2025

Embrace a Phone-Free Summer with Teen Treks: A Summer Bike Touring Program for Teenagers

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In a world dominated by screens and constant connectivity, the idea of a phone-free summer can seem like a distant dream. But what if you could trade your phone for a bicycle and experience the ultimate freedom? Teen Treks, a summer bike touring program for teenagers, offers a unique opportunity to unplug, unwind, and embrace the great outdoors—all while developing lifelong skills and making lasting memories. Why a Phone-Free Summer Matters In today’s digital age, it’s easy for teenagers to become overwhelmed by constant notifications, social media pressures, and the need to be “always on.” A phone-free summer can provide a much-needed break from the constant noise, offering the chance to reconnect with nature and focus on what truly matters—like building relationships, challenging yourself physically, and discovering new places. Spending time outdoors away from screens not only boosts mental health but also helps teenagers develop valuable life skills like independence, problem-solving, and resilience. A bike trip with Teen Treks offers the perfect environment for these growth opportunities. **Explore what happens when one mom made her sons and their friends go without smartphones and take a wild camping adventure. Teen Treks: The Ultimate Summer Adventure Teen Treks is a guided summer bike touring program designed specifically for teenagers looking for adventure, challenge, and the chance to connect with new friends and disconnect from their phones. Throughout the program, teens will embark on bike tours through scenic landscapes, taking on daily responsibilities, bond with their group in the great outdoors while exploring new places.  Here’s why Teen Treks stands out as the ideal phone-free summer experience: 1. Unplug and Recharge. The absence of smartphones means there are no distractions. Teens will be fully immersed in the present moment, whether it’s taking in the beauty of a mountain range, bonding with fellow trekkers, or mastering new cycling techniques. This immersive experience helps foster mindfulness and appreciation for the world around them. 2. Adventure and Fitness Combined. Biking is an excellent way to stay active while exploring new terrain. Teen Treks encourages physical fitness and provides an opportunity for teens to challenge themselves physically. The program’s itineraries are designed to suit various fitness levels, so whether your teen is a seasoned cyclist or a beginner, they’ll be able to participate and grow. 3. Teamwork and Independence. Bike touring is a communal experience that requires teamwork and mutual support. Teens will work together to navigate their routes, set up camp, cook meals together and overcome challenges. At the same time, they’ll gain a sense of independence as they plan, prepare, and execute their trips with minimal reliance on technology. 4. Environmental Awareness. The program also fosters environmental stewardship. Traveling by bike allows teens to explore eco-friendly travel options and gain a deeper understanding of the natural world. As they cycle through diverse landscapes, they’ll develop a strong appreciation for the environment and how to protect it. 5. Build Lasting Friendships. Being away from phones creates opportunities for real, face-to-face connections. Teens will bond over shared experiences, whether it’s biking through challenging terrain, cooking meals together, or reflecting on their day around the campfire. These friendships often last long after the program ends. How Teen Treks Helps Teens Develop Important Life Skills A phone-free summer with Teen Treks is not just about disconnecting from devices—it’s about connecting with the real world. Throughout the program, teens will gain valuable life skills such as: Is Teen Treks the Right Choice for Your Teen? If you’re looking for a summer program that encourages physical activity, personal growth, and valuable life experiences, Teen Treks is the perfect choice. By going on a bike tour with Teen Treks, your teen will not only enjoy the freedom of a phone-free summer but also return home with a sense of accomplishment, new friendships, and a deep appreciation for the world around them. Join the Phone-Free Revolution with Teen Treks Summer is the perfect time to step away from the constant distractions of screens and social media. With Teen Treks, your teen can experience the ultimate adventure, make memories that will last a lifetime, and embrace a summer of freedom, all while exploring new landscapes on two wheels. Sign up for Teen Treks today and give your teen the opportunity to unplug, explore, and grow. It’s a summer they’ll never forget!

Celebrating 25 Seasons of Teen Bike Tours with Film, ‘Beyond the Bike’

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Join us to celebrate 25 incredible seasons of Teen Treks, where adventure meets self-discovery on two wheels! Our new film, “Beyond the Bike: Teen Treks Adventures,” showcases unforgettable bike tours across breathtaking landscapes in the U.S., Canada, and Europe. Discover the journeys of teens who faced challenges and created lasting memories. Dive into the adventure and see why Teen Treks is more than just a bike tour!

