At any given time or place around the world, there is a group of travelers finishing their day’s ride. They have a euphoria, a sense of tired accomplishment.
The ride included exploring a cobbled-street village in Provence, or experiencing an authentic cappuccino in a Tuscan cafe, or tasting a wine high up over the Napa Valley. The elation carries into conversations with new-found friends, often around a Trek Travel trailer, about the day’s adventure.
This is happy hour.
It can linger for hours into the setting sun with guides, travelers, and cyclists enjoying the company of one another, reveling in the stories at hand.
This is the story of my journey from a non-rider to a cyclist extraordinaire.
Act One:
At age 44 I took my first bike trip in Europe. Actually, it was my first bike trip ever and first time on a bike in Europe. The Trek Travel trip was not in the Loire Valley in France or through the tulip fields of Holland (which are relatively flat), but in the hills of Italy! In Tuscany we were either riding up to a “hill town” or downhill, on our way to go up another hill, to another town. I did not even own a road bike at the time. I trained for the trip on a hybrid with flat pedals, and that is the bike I rode on the trip. I didn’t even own a pair of cycling shorts!
The first afternoon was designed to stretch our legs, and this found me riding alone as the last rider of the group. I was talking out loud at the imagined version of my husband, a long-time avid cyclist, in front of me. The one-sided conversation went something like this: “What am I doing here? These are mountains not hills! People are on this trip training for the Iron Man qualifying event in Madison! There are former amateur and pro riders on this trip! What were you thinking bringing me!”
Everyone on the trip was supportive and encouraging to those of us who were not experienced riders – specially the Trek Travel guides. The three female guides changed my life. These three wonderful ladies encouraged me to ride at my own pace, to challenge myself, and were always willing to ride with me no matter how slow. I listened to their parting words at the end of the trip: “ Don’t give up cycling.”
Act Two:
I took those words to heart. I am fortunate to have a husband who is patient and loves cycling more than any other activity. He helped me move forward in my equipment choices from hybrid, to a Women’s Specific Design road bike, and now to a Trek Madone (like going from a pony to a Thoroughbred Horse). I moved from regular pedals, to mountain bike pedals, and now to road bike clip-in pedals. I now own cycling shorts too!
Act Three:
At age 55, I now have five Trek Travel trips checked off my long wish list including Adelaide, Australia, Napa Valley, California, and Dordogne, France. By taking the guides’ words to heart, not only has my cycling improved, but so have so many parts of my life. I decided to start pilates three years ago to improve my cycling and this happened along with my overall strength, balance and flexibility. I have a confidence on the bike that has allowed me to ride in foreign countries, like Japan. My health has improved and my weight has dropped. I moved to downtown Madison, Wisconsin and use a bike as part of my daily transportation. I use my ability to ride longer distances to raise money for charity.
I don’t know what Act 4 has in store for me, but I will always have the Trek Travel guides’ words in my heart as I travel down the road on my bike.
There is no better way to do business in travel than to experience the destinations yourself. Cricket Hile, a travel agent and bicyclist who has pedaled her way across her home state of Pennsylvania, sends her clients on our cycling vacations with the miles and memories from going on our trips herself in her toolbox. As a business partner and our guest, we are happy to introduce you to Cricket. Read about her travel experience and favorite vacation spots.
Name: Cricket Hile Travel Agency: Travel Time Travel Specialty European Travel Years in the Business: 32
Tell us a bit about your background. What inspired you to pursue a career as a travel agent?
I started my career as a French teacher which led me to taking students to Europe. Eventually I decided I liked the travel part of it more than the teaching part!
Do you have an especially memorable client or story?
Several years ago four clients asked if they could go with me the next time we went to Paris; and of course, I said yes. We went to Paris as agent and clients. We returned as friends and have taken several trips together since then.
What is your favorite travel destination and what makes it unique?
Paris, France is my favorite destination. Between speaking French and going to Paris frequently I feel very comfortable there. However, I must say I love Italy, too, and I don’t speak Italian.
