TRE KT RAVEL
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TREKTRAVEL
TREKTRAV EL Window to the World At Tr ek Trave l we a re dra wn to w or l dl y a dvent ures a nd the s torie s tha t re s ult. We st r i ve t o cu ra t e t h o se mag ic al mo me n t s t ol d l ong a f t er your journey ha s e nde d. T hi s i s a c ol l e ction of ta le s tha t s e e k s t o def i ne t he peopl e , the pla ce s , the re a s ons w e p a s s i o n a t e ly b e lieve t h e w o rld is b es t s een f ro m t h e se at o f a b ic yc le . E njoy. 1
CONTENTS CHRONICLES 4 THE WORLD CALLS
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A U TO B I O G R A P H Y 4 8
By Guy Andrews A cycling journalist, author and founder of Rouleur Magazine.
FORWARD
ALL YOU HAVE TO DO IS RIDE 2
No matter how much you enjoy riding your bike in your own backyard, there’s a sense of freedom in riding your bike in distant places. Travelling and cycling are inextricably linked as every ride is a journey but whether it’s riding a stage of the Tour de France, mountain biking in Moab or just meandering through the quiet lanes of Provence, these experiences add a new dimension to your cycling; a liberating feeling of adventure that provides unforgettable memories. Although those memories can often be for the smallest of things. In the morning, there were two full bidons on my bike. This might sound like a simple thing, but in all my years of cycling nobody had ever filled my water bottles for me, or pumped my tires and oiled my chain for that matter. Details they may be, but it made me smile. Arriving with nothing other than my cycling shoes and helmet, I needn’t worry about the bike, it was perfect and Trek Travel’s terrific support out on the road was an unexpected but welcome luxury. Time off the bike with Trek Travel holds even greater luxuries, some ‘pinch yourself’ experiences; like taking a boat trip to a restaurant for dinner on the shores of Lake Annecy, standing on the roadside to watch the Tour peloton swoosh-by or just strolling through a historical European town to drink a cold beer at a café as the sun sets on a perfect day’s riding… Well, who doesn’t enjoy that? But my lasting memory of my time with Trek Travel was for the kind ride staff and logistical support crew who left nothing to chance. In all my years of travelling with my bike I’ve rarely encountered such a completely professional service with seemingly effortless attention to the details, no matter how small.
FORWARD
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By Tony Ferlisi A guide for Trek Travel with a Masters in Natural Resources.
BOULDER, UTAH REMOTE. RUGGED. REFUGE.
BOULDER, UTAH
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 warm 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 change. 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. 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 the 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 first 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 becomes 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.
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SEASONAL ROASTED ROOT VEGETABLES 6 ounces baby turnips (peeled and halved) 6 ounces baby carrots (peeled and halved) 6 ounces brussels sprouts (halved) 6 ounces marble potatoes (halved) 6
6 cloves garlic 1 tablespoon + 1 teaspoon olive oil 2 teaspoons salt 1 tablespoon thyme leaves Pre-heat Le Creuset Signature 7 qt. Roaster in a 450째F oven. Place all vegetables in a mixing bowl and coat with salt and olive oil. Place vegetables in pre-heated roaster and spread so that there is an even layer. Stir vegetables after 10 minutes. Let vegetables cook for another 5-10 minutes or until you can pierce the potatoes with a pairing knife and there is no resistance. Remove from oven and add thyme and serve. Nestled in the Appalachian Mountains and cooking what they grow, Blackberry Farm is a home away from home for any cyclist.
BLACKBERRY TREKTRAVEL FARM
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IRELAND
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BE SURE TO GO ACROSS THE SEA TO IRELAND
By John Roach
Madison-based television producer and writer.
More than any other nationality, the Irish, almost without reservation, love Americans. Both the Yanks and the Irish, as well as the Aussies, were once members of the British Empire. We all opted out of that arrangement thus bestowing upon ourselves, even now, a bit of the rebel...
TREKTRAVEL
...Moreover, Ireland is the only European country that never got into the colonialism game. They were, in fact, Great Britain’s first conquer. Something they remember still. 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.
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 waiting 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!”
A local with a bushy beard ambled up to ask where we were from. When we responded, “From Wisconsin,” he chortled and pronounced, “Me brother’s a nephrologist in LaCrosse!” He then sprang out the door with another fella and in a blink they returned with guitar and banjo in hand. We spent the rest of the night in song and revelry, long after the sun had gone down on Galway Bay. I can say without reservation that it was one of the most wonderful nights of our family’s life. 9
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.
And that is most likely what awaits, should you choose to go across the sea to Ireland.
The fondest memory I have of Ireland occurred in the small town of Orenmore outside of Galway. It was when our large Valley of green moss in Cork, Ireland.
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ENJOY
RELAX 11
CONQUER
REVEL
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A Tuscan village in Italy.
