Inside & Outside Niagara Falls for the Niagara-Toronto Trekkers

Today we saw Niagara Falls from the top, bottom, inside, outside, close up and far away. Shout out to Maid of the Mist for giving us an up close and personal experience with the world's largest Horseshoe (aka the Niagara side of the Falls). With cool new ponchos in hand, we then ventured to Goat Island before heading north for a hike down to Devils Hole. With Jessie and Austin in the lead, we scrambled down stairs and over rocks, and relaxed on the side of the trail next to the Niagara River. After our hike, we crossed back into Canada to cook a scrumptious dinner in the hostel. Ryan and Dylan led the cooking crew with enough grilled cheese, hamburgers and salad for days. We're excited to continue our adventure towards Toronto tomorrow!

Pacific Northwest Trekkers Enjoy Their Final Days on the Picturesque Puget Sound

We pumped up tires, packed food and belongings and headed out of Fort Townsend State Park towards our last camping spot for the trip at Kitsap Memorial State Park.

It was about a 25-mile day, headed east, through long, hilly roads. Eventually we crossed over the bridge and arrived at our destination late afternoon.

Having early evening free, we were able to hang out at the beach, take naps, swim, read and relax all before it was time to make dinner.

Delicious campside burritos filled our stomachs for dinner, and dessert was had down by the beach over a beautiful sunset with the mountainous scene in the background. It was almost like starring into a painting!

Tomorrow we will head to Seattle early in the morning, one last day of biking, a ferry ride and packing up bikes before we share a big meal together!

Maine Coast Trekkers Enjoy Historic Lowell

Today our journey to Bar Harbor began! After riding the commuter rail north of Boston to Lowell, the group got to know each other while exploring the historic sites in the birthplace of the American Industrial Revolution. We ate delicious sandwiches before biking 15 miles to our first campground of the trip. Everyone is riding confidently and excited to see the ocean tomorrow in Gloucester!

NY-Montreal Trekkers Reach Albany!

Last night we camped at the historic Ice House in Newton Hook. While camping, we enjoyed a sunset swim and dry night under the stars.

We set out in the morning on our path to Albany. Our journey consisted of roller coaster like twist, turns, and hills. We stopped halfway for a snack and to refill our bottles at Schodack Island State Park. We also stopped at a farm stand and enjoyed fresh peaches and zucchini bread.

In Albany we took a tour of the magnificent New York State Capital Building.  Then we walked across the Albany Mall to the Observation Floor in a nearby skyscraper.  Our day was concluded with luxurious beds, showers, and a pool at the Albany Holiday Inn Express.

Awesome Niagara Falls Highlights the Day for the Niagara-Toronto Trekkers

Today the Teen Treks group cycled from Buffalo to Niagara Falls Canada along the beautiful Niagara Parkway.  During one of our stops we watched a guy dress into his diving suit and found out that he dives for 30 + minutes being carried by the river current and gets picked out down river.  We found a scenic spot along the river for a picnic lunch and then continued our ride to Niagara Falls. We visited the  famous Horseshoe Falls and all got Tim Hortons donuts.  For some of us it was their first Tim Hortons donut. We biked to the Niagara Falls Hostel and food committee cooked a wonderful dinner of pasta, chicken, and green beans with garlic. Dessert was double chocolate chips cookies.  This evening we rode back to the falls for the fireworks show and to view falls which they light up each night in different colors.  Tomorrow we are looking forward to the Maid of the Mist and a dynamic hike along the lower Niagara Gorge.

Maine Coast Trek Begins in Boston

Eight excited Trekkers and Trip Leaders Isabel & Ben met early today to begin their 16 day, 400+ mile ride north through Massachusetts, New Hampshire, and Maine.  To bypass riding through Boston streets the group took an MTA train to Lowell, MA. There they will get to know one another, talk about bike safety before exploring this city's Industrial Revolution past.  Finally they will bike 15 miles to their campsite at Harold Parker State Forest.

Niagara-Toronto Trekkers Begin Their 10 Day Adventure!

