Remote. Rugged. Refuge.

Posted on September 24, 2015 - 8:11 pm by keith_ritter

The people who choose to call this place home are of a tribe that stretches back thousands of years and although not all related by blood, their spirit thrives here with the same reverence and passion. Their brilliance is mirrored by daily rhythm of the desert; it begins cool and refreshing and becomes warn and welcoming.

“I know what they tell you about the desert but you mustn’t believe them. This is no deathbed. Dig down, the earth is moist. You can hear a man breathe at a distance of twenty yards. You can see out there to the edge where the desert stops and the mountains begin. You think it is perhaps ten miles. It is more than a hundred. Just before the sun sets all the colors will changes. Green will turn to blue, red to gold…” – Barry Lopez, Desert Notes

Nearly 1000 years ago, Ancestral Puebloan people were the first to be captivated by this ancient and rugged landscape and its allure stretches to today. Boulder, Utah is a town so spectacularly remote, its residents still received their mail by mule-train until the late 1940’s. In Boulder, I find a bit of refuge. I find it in a pastoral familiarity amongst a sea of sandstone. I find it in the sounds of migrating waterfowl emanating from a tiny wetland. I find it in the first taste of a cold craft beer and the spicy kick of a warm bowl of Posole. Most of all, I find it in the people there.

Experience the Utah desert and Bryce Canyon hodoos on Trek Travel's utah cycling vacation

At the tail end of a five-hour drive, you crest a ridgeline high above Calf Creek. Below, deep gouges split ancient petrified sand dunes forming massive canyons. Not a powerline, building or person in sight. Other than the road you’re on, it’s a landscape devoid of human impact. At the top of the hill, look out the right side windows of the van to the distance and get your first glimpse of Boulder. Pivot irrigation in the middle of a green hayfield. A red barn. Cattle and a few solitary horses. These things look out of place. Anomalies on this naked stretch of earth.

We begin this trip here–maybe six or seven times a year and regardless of what’s required to get things rolling, I always make an effort to spend at least a few short moments with the folks that bring my Boulder to life. Maybe I’ll sneak away for two minutes between lunch and our Day 1 bike fitting session to say hello to Jen Castle while she roasts fresh chilies behind Hell’s Backbone kitchen or hang around after dinner for a glass of wine and farm happenings update with restaurant owner Blake Spalding. Sometimes, I’ll crawl out of bed a few minutes before my co-guide to watch the fist shooting light of the sun bounce across the cliffs along the Burr Trail. Maybe attempt to give Jezebel, resident queen kitty of the Boulder Mountain Lodge, a good morning head-scratch (when she lets me get close enough). My community is in Lander, Wyoming but when I’m here, this place sure feels like home. There is a special energy that is manifested in this community. It’s magnetic and unique. You’ll see it first in their easy smiles. Then their wholesome gratitude. Soon, you’ll become friends. It’s a given.

The people who choose to call this place home are of a tribe that stretches back 1000 years and although not all related by blood, their spirit thrives here with the same reverence and passion. Their brilliance is mirrored by daily rhythm of the desert; it begins cool and refreshing and comes warm and welcoming. Tucked away in this magical landscape of pinion and juniper, dark canyons and crystalline creeks, towering rock spires and golden sandstone domes, lives a community bound by a dynamic love of these things. They’re ready to share them with those who choose to travel here. They’re ready to share these things with those who can pause and surrender to the raw and uncompromising power of this beautiful desert. Far beyond the world-class cycling to be had on these lonely desert highways, the spirit of the community here shows its undeniable and unwavering character. We might only get brief glimpses of life in Boulder, Utah (a short 18 hours over the span of six days), but those snapshots will call you back.

EXPERIENCE BOULDER ON TREK TRAVEL’S BRYCE AND ZION VACATION»

Inn-to-Inn by Bike in Spain

Posted on September 24, 2015 - 3:48 pm by keith_ritter

“Every country has a place where the pace of life is slower and the residents seem more concerned with what’s for dinner than anything else. In Spain — a country already known for its siestas and multi-hour meals — that region is Andalusia. Located in the southernmost part of the country, Andalusia is one of Spain’s best areas for bike touring. The roads are smooth, the drivers are mellow, the weather is generally comfortable, and the food is hearty.”