ITALY
IL GALLO NERO The Black Rooster marks some of the greatest wines in the world It is easy to see why Tuscany remains one of our most popular trips. I moved to Italy some 12 years ago to immerse myself in this magic, and have determined that cycling through this region is the ideal way to learn about the place. On a bike, we leave other tourists behind and get to experience places as they have remained for thousands of years. The epicenter of Tuscany — flanked by Florence to the North and Siena to the South— is known as Chianti. Chianti is known for its wine, wild boar, small, winding roads and forested hilltops. In the center of Chianti is the ideal, 9th century one-strip hilltop wonder of cobblestones, enotecas and cafés known as Radda in Chianti. Ride up to the entrance of Radda in the morning and you’ll find Fabrizio Ferrucci, owner of Bar Dante making panini for the hungry denizens who flock to his café for local treats. Fabrizio will assure you that while Radda is not perfect, it is pretty close. Radda is so ideal, in fact, that the two warring city-countries of Florence and Siena have fought over it for centuries. Legend has it that late in the 12th century, these two archenemies finally decided to end their bloody land-feud peaceably. By parliamentary agreement, at the first crow of their respective roosters on the appointed
By Jacob Young A guide for Trek Travel.
day, one knight from Florence, and one knight from Siena would depart on horseback down the road that connects the two cities. At the precise point the two knights meet on their journey, the line would be drawn to divide the Province of Florence from the Province of Siena. While Siena chose to fatten and spoil a fine, plump rooster, the Florentines were far more devious. They selected a lean, black rooster and locked it in a windowless dungeon without food or water. When the date arrived, the rooster’s hyper-sensitive retinas led him to crow his heart out, giving the Florentine knight a dramatic head start. He reached all the way to Fonterutoli, a territory of Castellina, before he met the Sienese knight. And so they established the border at Castellina, a mere 19 kilometers from Siena’s walled city. To this day, the internationally recognized symbol of Chianti is a silhouette of Il Gallo Nero, The Black Rooster. It marks some of the greatest wines in the world, and cyclists wear the jersey with pride. Next time you find yourself in Radda, ask Fabrizio about his story. He just may fill you in on some more history of this remarkable area that we are fortunate to ride our bikes through. The rest of the learning comes from the air flowing in your face while you spin down the winding roads, the same roads the two knights thundered down all those years ago.
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28 Acres of Paradise Above Napa Valley, California
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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. Summit Lake Vineyard resides high above the Napa Valley, on Howell Mountain. Bob & Sue Brakesman and their family made their dream a reality on a small
By Greg Lyeki A guide and trip designer for Trek Travel.
plot of land over 40 years ago. Their home and winery is a slight departure from all of the hustle and bustle below. They experience different weather patterns than the valley floor, they’ve got a soil composition unlike the rest, and changing air currents. They approach life differently, maybe a little like the old days. Bob, an engineer by training, found the 28 acres of paradise in the early 70’s, and gave it as a birthday gift to his sweetheart. It started with 8 acres of pre-prohibition Zinfandel that had been untouched and untamed for 30 years. Over the course of 5 years, they transformed their land, adding another 13 acres of vines into what it is today: a vineyard producing award-winning Zinfandel, Cabernet, Petit
Sirah and Rosé. All of which are named after their granddaughters. Heather, Bob’s daughter and winery jack of all trades, greets your arrival with an easy smile and welcoming eyes. Her plaid button down shirt and weathered jeans showing the wear from days of hard work disarm even the most prudent wine connoisseur. She invites the road weary to a delectable Trek Travel picnic accompanied by select wines from her family’s collection. She’ll regale you with stories of friends and family gathering for harvest, give you a tour of their wine tanks behind a special family mural, or explain the nuances of terroir and its implications to the flavor of their Old Vine Zinfadel. Heather, like her father Bob, has a passion for this lifestyle and graciously shares it with every Trek Travel guest that passes down their gravel driveway.
To read the history of Summit Lake Vineyard as told by the Brakesman Family, visit our blog, trektravel.com/SummitLake
SUMMIT LAKE VINEYARD
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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.
#VAGABONDS By Sam Clark A guide for Trek Travel and writer.
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We finish our seasons late in the calendar year, and that’s when it’s time to reflect on
like a middle-aged hangover. They metastasize over weeks upon weeks through the
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
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 a 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 we often spend too much time dismissing the night, its stars, and its clear skies. They are proof 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 houses 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 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?
“THE LEGACY OF THE SEASON IS BORNE IN THE EVENINGS.”
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ÉMONDA Shown here: Your new 2015 upgrade option. The world’s lightest production road bike ever.
*T ake a good look. This is one of those rare occasions you will see it standing still.
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THE WORLD CALLS
TREKTRAVEL
TRAVEL NOT TO ESCAPE LIFE BUT FOR LIFE NOT TO ESCAPE YOU.
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ITA LY 28
TREKTRAVEL
CAPTIVATE YOUR SENSES Pedal through bustling Italian villages, explore rustic vineyards and test your limits on one of the most exhilarating climbs through the Dolomites. Italy is sure to be one destination you’ll want to rediscover again and again.
PUGLIA
TUSCANY
Puglia, the “heel of Italy’s boot,”
Sun-drenched landscapes and
will captivate you with its diverse
the region’s incredible cuisine make
terrain and wild beauty.
for an unforgettable Tuscan vacation.
BEST TIMES TO GO: APR MAY SEP OCT
BEST TIMES TO GO: APR MAY JUN JUL AUG SEP OCT
CINQUE TERRE The Cinque Terre, made up of five stunning villages, translates in Italian to “the five lands." Amber waves of grain in Tuscany.
