Trip Preparation

5 Tips to Pack like the Pros

Posted on April 20, 2015 - 6:47 pm by keith_ritter

A group of cyclists posing with the Dolomites mountain range in the backgroun

One of the most popular questions guests ask in preparation for their cycling vacation is, “What should I pack?” And while we do have a general packing list available, we have compiled a few of our own tips to live by.

1. Pack Smarter

Think about your travel arrangements and how you are getting from place to place. On your Trek Travel trip, we take care of transporting your luggage. But if your travel plans before or after the trip include trains or public transit, it’s beneficial to keep your hands free to hoist baggage or navigate unexpected stairs.

Pro Tip: Backpacks make excellent carry-ons because they have great storage capacity and are easy to take anywhere! Clip your helmet onto the outside to avoid taking up space in your checked suitcase.

2. Use Your Geometry

You will fit so much more just by the way you pack your bag. Roll your clothes. It will keep them wrinkle free and provide you with more space to overpack

Pro Tip: Split roller bags (ones that open in half) are nice in small European hotel rooms. These allow you to unzip your suitcase and slide it right under the bed. It will save you from tripping over a mess on the floor.

Two gravel cyclists and their dirty socks.

3. Undergarments for Days:

Pack enough underwear and socks to last the entire trip. These are small items that can be tucked in gaps of space throughout your bag and it is essential to have clean items in case there’s no time for laundry. Nobody wants to re-wear a pair of dirty socks!

4. Layers Always Win:

Believe it or not, weather changes. Having base layers, jackets and rain gear will make it easy for you to take off and put on clothes while cycling. Plus, you can store these items in the support van during the day for quick access at rest stop.

5. Keep it Simple

When packing evening attire, choose solid colors and accessories that can be mixed and matched to create different looks. A light scarf can dress up a top that you wore earlier in the week to create a whole new outfit. For men, a different shirt can be paired with the same belt and shoes. The paparazzi won’t even notice.

Pro Tip: Dark colors hide bike grease and don’t show dirt as quickly. Then mix it up with colorful and snazzy accessories that take up very little space (scarves, shoes, belts and jewelry). Laundry in some places can make light colors look dingy.

Collage of suggestion clothing options to pack on a Trek Travel bike tour

How to Eat On and Off the Bike

Posted on April 13, 2015 - 6:53 pm by keith_ritter

Published by Clif Bar as part of their “Eat Like an Athlete” series, this infographic shows you how opposites attract to create a balanced nutrition plan for endurance athletes.

5 Essential Pieces of Luggage for Every Traveler

Posted on March 26, 2015 - 5:08 pm by keith_ritter

Whether you’re booked on a weeklong luxury cycling vacation in Europe or embarking on a self-guided South American excursion, having the right luggage is essential to successful travel.

It must be light. You only have 50 lbs. and you don’t want to be that person repacking your suitcase at the check-in counter.

It must be spacious. When you ‘have to have’ one more pair of pants, or ‘can’t live without’ those shoes, every inch counts.

It must be functional. Organization is crucial if you want to stay on schedule for all your planned activities.

It must be durable. Whether you’re shoving it into the overhead because you did in fact over pack, or the airlines are throwing it under the plane, you need to know your luggage will withstand the test of flying.

Here are our five luggage recommendations to get you through every packing misstep, terminal sprint, unexpected rainstorm, and shopping spree that stands in the way between you and your next epic adventure.

TUMI VAPOR TRIP PACKING CASE

PATAGONIA BLACK HOLE DUFFEL 45L

BONTRAGER MALLORCA 22″ CARRY ON

OSPREY MOMENTUM 22 BACKPACK

EAGLE CREEK PACK-IT SPECTER COMPRESSION CUBES

Quick and Effective Workouts for Travel

Posted on March 9, 2015 - 3:22 pm by keith_ritter

As guides, we spend a lot of time on the road, and it’s unfortunately not always on a bike. Long hours of travel and big days preparing our trips mean that we need to make the most of our time. When we can’t get out for a bike ride or a run, we like to do workouts that will give us the most bang for our buck.

High intensity interval training (HIIT) does just that. The workouts don’t require any equipment, and can be varied for intensity and to keep things interesting. Here’s a sample 10 minute session:

Jumping Jacks
Squats
Burpees
Lunge Jumps
Push Ups
V Ups
Tuck Jumps
Prone Walkout
Mountain Climber
Plank to Push Up

This particular workout consists of 10 exercises. For each set, there is a 40 second interval of work and a 20 second interval of rest. Start by doing as many jumping jacks as you can in 40 seconds, and then take 20 seconds to recover and set up for squats. Repeat this for each exercise on the list.