Based on your agency bookings, what are the three most popular destinations for 2015 and what is the must-do activity you recommend in each location?
Agency top three are …
1. Caribbean – Go snorkeling
2. Cancun – See the ruins
3. Disney World – Act like a child
My top three destinations and must-do activities are…
1. Paris – Have a picnic on the grounds of Versailles
2. Provence – Don’t miss the hill towns. It was Trek that really introduced them to me on the Mt. Ventoux trip. Best way to see them is on a bicycle!
3. Capri – Enjoy a Limoncello on the terrace of the Hotel Quisisana
Which Trek Travel trip is top on your bucket list and why?
That is difficult to answer because I have already done Provence (Mt. Ventoux) and the Classic Climbs of the Alps. However, at this point in my life, Croatia is at the top of my bucket list and I will do that in September. Several years ago my husband and I took a cruise that stopped in Korcula, Croatia. At that point, I said I needed to go back. Later when I saw that Trek offered a trip to Croatia, I decided it was definitely at the top of my list.
What is the most important piece of advice you give travelers before their trip?
I always tell clients to be open to change and expect that something is not going to be exactly as they had planned. The second thing I tell them is to not expect everything to be like it is at home. The third thing, and really the most important, is to smile when they are totally overwhelmed and confused. It will be okay.
If you’ve been on the bike a lot since your spring tune-up, it’s probably time to readjust your shifting. For go-getters who want to tackle this project themselves, here are a few pointers:
For every click of your rear derailleur shifter, the derailleur should move the chain one complete gear change. Start with the chain in the smallest cog. If you click your shifter to move the chain up to the next largest cog on the rear and it does not go up or hesitates before moving, you need to tighten your cable tension. You can do this with the barrel adjuster that is built into either your shifter or derailleur. As you turn the barrel adjuster counter-clockwise, it screws the adjuster out taking up slack in the cable tension. This results in moving the derailleur a little further.
Pro Tip: A little bit can go a long way! Start with ¼ turns only and try the shifting again. Keep trying ¼ turns until you have it just right.
There are a few screws on the derailleur that will be tempting to adjust. Don’t! These are already adjusted to their positions to stop the derailleur from shifting the chain into the spokes and into the frame on the two most extreme gears. They only provide stopping points for the derailleur, they do not adjust the derailleur.
One thing to note. If you just can’t seem to get the shifting right, there is the possibility that the part of the frame that the rear derailleur is mounted to could be bent. This is called the derailleur hanger. Telltale signs are scrapes on your derailleur or if your bike tipped over onto its drive train side. Some are replaceable and some are not. If this is bent, there is nothing you can do to the cable tension that will help your adjustment. Go to your local bike store to get a professional opinion on your options. If you do have a replaceable hanger, it is good to get a couple as spares. Keep one in your seat bag just in case you need to do an on-the-road repair.
Cradled in the heart of Kenmare Bay, between the famous Ring of Kerry and the unspoiled Ring of Beara, the picturesque town of Kenmare is steeped in legends and rich in archaeological history. Renowned for Kenmare lace, respected for gourmet food and revered for breathtaking scenery, it is no wonder Kenmare has become a popular tourist destination.
As all places in Ireland do, this heritage town has both an Irish and English name. Neidín, meaning “Little Nest”, is the Irish name of the town which nestles between the MacGillicuddy Reeks to the north, the Caha mountains to the south, the rivers Roughty and Sheen to the east, and the broad expanse of the Atlantic Ocean to the west. But in the late 18th century, after word quickly spread that this was a little town of thieves and liars, landlord William Petty Fitzmaurice chose to rename the precious land that was gifted to him by Oliver Cromwell for painstakingly completing the mapping of Ireland.
There are two sides to every story. In Ireland, however, a new rendition is told with every pint. While locals will tell you the name Kenmare was chosen in honor of Lord Kenmare of the Brown family from Killarney, historians in favor of etymology make a connection to Ceann Mara, which translates to “Head of the Sea” in English. While there’s no saying which interpretation is accurate, one thing is for certain–the tradition of Irish folklore is alive and well.