BEST TIMES TO GO: SEP OCT
CLASSIC CLIMBS OF THE DOLOMITES
RIDE ACROSS ITALY
Breathtaking scenery,
From the Adriatic Sea to
challenging terrain and
traversing the enchanting
warm Italian hospitality
heartland of Italy to the
welcome cyclists.
Mediterranean coast.
BEST TIMES TO GO: JUN JUL
BEST TIME TO GO: MAY
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SPAIN 30
TREKTRAVEL
SUN-DRENCHED PARADISE Explore the winding country roads, dine on culinary delights and feel the warmth of the people of this passionate country. Distinguished terrain welcomes riders of any ability, complete with breathtaking panoramic views and scenic mountain passes.
A sea of red clay in Barcelona.
BARCELONA VILLA
COSTA BRAVA
PYRENEES SEA TO SEA
Be rewarded with rich
Warm sunshine, winding
Conquer majestic mountain
experiences, scenic riding
roads, panoramic views and
passes as you pedal across
and a host of activities
Catalán charm combine into a
the Pyrenees from the Atlantic
tailored to suit every interest.
welcomed vacation.
to the Mediterranean.
BEST TIME TO GO: OCT
BEST TIMES TO GO: MAY JUN SEP OCT
BEST TIME TO GO: SEP
ANDALUCIA
MALLORCA
If you’ve dreamt of Spain, you’ve
Mallorca is an enchanting island
dreamt of Andalucia and all
jewel that has captivated
its romance.
visitors for centuries.
BEST TIMES TO GO: MAR APR MAY OCT NOV
BEST TIMES TO GO: OCT NOV
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FRANCE 32
TREKTRAVEL
LIKE NOWHERE ELSE Whether it’s the sunflowers in Provence, the architecture of Bordeaux, or the climbs of the French Alps, our bicycle tours in France are sure to excite.
Rows of lavender in Provence.
BORDEAUX
PROVENCE
Home of the original Grand Cru.
The Provençal attitude, “la vie est belle ici”
Join us in Bordeaux for a week
(life is good here), runneth over
of bike riding and wine-tasting.
on this vacation.
BEST TIMES TO GO: JUL AUG
BEST TIMES TO GO: MAY JUN AUG SEP OCT
CLASSIC CLIMBS OF THE TOUR
CLASSIC CLIMBS OF THE ALPS
PYRENEES SEA TO SEA
Cycle the famous climbs
Bicycle the most dramatic
Conquer majestic mountain
featured in the biggest
climbs of France on our
passes as you pedal across
cycling race in the world,
6-day bike trip through
the Pyrenees from the Atlantic
the Tour de France.
the French Alps.
to the Mediterranean.
BEST TIMES TO GO: JUL AUG
BEST TIMES TO GO: JUN AUG
BEST TIME TO GO: SEP
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GREATER EUROPE 34
TREKTRAVEL
MAGICAL DESTINATIONS AWAIT YOU IN GREATER EUROPE Fall in love with the relaxed pace of life while indulging in rich history and architectural treasures. Here, you’ll discover the Old World equipped with the luxuries of a modern cycling vacation.
PRAGUE TO VIENNA
BRUGES TO THE ARDENNES
Wind through history and preserved
Experience fantastic riding, fascinating
Renaissance towns in this enchanting
history, warm culture and amazing
Bohemian wonderland.
food and drink.
BEST TIMES TO GO: JUN JUL AUG
BEST TIME TO GO: AUG
IRELAND
CROATIA AND DALMATIAN COAST
There is no better way to experience Ireland’s rugged southwestern coast Coastal beauty of Dubrovnik, Croatia.
than by bicycle. BEST TIMES TO GO: JUN JUL AUG
Cycle the Dalmatian Coast, where the clear blue waters of the Adriatic Sea offer an inspiring view. BEST TIMES TO GO: MAY JUN SEP OCT
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RACE 36
TREKTRAVEL
HEART OF THE ACTION You can’t get access like this through any other bike tour operator. It’s just another way we can bring you closer to the action than ever before.
Trek Factory Racing. 'Nough said.
TOUR DE FRANCE
SPRING CLASSICS
GIRO D’ITALIA
As an Official Tour Operator,
This is the best way to
Savor the excitement of
no one else can bring you this
experience the Spring
Italy’s largest cycling event
close to the bike race
Classics, short of living
with VIP access and Trek
you’ve always dreamt of.
in Belgium.
Factory Racing events.
BEST TIME TO GO: JUL
BEST TIME TO GO: APR
BEST TIME TO GO: MAY
VUELTA A ESPAÑA
AMGEN TOUR OF CALIFORNIA
USA PRO CHALLENGE
From Spain’s mountains to
Ride along the Pacific coast
Ride through the famous
the coast, discover a perfect
and into the mountains,
ski towns, only hours before
active travel mix of culture
above the “American Riviera.”
the pros rocket through on
and racing action.
BEST TIME TO GO: MAY
the very same course.
BEST TIME TO GO: SEP
BEST TIME TO GO: AUG
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US WEST 38
TREKTRAVEL
AMERICAN RIVIERA Meander through gorgeous vineyards sampling a selection of delicious regional wines. Treat yourself to an unforgettable cycling vacation on the West Coast and be captivated by all it has to offer.