A.C. Shilton | September 23, 2015

“This is quintessential Spain. It’s limestone peaks, mountain passes, and spectacular views,” says Meagan Coates, a trip designer for Trek Travel. Coates planned the company’s current trip through Andalusia, and says it’s one of her favorites. “The terrain is varied with occasional steep climbs. Car traffic is generally slow-moving and drivers are courteous of cyclists.”

“Plus, Andalusia has tons of off-the-bike destinations to explore. Balance time in the saddle with trips to wander through Moorish ruins, explore stunning cathedrals, visit world-class museums and, of course, eat your share of Ibérico ham. By the end of the trip you’ll see why artists like Picasso, composers like Bizet and Mozart, and authors like Hemmingway were all inspired by this corner of the world. Here’s how to plan your inn-to-inn trip.”

As Birds Flock South, Travelers Can Catch Up

Posted on September 23, 2015 - 5:00 pm by keith_ritter

“Travelers can take wing with the birds flying south.”

Phil Marty | September 1, 2015

“Many bicycling vacations move from one lodging to another on a daily basis. Sometimes that means cyclists have to cart their belongings on their bike, though often the tour company shuttles luggage. Trek Travel has a new batch of bike trips that take a different approach, with bikers staying in one lodging and doing day trips from there. An example is a six-day/five-night tour based at Blackberry Farm, a highly rated property in the Great Smoky Mountains. Priced from $5,499 per person double occupancy, it includes daily rides ranging from 19 miles with 750 feet of climbing to 43 miles with 4,300 feet of climbing. In addition to lodging, the tours include all meals, full support services, use of Trek Domane 5.9 carbon bikes, Trek helmets and Garmin GPS bike computers and more. Other packages in what’s called the One series are in the U.S. as well as foreign locations such as the Canary Islands or Italy’s Piedmont region.”

FAQs: Global Entry

Posted on September 22, 2015 - 9:09 pm by keith_ritter

Have you ever been stuck in a full maze at security and wished you could skip the line? Or maybe you’ve missed a connection because it took too long to get through customs. Global Entry is the solution to these travel woes, but the process can be intimidating for some and perceived as futile by others. Here’s what you need to know before you start the process:

Overview:
The Global Entry program allows pre-approved, low-risk travelers expedited entry into the U.S. through automatic kiosks. No need to fill out blue customs forms on the plane or wait in line after a long international flight. Additionally, Global Entry members are eligible for TSA PreCheck, which expedites traveler screening through security checkpoints on domestic flights. No need to remove shoes, laptops, liquids, belts or jackets. Ultimately, Global Entry will minimize the amount of time you spend standing in line or stressing about time on both domestic and international vacations.
Pro Tip: You can apply for TSA PreCheck on its own, but at the cost of $85 per traveler, you might as well spend $100 for Global Entry.

Application:
In order to apply for Global Entry, you must be a U.S. citizens or lawful permanent resident. You also cannot have been convicted of any criminal offense or been found in violation of any customs or immigration laws. (See full eligibility requirements here.) Once you’ve deemed yourself as eligible, the application process is easy:
1. Create a Global Online Enrollment System (GOES) account.
2. Log in to your GOES account and complete the application. The application includes a series of straightforward questions, including your employment history and a list of every country you’ve visited in the last five years.
3. Pay the $100 non-refundable fee.
4. Schedule an interview at a Global Entry Enrollment Center. Be sure to bring a valid passport or permanent resident card, and one other form on identification (such as a drivers license).
5. Complete your 15-minute interview. Most international airports have a Global Entry office, so for convenience you could schedule the interview during a long layover or get to the airport early before your next vacation. Be sure to leave yourself enough time, however, as the appointments often run behind schedule.

