Guides must carry a stocked cycling First Aid kit whenever providing bike support and are responsible for maintaining and replenishing it as needed. A required equipment list will be provided upon hire.
Requirements to Apply
Please provide the following documents with your Guide application. Note: they should all be in one PDF file. If you have any questions, please contact us at careers@trektravel.com
-
- Cover Letter: Tell us why you’re the perfect candidate for this position.
-
- Resume: Please submit an updated one-page resume and tell us what makes you unique.
-
- Two Letters of Reference (optional): Provide two reference contacts OR two letters of reference from former employers or other professionals who can vouch for your suitability for this job. A Trek Travel team member reference can replace one of your two letters.
General Requirements
Please meet the following requirements to continue in the selection process. We value a willingness to learn and grow—we’ll provide the training, resources, and support you need to succeed.
Proficient Bike Mechanics
We expect our Guide Candidates to be competent and confident in the following Intermediate Bike Mechanic Skills BEFORE arriving at Guide Training:
- Remove and replace either a tube and/or tire from both the front and rear of a bike, and properly seat the wheel in the dropouts with proper tightening of the quick release lever in 5 minutes or less
- Remove and install pedals in 5 minutes or less
- Remove and replace a bike chain in 5 minutes or less
- Adjust a bike saddle, both height and fore/aft position
- Remove and replace a brake cable on a road bike equipped with internally routed cables
- Properly adjust both brake pad alignment and lever throw on a road bike
- Remove and replace a derailleur cable on a road bike equipped with internally routed cables
- Properly adjust both front and rear derailleurs on a road bike
- Adjust a bike helmet for the proper fit Properly tape handlebars on a road bike in 10 minutes or less
- Demonstrate general familiarity with carbon fiber bike frames
- Change a handlebar stem and properly tighten to the specified torque
It is important to note that if you are invited to New Guide Training, you will be tested on your proficiency with these skills in order to be considered for a Guide Contract.
Strong Physical Fitness
Guides primarily split their time between biking and van support but must be fit enough to ride daily when needed. Candidates should be comfortable with the distances and terrain of all road bike trips (Rider Level 3) and able to regularly lift 50 lbs overhead, load and unload 20+ bikes on top of our vans, handle guest luggage, and move large coolers and bins.
Proficient Driving a Standard Transmission with a Trailer
While our North American vans are automatic transmissions, our European vans are all manual transmission. We require all potential applicants to be proficient driving both while pulling a trailer, and all potential European applicants must have the correct licensing, B+E, in their country for driving while pulling a trailer of unlimited weight.
Clear Driving Record
Candidates must provide a driving record (at their expense) before the Virtual New Guide Selection Event and consent to driver history checks. Applicants may have no more than three moving violations in the past three years and must have no DWI/DUI convictions.
Foreign Language
We run many trips in France, Italy and Spain. The ability to speak any of these languages, in addition to fluent English, increases your chances as a candidate.
Local Guides
We run many trips in various US states, France, Italy, Spain, and other countries around the world. Being a local of a region in which we run our trips may be an advantage over other candidates as we consider knowledge of the local culture and experience in an area an important characteristic of our Guides. While being local may be an advantage, it is not a requirement.
Age Requirement
In order to comply with our liability insurance, all potential Guides must be at least 23 years of age. There is no age limit.
Travel Experience
Having spent time travelling and experiencing other cultures certainly increases your odds. We look for candidates with an expansive worldview who relish the idea of working in other regions while imparting their knowledge of those experiences and cultures on Guests.
Strong Computer Skills
-
- Proficiency in Microsoft Word, Excel and Outlook email
- Comfortable with both Internet and Email
- Comfortable using a smart phone and capturing quality photos
- Familiar with GPS tracking devices and creating routes online
- Able to upload and download .gpx and .tcx files
If hired, Guides will need to provide the following items:
Current First Aid and CPR Certification:
Candidates offered a Guide contract must obtain and maintain valid Basic First Aid and Adult CPR certifications through the end of the season, providing proof of certification before starting work. Certification costs and annual renewals are the responsibility of the Guide.
Scanned copy of your valid passport and drivers license(s):
All Guides must have a valid passport (expiring at least six months after the end of the current year) and a valid driver’s license, with copies submitted before New Guide Training. Guides are responsible for obtaining these documents. European Guides must also obtain a B+E license prior to the season.
Laptop/Tablet: All guides are required to provide their own laptop or tablet computer, equipped with the following capabilities to use while working for Trek Travel. (Trek Travel provides the online versions of office 365): Wireless networking capability, Web browser, MS Word, MS Excel, MS Teams installed (Please note that your laptop does not need to be equipped with a camera; beyond the initial video interviews, it is not required).
Bike tools: While all of our units come fully stocked with extensive bike repair tools, Guides are expected to have a multi-tool (1.5-8mm), torque wrench, set of tire levers, and a small patch kit with them at all times.
First Aid Kit:
Camera-equipped, web-enabled smartphone: All Guides are required to provide their own web- enabled, camera-equipped smartphone. Your daily pay rate includes a per diem for phone use, therefore all costs associated with the use of your cell phone while guiding are the responsibility of the Guide. Trek Travel will provide a SIM card to use while working if located outside of your home country.
8-Megapixel camera: All Guides must provide and carry with them a portable digital camera. If your smartphone’s camera has at least 8-megapixel resolution, you are able to use that in place of a separate camera.
Guide clothing: Trek Travel provides some clothing and other gear at no cost to Guides given a contract. Outside of these items, all outwardly visible cycling apparel including cycling shoes must be branded Trek Travel, Trek or Bontrager. Please note Guides are able to purchase Trek and Bontrager apparel and gear at near-wholesale prices prior and during their guiding season.
Microsoft Program Applications:
Trek Travel provides Guides with an Office 365 account for access to email, documents, and company resources. Installing Office 365 on your personal computer is strongly recommended, though not required or covered by Trek Travel.