A seanchaí (pronounced “shan-a-key”) is a knowledgeable person, usually a man, who has the gift of entertaining his listeners by relating stories with a captivating tone of voice, the use of colorful language, and with a most interesting turn of phrase. The story content is of any topic whatsoever but most often has an element of fun.
Long before the advent of television and radio, it was common in rural Ireland to visit one’s neighbors for a chat when the day’s work was done. This tradition was called “ag scoraíocht”(skur-eekt). One house in particular always emerged as the most popular to visit, and it became known as the “rambling house”. Encouraged by the gathering, it was to the rambling house that the seanchaí invariably came to draw them into the wonder of his story.
Despite the onslaught of modern social media, the use of the spoken word has been and still is cherished by the Irish. According to Donal Sleator, a retired primary school teacher, principal, storyteller and Kenmare native, language must be appealing and entertaining in order for others to learn. “We feel compelled to share our stories because of the deep, rich heritage of which we are aware. Whereas in the past stories were communicated through the medium of the Irish language, we now share a common language (English) with most visitors to our shores. Our stories today perhaps have less emphasis on fairies, leprechauns and the little people. Through pride of place, they dwell more on our history and on who we are.”
Just north of San Francisco in the heart of Sonoma County lies the delightful city of Healdsburg. Surrounded by three major wine-producing regions, Russian River, Dry Creek, and Alexander Valley, this is truly wine country. This charming city is a treasure for food-lovers and offers stunning views as you bike along the rolling hills of grape vines.
Our newly redesigned California Wine Country 4-Day Weekend trip takes you through these captivating landscapes and lets you unwind in the charming epicenter of Healdsburg. Here you can sip on very good wine at countless wineries and tasting rooms and feast on equally good food at one of the award-winning restaurants. In a city where old-town culture combines with new, award-winning features, Healdsburg will in some way or another win your heart. When you’ve got the time to take in the city on your own, here’s where I would go to get the most out of my visit.
Where To Go to Wander: Downtown Healdsburg
Just steps away from Hotel Healdsburg, take a stroll through the downtown center surrounding the town plaza. Each block is lined with charming shops, tasting rooms, galleries and outstanding restaurants. In true Wisconsinite-fashion, I search out specialty cheese shops to indulge in new bites of local flavors. Stop by the Cheese Shop of Healdsburg for local artisan cheeses and accoutrements and take your snacks and a blanket to the plaza for a relaxing afternoon picnic. Stop for a pick-me-up with the perfect cup of coffee at Flying Goat Coffee, or for a lovely cup of tea, chai, or hot chocolate. If you have Saturday morning available, be sure to visit the Farmers’ Market one block west of the Plaza to enjoy the the local food community.
Where To Go for Baked Goodss: Downtown Bakery & Creamery
Stopping in to this family run bakery is a must while visiting Healdsburg. Owner Kathleen opened this bakery in 1987 with her friends, all former colleagues at the award-winning and renowned Chez Panisse. Today Kathleen and her children run the bakery, serving up the best baked goods in the area. Using the best local and organic ingredients they can find, the quality of their creations is impeccable. Satisfy your post-biking sweet tooth with one (or two) of the famed sticky buns, or peel apart one of their fresh, buttery croissants. Don’t miss out on trying the cinnamon and sugar-dusted donut muffin that is raved about by locals and visitors.
Where To Go to Dine: Bravas Bar de Tapas
Healdsburg is considered the gourmet center of Sonoma County, and there is no shortage for where you can grab a really great bite to eat just a walk away from your hotel. Enjoy Bravas Bar de Tapas, awarded with “One of the top 20 tapas restaurants in the US” by Travel + Leisure and a “Top 100 Bay Area Restaurant” by the San Francisco Chronicle for the past three years. This tapas bar serves up traditional Spanish and modern tapas-style dining. Owners Mark and Terri Stark are James Beard nominees and own a few restaurants in Sonoma County, this one being their newest, and well-recognized already. They have created a relaxing and fun space to share plates and sip on a cocktail from their impressive drink menu. Sit out on the patio under romantic strings of lights and share the paella with a group of friends or try a selection of smaller plates. This restaurant is a top-choice for locals and visitors, so be aware of busy weekend nights. I’d recommend calling ahead to reserve a table, 707-433-7700. Read more culinary favorites by our Trip Design Manager Meagan Coates from her trip to California Wine Country, including Charlie Palmer’s Dry Creek Kitchen and h2’s Spoon Bar.