Teen Bike Adventures- 2023 Summer Reflections

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Muted colors of Fall leaves surround us here in the Northeast, and low temperatures let us know the season is transitioning from those long, hot summer days to the upcoming cold, dreary winter season. This transition time is a great opportunity to reflect on the lively summer days and the teen bike adventures that took place all across the U.S., Canada and Europe. As Teen Treks shuffles through photos, videos, reviews, and recalls countless conversations over the adventures had this summer, we are reminded of the transforming power of traveling to new places from the seat of a bicycle. And we are elated by every story of teens rising to self-sufficiency, personal development and newfound perspectives while creating lasting memories and friendships. Across America Trek Our Across America Trekkers travelled long, arduous days from coast to coast, completing many century rides, meeting hospitable strangers, and learning about the American culture from remote mountain towns out West, to classic Midwestern destinations and bustling northeastern cities. They were welcomed everywhere they went and experienced many kind offerings and interactions from impressed audiences across the country. The Across America group tested their personal limits daily, and for 55-days learned what it was like to work together as a team to accomplish a challenging goal. Their celebration in NYC was one of complete satisfaction at a journey that will empower them in future endeavors and likely never be forgotten. New York City- Montreal New York-Montreal Trekkers faced many rainy days this summer, yet showed resilience as they pitched tarps at their campsites and continuously wore smiles on their faces, looking at every challenge as an opportunity to embrace the spirit of adventure. They experienced beautiful destinations, riding along the Hudson River, camping next to Lake George, scenic Burlington bike paths and explorations around the Montreal City Center. Both Teen Treks’ New York-Montreal groups created tight bonds with their leaders and fellow trekkers, walking away with new adventure buddies and plenty of stories to tell. Amsterdam- Paris Trek Amsterdam-Paris Trekkers experienced the bike-friendly landscape of the Netherlands, Belgium and France, immersed in the youth hostel culture of Europe and visited many interesting museums and historic sights along the way. The Amsterdam- Paris Trek is a great example of how bike trips can be so much more than biking. The group indulged in local cuisine, including Dutch breakfast’s of deli meats, cheeses and bread, Belgian waffles in Bruges, and Dutch apple pie while in Amsterdam. They visited the M.C. Escher Museum at The Hague, slept at a Stayokay Hostel stationed inside a medieval castle and took walking and boat tours in Brugge. They explored the beautiful canals of Ghent, biked to the Palace of Versailles and spent their last couple days enjoying Paris. Cape Cod & New England Shore Cape Cod & New England Shore Trekkers spent many dreamy days along the Atlantic Coast, navigating through scenic rail trails and taking advantage of countless swimming and marine observing opportunities. After travelling from the northern end of Cape Cod, down to Martha’s Vineyard, the groups biked through quaint coastal New England towns with another island hop to Block Island. Being so close to the ocean presented many opportunities for learning about marine life. At the Chatham Fishing Pier, groups witnessed a massive fishing operation. As boat loads of dogfish were swooped onto deck, countless seals stood by for accidental mishaps of fish sliding off the boat and into their mouths. On Block Island, trekkers visited the Block Island Maritime Institute and learned about threatened marine species and local watershed concerns. Being surrounded by boats along this trip, a must-see stop along the Cape Cod & New England Shore Trek is the Mystic Seaport Museum in Mystic, CT, where 19-acres of maritime history captivated trekkers for hours. All in all, it was a fun, educational, challenging and rewarding summer. After 22 years running self-supported bike trips for teenagers, our post-summer reflections always remind us of this very unique role bike tours play in teenager’s lives. Not everyone can go back to school and say they spent the summer relying on their bike as a form of transportation, learning to maintain their bike and problem-solve away from modern convenience. Not many teens can say they pedaled their way to incredible new experiences that taught them something new about themselves and the world they live in. We hope that these experiences leave lasting marks on every teen who participated in Teen Treks bike adventures this summer. As you set off into the school year, we encourage each trekker to continuously stroke those embers of curiosity and exploration. Let’s see what other adventurous sparks your future may ignite!

West Coast, Best Coast?

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West Coast, best coast? Join us on an unforgettable journey along the Pacific Coastal Bike Route from Seattle to San Diego. Experience stunning ocean views, challenging climbs, and the laid-back vibe that attracts bikers worldwide. We’ve been re-scouting Teen Treks’ West Coast trips, revealing hidden gems and must-do experiences. With incredible weather and diverse scenery—from the Redwood National Forest to Venice Beach—this adventure will be spectacular. Curious if the West Coast reigns supreme? Stay tuned for our insights and photos!