Teens and parents met at beautiful Front Park overlooking the mouth of the Niagara River to begin the 150+ mile bike ride to Toronto, Ontario.  The trip includes 2 days in Niagara Falls where the Trekkers will see the mighty Niagara roar from multiple viewpoints and venues, including the Maid of the Mist and a hike at the Niagara Whirlpool.  As they head north they will bike alongside the huge lake freighters on the Welland Canal and overnight at picturesque Balls Falls and Bronte Provincial Park.  The Trekkers will spend 3 days in Toronto to visit Chinatown, great art museums, the beautiful waterfront and the Toronto Beaches. Finally a bus will bring them to Buffalo, NY for their last day of cycling around the Queen City.

Pacific Northwest Trekkers Enjoying Their Final Days Together

As we inch closer to our final days together, exploring the Pacific Northwest, there are still beautiful sights to see and special moments to have.

Today, was just that. We left Sequim Bay State Park after a warm bowl of oatmeal and a beaming sunrise over the bay.

Reminders of our evening swim the night before left a fond memory as our bikes turned out of the park and continued our journey through the Olympic Peninsula.

We followed the Olympic Discovery Trail, a calm gravel trail with a scenic view of the Puget Sound by our side throughout the ride.

We met some nice people at the local grocery store/bike shop during our quick lunch break, and then headed into the hilly journey to our campsite for the night at Fort Townsend State Park.

Since we arrived early, we set up tents in our cozy section of the forest, ditched our panniers and headed into the old city of Port Townsend to explore and eat dinner.

Luckily, it was Thursday, which meant live music downtown near the pier. With an eclectic mixture of Mexican food, pizza and barbecue, we all gathered take-out and picnicked in the grass while listening to folky tunes and watching sailboats cruise by in the setting sun.

The night ended with a full moon, a beachside sing-a-long, and a few determined swimmers braving the chilly Sound.

With only two days left, we plan to squeeze in every adventurous moment and enjoy the quality time we have left to share together.

NY-Montreal Trekkers Enjoying Cycling, Farms, Swimming, and Pizza

Leaving Norrie Park, this morning we started our 40+ mile bike up to Newton Hook. The rain finally clearing, we enjoyed a beautiful ride up Route 9, stopping along the way for lunch and wading in a creek. The highlight of the day was stopping by Meisner’s Heritage Farm store and munching on fresh peaches, homemade fudge, and cookies described by one Trekker as “circles of heaven.” We finished off the day at a local pizzeria and with a refreshing swim, enjoying our night in tents before we head off to Albany tomorrow.

Pacific Northwest Trekkers Enjoying the Natural Beauty of Northern Washington

We biked from Heart o' the Hills campground to Sequim Bay State Park. The group enjoyed learning about local marine life at the aquarium in Port Angeles. It was interesting to see how the vegetation changed from temperate rainforest to a more dry desert like landscape as we got closer to Sequim. The Olympic Mountains block much of the perception in Sequim. We even saw a bald eagle!

European Grand Tour Trekkers Highlight Their Awesome Adventure!

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.

Hurricane Ridge Accomplished by Pacific Northwest Trekkers

Oh man, today was the day that all of the other trekkers (minus Otto) were fearing. It was finally time to climb Hurricane Ridge- the excutiatingly painful past day-and-a -half slog up to the peak of the mountain located about 5,242 feet up.

I, along with my great friends, were dying, but the promise of a nice rest , Ice cream and a ride downhill kept us motivated to continue onwards.

We finally reached the peak and the views beauty was multiplied infinitely after putting in the hard work to get to the snow capped mountains surrounded our group as we snacked on ice cream and hung out

It was finally time to descend the mountain, thirty minutes of total bliss made the whole trip worth it.

Now getting ready for bed I reflect on today and realize that the ride was not only worth it for the ride down but also for the amazing friends who accompanied me along the way.

Written by Trekker Spencer

The European Grand Tour Trekkers' Finale in London

Today we went on the famous Sandeman Walking Tour. Our tour guide’s name was Becky, and she was very peppy. We explored sections of London, and even went by the Buckingham Palace and saw a member of the royal family go by. Then we visited Saint James’s Park, voted the most picturesque park in England. After, we had hot pies in a crowded park and talked about vegetarianism. Later in the evening, we went to the Criterion Theater and saw A Comedy About a Bank Robbery. It was very witty and it was interesting to hear British people trying to have American accents, since the play took place in Minneapolis. We finished the night with some cheesecake in the hostel sun room.