Utilization:
If you are approved for Global Entry, you will receive a physical card in the mail roughly two weeks later. This card is not actually required while flying, but you will need your Known Traveler Number (found on the back of the card in the upper left-hand corner). To take advantage of TSA PreCheck, you will need to enter your Known Traveler Number when making airline reservations so that your boarding pass is marked appropriately. To take advantage of Global Entry, head directly toward signs for Global Entry kiosks upon landing in the U.S. after an international flight. At the kiosk, you will scan your passport, answer the customs questions, take your photo, and scan your fingerprints. You will receive a receipt that you hand to the customs agent on your way out. It is important to know that travel companions (even children or your spouse) cannot come through the Global Entry kiosk with you.
Pro Tip: Add your Known Traveler Number to your frequent flyer profile to make it easier for future reservations.

Industry Insider: Doug Margerum

Posted on September 17, 2015 - 8:22 pm by keith_ritter

In Santa Barbara winemaking circles, Doug Margerum is indeed a celebrity. He’s been credited with singlehandedly launching the local wine scene, and his restaurant, Wine Cask, is the place for collectors to find coveted single-vineyard Santa Barbara wines. A legend in his own right, Doug sat down to with us to share his passion for red wine and the American Riviera.

Tell us your story. What spurred your passion for food and wine?
I began my wine and food exploration at a young age, tasting wine in France and eating in France and Italy with my parents at 13 years of age. I worked in restaurants as a cook and server throughout my high school and college years. After graduating from University of California – Santa Barbara with a degree in business economics, my family purchased Wine Cask (an existing wine store, wine making & beer making supply store) in 1981. What began as a retail wine store expanded to include an adjacent bistro. The restaurant expanded again to the Gold Room in Santa Barbara’s legendary El Paseo building in 1981, and the adjacent Intermezzo cafe opened in 1996. The two restaurants and the wine store have become a destination of choice in Santa Barbara among food and wine cognoscenti locally and throughout the world.

Tell us about your handcrafted and personalized wine production.
Margerum Wine Company is committed to creating handcrafted wines using only the highest quality grapes so that we can make wines that are indicative of the place where they are grown. We strive to make wines naturally, to make wines that have individual characteristics, and to make wines with personality. The scale of production is kept at a level where we can touch and know the wine as it is raised to the bottle – the antithesis of mass production. The standards of quality are measured by our criteria, not by external sources. We make wines we personally enjoy – some to drink young, all for the table, and others for long aging in cool cellars for our children to enjoy.

Can you give our readers any wine tasting tips?
1. Taste as many different wines as possible: taste the unknown to experience new flavors, discover new styles, new varietals from new lands and continue to learn more about wine.
2. Wine makes food taste better: It is healthy, improves your digestion, and makes conversation easier and sometimes more profound.
3. Be patient and age wines: Wines properly stored–at a constant 55 degrees, free of vibration, and free of light–improve with age.
4. Serve wine in proper stemware and at the proper temperature: Reds at 60 to 65 degrees and whites at 40 to 45 degrees.
5. True wine critics are the practiced: They are those who taste wine with food, meet winemakers, travel, study, learn and know wine. They are the sommeliers and wine merchants of the world. Trust these people. They know and love wine and are our best source of knowledge.

What is your favorite vintage or vineyard and what makes it unique?
I love red Rhône varietals. The red wines made from Rhône varietals produce wines that are diverse and have an array of styles. They share the common characteristics of fresh red and black cherries, strawberry, kirsch, black pepper, black raspberry, spice, earth and herbs. The textures can be lush, rich and mouthwatering when young and then become silky and complex with age. While these wines are delicious young, they have the ability to age and develop for 5 to 15 years. My favorite wine is the Margerum M5. This is a Chateauneuf-du-Pape style blend using five grape varieties from the highest quality vineyards in Santa Barbara County. The “M” is for Margerum and “5” for the five grapes we use: Syrah, Grenache, Mourvèdre, Counoise, and Cinsault. M5 is all about Grenache and, as it is every year, the trick is to balance the crimson, aromatic, lean, bright, tight Grenache, Counoise, Mourvèdre, and Cinsault based components with the bombastic, dark, black, plum, tannic, bold, intense, full-bodied Syrah we make. M5 is wine created from a thought–a blend that is an amalgamation of memories, both distant and recent, of wines we’ve tasted and loved the past thirty-three years.