Highway 1 along the California coast.
CALIFORNIA WINE COUNTRY
SANTA CRUZ TO SANTA BARBARA
Saturate all of your senses in one
The Central Coast overflows with
of the world’s premier cycling and
everything that makes California great:
wine-producing regions.
surf, views and cycling.
BEST TIMES TO GO: MAR APR MAY JUN JUL AUG SEP OCT NOV
BEST TIMES TO GO: MAY JUN
SANTA BARBARA
SOLVANG RIDE CAMP
One of this country’s most unique
Few cycling destinations in the U.S. offer the
destinations, with the perfect mix of
combination of mountains, sea and wine country
sun, surf and mountain skyline.
in one captivating area for you to discover.
BEST TIMES TO GO: MAR APR OCT
BEST TIMES TO GO: JAN FEB MAR APR NOV DEC
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PACIFIC NORTH WEST
TREKTRAVEL
DRAMATIC LANDSCAPE Enjoy leisurely seaside bike rides by day, and retire to charming northwestern retreats by night. Kayak rocky shores, hike through dense forests, view snow-capped mountain peaks and savor the delicious local cuisine.
CRATER LAKE AND OREGON CASCADES Experience gourmet dining, pampering accommodations and unique microbreweries on this bicycling adventure! BEST TIMES TO GO: JUL AUG
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BEND RIDE CAMP Bend feels like it was founded just for mountain bikers. It’s where “easygoing” is practically a national pastime. BEST TIMES TO GO: MAY JUN JUL
SAN JUAN ISLANDS This is a mix of the rugged Pacific Northwest with the relaxation of a true island getaway. BEST TIMES TO GO: JUL AUG
Sun setting on Crater Lake in Oregon.
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US SOUTH WEST
TREKTRAVEL
SEEK OUT YOUR ADVENTURE Pristine National Parks, warm temperatures and exciting cuisine await in the Southwest. It's a showcase of the rich regional traditions giving you the opportunity to seek out adventures that suit your active lifestyle.
BRYCE AND ZION The rugged, stunningly beautiful landscape of southwest Utah has been capturing hearts for generations. BEST TIMES TO GO: MAY JUN AUG SEP OCT
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ZION The red rock canyons and sandstone cliffs inspire explorers, authors and artists, enough to last a lifetime. BEST TIMES TO GO: APR MAY OCT NOV
MOAB RIDE CAMP Moab is a mountain biking mecca, with a huge network of trails that drop you between boulders and up over the ever-so-grippy slickrock ledges. The Narrows in Zion National Park.
BEST TIMES TO GO: APR OCT NOV
US EAST 44
TREKTRAVEL
CELEBRATE THE BRILLIANCE Take in the panoramic views, flavorful cuisine and elegant country living along quiet back roads. This region isn’t just memorable, it’s unforgettable.
BLACKBERRY FARM Enjoy this exclusive retreat, ranked among the best hotels in the world, in addition to fantastic riding. BEST TIME TO GO: OCT
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VERMONT Celebrate the brilliance of summer or the beauty of changing seasons in Vermont’s Green Mountains. BEST TIMES TO GO: JUN JUL AUG SEP
GREENVILLE RIDE CAMP One of the best-kept secrets of the pros is tucked away in the foothills of the Appalachian Mountains: Greenville, South Carolina. Can you smell the maple syrup?
BEST TIMES TO GO: FEB MAR APR MAY JUN NOV
HONORABLE MENTION
WE HAVE CRAFTED CYCLING TRIPS IN NEARLY ALL FOUR CORNERS OF THE GLOBE. SOMETIMES WE PUT A TRIP OR TWO ON THE SHELF TO MAKE ROOM FOR NEW DESTINATIONS. BUT LUCKILY, ANY OF OUR PAST TRIPS CAN BE DUSTED OFF AS A CUSTOM VACATION OF A LIFETIME. CHOOSE WISELY.
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TREKTRAVEL
MAKE YOUR WAY TO SOUTH AUSTRALIA LINED WITH A
TO PEDAL THE QUIET COUNTRY ROADS
CANOPY OF GUM TREES THROUGH THE EDEN VALLEY. STOP OVER
IN NEW ZEALAND AND PREPARE TO BE AMAZED. THE RENOWNED PAGODAS AND FESTIVALS THROUGHOUT THE COUNTRY OF MYANMAR DRAW YOU IN. MEANDER ALONG RURAL ROUTES AMIDST
THE RICE PADDIES AND WATER BUFFALO
IN VIETNAM. RELAX AND UNWIND IN EXOTIC SOUTH AFRICA. DISCOVER CLOUD FORESTS, THE ARENAL VOLCANO AND THE PACIFIC COAST OF
COSTA RI CA .
PEDAL THE ROADS TO A MEDIEVAL BASTIDE TOWN AND IMPOSING CASTLES THAT CLING TO THE ROCKS IN DORDOGNE. EXPLORE THE ENDLESS VINEYARDS AND ROLLING HILLS OF B U R G U N DY . WAKE UP TO VIEWS OF THE MAJESTIC CANADIAN
ROCKIES.