NY-Montreal Trekkers Bike North Up the Scenic Hudson

Today our group of trekkers started out in Croton and followed the Hudson north. By high noon, we stopped for lunch at Peekskill Landing Park. While part of the group gathered supplies for lunch, the others napped in the shade of some nearby trees. While eating, we were able to watch some trains arrive and depart from the nearby station. After lunch we continued north along bike route 9 following signs for Fishkill. The route consisted of some up hills but we were rewarded with even better downhills. When the group arrived at the hotel, we were met with hot showers and a couple of pizzas. Rest easy for tomorrow brings even more adventures.

Pacific Northwest Trekkers Reach Olympic National Park

As many of us had peanut butter on thick Texas toast for breakfast at the hostel, we looked forward to the 6 miles straight uphill on the infamous Hurricane Ridge.  Two hours later, we boarded the ferry to Port Angeles and said goodbye to Victoria and Canada.  Later, as we got off the ferry, we ate lunch outside the Safeway and spent three hours biking up finally making it to the gorgeous Olympic National Park.  We had tacos with beef, beans, and fresh guacamole and prepared for tomorrow where we have double the miles uphill to make it to the top of the mountain. 

• Written by Trekker Matt

NY-Montreal Trekkers Begin Their Ride Up the Beautiful Hudson Valley

Today the NY-Montreal Trekkers met for the first time and started to work as one unit to finish the day. Though in unfamiliar territory, the Trekkers ended up in a nice and cozy campground, eating a delicious shepherd’s pie and playing cards. After the team bonding the leaders effortlessly directed, the kids know a lot more about each other and are one step closer to Montréal.

European Grand Tour Trekkers Bike into London!

This morning we woke up later than usual, and had cereal and toast for breakfast. The sun quickly rose up and it got really hot. So Henry and I decided to have a water ballon fight with David. We frantically filled up and chased each other around, getting soaked and laughing while the girls watched on the sidelines. When we finally set off to our final destination, we could really feel the sun. We biked along a canal and watched a couple boats pass through the locks. When we got into the city, Henry was burnt out from the heat and getting lost, so I took over leading, which was annoying when missing a turn but so satisfying when seeing the road I’m looking for. Dinner was made in a cramped kitchen, and I ended the night reading Anne Frank’s Diary. y. 

First Day For NY-Montreal Trekkers

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.

Verse From the Road of the Pacific Northwest Trekkers

Wake up in the morning feeling like Teen Trekkers, got our glasses, we out the door, we gonna hit Vctoria. before we leave, make some toast, in the hostel kitchen, cus when we leave for the day, Tyler won't let us return.

Talkin fish 'n' chips on the dock (dock), pyramids in the park (park), and free time where we could walk (walk) cooking curry for dinner, cake feels like we're winners, trying to beat  others at billiards...

Don't stop, let's pack up,
can someone wake Kyle up?
Today we will ride,
Till we lose the sunlight
Tick-tock on the clock
But the riding don't stop no.
Don't stop, let's pack up,
can someone wake Kyle up?
Today we will ride,
Till we lose the sunlight
Tick-tock on the clock
But the riding don't stop no.
Ain't got a care in world, but we can't feed the seals,
Got US money in our pockets,but we're already here
And now the dudes are lining up 'cause we need to board the ferry,
But we'll stop on the road if we see some fresh cherries.

I'm talking about noody getting flats, flats,
trekkers wearing cool hats, hats
ain't nothing the matter with that, that
Now, now, we showering till we check out
Or we milling about the town, town
milling about the town
milling bout the town,

Don't stop, let's pack up,
can someone wake Kyle up?
Today we will ride,
Till we lose the sunlight
Tick-tock on the clock
But the riding don't stop no.

(To the tune of Tick Tock by Ke$ha)

European Grand Tour Trekkers Punting on the Thames