What makes Santa Barbara a great wine-producing region?
The unique, transverse nature of the valleys of Santa Barbara Wine Country provides a patchwork quilt of microclimates and terrains, resulting in one of the most diverse grape growing regions in the country. The valleys in the Pacific coastline actually run east-west rather than north-south, and both the coastal Santa Ynez Mountain range and the more interior San Rafael range are transverse too. Because of this geologic oddity, the ocean breezes sweep eastward, channeled by the hills and mountains that ring the region. Heading east into the foothills, the temperatures are warm during the day and very cool during the night, whereas the vineyards that lie westward toward the ocean enjoy a mild and moderate climate. Coupled with soils that run the gamut from ancient beach and diatomaceous earth to chirt and limestone, there is a near-perfect place for a wide variety of wine grape varietals.

There are currently five federally-sanctioned American Viticulture Areas (AVAs) within Santa Barbara County: Ballard Canyon, Happy Canyon of Santa Barbara, Santa Maria Valley, Sta. Rita Hills and Santa Ynez Valley. As grape growers continue to advance their understanding of the best places to plant particular wine grape varietals, the Los Alamos region, the Los Olivos District, and the Santa Maria Bench are also showing distinct characteristics that may one day lead to AVA status. The Los Alamos Valley area between Santa Ynez Valley and Santa Maria Valley also hosts several vineyards, although the area is not officially recognized.

What are the five must-dos while traveling in Santa Barbara?
1. Wine Tasting: Urban Wine Trail, Wine Collection of El Paseo, and the Presidio Neighborhood.
2. Sterns Wharf: I love walking out on Sterns Wharf to get a fish taco, watch the boats, and get a unique perspective on Santa Barbara.
3. The Zoo: I love our zoo!
4. Eating: My favorite places are Wine Cask (of course) and Intermezzo for casual dining and great wines by the glass. Bouchon is incredible for fine dining. Arigato for sushi. Lucky’s for great steak and awesome atmosphere. El Encanto for cocktails with a view. And finally, Pane e Vino for Italian.
5. Museums: Our Natural History Museum is definitely worth a visit.

TASTE A HANDCRAFTED VINTAGE ON TREK TRAVEL’S SANTA BARBARA BIKE TOUR»

Top 5 European Spas

Posted on September 15, 2015 - 9:59 pm by keith_ritter

For the lovers of luxury who want to sip wine off the Mediterranean coast or lounge in Europe’s finest hotels, we’ve got great news. In addition to posh lodging and choice amenities, these five hotels also offer world-class spas perfect for treating yourself or your loved one to the ultimate relaxation experience. They’re so indulgent, you may feel guilty. But don’t. We both know you deserve it.

1. Les Sources de Caudalie: Bordeaux

In perfect harmony with the surrounding vineyards, Caudalie’s distinctive style blends wood and stone materials inside an old tobacco kiln to create a one-of-a-kind atmosphere. The exclusive wellbeing treatments at this Vinothérapie Spa are based on vine and grape-based extracts and natural hot spring water rich in minerals.

Signature Treatment: Crushed Cabernet Scrub
The most popular treatment from the Vinothérapie Spa, this scrub is developed with a base of grape-seed, honey, brown sugar and essential oils, and designed to regain your skin’s radiance and softness.

2. Jumeriah Port Soller Hotel and Spa: Mallorca Luxury

With its abundant sun, sea, nature and culture, Mallorca is an ideal place to escape to for a rejuvenating break. Offering a new generation of spa treatments, the Talise Spa uses natural ingredients such as citrus, almonds and olive oil that will transport you to a serene state of mind and body.

Signature Treatment: Talise Signature Massage
This exclusive therapeutic massage uses a variety of techniques from the best treatments in the world. A unique combination of pressure points and a massage sequence using healing oils enhance this unforgettable experience.

3. Lešić Dimitri Palace: Croatia and Dalmatian Coast

Set in the midst of an ancient city, an exotic experience awaits you at the Lešić Dimitri Spa. Blending cultures and techniques from along the Silk Road, indulge in the therapeutic benefits of spa therapies offered by the palace’s Thai therapists who are trained to world-class standards in a country with centuries’ worth of spa tradition.