EXPERIENCE YELLOWSTONE'S GEYSERS AND THE
JAGGED PEAKS OF THE GRAND TETONS. BOOK A SPA IN SUNNY NEW MEXICO. RIDE AMONG THE ROCKY MOUNTAINS
IN GLACIER AND WATERTON LAKES
NATIONAL PARKS. YOU CAN VIEW ALL OF OUR OF TRIPS AT TREKTRAVEL.COM.
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Our guides take part in this Spanish tradition whenever possible.
SIESTA There are few cultural traditions more classically Spanish than the siesta. Spaniards know that a little escape from the heat and oppression of the day is what makes a civilized society. The pulse quiets. The mind wanders. And just like a vacation, we return renewed, refreshed and reinvigorated. Long live the siesta. Long live little vacations. And long live the wisdom of Spain.
SPAIN
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Cliffs of Andalucia, Spain.
A HARDMAN WITH A SOFT SIDE Jens Voigt is one of the world’s most famous, funny, charming and successful pro cyclists. He’s also newly retired. So what’s next for Trek’s favorite son? A little drinking, a lot of eating and some fun with his friends at Trek Travel. My favorite part of my first Trek Travel trip in
Triomphe was our background and the world
Solvang, California was clearly to meet all the
press was in front of us. It was a magical mo-
interesting people and to interact and chat
ment.
with them. Every single one of them had a
But maybe my favorite moment was the
unique and interesting story to tell, which in
2005 Paris-Nice. On the last stage of the race,
some cases made my own life story almost
one of my best friends and teammate Bobby
look boring. There was a real rocket scientist who worked on the Mars Rover project. There was a lawyer who worked for the First Nations 50
people in Canada. I loved our chats at breaky and at our dinner tables. And a lot of the guests even brought retirement gifts for me. I was so flattered, you know? And don’t get me started about the guides. They were always on top of everything, whether it was words of encouragement for everyone who suffered on the uphill bits (like our big mountain climb on the Figueroa). I could clearly see that it was not their first rodeo. I often had the question about which was my best day on the bike. After 33 years of cycling and 18 years of being a professional cyclist, it would almost be unfair to pick one moment over the other. I loved winning the overall Amateur World Cup in 1994. I loved
Julich was in the leader’s jersey. Two more climbs remained and I was his only teammate left. I was his last line of defense against lots and lots of attacks that day. I knew that Bobby lived in Nice where the race finished, and his daughter and wife would be there watching. I so wanted the win to happen for Bobby. I stepped up to every challenge and managed to bring every single attack back. I rode tempo in between the attacks, telling myself I won‘t let anything come in between Bobby and a win in front of his family. I believe that was physically and mentally one of the strongest days I have had in my career. I could have taken off alone and won that stage, but that day was not about me. It was all about Bobby. We managed to secure his overall victory. As we were standing on the podium and I
winning the yellow jersey and team competi-
watched the joy and pride in his family’s eyes,
tion of 2008 Tour de France with Carlos Sastre.
I realized that this day was probably my best
On that beautiful Sunday afternoon in Paris
day on the bike. It is really rewarding to help
we were the best team in the Tour, on this ex-
my friend and feel his appreciation. We cele-
tra large podium, with Carlos Sastre in his yel-
brated with Mexican food and a few Coronas
low jersey in the middle. The famous Arc de
that night. We are still best friends today.
“My favorite part about my first Trek Travel trip in Solvang, California was clearly to meet all the interesting people and to interact and to chat with them. ” —Jens 51
Shut Up Legs Tour, Solvang California.
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Shut Up Legs tour with Jens Voigt in the hills outside of Solvang, California proved to be an excellent addition to one's bucket list. Like you should expect,
MORE FREEDOM FOR ME So what do I look forward to in retirement? One thing’s for sure—I really love is saying “no” to healthy food. Now I have the freedom to eat whatever and whenever I want (not that I plan to get all fat and lazy, of course). I really do enjoy baked beans with tons of eggs, bacon and toast for breaky, or even a big huge breakfast burrito. And speaking of Corona, my favorite post-career drink has got to be a beer every now and then. I am German, after all. Now that I’m buddy-buddy with the good folks at Trek Travel, I love a good Spotted Cow cream ale from Madison, whenever I’m in town. And yes, there’s no denying that a burrito or large steak goes down just as well with beer. I love spare ribs and steaks with a creme brulée or Mascarpone for dessert. Makes me the happiest chappy ever. I also love when I wake up and it’s raining. Now I don‘t have to stress anymore about having to go out and train. I can stay in bed or go running or do a gym workout. And surely I am going to let out a sigh of relief when I see a see a bike crash on TV and know I don’t have take all those risks anymore. On the other hand, of course, I am going to miss some aspects of racing like signing in and chatting with the announcer, or hearing the crowd laughing at my comments, or the applause from the spectators. It is still a frightening thought that I am never going to be as fit, skinny or strong as I was even a few months ago, and my physical fitness is bound to be even lower in the coming years.
TREKTRAVEL
riding with a world champion, he powers up the hills in a blink of an eye, but don't worry, Jens is a gentleman and will wait for you at the top.
