, and into Quebec, Canada to Montreal.  The adventure started with a short train ride out of NYC with all their bikes and equipment to Dobbs Ferry.  There several more Trekkers joined the group and they played some ice-breaker games, talked about bike safety & rules of the road and then headed north along the Saw Mill River Bike Trail.  Today they have an easy 20 mile ride to Croton Point Park Campground on the Hudson River.

Amsterdam - Paris Trekkers bicycle peninsulas and islands as they head towards Belgium

Today's route was technically the longest day of biking but no way did it feel that way. The weather was great and spirits were high! We left camp as the morning chill was lifting and headed to our route. The route took us along the coast, over bridges, and under the towering windmills. As we biked, we came across many great views including a large group of kite surfers. As we hopped from peninsula to island back to peninsula, the group found plenty of spots to stop, take photos, and soak in their surroundings. Tonight marked our last night of camping which was celebrated with a round of stroopwafels for all.

Amsterdam-Paris Trekkers explore Rotterdam

Heat wave! We set out early today to try to beat the heat, and arrived in Rotterdam just in time for "second breakfast." After meandering around Rotterdam's giant arch-like "Markt," we headed over to the Maritime Museum, where we enjoyed the interactive adventure exhibits (and the air conditioning!) Then we headed home, had some delicious stir-fry compliments of today's cooking team, and ended the day with a nice swim in the lake!

When in Gouda, one must eat Gouda! Amsterdam-Paris Trekkers explore the Netherlands by bicycle

Today's day of biking started out with an early visit to The Hague.  While there, we saw the Escher House and the Hofkapel (photo). From there we ventured inland toward Gouda. Along the way, we biked on miles of bike paths and made plenty of stops in the shade. One stop including a path side farm stand with fresh peaches. Even though it was a hot day, the group stayed in high spirits by stopping, hydrating, and making jokes. Once in Gouda the group stopped for lunch made up of a variety of meats and cheeses. When in Gouda, one must eat Gouda. After lunch, the group went shopping and visited the Church of St. John. Famous for it's 72 stained glass windows, the audio tour explained the significance of each one. The end of the day brought on a relaxed ride through the country side with cows and canals. The group cooked another great meal and are settling in for bed. Another day of warm weather biking tomorrow accompanied by plenty of water!

Biking across dunes, enjoying coastal views and group bonding for Amsterdam-Paris Trekkers

My father always told me that boredom is a starvation of the mind. If that's the case then today has been a 3 course meal followed by an after dinner snack for the brain. We started off in Overveen, leaving our campsite early in the morning. Traveling across the dunes with the squad was, as the kids say, "lit." After a couple more miles of biking, a quick pit stop allowed some of the group to fuel up on some stroopwafel ice cream sandwiches, a food that surpasses anything that the Queen of England could have acquired 100 years ago, and perhaps even today. The boys got burned out around mid-day, so we stopped the cruise to catch some snooze in a park after lunch. After the boys "got the dub" we continued to Wassenaar where we saw the outside of a church and the inside of a Dunkin Donuts. Some Neapolitan ice cream was brought by Elliott, and was subsequently disposed of with ruthless efficiency. After that, a straight shot to the campsite was ridden, and we arrived in time to set up our tents and cook up some burgers. The smell of hand pressed burgers sizzling on a camp grill allowed us some respite from our aching legs, courtesy of the Bataan Bike March of 30 miles in one day. After some therapeutic group reflection, the narrative ends with me, typing this entry on my counselor's phone. The future holds many uncertainties, but remember folks, pirates sailed for thousands of miles searching for treasure, when the real treasure was the friendships they made along the way. -Tally

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!