Signature Treatment: Thai Traditional Massage
A therapeutic treatment developed to promote energy, stimulate the nervous system and support the development of the body, mind and spirit. The stimulating hand massage combines with stretching to improve circulation and energy.

4. La Coquillade: Provence Luxury

Located in the heart of Luberon Natural Park, the Coquillade Spa is the ideal space to fully recharge, increase your energy levels and restore your equilibrium. The comprehensive treatment program–including an indoor pool, sauna, steam bath, relaxation room, fitness area, and salon–allows you to find something that suits your needs.

Signature Treatment: Signature Face and Body Care
This all-inclusive treatment allows you to personalize your experience with a bath, scrub or wrap of your choice. Embark on a comprehensive wellness experience unlike any other, including a massage and facial treatment.

5. Alentejo Marmòris Hotel And Spa: Portugal

Implanted in an ancient olive oil mill and dug in a quarry, entering in the Stone Spa is an unforgettable experience. The beauty of the marble that adorns its original walls transport you to another place as your enjoy the amenities and genuine hospitality offered at this Small Luxury Hotel of the World.

Signature Treatment: Marble Stone Massage
Developed by the Stone Spa team, this deep tissue massage was designed for lovers of vigorous massage. It is the fusion of Eastern wisdom and contemporary therapies combining various massage techniques, stretches and digit pressure.

#Vagabonds

Posted on September 9, 2015 - 9:15 pm by keith_ritter

We finish our seasons late in the calendar year, and that’s when it’s time to reflect on the days spent riding the bike with guests in the evening light, in gluttonous enjoyment of a coastline picnic, or in the nights spent working behind the scenes, sweating, preparing every last detail.

Being a guide is a dream. Just like a dream, though, there are moments of surreal beauty, where I pinch myself because I’m so lucky, and moments where I feel like nothing more than a vagabond, wandering from road to road, without a home to speak of.

A season of nights can be remembered in two ways. Long nights linger throughout a guide’s season, presenting sleep debt that appears every morning like the crust in your eye: it’s a gross, immovable feature of guiding that invites itself into your morning routine. Late night hours accumulate on dark, drizzling drives across the French Alps, or in bike repair sessions that endure until a new feature of bicycle mechanics is finally mastered. These nights of bleary eyes and greasy fingers hit in the morning like a middle-aged hangover. They metastasize over weeks upon weeks through the summer rush. For the rest of the season you can point to them as the reason you need just 30 more minutes of sleep. I awake each morning with the simple joy to have a job that is perpetual adventure: that fortuity is laced into the first minutes of my day, but it cannot always soothe the need for a long night of rest, or a slow morning with too much coffee and a sojourn through the news to nullify my accrued fatigue.

There are other nights, however, that are not pernicious. With co-guides as my partners in crime, we spent last season’s nights in 12th-century castle ruins perched atop the bluffs looming over the Danube, and watched the moon drift across the valley; we wended our way through herds of Prague’s revelers until the early morning and devoured fried-cheese sandwiches to bridge dinner and breakfast. Every guide cobbles together nights of extemporaneous adventure: In the evenings they become impromptu wedding guests, and dinner dates for the stars, or might just end the wee hours vaulting over fences or hailing the relics of rock and roll’s saints. These nocturnal voyages stoke the engine driving us through our season. They are filled with electricity, are stolen moments from a history and a place that never expected us, and remind us that rapture can be found in the time between the days filled with purpose, agendas and goals.

These evening escapades are archived in the Trek Travel legacy at the end of the season when guides float back to the guide house to eddy-out. We all come with the excuse to catch a night of rest and reclaim cached belongings, but the real purpose is to relish the scuttlebutt from everyone’s season.