WHAT’S NEXT FOR OLD JENSIE? I‘m still dreaming about getting the whole family to New Zealand one day. It‘s a beautiful country where you can go surfing and skiing on the same day with only a few miles in between. It has spectacular landscape, great fishing trips, and even more important for me, is there is not one single poisonous animal or plant there. Nothing wants to eat, kill, bite, sting or poison you. Of course, one of the best places I have ever been to is South Africa. I have been there to race and also on family holiday. We went diving for sharks, and on safari to see lions, elephants and rhino. Between Cape Town, the Krüger National Park and Sun City, it was all simply fascinating. I love Trek Travel and enjoy playing a part in what they do. I can’t wait to do more trips, see beautiful places and meet more interesting people. Maybe we could even do a Trek Travel trip in southern Germany, in the Black Forest Region. The riding is beautiful, with great roads ranging from really challenging in the mountains, to easy and flat along the Rhine River. We could even do a one-day trip into France or Switzerland. It would be a wonderful experience for everybody. Maybe someday?
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ETAPE DU TOUR
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RIDE. RIDE FOR YOU. RIDE FOR PRIDE. RIDE FOR BRAGGING RIGHTS. FOR COURAGE. FOR THE CRITICS. FOR HISTORY. FOR SELF-CONFIDENCE. FOR A BUCKET LIST. FOR SOMEONE. FOR NO ONE. RIDE L’ETAPE DU TOUR FOR ANY REASON AT ALL.
BECAUSE IF YOU RIDE IT ONCE, YOU WILL NEVER BE THE SAME RIDER AGAIN.
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BOBIKESBAMA
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TREKTRAVEL
“A man on foot, on horseback or
on a bicycle will see more, feel more, enjoy more in one mile than the motorized tourists can in a hundred miles.� -Edward Abbey, Desert Solitaire
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BO BIKES BAMA:
What is it about natural disasters that bring out the best in people? When central Alabama was hit
they’d think you’re talking about
to do good for a lot of people. The
to get a sense of the rubble of a
in 2011 by a series of tornadoes,
Bo Jackson. He is known as the
next thing I know, we’re driving
place that’s been battered. It’s
“the best in people” was about
most famous two-sport athlete in
18 hours down to Alabama to join
the same ride. The same discov-
the furthest thing from anyone’s
the world, and the most famous
him and help out the victims of
ery. And in both cases, you learn
mind. These towns, from tiny
export of Alabama, an All-Star in
the tornadoes.”
to love the people you ride with
Cordova, which looked like a set
both baseball and football, and
Cycling has a way of making
and the destinations you visit.
from The Walking Dead when the
winner of the Heisman Trophy
your senses come alive. Discov-
Bo wanted to do something
tornadoes ripped through like a
at Auburn. He never quits. And
ering the world on a bike is ex-
big for his home. He wanted to
zombie attack, to Tuscaloosa,
that’s why he’s here. Because
citing. It’s visceral. You get clos-
raise $1,000,000 in disaster re-
home of the University of Ala-
when Bo heard that this area, in-
er to the road, the people and the
lief. And he wanted to do it in
bama and site of the most casu-
cluding his hometown and alma
curves of the earth than you can
a way that would draw out the
alties, faced the lowest moment
mater, was destroyed, his first re-
in a car, bus or a thousand on-
communities together, as one
in their histories.
action was to call his friends at
line virtual tours. You smell the
people, getting to know the
Trek Bikes and reach for a bike.
smells. Feel the air. Drink in the
countryside together and redis-
history.
covering what makes Alabama
But sometimes, it’s disasters 58
like this that cause true rebirth.
John Burke, CEO of Trek says
Bo Jackson is Alabama’s Jens
it best. “Bo is one of the greatest
Normally, bicycle tours are
Voigt. Many Alabamans don’t
sports legends of the last 100
reserved for the fragrant olive
know Jens, of course. But if you
years, and an even better person.
groves of Tuscany and the epic
Trek Travel saw his vision and
describe Jensie’s toughness, grit
What could I say when he called?
views of the Alps. But it works
got behind the mission. They
and
This is an incredible opportunity
just as well when you’re trying
sent Rebecca Falls, trip design-
happy-go-lucky
attitude,
great. There’s no better way to do that then on a bicycle.
er and tour expert, down to help.
struggle. He’s there not as the fa-
Travel is here, riding bikes, ex-
equalizer. They bring people to-
That was the beginning of Bo
mous pro with all his pro friends
ploring the undiscovered reach-
gether, and closer to the world
Bikes Bama, a five-day journey
making an appearance for charity
es of a place that wasn’t built for
across central Alabama on bi-
like it was some golf tournament.
bikes. Rebecca Falls should know.
around them. They’ve made him
cycle. It was also the beginning
In Bo Bikes Bama, he’s a man of
She’s from Tuscaloosa, and she’s
of Bo Jackson’s third athletic
the people. Struggling right along
completely surprised at what
career.
side friends, neighbors and coun-
bikes have done for her home.
