Soak in the splendor of this million-plus acre National Park with a guided tour by TrekTravel, a Wisconsin-based company praised for its thoughtfully planned trips, high-end bikes, and knowledgeable guides.
Over the six-day trip, you’ll pedal 165 miles and climb 9,270 feet of mountainous terrain, including a stint on iconic Going-to-the-Sun Road, which stretches the width of the park and intersects the Continental Divide, offering panoramic views of the surrounding wild country.
Blackberry Mountain just announced a new partnership with Trek Travel, one of the world’s leading operators of active guided trips, with a focus on cycling and multi-sport. I’ve written about Trek Travel here at Forbes before, because in addition to the standard weeklong bike trips in places like Tuscany, they offer some really unique opportunities including hardcore immersion training camps and all-women trips. The award-winning company made the 2016 Travel + Leisure Magazine World’s Best Tour Operator list, and it stands out to me because it is run by a woman, Tania Burke, and outdoes the other top tier cycling companies in terms of its very high-quality hardware, thanks to a strong relationship with one-time parent Trek Bicycles (they are now separate companies, though both are based in Madison, WI).
The standard issue bikes are considerably better than industry norms: for road riding it’s the new generation full carbon 2019 Domane SL 7 Disc, featuring Shimano Di2 electronic shifting and disc brakes, and for mountain, the excellent dual suspension Fuel EX 8 27.5 inch model. Every guest also gets another first-rate hardware perk, a Garmin Edge 1030 GPS bike computer (I use an earlier version at home) preloaded with each day’s route, so there is no looking at maps and no getting lost. For safety, all bikes have front and rear blinking lights.
Japan is a country steeped in tradition that has survived centuries and still guides the everyday life if its people. So as a visitor what are some important things to know? We talked to our Travel Advisor Program Manager who visited this stunning country, and got her top 5 pieces of etiquette to keep in mind when traveling to Japan.
1. Remove your shoes upon entry to a home
It also considered good manners to turn your shoes to point towards the door once they’ve been taken off.
2. Escalators
When riding an escalator in Tokyo, stay on the left side so others can pass on the right. However, when riding an escalator in the Kansai region, stay on the right side so others can pass on the left.
3. Don’t walk and eat
It is not polite to eat or drink on the go. You will see locals standing by vending machines to finish their beverages, or standing outside convenience stores eating their food before walking.
4. Chopsticks
Do not leave your chopsticks sticking up in a bowl of rice—this is reminiscent of a funeral rite—instead, lay them flat over the top of the bowl if necessary.
5. When paying at the register…
Do not pass your money directly to a cashier—instead, place your money in the tray provided on the counter.
Discover a land of ancient and modern
Long, trans-Atlantic or Pacific flights can be a beast to get through. But with a little preparation, your journey can be one that’s more daydream than nightmare.
Nothing is worse than your head flopping around while you’re trying to catch some precious zzz’s. So while it may look goofy, a neck pillow will be your best friend. Also, if you are flying during daylight, an eyemask is critical to get a jumpstart on beating jetlag.
For long flights, noise-canceling headphones will be what gets you through. Pop those suckers on and you’ll be able to enjoy a ride without the disturbances of the plane engines and all other noise that comes with a packed flight.
Keep it loose and comfortable and remember to layer for when it gets chilly. Loose-fitting shirts, comfortable pants with a little stretch, flats or tennis shoes, and a light jacket or sweater should be your uniform for the day. Also, make sure to pack an extra outfit in your carry-on in case your checked luggage doesn’t make it when you do.
Make sure to charge your phone, computer, tablets or whatever electronics you’re bringing aboard because the last thing you want is for your Kindle to run out of battery halfway through your 12-hour flight, or to have a dead phone upon landing.
Sitting around at altitude for most of a day isn’t the best for your body. Fight off dehydration and deep-vein thrombosis by regularly drinking water, stretching, and walking around the cabin. And make sure to pack extra snacks like granola or a couple protein bars, as airline food isn’t often plentiful and you may get hungry in between scheduled in-flight meals..
Make an active effort to be nice to those looking out for you in the air. You’re all up there together for quite a long time, and you never know, you might make a new friend or two.
Central Andes, Colombia
Nicknamed the land of climbers for its steep hills, Colombia has produced some of the Tour de France’s top competitors. Trek Travel has created an itinerary that lets you test your mettle on the climbs that the pros train on. You’ll be cycling through Colombian coffee country, which means plenty of stops to caffeinate at local cafes and on tours of coffee farms. Bragging rights will be earned the final day, when riders climb 4,400 feet over 44 miles from Sazagua to Caz del Chorizo.
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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.
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.
These handpicked hotels provide relaxation and fun in a casual and comfortable environment. Delicious cuisine and great service mix perfectly for a memorable stay.
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).
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).
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).
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).
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.
Explore beautiful destinations by bike, enjoy extra inclusions, savor delicious local cuisine, and enjoy the perfect mix of accommodations.
Enjoy a casual cycling vacation with fantastic routes and comfortable accommodations.
Train like the pros in some of their favorite riding destinations.
See the pros in action at the biggest cycling events of the year.
Tackle an epic adventure that takes you point-to-point across mountains, countryside, and more.
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