I feasted my first night back at the Tuscany guide house last season with a table full of guides, tortellini, and gas-station wine. What started as dinner became a jam session for raconteurs who had repressed the parts of the job that percolate when the season ends: too many missed weddings, too few evening chats with a spouse, wearing the same pair of trousers packed and unpacked in countless hotel rooms, and the claustrophobia from sharing long days in the same van, hotel room, bathroom, bedroom, bike path, breakfast table and dining room with somebody else every day of the season.

The ineffable beauty of this job is the family of companions that emerges from the chaos and stress of life on the road. Within that family is a cast of saviors that cart other drained and reeking guides from Megeve to Geneva to arrive in time for a date, conjure gourmet dinners from melons and mint to serve starving colleagues, or otherwise provide the lost features of “normal life” to professional vagabonds.

At the end of a full season, after leaving the various guide houses to return home, we are supposed to resume something that feels more permanent. But we are visitors here for only a few months. The season begins again when the days get longer in Spain, and heats up to a full thrust when the sun warms the rest of Europe. Until then home feels idle, like an indictment of “normal”, and easily defined as just a “time in-between.” It is a purgatory released by the memory of seized moments that incite us to new adventures. Is it time to get back yet? Is it time to start adventuring again?

Written by Sam Clark, Trek Travel Guide

DO YOU WANT TO BIKE AROUND THE WORLD WHILE GETTING PAID? APPLY TODAY»

Bike and Barge Experience

Posted on September 8, 2015 - 9:55 pm by keith_ritter

When Mac Tichenor, a close friend of Trek Travel, wanted to celebrate his birthday in style, he put together the guest list and we took care of the rest. What followed was a floating party, an unforgettable bike-n-barge vacation from Paris to Champagne. Together, Mac and nine of his closest friends cruised the Marne River and set a new bar for the ultimate birthday celebration.

What inspired you to take a bike and barge vacation?

The inspiration came from the Trek Travel trip designers. I presented them with a nascent idea, and, very creatively, they came up with a spectacular trip. Even after the idea was hatched, we weren’t certain what we were getting into. But our previous experience on a Trek Travel trip made us confident that it would be well done and fun, and our expectations were far surpassed.

Tell us about your favorite day of the trip.

It is really hard to pick a favorite. Each day had its own flavor, with different intensities of riding, different types of scenery, and different kinds of off-the-bike activities, all of which made each day interesting and exciting. But the first full day was probably the most memorable. Our group of 10 was already wowed by the elegance of our accommodations on the barge, the conviviality of its crew, and how our guides were almost giddy about the plans for the week. The excitement of starting off that first morning still sticks with me.

How does a bike and barge trip compare to a classic cycling vacation?

1. A big benefit was that we did not have to pack up and move out of our rooms for the whole week. After we departed the barge each morning on our bikes, it would motor on to the next port of call, where we would meet it at the end of the day. We had the same room but a different view every day.

2. The barge had a great bar, wine cellar, and an extraordinary chef. It was particularly nice to stay aboard after a long day of riding and be treated to a Michelin-quality meal.

3. When someone in our group didn’t want to ride on a given day, they had the option of staying on the barge to read and relax on deck during a pleasant trip down the Marne River.

What made the bike and barge trip a unique travel experience?

I think the true uniqueness of this trip was the melding of two activities, either one of which makes a great trip in itself – a Trek Travel bicycling adventure and a river barge excursion. It led to a confluence of magic ingredients: good friends, engaging and helpful guides, gorgeous scenery, great bikes, the novelty and unexpected luxuriousness of the barge experience, and some of the best food and wine in the world. The excitement and camaraderie generated among our group, our guides, and the crew grew over the week and made it especially enjoyable.

“The barge experience was a perfect complement to biking. The barge crew was exceptionally fun and helpful. The food and wine were fabulous. Our Trek Travel guides were immediate friends, it couldn’t have been better!” – Mac Tichenor

Why did you choose to celebrate your birthday with Trek Travel?

My wife and I had recently been introduced to bike touring on a Trek Travel trip to Vermont, which we loved. Some friends on that trip had been on Trek Travel trips in Europe that they raved about, so we filed away that idea. Somehow the idea of adding in the barge element surfaced, and the Trek Travel trip designers took it and ran with it.

Do you have an especially memorable story from the trip?