Bo is telling his own legs to
trymen. Riding through their
“How cool is it to get road bikes
“Shut up.” If you ask him, he
hometowns on bikes with the vic-
to a community that doesn’t con-
“doesn’t know why” he chose a
tims’ names scrawled on his top
nect with bicycling?” She asks.
cycling tour as his fundraising
tube, and taking the same rests at
Rebecca remembers the creek
method, but if you ride along with
the summit of every climb.
just out back from her childhood
him, you learn quickly. And most-
He’s no pro cyclist. But in a
home, and whenever she rides by,
ly? It’s because he’s not good at it.
state known more for its love of
she thinks about the large torna-
He lumbers up the hills. ESPN’s
the SEC than the TDF, he’s Ala-
do that tore through it. “Nobody
bama’s hero on two wheels.
rides bikes in Alabama. But now?
Greatest Athlete of All Time is no match for the slow rollers of the
This is what Trek Travel is all
Deep South. But he’s there. Chug-
about. You wouldn’t count Cor-
Bikes are a part of its history.” Bo Jackson understands this,
ging along. The big, hulking NFL
dova, Alabama among the likes
almost implicitly. It might be why
engine that could. Like in all of
of Andalucia, Spain, or the Dal-
he chose cycling unconsciously.
cycling, there’s a romance in his
matian Coast of Croatia. But Trek
He knew that bikes are the great
an athlete once again. And they’re going to change this place. Sometimes, discovering the world on a bike isn’t all wine-tasting and epic selfies. Sometimes, it takes a natural disaster to show you a side of a place that you never saw before.
59
Trek Travel is a proud sponsor of Bo Bikes Bama, and we’re on a mission to raise $1 million for the communities of central Alabama. To learn more, visit https://bobikesbama.com/
To have a bike ride, obviously you have to have bikes, so the only bike company that I’ve known since I was a kid was Trek. Without Trek and Trek Travel, the charity ride would not have grown to the magnitude that it is today, the state of Alabama would not have almost 100 community storm shelters around the state and the compassion and integrity that Trek has shown towards BO BIKES BAMA is unbelievable. Thank you. — Bo Jackson
The goal: ambitious. The distance: 3,600 miles. The training: intense. The opportunity: unrivaled.
CROSS COUNTRY USA
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IDAHO WYOMING
OREGON
MONTANA
SOUTH DAKOTA
CROSS COUNTRY USA
STATS: • First crossed the USA with TT in 2007. • 3,600 total riding miles.
MAINE NEW YORK
IOWA
• 140,000 feet of climbing. • 40 riding days. • Shortest day: 30 miles. • Longest day: 127 miles. • 18 days over 100 miles. • Hardest day: Big Horn Pass in Wyoming.
MICHIGAN
NOTABLE SITES: • Travel the original Lewis and Clark discovery trail. • Ride through Raptor Country, site of numerous dinosaur fossil finds.
WISCONSIN
VERMONT OHIO
•R ide through the magical colors of Badlands National Park. • Stop off in TT's hometown, Madison, WI. • Stay at the historic Iron Horse hotel, across from the Harley Davidson museum. • Take a ferry across Lake Michigan. • See the Surf Ballroom, site of Buddy Holly’s last concert and visit the crash site. • Ride along the Erie Canal. • Feed huge, ugly carp at Pymatuning Lake on the PA border. It’s gross, but it has made the NY Times!
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PLEASURE IN THE JOB PUTS PERFECTION IN THE WORK 62
Logistics manager, Sean Peotter, maintains a fleet of hundreds of bikes and thousands of spare parts divvied up among support units and warehouses all over the world. On top of that, Sean rebuilds our entire fleet every couple years! He thrives in organized chaos and we love that about him. I started wrenching in 1992 at Oshkosh Cyclery.
races at the Nature Valley Grand Prix. We went
maintenance is second nature to me, and I want
It was sort of inevitable as I was the kid who
through over 60 wheel changes in a race, at
to share that with as many people who will let me.
spent summers hanging out in the shop, looking
some points needing to resort to changing tubes
During the third week of the 2013 Tour de
at all the cool bikes. It’s here that I really started
and “recycling” the racers' wheels back into the
France in the Alps, we were coordinating the
to define my love of mechanics. I then moved
mix. It was mass chaos, but I was hooked. It is
units, all the guides, and logistics crew (con-
to the Twin Cities in 1996 for college, and so be-
from this experience that I saw the need for a
sisting of myself, our president, Tania, and my
gan my 10-year stint at Penn Cycle. I was able to
proper neutral support company in the Twin Cit-
pregnant wife). All together there were about 200
work under my brother, the store manager, and
ies area.
riders on the road at any given time. Days were
I moved up through the ranks by attending numerous industry events.
I founded OnSupport, and through amazing support from Trek Bicycles I was able to provide
I have lots of pieces of paper after being in the
support for any level pro-cycling race in the US. I
industry for over 20 years. Shimano, SRAM, Ma-
operated OnSupport from 2005–2011. OnSupport
vic, Trek. One of my most important, though, is
provided services at a race event in California in
my USAC Mechanics Certification. I spent time
2009, and I guess I caught their eye of some Trek
at the Olympic Training Center and attended
Travel folks who were there for the event. They
classes; learning what it is like to be a race, or
asked if I would help out at the Tour De France
"neutral," mechanic. They don’t teach you me-
in 2010. And 8 months later I was hired as the
chanic skills; they refine your knowledge and
Global Logistics Manager at Trek Travel.
show you how to provide cycling support to anyone who needs it during an event.