Where to go for a snack and shopping: SHED
Winner of a 2014 James Beard Award for restaurant design, SHED is a community gathering space designed to bring us closer to the way we grow, prepare, and share our food. Part market, part café, part farm, this culmination is a delightful stop for fresh flavors and local shopping. Earlier this year we had the honor of interviewing owner Cindy Daniel to learn more about her creation of SHED. The offerings start with a large menu selection including beverages made at their fermentation or coffee bar and a café serving up combinations of fresh, local ingredients. While you’re there pick up artisan-made goods in their packed “pantry” that you won’t be able to resist perusing. Try a refreshing kombucha or shrub at their fermentation bar or a sandwich or salad from the café, grab a seat on the terrace and enjoy.
About Guest Choice:
You will often hear us say, “It’s your day, you decide,” because our smaller group size allows the flexibility for you to decide how your day unfolds. In addition to multiple daily ride options and shuttle flexibility, this also means that we offer ‘guest choice’ nights designed for you to indulge at a local restaurant of your choosing, or explore the local sites. Whether you want to order take-out while relaxing by the hotel pool or get dressed up for a fancy dinner in town, guest choice nights let you craft your own perfect evening.
As one Irish actor told me in a Dublin pub…”I like the English. In fact my wife is English. That being said, I don’t care much for the British.” That barb was followed by a knowing Irish wink and another sip of beer.
Like Americans, the Irish also speak English. But it is a far different version of our flat twang, and it takes a while for Americans to develop an ear for the colorful lilt of the Irish tongue, especially in the beautiful green countryside, where the rural folks speak in a heavier local version of the language.
The fondest memory I have of Ireland occurred in the small town of Oranmore outside of Galway. It was when our large clan went to a nice, polite brunch of Irish salmon. Upon exiting the restaurant my father spied a thatched roof pub across the lane named McDonough’s. With a touch of the dramatic Dad said, “Follow me. I’ve been wanting to do this my entire life.” He proceeded to lead his wife and six adult children into the bar and announced with a broad smile, “We’re the Roaches of America and we’d like to buy the pub a round!”
There were some twenty folks in the bar, and we were witness to one of the great Irish rituals…the pouring of the Guinness. Twenty large pints were lined along the bar and then with ceremony rivaling a papal coronation, the bartender minded each glass so that the rich head of the brew would be allowed to rise and breathe for the perfect amount of time before being served.
Your eyes are closed, sitting in a highback Adirondack chair with a glass of wine in hand, overlooking a great valley below.
Two dogs are playing fetch, roosters crow occasionally, hens cluck, horses neigh, and faint mumbles of conversation are heard between the passing summer breeze. You are on vacation in the wine country of California. You just experienced a challenging, yet rewarding climb called Ink Grade. Your guides told you that morning, “Oh, it’s not that bad…I have faith you can make it!” Maybe it was the toughest 4-mile uphill stretch you’ve ever done. Maybe it wasn’t. What really matters is where you are now, and that indescribable feeling washing over you.
As traveling staff members schedule their out-of-office replies and guests call in to finalize their trips to the Tour de France, I sit here wanting to go with. Then I realize I have little idea what is about to even happen.
I’m the new intern here at Trek Travel. So when people around the office start talking about the tour, I can’t begin to imagine everything that goes into it from Trek Travel’s point of view. I know that it is a huge collective of hours and hours of work put in to make the trips happen flawlessly. But along with the hard work comes a trip of a lifetime. I want to be in their shoes, experience the tour, be surrounded by cycling-fanatics and take in the biggest cycling event in the world from stunning views. Until then, I’ll listen to their stories and daydream. Read about the Tour de France from the eyes of the Travel Travel team here in Madison.