On our first full day of riding, our guides told us we would stop at a French country inn for lunch. That sounded fine, but we didn’t really have any idea what we were in for. It turned out to be a charming spot in the middle of nowhere, surrounded by an apple orchard, with a great outdoor dining area. We were fêted with too many courses to count of delicious food (for which we had built up big appetites by riding all morning). The meal lasted almost two hours and, after a brief recovery period (i.e. naps on the grass), we set out to ride it off and be ready for dinner. That day brought us to realize what a highly civilized experience was in store for us.

Ride Across Wisconsin

Posted on September 3, 2015 - 6:34 pm by keith_ritter

Last Saturday, 450 fearless riders set out with a singular goal: to ride across the state of Wisconsin. Starting with the first glimpse of sunlight at 6:30AM, we gladly said goodbye to Iowa, crossed the mighty Mississippi River, and set our sights on Lake Michigan. Our objective was clear: a one-day, 175-mile ride to raise money for the Wisconsin Bike Federation. Our sanity, on the other hand, was questionable.

The forecast called for rain and headwinds, but we still showed up. Wisconsinites are a rare breed. The weather doesn’t scare us because we spend most of our year either surviving harsh winters or talking about them. We are proud, and we’ll go to great lengths to express our love for this mid-western home. And most of all, we are strong. Give us a challenge and we’ll raise our glass to wish you good luck.

So with a lot of excitement and a little hesitation we set out on our epic, hard-as-hell ride across the greatest state ever. These are my top five moments from the day:

The Awesome Bus

On Friday afternoon we boarded the Awesome Bus at Trek’s headquarters in Waterloo, Wisconsin. There was a sign in the bus windshield that said, “Have a great day,” but surely it was more than great. The cafeteria supplied us with water, beer and plenty of snacks. Our first destination was Madison to pick up the Trek Factory Racing riders and staff. Among others were Linsey Corbin, Bauke Mollema, and Wisconsin-native Matthew Busche.

As it turns out, when you put a bunch of bike-geeks and athletes on a bus for two hours, there is no lack of topics to discuss. I was lucky enough to sit next to Linsey Corbin and easy conversation passed the time. The highlight of the ride came when Linsey said she had never cycled this far before. My first thought was, “Great, we’re all in this together.” But enthusiasm quickly turned to apprehension. “If the five-time Ironman world champion and American record holder hasn’t ridden this far, who am I to do it?”

Robbie Ventura and Jens Voigt

Friday night before the ride, Jens Voigt and Robbie Ventura took the stage to get us excited about the adventure ahead. Jens, who later said he used gears on this ride so small that he didn’t know they existed just one year ago, entertained us with stories of burger stops on training rides that landed well among this Wisconsin crowd. Robbie, on the other hand, offered slightly more practical advice with five tips to make this inaugural event a success.

1. Ride Safe: Keep your head up, ride predictably, and follow the rules of the road
2. Be Self-Sufficient: Supporting 450 riders over 175 miles is difficult. Carry gear to fix flat, have a route guide, and bring layers for the weather.
3. Nutrition and Hydration: It is important to stay hydrated (1 bottle an hour) and keep eating (200-300 calories per hour) on such a long ride.
4. Pace Yourself: If you go out too hard, you’re going to make the day longer than it already is.
5. Help Someone: Fix a flat, offer food, slow down to stay with someone, encourage each other, and smile. It will help you as much or more than it helps them.

The Beloit Rest Stop

With eight rest stops along the course, situated roughly 25 miles apart, the event had incredible support. Holland Dairy Farms offered their front yard, and chocolate milk, to all riders. Monroe let us take over a large city park. But the true stand out was Beloit. The gorgeous riverside park provided nice views while we rested our legs. The Janesville Velo Club was there to cheer on riders as we rode into and out of Beloit. There were folk dancers and gospel singers and even a cheerleading squad!

The Trek Travel Ladies

We have a great team here at Trek Travel. Evening rides and five o’clock happy hours provide ample time to enjoy one another’s company outside the office walls. But the bonding that occurs during 12-hours on the bike is unique. On Saturday, all four of us woke up with one common goal for the day. Literally and figuratively we pulled each other through. We didn’t converse the whole way. But we always enjoyed the company. We experienced the same views, suffered up the same hills, and reveled in the same glory.

