Say Hello To Sarah

Hi Teen Trekkers!  I’m Sarah, I’m from Buffalo, NY, and I am about to graduate from Binghamton University with a degree in Biology and Environmental Science.  I can’t wait to hop on my bike and explore new parts of the world with you all.  I love to Travel. I lived in Spain for a year when I was a senior in high school. I studied tropical ecology in Costa Rica as a junior in college and some of my best memories are from road trips out west with my best friends.  I have been working at a summer camps for years, teaching swimming lessons and bicycling classes. Also I co-teach the Backcountry Medicine Class and Outdoor Living Skills Class at my college. I’ve also been known to tag along on canoe, backpacking, and camping trips as the first-aid assistant.  Some things I love to do besides ride my bike include doing cartwheels, bird-watching, singing songs, crossword puzzles, and baking.  The road and me?  We can’t get enough of each other.  It’s going to be a fun summer.

Check Out Kat!

Hey all! My name is Kat and I am so excited to adventure with all of you this summer! I am originally from Newtown, CT and am currently an Outdoor Adventure Leadership major at Ithaca College in New York. I love that my major allows me to spend a majority of my time outside having fun! Right now I'm taking classes in Washington State for the experiential learning aspect of my major. For the whole semester, I get the opportunity to sea kayak in the San Juan Islands, train to be a whitewater raft guide, rock climb, and mountaineer in the North Cascades. I've worked as an instructor at a camp that teaches teens wilderness survival skills such as how to build a fire without matches. In addition to learning, I also love to travel. I've been to Honduras, Spain, and in high school I went to Mexico to save sea turtles. Last year I road tripped across America, camping in national parks and national forests along the way. In my free time I love baking, cooking, reading, frolicking through the woods, dancing, meeting new people, and just being outside soaking up the environment. My absolute favorite activity is biking because of the sense of freedom it give me.  I fell in love with biking when I started going on long bike rides around the gorgeous Finger Lakes Region of New York and realized that I could use my bike to get me anywhere. I cannot wait to meet everyone and hit the road on two wheels for some awesome adventures this summer!

It's Darcy!

Hello Teen Trekkers! My name is Darcy and I am from Seattle, Washington, but am currently living just outside of Austin, Texas. Currently I am working at an outdoor school teaching everything from biology and geology to teambuilding and rock climbing.  I led a Teen Trek in 2010 to Europe and had such a great time.  I graduated from Middlebury College in Vermont in 2010 with a degree in Italian. Other than biking, I love to rock climb and any other activities that keep me outside. I am really looking forward to another Teen Trek adventure because cycling is the best way to put a smile on my face and I get to share that with you!

Say Hi to Jake!

Hello fellow trekkers and travelers! I’m Jake from Buffalo, NY. I’m counting down the days to meet the rest of Team Teen Treks 2012, and find out who will be joining me for the most excellent adventure! I just returned from a memorable cross country camping trip (my first), and can’t wait to explore more places! My girlfriend and I camped in places like Yellowstone, The Badlands, and Death Valley. I saw my first cave, climbed a Colorado mountain, and swam in each of the Great Lakes and both Oceans! I am lucky to have such an awesome job, enroot to finishing my degree in education at Buffalo State College. I also skateboard, play basketball, softball, Frisbee, board-games, mountain-bike, and have ice cream & animated movie nights! In the past I’ve been a camp counselor, playground attendant, coach and instructor, interned at a nature preserve, spent 6 years in a bike shop and recently worked in a program teaching bicycle safety and DIY maintenance. Riding my bike gives me a sense of freedom and independence. I look forward to meeting you!

Meet Alec

Greetings to my fellow cyclists, vagabonds, middle of nowhere goers, adventurers of the road; I cannot wait to meet you all and get on the road. My name is Alec, of Ossining, New York and I will be one of your fearless leaders. I cannot wait to share the joy of being on the road, meeting people, and seeing the towns that have no highway exits. We are going to the most interesting places, and we are going to get there on the road less travelled. Professionally, I have spent the last seven summers working at three different summer camps. Cycling through the Alps and Eastern Europe was my most surprising recent adventure, as plans to travel by bike materialized only after arriving in Greece. Spontaneity is my passion, so I rolled with it! I also enjoy, mountain biking, running, hiking, knitting, welding, wilderness survival and primitive living, snowboarding, swimming, and most importantly, just hanging with friends! The only thing better than hanging out, is hanging out on bikes. I can hardly wait for the summer to arrive!

The 2012 Season is off to a great start!

Hey Teen Trekkers & Support Team Members!

It has been way to long since we last posted on our blog! We spent our off season launching our new website, www.teentreks.com. Check out videos, leader bios, amazing new Treks, and of course hundreds of photos from past summers.

We are very excited to announce that our online registration is up and running; making signing up for your summer adventure even easier. www.teentreks.com/applynow.html

I hope you are getting excited for your summer adventure!

Across America is Across America!

"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

"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

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

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!

"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!

"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

"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!

"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!

"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!

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!

"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!

"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

"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"

"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