Briefly, describe how Trek Travel is involved in the Tour?
Meagan: Trek Travel offers the premier trips in the industry at the Tour de France, hands down. From trips that allow guests to ride the routes on the same day as the pros, to trips and spectator vacations with Official Tour Operator VIP passes and Trek-Segafredo team access to Paris finish packages, and even supported trips at the Etape du Tour, we have something for every fan of the race. We put a lot of effort up to a year or more in advance to the race being announced to source the prime locations for on course viewings and hotels and overall we have a team of designers working on Tour de France year round.
What would you say is one of the “I can’t believe this” moments for a Trek Travel guest?
Meagan: This is very personal for everyone and depends on the drama that unfolds throughout the race. But I think nearly all guests have a moment during their trip–perhaps while sipping a glass of champagne at a perfectly-situated on-course viewing spot looking out over the French Alps–and they realize they are actually there in person and not watching the Tour footage from the helicopters as broadcast on tv.
What’s going through your mind on your way to the tour?
Mark: Typically trying to learn as much as I can about the areas of France the Tour will visit for that year. I like to find fun facts that are not obvious. Also I like to have a solid understanding of the top cyclists that could podium or win a green jersey. Guests love talking shop, so I have to keep up.
Brie: Study! It is imperative to study maps, regional highlights, trip materials, pro riders and more. You want to be as prepared as you possibly can be heading into any trip. The TDF takes it to the next level. All guides have to be firing on all pistons to make these trips successful and awesome! Other thoughts always include daily back-up plans and what ifs! Our job is to deliver a Trip of a Lifetime, in order to do that, we have to be prepared for absolutely anything. A saying we use often: “It is the Tour. Anything can happen. Always have a Plan B!” Roads close earlier than they are supposed to, thunderstorms roll into the mountains in a matter of minutes, bridges give out weeks before a stage causing a complete reroute. You name it, it can happen at the Tour. “Fun and Flexible” is the name of the game and Trek Travel guides are the masters!
How many times have you been on this trip, and how does it change year by year for you?
Mark: I’ve guided it four years’ worth. Personally I always looked forward to the mountain stages as I love to climb. I loved the variability of the Tour as well, always having to think on your feet was fun to me. Road closures, crazy fans, our incredible viewing sites halfway up mountains. It’s always hectic, but I tend to thrive on that. I also always love going into Paris at the end. It’s a great party at the Automobile Club where all the guides and guest come together for one last big party. It’s the perfect way to wrap up three weeks of crazy Tour de France trips.
Brie: My first year guiding at the Tour de France was in 2012 in the Alps. I’ve guided TDF trips every year since and head to France in a few short days for the Etape this time around. Each year the route changes throughout the beautiful Alps and Pyrenees mountain ranges but always ends in Paris. From the most challenging days on a bike to the utmost breathtaking views I’ve ever laid eyes on, the Tour de France has been a real pleasure to experience with Trek Travel over the years!
How do you prepare for the tour?
Mark: Ride, Ride and Ride. See above, love to climb. Also we do a lot of pre-trip research as guides. We’ll go out for a couple weeks prior to our first group, to review all routes, hotels, meeting locations, etc. As guides we like to know as much as possible before any guests arrive.
What’s going through your mind on your way home?
Mark: Can’t wait to sleep in my own bed!
Brie: Guides are pretty exhausted at the end. I typically sleep the entire plane ride home. From take-off to landing, no joke. Tour de France trips run at a high level mentally, physically and emotionally. When headed home there is often the feeling of, “I survived…that was the craziest trip ever…I CAN’T wait to do it again next year!” That was how I felt in 2012, it hasn’t changed since.
Favorite TDF moment?
Mark: The first time I climbed Alpe d’Huez the day the pros did. It was my first year guiding and only second trip guiding ever. You get to the base and it just looms overhead…21 switchbacks to the top. The crazy thing was that all the fans were already lining the route. They cheered us on as though we were pros. And the Dutch corner was a sea of orange. Truly an incredible experience and one I can’t wait to get back to some day.