Best Bike Touring Gifts- All Price Ranges

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Is there a bike adventurist in your family who you are never sure how to shop for? We are here to be your guide for the perfect gift, anytime, for that bike touring enthusiast in your family. It can take a while to acquire all the equipment essential for bike touring and this can be a barrier for someone trying to live out their bike traveling dreams. I’ve put together a gift list of some of my favorite bike touring gear items that have been a game-changer in my riding experience. As a self-contained bike traveler, working for one of the largest self-supported bike touring organizations leading trips for teenagers, I have gained a lot of experience dialing down essential and innovative bike touring gear and have learned what other bike tourists alike are using out on the road. Here’s some gift ideas to help equip the bike tourist in your family! Abus Bordo Lite 6055K Bike Lock, The Bike Hub- $89.99 When touring, you are on and off your bike often. Having quick access to a lock is important. In an ideal world, we would all carry steel U-Locks, however, they are big and bulky and not easy to carry. A cable lock is a lot lighter but it stands no chance to a bike thief. I found this lightweight folding bike lock to be the best of all around for bike touring. You can strap it directly on your top tube, quickly unfold it and lock up without worrying about getting your bike stolen. That way you can tour a museum or make a grocery store run without being nervous about your bike’s safety. This is currently my favorite bike touring gear items to take on trips, and I must say, I get asked about it all the time from other cyclists. I would NOT get a mini size, get the full size… you’ll need the extra space to be able to lock anywhere you go. Topeak Road Morph Pump with Guage, REI- $54.95 I’ve been using this portable bike pump for a long time, it has everything you want to get you out of a roadside flat. A small footstand, a retractable handle, a PSI gauge, and a high PSI range of up to 160! The latter is my favorite part. I’ve had many hand pumps in the past that never seemed to get enough air in my tires. Without having access to a full-size pump on the road, it’s very important to have a portable pump that can get your tires aired up just as much as a floor pump would. Otherwise, you’re dealing with lots of unwanted flats, waisted time and resources when you’d much rather be focused on riding your bike! Ortlieb Ultimate Six Classic Handelbar Bag, Bikes Direct- $80.75 OK, so this was a recent purchase for me before biking the Pacific Coast Highway this Fall and expecting plenty of rain. Over the years, I have had a handlebar bag that is not waterproof. When it would rain, all my tools, headlamp, and maps would get soaked and overtime my tools would start to rust. I finally said no more and bought an Ortlieb Waterproof Handlebar bag. And wow… it’s a game changer. Not sure why I didn’t make this purchase before. I know us Ortlieb users can seem like snobs but honestly, there is not a better touring bag company out there. There is a reason why every time I go on a bike tour, all other tourists are sporting Ortlieb gear. What I love the most about this bag (besides it keeping my tools dry) is that it has a plastic cover on top where you can keep your map dry. You can even put your phone in the sleeve to keep dry while still using your phone’s maps for directions. Ortlieb products are super durable and I see no reason to ever have another handlebar bag! Bonai Portable Charger 3000mAh, Amazon- $33.99 I brag about this charger all the time, and often find myself using it even when I am not on a bike trip, as it is much faster than my wall charger. I have Iphone 13, and though the description says this power bank will provide up to 5 charges for my model, I have gotten up to 7 charges out of a full battery. It’s fast, high capacity, and uses a 4-USB output which enables it to be universal for multiple input ports. It is a bit on the heavy side, but I find it’s a good tradeoff for a trusted battery bank while biking in remote places! Greerride Rechargeable Bike Helmet Light, Amazon- $29.95 As a cyclist, often sharing the road with other motorist, we’re always looking for ways to be as visible as possible. On a recent bike trip, I found myself riding at dusk more often with day light savings causing it to get dark much earlier. I found the Greerride bike helmet light to be a great solution, in addition to the front and back lights on my bicycle. I love that it sits on top of the helmet, giving a higher vantage point to be seen by vehicles. I find it unique that this helmet light doubles as a front headlamp as well. This means you can point light directly where you are looking, making you feel extra safe during night riding! Mizatto Bike Cup Holder, Amazon- $9.99 for 1, $11.99 for 2. Extra water bottle holder, a place to store some road snacks, quick access to tools, this bag does it all. This low-price cup holder bag is totally worth the purchase in order to have extra accessible handlebar storage. The drawstring features allows you to tuck items away safely, too. My favorite thing to do with this bag is to fill it with trail mix and snack away while biking. It’s not waterproof, but as long as your important storage bags are waterproof, it’s not essential for this bag to serve …

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