Since my hiring on at Trek Travel, there are
long, with driving up and down Alpe d’Huez over 13 times in two days. Many trips, more than I can count, I’ve slept in the van, on the top of a mountain, or in some field waiting. It’s pretty much the norm: uncomfortable sleep, no showers and cold food. But I wouldn’t change it for the world! I work in the most picturesque places of the world, and I get to make a setting look simply amazing for guests that just rode a long way to watch the greatest sporting event race by. 63
many fantastic things about my job. One of my
While working for Penn Cycle I was asked to
favorite parts of the job is training guides. I love
provide neutral support for the women’s road
teaching the guides how to work on bikes. Bike
To read the full interview with Sean, visit our blog, trektravel.com/OnSupport
Sean Peotter
#allnighter
WHAT TO WEAR
ON THE BIKE
Keep hydrated. Always have a filled water bottle and Nuun hydration tablets close by.
Accessories for success. Arm yourself with Bontrager gloves and helmet, a Road ID bracelet, and your favorite pair of sunglasses.
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Ensemble. No riding kit is complete without the 2015 Trek Travel jersey, socks, and Bontrager shorts.
No bonking allowed. The jersey comes with rear pockets for a reason. Fill them with snacks!
Shoes make the outfit. Bontrager XXX Hi Vis Road Shoe is our fav.
THE RIGHT STUFF
WHAT TO WEAR
OFF THE BIKE
Capture the memories. It is a proven fact that as soon as you leave your camera at home, you find that you want to take a picture of everything you see.
Wrinkle-free. The right outfit and accessories will transform you from the daytime road warrior to the nighttime princess you are.
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Wrinkle free. The right outfit and accessories can transform you from the daytime road warrior to the nighttime 007 you are.
Complements. Unwind and reminisce with your cycling comrades during happy hour.
Sensible. Don't be sensible, you are on vacation. Sensible is for when you are at work.
NO SHOES. NO SPANDEX. NO SERVICE.
WW
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AV
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AM SH
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IL H
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CO N SI
N NS
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ST TO N
W IS
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ILT O
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T YS L IL
WELCOME TO MADTOWN, WI Our job takes us around the world creating experiences of a lifetime for our guests. We run trips in destinations that "don't suck," beautiful, highly cultural locations with a vibrancy all their own. But whenever we return home, our little college town feels kind of perfect. Madison is superbly connected by a vast spiderweb of bike paths.Literally mile after mile. These are just a few of our favorite places to get to by bike, including one of our favorite group rides, an 18.5 mile loop on the Capital City Trail. It's a perfect after-work spin on our warm summer evenings. From Trek Travel: 0.0 mi.
Sardine Restaurant (Home to TT happy hours)
0.0 mi
Taco Cart (Jana's favorite lunch spot)
0.5 mi
Wisconsin State Capitol Building (Modeled after the US Capitol)
0.5 mi
Madison Farmers Market (Nation’s largest farmers market)
0.5 mi
Colectivo Coffee (Our favorite local coffee shop)
0.8 mi
Mansion Hill Inn (Trek-owned, bicycle themed retreat)
1.4 mi
Memorial Union Terrace (Beer and music on the lake shore)
4.1 mi
Ale Asylum Brewery (Home to the famous Hopalicious)
14.3 mi
Paoli, Wisconsin (The weekend ride destination)
21.8 mi
Trek Bicycle, Waterloo, Wisconsin (Where those magical bikes are born)
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THANKS This is why we do what we do. And these are the people that make it incredible. Many thanks to them for their work and creative beats. Firstly, thank you to our Trek Travel guides and loyal guests. Without either, we would cease to exist. Thanks to all those at Trek HQ, you inspire and challenge us to do great things every day. Our legendary fun seekers for their writing, editing, and rounds of feedback: Mama Brie, Meagan, Sean, Mark, Emily, Jana, Jenny, Katherine, Zack, Hershey, Rebecca, Tony, Sam, Greg, and T-Money. Thanks for the incredible images: Zack Jones Photography, Herbster Performance Photography, Graham Watson. Finally, thank you to our contributors John Roach, Guy Andrews, and Jordan Sher for the inspiring words. Copyright 速 2015.
TREKTRAVEL
THIS IS DEDICATED TO THE GLOBAL EXPLORERS, THE LEGENDARY FUN SEEKERS, THE ROAD WARRIORS, THE REVELERS OF NEW DESTINATIONS, THE FAMILIAL SOUL TRAVELERS AND TO ALL THOSE WHO PASSIONATELY BELIEVE THE WORLD IS BEST SEEN FROM THE SEAT OF A BICYCLE.
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#THEWORLDCALLS 866.464.8735 TREKTRAVEL.COM SALES@TREKTRAVEL.COM @TREKTRAVEL 613 WILLIAMSON ST., STE 207 MADISON, WI 53703
UNRIVALED SUPPORT THE BEST BIKES CHARISMATIC GUIDES YOUR DAY, YOU DECIDE GUARANTEED TO RUN EXPERT DESIGN EXCEPTIONAL SERVICE MORE IS INCLUDED WOW MOMENTS BUILT FOR EVERY RIDER