Across America's time in Chicago

All of the long days and centuries were worth it for the time off in Chicago!  The group stayed in a suburb with some of Monique's family, and they had plenty of time to unwind and do some urban exploring.  The group had a great time, with stops all along the downtown area. 

More, please!

One of the Leaders, Julian, was lucky and won a ticket to Lollapalooza, a festival, that takes place in Grant Park over three days.  The sold out music festival attracts some major bands, so the group decided to share the wristband to take turns watching Mumford and Sons' performance.  

Festival Entrance

A shot from Mumford and Sons' set

The canals and beautiful architecture were favorites of the group

The Trekkers loved Chicago, especially because they have spent the past month or so in small cities and on rural roads.  The food was good and sleeping in was better, and it was amazing to get off the bikes and hang out.  Overall, Chicago was great!

Starting on Sunday, the group headed through Indiana and into Michigan, and stayed in New Buffalo, which sits on Lake Michigan.  Upon an early rise in New Buffalo, some locals took interest in the travelers and offered fresh coffee and food; kindness that the Trekkers were very grateful for!

New Buffalo, Michigan

The group continued past Sturgis, Michigan and finished yesterday somewhere in the middle of the state.  The group is set to enter Canada in the next day, and will be in Buffalo/Teen Treks' headquarters this weekend.  From there the group will cut across New York State to the Big Apple.  The group is continuing with days of high mileage (70-85 miles daily), and have decided that the more they ride, the more they can eat out...

Nice First Day on the New York-Montreal (NYM A5) Trek

The group with Leaders Kyle and Erin (in Teen Treks shirts)

A group of anxious bikers assembled at the Dobbs Ferry station ready for their 400+ mile ride north to Montreal.  They had a great ride on a Westchester County bike path to the Croton Park Campground. Everyone was already doing well with bike safety and drops thanks to returning Teen Trekkers. 
We had wonderful weather and everyone is getting along well, and no bike issues so far.  We arrived at our campground and made dinner, relaxed and got to know one another.  A good first day and we are ready for more!

Croton Park area's view.

Lake Ontario Trek makes it to Chimney Bluffs and Beyond!

Lake Ontario continues to travel around the lake.  Over the weekend, the group made it to Chimney Bluffs State Park, where they had a great hike along the Lake and naturally spiked points, and to the college town of Oswego, NY, which introduced the group to Lake Oswego.  Here are some photos

Leaving Wolfe Island

Doing there best not to smile and look centuries old...

 

Chimney Bliffs State Park is an awesome hiking spot.

 

Oswego area

 Today the group will be in Webster, New York by way or a relaxing route past the Erie Canal.

Final Days of New England Trek

The New England Trek rounded the the weekend and their Trek in Provincetown and Boston.  While in Provincetown, the group visited the Provincetown Museum, which focused on the original pilgrims of 1620 and the Mayflower Compact. They also visited the Pilgrim Monument, which commemorates the arrival of the first pilgrims.  The group climbed up the 175 steps to the top, which has a great sunny view.  The group enjoyed some fudge, explored the pretty city, did laundry and ate dinner (tacos) before heading to Boston.

To climb or not to climb...

yep, they climbed it!

Although the Trekkers were excited to get to Boston, it was a bittersweet day because it was the end of the Trek.  The group hung out in the city and explored Faneuil Hall and Quincy Square.

Faneuil Hall is famous as a marketplace and meeting hall during the early days of America.

Lots of people asked about our bikes at Faneuil Hall.

One final ice cream break!

 The Trekkers had a final dinner out at a habachi grill called Osaka.  Two Boston based Trekkers, Nick and Daniel, took us to one of their favorite restaurants. The chefs cooked the meal right in front of us and put on a real show!

 After saying goodbye to a few Boston based Trekkers, the group headed back to New York City, where the Trek officially ended.

Thank you to all of the Trekkers and families who were involved with the New England Trek. It was a great sixteen days, and we hope you keep on riding!

Thank you,

Cliff, Alexa, Erin and Kate

Niagara Toronto Off to Sunny Start

The Niagara Toronto Trek is in Buffalo and ready to go!  The small group comes from New York, New Hampshire and New Jersey and is ready to get cycling!  Today the group met and Buffalo's Front Park, which sits along Lake Erie, and had breakfast while getting to know one another.  The Teen Treks Director, Cliff, and Program Coordinator, Alexa also stopped by to meet the group.

The Trekkers with Leaders Keaton and Kate

The Chatty group is spending the sunny morning going over bike safety, and will have a picnic lunch before exploring Buffalo's many summer activities.  The group will go to City Hall's observation deck, cruise along the waterfront and head over to Anchor Bar, the originators of Buffalo wings for dinner. Today's weather is nice and sunny with a light breeze-perfect for some light riding on the city's bike path lined streets. 

City Hall provides a fantastic panoramic view of Buffalo and Canada.

Dinner!

Here it the Trek's Itinerary:

Lake Ontario Trek Back in New York State

The Lake Ontario Trekkers have had a great few days.  Here's what the Leaders had to say:

Before crossing into New York State, the group enjoyed a day in Kingston, Ontario.  Kingston is a big lakeside town along the Thousand Islands, full of pretty architecture, tree lined streets and boats.  The group enjoyed the city by having the Canadian's much loved Tim Horton's donuts and sandwiches for breakfast and checking out a penitentiary museum. 

Take your pick at the much loved coffee and donut hotspot, Tim Horton's

Kingston's town center waterfront area

Ice cream: a daily requirement.

Yesterday (Thursday), they caught the ferry to Wolfe Island, the largest among the Thousand Islands.  On the Ferry, Laura (Leader) got chatting to a man who had taken an interest in the group of bikers.  Later on, the man surprised the Trekkers with an offer to stay at his island home, which they kindly accepted.  The group has been surprised and impressed by the unexpected kindness and generosity of strangers so far, and particularly enjoys seeing the differences in lakeside lifestyles.  The group explored all 8 miles of Wolfe Island, which is flat with a wind farm, farms, stables and boat docks.

Thousand Islands

Welcome to Wolfe Island!

Prepping dinner in their host's kitchen with farm fresh veggies.

 As of this morning (Friday) the group left the Island by ferry, entered New York, and are biking one of their high mile days of about 42 miles.  The Trek is having a ball and are enjoying the towns, laid back living and random shops/attractions/parks that they find daily.  The sun is out, the weather is good and today's destination is Henderson, NY.

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!

Lake Ontario in Small Town Ontario

The Lake Ontario Trekkers are  hugging Lake Ontario, and having great rides every day with no problems.  They camped the past two nights with great weather, sun and ice cream every day.  They are currently surrounded by farms, tiny towns and helpful locals.  The travels are going extremely well for the group, with chances to swim every day!

The Trekkers with Leader Luke (in the plaid shirt)

Standard view for the past few days

Lunch, with mandatory ice cream...

The only campground for miles was full, so a local cyclist hosted the group in her back yard garden!

About to set off from their kind host's home...