Meet Your Leaders
Teen Treks Leaders
Shelter
Seattle, WA
Howdy Teen Trekkers! My name is Shelter (like a house), and I am so excited to lead for Teen Treks this summer. I did Teen Treks when I was a teenager, and can't wait to return as a leader. I had a blast as a trekker, biking to new places, traveling with a group of young people, and embracing the outdoors. I can't wait to be back on the road and meet the amazing group i'll be leading this summer! Outside of bike trekking, I love music and work as a DJ at my college radio station. I'm also a huge fan of endorphins and the great outdoors, so outside of class I love to go running, cross country skiing, backpacking, and, of course, biking. I am from Seattle, Washington but go to Bates College in Maine (go bobcats!) where I study Math and Rhetoric. Previously, I have worked as a camp counselor at a sailing camp for several years and am excited to continue working outdoors and with teens. I look forward to fostering an inclusive, safe, adventurous, and fun space this summer!
Jacob
Madison, IN
Hello Adventurers! I’m Jacob from Madison, Indiana. I did a Teen Treks trip when I was 17, the Maine Coast Bike Tour, and it was one of the coolest experiences of my life. I’m psyched to be doing more bike touring and helping teens have the same awesome experience that I did. I’ve traveled in France and Belgium and done many bike trips all over the United States. I worked for years as a martial arts instructor teaching kids, teens, and adults. I love being in the gym and on my bike and I can’t wait to get on the road with you!
Brett
Boston, MA
Hello Trekkers! My name is Brett from Boston, Massachusetts. I can’t wait to explore some beautiful places on two wheels with all of you. I have backpacked across Europe, Driven cross country twice, and have deeply explored much of Utah on foot, skis, bike and raft! I enjoy anything outside, but otherwise you can find me cooking, sewing or painting. In Vermont, I’ve worked with students, organizing outdoor trips and specifically teaching kids to ski and snowboard in the snowy Green Mountains. I look forward to getting you all siked on more intentional travel that comes with carrying everything you need and learning about what you don’t need, while building some long-lasting memories.
Ben
Washington, D.C.
Hello team! I'm Ben, from Washington D.C. I am thrilled to lead a bike tour this summer! What brought me to bike touring was my love for backpacking, traveling, and triathlon racing. I am inspired to lead and share tours with others by my experiences tutoring and teaching students in physics. Seeing new places by bike changed my perspective on what it means to see the world. My favorite bike tour so far brought me over the Alps in Switzerland all the way up Germany to the Baltic Sea. Leading with Teen Treks I am excited to pass beautiful scenery, meet new challenges, and cook amazing meals with an energetic group!
Lauren
Albany, New York
Hiya everyone! My name is Lauren and I’m from Albany, New York. I currently live in Pittsburgh, where I study engineering and computer science. I’m super psyched to get away from the screens and go on some fun adventures this summer! I got really into bike touring as a teenager, and since then I’ve traveled all over the US and Europe.
Emily
Fairfield, Connecticut
Hey Teen Trekkers! I’m Emily from Fairfield, CT and I graduate from the University of Tampa this year with a degree in Math! I was a Teen Trekker myself and did the New England Shore Trek and I had an amazing time, I can’t wait to create more memories. I look forward to spend the summer outside going on a new adventure.
Max
Westborough, Massachusetts
Hey everyone! I’m Max from Westborough, Massachusetts. I can’t wait to get out of the classroom and on the road with you this summer. Being stuck watching the clock in class reminds me why I love the wind on my face and the sun on my back while biking so much. After being a trekker myself, I led my first trip 2 years ago and I’m excited to do it again this summer.
Grace
Binghamton, New York
Hi Trekkers! I'm Grace, writing to you from Binghamton, NY, where I just graduated from college. I co-led the Across America Trek last summer, and am beyond excited to take my bike across new patches of territory this summer. I fell in love with bicycle touring two years ago because of how minimalist it forces you to become.
Shannon
Newmarket, Ontario
My first bike trip was a week-long solo tour around Prince Edward Island in Canada, I was instantly hooked on bike touring! Then, I rode from Toronto to Montreal with a friend and most recently, completed a 5 week-long self-supported tour from Vancouver to San Francisco. I have also travelled with my family to Iceland, France, Germany, Austria, and Italy.