Brie: There are many! Paris is always a favorite. I love seeing the pure joy on guest’s faces—they are loving life and thrilled to experience the tour finale in such a stunning city. As of late, I have also really enjoyed seeing the happiness and relief on my guide’s faces in Paris. Once you reach Paris, it’s a home-free feeling for guides. You have the opportunity to relax a bit, drink champagne with colleagues and have a grand ol’ time in the City of Lights. Other memorable moments include helicoptering guests off the top of Alpe d’Huez at the end of a mountain top finish to their luxury hotel on Lake Annecy. A VIP experience they never forget.
“I survived…that was the craziest trip ever…I CAN’T wait to do it again next year!” That was how I felt in 2012 and that feeling hasn’t changed since.
If a date is marked as Private, it is reserved for a private group.
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What is the Difference?
Ultimate Luxury:
Savor some of the most spectacular, 5-star properties in the world. Exuding luxury and elegance, these one-of-a-kind accommodations offer the chance to rejuvenate at award-winning spas, dine at Michelin-starred restaurants, and more.
Luxury:
Enjoy luxurious accommodations handpicked for a refined experience. From signature spa treatments to delicious local cuisine, you’ll be more than provided for; you’ll be pampered.
Explorer:
These handpicked hotels provide relaxation and fun in a casual and comfortable environment. Delicious cuisine and great service mix perfectly for a memorable stay.
Combined:
On select cycling vacations, you’ll stay at a mix of Explorer and Luxury hotels. Rest assured, no matter which hotel level you’re at, our trip designers carefully select every accommodation.
Road: 1-3 hours of riding. Up to 25 mi (40 km). Up to 1,000 ft (300 m).
Gravel: 1-3 hours of riding. Up to 20 mi (35 km). Up to 1,000 ft (300 m).
Hiking: 1-3 hours of hiking. Up to 5 mi (8 km). Up to 1,000 ft (300 m).
Level 2:
Road: 2-4 hours of riding. 20-35 mi (35-60 km). Up to 2,500 ft (750 m).
Gravel: 2-4 hours of riding. 15-30 mi (25-45 km). Up to 2,000 ft (300 m).
Hiking: 2-4 hours of hiking. 4-8 mi (6-12 km). Up to 1,500 ft (450 m).
Level 3:
Road: 3-5 hours of riding. 25-55 mi (40-85 km). Up to 4,500 ft (1,500 m).
Gravel: 3-5 hours of riding. 20-40 mi (35-60 km). Up to 3,000 ft (900 m).
Hiking: 3-5 hours of hiking. 6-10 mi (9-16 km). Up to 2,000 ft (600 m).
Level 4:
Road: 4+ hours of riding. 40-70 mi (60-110 km). Up to 8,000 ft (2,400 m).
Gravel: 4+ hours of riding. 30-50 mi (45-80 km). Up to 4,000 ft (1,200 m).
Hiking: 4+ hours of hiking. 7-15 mi (11-24 km). Up to 4,000 ft (1,200 m).
What are your trip styles?
Classic - Reserve:
Savor the finer things as you relax in luxurious 5-star accommodations and wine, dine, and ride in some of the most unforgettable destinations around the world.
Classic - Signature:
Explore beautiful destinations by bike, enjoy extra inclusions, savor delicious local cuisine, and enjoy the perfect mix of accommodations.
Classic - Discover:
Enjoy a casual cycling vacation with fantastic routes and comfortable accommodations.
Ride Camp:
Train like the pros in some of their favorite riding destinations.
Pro Race:
See the pros in action at the biggest cycling events of the year.
Cross Country:
Tackle an epic adventure that takes you point-to-point across mountains, countryside, and more.
Self-Guided
Enjoy a bike tour on your schedule with just your chosen travel companions.
Sometimes it’s more convenient and comfortable to have your own room while on vacation. We understand and that’s why we offer a Single Occupancy option. The additional price guarantees a private room all to yourself
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