The Finish Party

It’s no secret that getting off the bike after 12 hours in the saddle feels good. And the collective sense of accomplishment as we entered Kenosha was overwhelming. But as Robbie Ventura so accurately stated, “The highlight for me were the people. The relaxed and supportive atmosphere was special and it kept me smiling through a long, wet, hard day in beautiful Wisconsin!” In true Wisconsin fashion, we celebrated the finish by filling up our frosty “Founder’s” mugs and raising a glass to the adventure we shared. A simple engraving on the bottom of our mugs seems to encapsulate it perfectly…Earned It.

According to Dave Schlabowske, Deputy Director of the Wisconsin Bike Federation, “We started the Ride Across Wisconsin to showcase the amazing riding we have here. We hope RAW will become an annual tradition for hundreds of home state cyclists and a bucket list ride for people from across the country who want to see why we think Wisconsin is America’s Best Ride.”

Speaking for all of us, thank you to the Wisconsin Bike Federation for putting on a great event. It was truly the ride of a lifetime.

Guest Choice: Bend, Oregon

Posted on September 1, 2015 - 9:10 pm by keith_ritter

A bustling mountain town of more than 82,000 people, Bend has made its way into the limelight and stolen the hearts of outdoor enthusiasts everywhere. With a population that has quadrupled in just two decades and a vivacious tourism economy, it’s a good thing this outdoor mecca is chalk full with enough activity for all its admirers.

On our Crater Lake and Oregon Cascades and Bend Mountain Bike vacations, not only will you have the opportunity to take in panoramic vistas of the crystal blue Crater Lake or experience world class riding on an expansive network of trails, but you will also have the chance to explore our favorite recreation destination: Bend, Oregon. Be sure to take advantage of the many adventures available in town–rafting, hiking, golf, and more–before satisfying your taste buds at one of the eclectic and delicious local eateries.

Where To Go For Drinks: Bend is synonymous with amazing beer. With a startling abundance of world-class breweries clustered close together like the gold at the end of a big, beer rainbow, Bend has been dubbed Beer Town USA. Trek Travel guides sometimes fancy themselves as beer connoisseurs, and the unparalleled local favorite amongst our team is the renowned Deschutes Brewery. Just a 3-minute walk from your hotel, the original Deschutes Public House has been a vibrant fixture of the downtown scene since 1988. Not only can you find their very first beer–the Black Butte Porter–still brewed with craft and passion, but there are a total of 19 full-flavored taps available to satisfy your taste buds. If you’re not afraid to explore the many nuances and endless possibilities of the almighty hop, try our favorite Fresh Squeezed IPA.

Where To Go For Dinner: After sharing a round with family or friends, stroll down the block to Zydeco Kitchen & Cocktails for incredible Northwest cuisine with a southern twist. Chef Steve Halt’s from-scratch kitchen is focused on freshness and quality ingredients, and features a full gluten free menu. Arguably the most well-loved restaurant in town, and a 2014 restaurant of the year winner, Zydeco’s confident combinations such as Barbecue Shrimp & Grits or Shrimp, Andouille & Crawfish Jambalaya consistently impress even the most discerning palates. Besides, our guides are pretty sure they have the best dirty martini in town.

Where To Go Out: After a delightful meal with even better company, cap off your night out in Bend with a stroll through Drake Park on your way back to the Oxford Hotel. With one-half mile of riverfront property, this is truly the centerpiece of downtown Bend’s extensive park system. The perfect way to unwind after another adventurous day, take in the picturesque reflection of Mount Bachelor off Mirror Pond or meander along the Deschutes River while admiring the majestic ponderosa pine and deciduous hardwoods.

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.

EXPERIENCE BEND ON TREK TRAVEL’S CRATER LAKE AND OREGON CASCADES CYCLING VACATION»

EXPERIENCE BEND ON TREK TRAVEL’S BEND MOUNTAIN BIKE VACATION»

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