James
Atlanta, Georgia
I can’t wait to meet you all and share an amazing adventure of mud, sweat and gears. Travel helps shape us into who we are meant to be, and bike travel is like snorkeling in the sea of life while getting sculpted by Michelangelo himself. My love for travel began as a writer, which took me places like Sweden to ride a steam train, and the surf capital of Nicaragua.
Jamie
Buffalo, New York
Last summer I went on a cross-country tour with Bike & Build, a non-profit raising awareness for affordable housing. That experience made me realize how much I love bike touring; riding my bike, meeting new people, and seeing new places is my favorite way to spend the summer. I am really excited to have the opportunity to join the Teen Treks team.
Sam
Spokane, Washington
I’ll be returning this year for another exciting summer of adventures. I’m from Spokane, Washington, and currently live in New York City, where I teach high school math and have fun with Lego robotics. I led the Pacific Northwest and Cape Cod trips last year, and one of the things I loved about riding was the breeze in my hair as we rode next to the ocean.
Adam
Buffalo, New York
This is my first time being a Teen Treks leader for a second time, so, I’m super-duper excited for that. Another amazing fact is that I have not been on American soil for over five years! So, when we all meet, I’ll still be ‘Fresh Off the Boat’ from a long period living in Japan as an English teacher.
Summer 2024 Leaders
Max
Westborough, Massachusetts
Hey everyone! I’m Max from Westborough, Massachusetts. I can’t wait to get out of the classroom and on the road with you this summer. Being stuck watching the clock in class reminds me why I love the wind on my face and the sun on my back while biking so much. After being a trekker myself, I led my first trip 2 years ago and I’m excited to do it again this summer. Leading for the first time sparked my love for adventure, which has taken me all over. From backpacking in Joshua Tree, to outdoor skating in Upstate New York, to even rock-climbing vertical pitches in New Hampshire. I truly love anything that has to do with the outdoors.
Besides the outdoors, I am also a massive nerd. Being a member of the board game club, video game club, and Magic: The Gathering club at my school. I find myself trying to incorporate all my hobbies into one and bring cards to play anytime I’m biking or backpacking. Also, I try to incorporate games into my internship as much as possible. I intern at my local elementary and high school as part of my major in Education. My favorite part of my internships is to connect and just talk to teens and kids instead of just teaching them in the classroom. I look forward to meeting and connecting with you on our bikes this summer.
Emily
Fairfield, Connecticut
Hey Teen Trekkers! I’m Emily from Fairfield, CT and I graduate from the University of Tampa this year with a degree in Math! I was a Teen Trekker myself and did the New England Shore Trek and I had an amazing time, I can’t wait to create more memories. I look forward to spend the summer outside going on a new adventure. I’m counting down the days to have the time of my life this summer being your leader!
I love being outdoors finding new places to bike, hike, and swim. My favorite thing about cycling is the feeling of freedom. I love feeling all my senses, taking everything in around me; biking is addicting. Another hobby I have is rowing. I was on my college rowing team where I got to be on the water every morning and see the sunrise, and sometimes dolphins. I also have my scuba certification and have dove in several of the Florida springs. Aside from being outdoors, you will always find me on the dance floor listening to pop music. In the past, I was a soccer referee for young teens and loved seeing good teamwork. I love being apart of the biking community and I can’t wait to meet everyone and start our journey! I’ve been smiling the whole time writing this!
Adam
Binghamton, New York
Hi Trekkers! I’m Grace, writing to you from Binghamton, NY, where I just graduated from college. I co-led the Across America Trek last summer, and am beyond excited to take my bike across new patches of territory this summer. I fell in love with bicycle touring two years ago because of how minimalist it forces you to become. When everything you need can fit on the back of your bike, your life is opened up to endless immaterial wealth with a newfound appreciation. Outside of biking and traveling in general, I enjoy playing rugby and soccer, reading, watching sitcoms, hiking, swimming, and sailing. Honestly, anything out in the sun is my cup of tea. I can’t wait to embark on some crazy and wonderful new adventures with you all this summer!
Summer 2023 Leaders
Shannon
Newmarket, Ontario
I am super excited to lead an amazing group of teens this summer and create lifelong memories! I fell in love with cycling about 4 years ago, and I recently discovered the joys of bike touring.
My first bike trip was a week-long solo tour around Prince Edward Island in Canada, I was instantly hooked on bike touring! Then, I rode from Toronto to Montreal with a friend and most recently, completed a 5 week-long self-supported tour from Vancouver to San Francisco. I have also travelled with my family to Iceland, France, Germany, Austria, and Italy.