If you have more time, you can do a 20 minute workout by simply repeating the entire program. If you have less time, research has shown big fitness gains by using a Tabata regimen: 8 rounds broken into 20 seconds of super intense exercise followed by 10 seconds of rest. This makes for a quick and difficult 4-minute workout.

To make a workout harder, do more repetitions of each exercise or do a more challenging version of the exercise. To do an easier session, do fewer reps or a less challenging version of each exercise.

To time yourself, there are free interval timer apps for iOS and Android phones that allow users to create custom timers for different workouts. I particularly like the “Gymboss” app, but find whichever one works best for you.

However, I’ll let you in on a guiding secret: some days we don’t have time for even a quick interval training session. On days like this, when we’re working before sunrise and still going long after sunset, we follow a five step regiment to stay in shape:

1. We ride our bikes.

2. We lift weights.

3. We stretch.

4. We eat well.

5. We stay hydrated.

Trek Travel assumes no liability. Before starting this or any other exercise program, be sure to check with your doctor.

Trek Bikes: Welcome To The Paincave

Posted on February 10, 2015 - 3:00 pm by keith_ritter

At a certain time of year in Wisconsin, riding outside becomes more dangerous than beneficial. Iced-over roads and the ever-present threat of sketchy weather still even the hardiest souls. But the urge to train never ceases, because we all know July’s races are won in February.

So we begrudgingly descend into some deep and hidden indoor space to hammer out monotonous base miles on stationary trainers or rollers, thinking always of the far-off days of post-17:00 daylight.

In the Paincave, we grind away hours in solitude while staring at 19″ rotary dial tube TVs and race numbers from seasons past. We drown out the hum of resistance units with headphones and let the rhythm of the ride take us deep into our heads. Here, we set our minds on goals for the coming year.

A Paincave is a personal space. Some are elaborate whereas others border on Benedictine in their simplicity, but each one is an intimate portrait of its inhabitant. This is where we spend our winters, with stacks of tires, the boiler churning beside.

TO VIEW MORE PHOTOS, AND READ OTHER GREAT STORIES, VISIT TREKBIKES.COM>>

Top 10 Favorite Travel Apps

Posted on November 13, 2014 - 4:53 pm by keith_ritter

1. Duolingo

Speaking the local language is crucial to running an excellent trip, but that can be difficult when you run trips in 12 countries. Whether brushing up your skills or starting from scratch, Duolingo is the best way to learn a language on the go.
Learn More»

2. Uber

Available is 45 countries, Uber is the perfect transportation service to find a reliable ride. With five different tiers, you can conveniently request a ride that matches your style and budget.
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3. TripCase

Enter your trips into TripCase to manage the information. The app will provide you with everything from flight alerts and weather forecasts to alternate flights and driving directions.
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4. Skype

A webcam, internet connection, and computer or mobile device is all you need to stay in touch with family and friends worldwide. Stay close to loves you love while you see the world.
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5. Google Translate

Translate between 80 languages by speaking, typing, writing, or taking a picture. No internet connection needed. Get yourself out of a bind or just converse with those around you.
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6. AccuWeather

Plan your day, and your outfit, perfectly. Never be unprepared thanks to the daily snapshot, local forecast summary, severe weather alerts, animated weather radar and more.
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7. Hotel Tonight

Expect the unexpected with Hotel Tonight. Book a room up to seven days in advance, scroll through a hand-picked selection of hotels, and find exceptional values on the go.
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8. Google Maps

The world is at your finger tips with the Google Maps app. Navigate like a local, avoid traffic jams, never get lost, and find the best spots while discovering destinations near and far.
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9. Free Wifi Finder

No matter where you are in the world, find free Wifi hotspots using this JiWire app. Search based on your current location, find Wifi in a specific region, or filter by location type.
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10. XE Currency

XE Currency offers live exchange rates for every currency in the world. Convert every currency, even without internet, so you never pass up a great deal or pay too much for a meal.
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The Art of Finding a Great Hotel

Posted on October 14, 2014 - 6:03 pm by keith_ritter

The difficulty of finding a great hotel, one that meets everyone’s needs, is a pain that all travelers have felt. Yet our trip design manager, Meagan, tells us that booking the perfect hotel doesn’t have to cause headaches and anxiety. Today she shares her secrets on where to look and what questions to ask in order to get it right the first time.

“Whenever I am traveling (especially to a new destination) and I need a place to stay, I simply start by asking my friends. There is nothing quite as relevant and dependable as a strong personal recommendation. I’m lucky since most of my friends are in the travel industry and their word of mouth carries some serious weight.