Some of my favorite activities include triathlons, basketball, ultimate frisbee, snowboarding, camping, reading, and scrapbooking. Some of my other work experiences are being a lifeguard and swimming instructor for over 7 years. Recently, I graduated from the Biomedical Science program at the University of Ottawa. I can’t wait to meet new people and go on more fun adventures this summer! But don’t be surprised if I mention distances in terms of kilometers instead of miles!
James
Atlanta, Georgia
I can’t wait to meet you all and share an amazing adventure of mud, sweat and gears. Travel helps shape us into who we are meant to be, and bike travel is like snorkeling in the sea of life while getting sculpted by Michelangelo himself. My love for travel began as a writer, which took me places like Sweden to ride a steam train, and the surf capital of Nicaragua. Currently I get to write poetry for a video game company! My first big bike tour was from North Dakota to Tennessee. I saw multiple albino squirrels along the way and met people I will never forget. Things I love include: anything you can throw and catch, all things music, metaphors, friendly competition, the texture of boba, jumping on things, humor, psychology and animals. Besides writing, I teach the drums and coach middle school ultimate frisbee. Seeing students grow and overcome challenges has been one of the most rewarding experiences of my life, and I know this summer will be every bit as rewarding. I’m excited to share this life changing experience with you, and hopefully see some more mutant squirrels!
Jamie
Buffalo, New York
Last summer I went on a cross-country tour with Bike & Build, a non-profit raising awareness for affordable housing. That experience made me realize how much I love bike touring; riding my bike, meeting new people, and seeing new places is my favorite way to spend the summer. I am really excited to have the opportunity to join the Teen Treks team.
Aside from biking, I like to sail, roller skate, and practice yoga. I am currently going to school for Urban Planning and Environmental Science and I hope to get involved in the non-profit sector after I graduate. On campus, I am part of a bike organization focused on building community through weekly group rides and workshops. I am passionate about creating a culture around biking that is empowering and inclusive – I’ve found getting involved with communities is a great way to fulfill that.
I am looking forward to meeting you all and creating more memories on the road this summer.
Summer 2022 Leaders
Sam
Spokane, Washington
I’ll be returning this year for another exciting summer of adventures. I’m from Spokane, Washington, and currently live in New York City, where I teach high school math and have fun with Lego robotics. I led the Pacific Northwest and Cape Cod trips last year, and one of the things I loved about riding was the breeze in my hair as we rode next to the ocean. I’m big on affirmations and learning through play, and my hobbies include photography, reading, and playing Breath of the Wild and Animal Crossing. What I’m most looking forward to on the trip is seeing kids grow and watching them persevere through any challenges we might face. I can’t wait to explore this beautiful world and connect to people we meet on the way! See y’all this summer!
Adam
Buffalo, New York
This is my first time being a Teen Treks leader for a second time, so, I’m super-duper excited for that. Another amazing fact is that I have not been on American soil for over five years! So, when we all meet, I’ll still be ‘Fresh Off the Boat’ from a long period living in Japan as an English teacher.However, what most of my middle school students never knew about me, was that I was exploring their country’s interior with vigor. In total, I plundered over 900 hidden treasures up and down the archipelago, from fuming hot springs buried deep in the wilderness, to narrow alleyways tucked within the bowels of an electrified megalopolis. Over those five years, I never came close to losing my appetite for wanting to know what lay around the next bend. Not one shred of it. This summer, I intend to bring that same fierce tenacity to my groups of Trekkers on our two-wheeled rambles up and down the land. We are destined to discover the wonders of the world while simultaneously exploring, perhaps, the greatest frontier of them all, the depths of our own souls. *GONG!!!* So, without further ado, let the journeys begin!
Lauren
Albany, New York
Hiya everyone! My name is Lauren and I’m from Albany, New York. I currently live in Pittsburgh, where I study engineering and computer science. I’m super psyched to get away from the screens and go on some fun adventures this summer! I got really into bike touring as a teenager, and since then I’ve traveled all over the US and Europe. When I’m not studying or traveling, you can find me backpacking and skiing in Vermont, training for triathlons, or playing with my pet tortoise. I also like to make my own maple syrup each winter. In the past, I’ve taught skiing and guided at a high ropes course. I can’t wait to make a bunch of new friends and share an amazing summer together!!