If I can’t find a place I love based on what my pals have to say, I look to my favorite travel publications to see what nods they give hotels in the area that I’m planning to travel. Afar, Travel & Leisure, and the NY Times, as well as websites such as Mr. & Mrs. Smith and Relais Chateau, are all great places to look. I also check out online reviews, blogs and booking sites (such as Trip Advisor) to see how different hotels rank in the area.

Once I settle on a few options, I like to dig into the exact location on a map. Is it within walking distance to all of the attractions I would like to visit? And more importantly for me personally, what kind of restaurants are nearby? The hotel website is my next reference—I look at the rooms and room types to decide what best suits me. I look for super detailed information about the hotel breakfast and coffee options. If they don’t have great coffee I am not going! It’s sometimes nice to have tasty dining options on site and entertainment as well, even if it is just a cozy lounge or terrace with a view to enjoy a beverage.

Of course, the amenities and services are important to keep in mind. Does the hotel have a sauna, mini bar, bike rental or fitness center? I look around the hotel site for special offers and sometimes (gasp!) even pick up the phone to see if I can talk to the friendly reservation department about getting the best room available at the best price or complimentary valet, breakfast or another perk.

After all that, I just kick back and imagine myself on vacation! If I am lucky, I won’t spend too much time at the hotel because I will be out riding my bike or exploring.”

Thanks so much for sharing your knowledge, Meagan!

Tips from our Travel Coordinator

Posted on September 18, 2014 - 11:00 am by keith_ritter

Expert travel agent and airline aficionado Lindsay Juley is here to help you prepare for your next vacation. Follow her top seven tips and tricks to help ensure that your next vacation goes as smoothly as possible. As summer comes to a close and fall trips are in full swing, there is some serious wanderlust going on at our head office. As the travel coordinator for Trek Travel, I know first-hand that no matter how much planning goes into a vacation, you must expect the unexpected. Flights get cancelled. Rail workers strike. Immune systems rebel. In order to make your hard-earned vacation as smooth and comfortable as possible, here are some tips and tricks to make sure you are escaping stress – rather than creating it – as you head to your fall travel destinations:

1. Give yourself the ‘buffer’ zone.

Anticipate delays and extra travel time, especially when heading to a new city. Booking that extra pre-night before a trip will not only allow you to relax when you arrive to your destination, but will also give you spare time in case there is a storm or other unexpected issues that affect your arrival time. Plus, an extra night to overcome the jet lag never hurts either.

2. Always have a Plan B….and C.

You did your due diligence and pre-booked a train to get to your destination, but the rail workers decide to strike and your train is no longer running. What do you do? Knowing a back-up bus option or a shuttle service will save you time and energy in the case you have any hiccups.

3. Pump up the vitamins

Stress affects your immune system and getting ready for a trip can certainly be a stressful time as you try to wrap up loose ends at work and stay up late to pack. Make sure to eat healthy, take vitamins, and try and get as much sleep as you can leading up to your trip, as well as on the trip itself, to keep that cold from ruining your trip.

4. Pack light and smart.

When laying out the items you want to take with you, try to take basic colors and layers that you can mix and match. Bring a small amount of laundry detergent to wash cycling clothes in your hotel sink to avoid having to pack an outfit for every day. Figure out what you really need and what you can live without. Having extra outfit choices is not worth the struggle of hauling heavy baggage around cobblestone streets and up steps

5. Invest in a blow-up neck pillow.

They take up little to no space and will change your life, especially when you are counting on getting sleep on that overnight flight. Seriously. The best $20 you’ll ever spend.

6. Check your coverage.

In the unfortunate event that an emergency requires you to cancel your trip, come home early, or see a doctor abroad, check with your insurance to see if coverage extends to the country you visiting and keep emergency contact numbers on you at all times. Trek Travel also offers travel insurance in case you are not covered by your standard policy or credit card.

7. Roll with the punches.

Even if you follow all of this advice, things can still happen. Just take a deep breath and keep in mind that at the very least, it’ll make a great story to tell your friends and family when you get home.

Newer posts

1. Pack Smarter

2. Use Your Geometry

3. Undergarments for Days:

4. Layers Always Win:

5. Keep it Simple

*Trek Travel assumes no liability. Before starting this or any other exercise program, be sure to check with your doctor.*

1. Give yourself the ‘buffer’ zone.

2. Always have a Plan B….and C.

3. Pump up the vitamins

4. Pack light and smart.

5. Invest in a blow-up neck pillow.

6. Check your coverage.

7. Roll with the punches.

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Trek Travel assumes no liability. Before starting this or any other exercise program, be sure to check with your doctor.