Teen Biking Trips

A view from the road on our coast-to-coast bike trip

A view from the road on our coast-to-coast bike trip - the American Challenge.

In my first post I suggested that parents give their son or daughter the Overland catalog and ask him or her to have a look to see what looks interesting.

In this post, I’ll assume your son or daughter has expressed an interest in a biking trip. First off, talk about what a bike trip is like: you move from place to place, camping most nights and preparing meals outside. You get great exercise, and you see a lot – even our shortest bike trips cover over 200 miles and our longest covers over 3000 miles. Want more info? Read this FAQ page or give us a call… five of our office staff have led bike trips!

Then consider how much time you have. If you’re looking for two weeks away look closely at Cape Cod & the Islands and Vermont; if you have three weeks consider New England Coast and Nova Scotia & Acadia; four weeks: Pacific Coast, Paris to the Sea and European Challenge. Six weeks: The American Challenge.

Think about each trip’s challenge level (each trip is rated on a scale of 1-10, 1 is easiest). For example, Cape Cod & the Islands is rated a 2; Vermont is a 4; New England Coast and Nova Scotia & Acadia are both 5’s; Pacific Coast and Paris to the Sea are both 6’s; European Challenge is a 9 and the American Challenge is a 10.

Finally, keep in mind that no matter where you go on a bike trip with Overland that you’ll be in a small group of kids your own age with two dynamic leaders (who will keep you safe and pointed in the right direction). Bike trips naturally lend themselves to cohesive groups; there’s a real sense of adventure and discovery, the camping is comfortable (lots of hot showers) and the meals are fresh and plentiful.

For an adventurous 7th to 12th grader looking for a summer program that offers the fun and friendship of camp, the adventure and exploration of active travel and the challenge and satisfaction of daily physical demands, a bike trip with Overland is the way to go next summer.

We first offered hiking trips for teens in 1986 since they were a natural outgrowth of our biking trips in terms of structure, culture and goals.

Just as with our biking trips, hiking trips are limited to no more than 12 students and there are always two trip leaders. Our hiking trips are designed to give our students a carefully crafted series of challenges with a clearly defined goal.

ColoradoFor example, our hiking trip in Colorado, Rocky Mountain Explorer, starts with a few days of introductory hikes with light packs in Rocky Mountain National Park to acclimatize before heading into the backcountry for a remote wilderness experience. At the end of the backcountry, the group has a break from the trail as they spend two days on a rafting trip on the Arkansas River. The final days find the group taking on their last challenge: climbing Mount Yale, one of Colorado’s famous 14ers. Standing atop Mount Yale’s 14,192 ft. summit is a fitting end to the trip – an exciting and thoroughly satisfying high point.

Over the years we have built on this model of small groups and carefully crafted challenges and expanded our hiking offerings so that there is a wide range of options.

For students currently in grades 7, 8 and 9 there are three 2-week options: New England Explorer (a 3 on our challenge level scale of 1-10); Blue Ridge Explorer (a 3); and Rocky Mountain Explorer (a 4). We also have a 3-week option in Washington on our Northwest Explorer trip (a 5).

CaliforniaFor students in grades 8-12 there are three options out West and all are three weeks long: Yellowstone Teton Explorer (a 6); High Sierra Explorer (a 7); and Alaska Explorer (a 7). All of these programs spend eight to ten days in the backcountry in addition to kayaking, rafting, rock climbing, or mountaineering.

Current 9th through 12th graders can join us for a month in Europe on our European Explorer (a 7) or on our ultimate hiking trip in the Swiss Alps, the Alpine Challenge (a 10).

Finally, our Alaska Leadership Course (a 9) is a trip that teaches our students in 10th-12th grade all that we’ve learned about outdoor leadership in over two decades of leading students from New England to the Rockies to Alaska and Europe.


As the logistics coordinator for our new five-week program, Field Studies: Tanzania, I will be traveling to Tanzania later this month with Alec for a scouting trip. The goal for the two weeks in Africa is to return with a totally bulletproof itinerary for our two groups and four amazing leaders.

Summer Adventure Program AfricaIn Dar es Salaam, we’ll pay a visit to the US Embassy, where our students will have the opportunity to meet government officials who will brief them on the challenges facing Tanzania. We’ll meet the head of the language school we’ve partnered with for introductory Swahili lessons and check out our group’s accommodations in the city. In Lushoto, we’ll scout the day hikes and find the best markets for our groups to shop for groceries at.

While in Arusha, we’ll meet with the company who is coordinating our Kilimanjaro climb, spend a few days on safari checking out the campsites our group will stay at and finally we’ll get to know the head of the orphanage where our students will volunteer in July to discuss projects that we can help with.

Adventure TeenagersIn short, it’s a lot of logistical details and this scouting trip is the perfect way to tie it all together. For the two groups of twelve teenagers who will join us for five adventure-filled weeks in Tanzania, my job is to give them all the tools they’ll need to have the experience of a lifetime. Want to join them? Two spots remain so give us a call and I’d be happy to answer any questions you have about this incredible new program.

2011 KingQuad 500 AXi Power Steering



The 2011 KingQuad 500 AXi Power Steering boasts lots of features that make it the ultimate workhorse to tackle hard jobs. The Advanced Electric Power Steering method gives the KingQuad 500AXi Power Steering light steering & responsive handling. The KingQuad 500AXi Power Steering is equipped with a powerful 493cc, SOHC, single-cylinder, liquid-cooled, four-stroke engine with a compact 4-valve cylinder head with sizable intake valves & straight intake ports for increased cylinder charging efficiency. This class-leading engine is designed to provide strong, reliable performance. The lightweight aluminum cylinder bore is electro-plated with Suzuki's own race proven SCEM (Suzuki Composite Electrochemical Material) for improved heat transfer & tighter piston clearance. Suzuki’s world-renowned fuel injection method provides excellent throttle response, fuel efficiency & quick engine starts under all operating conditions. The KingQuad 500AXi Power Steering features a winch-ready chassis with flexible tube routing for wiring from winch mounting space to under the chair. The independent double A-arm front suspension includes fully adjustable sizable diameter shock absorbers for a comfortable ride. New for 2011, the KingQuad 500AXi Power Steering features new black rims & wrinkle paint on the front bumper & luggage racks for increased durability & scratch resistance. The 2011 KingQuad 500Axi Power Steering comes in Champion Yellow & Great Blue. The MSRP for the 2011 KingQuad 500AXi Power Steering is $7,999.


American Suzuki is proud to announce the addition of three new models to the Suzuki ATV line up: the 2010 KingQuad 450AXi 4X4 and an early look at the 2011 KingQuad 500AXi Power Steering. Suzuki has carefully planned the introduction of each and every new machine to the market according to dealer inventory levels and a stabilizing ATV industry. “We are excited to see the industry stabilizing and moving in the right direction.” Said Steve Bortolamedi, Senior Communications Manager at American Suzuki. “With that, they are excited to introduce more 2010 product and the beginning of our 2011 product line. They feel they have taken the proper steps to release the right product at the right time for our dealers, and ultimately, our customers.” They added. “Our manufacturing facility in Atlanta, GA is getting geared up for a busy year, because these three new class leading units are the beginning of what is to comprise a robust line-up of Suzuki ATVs, and both of these exciting new machines will be hitting dealer floors this July/August.”

The Suzuki KingQuad 450AXi stands out in lots of areas, making it an excellent all-around performer in its class. For 2010, the KingQuad 450AXi will now be obtainable in Suzuki’s famous Champion Yellow in addition to Great Blue and White. With its class-leading electronic fuel-injection, the 450AXi’s powerful 454cc engine boasts immediate acceleration and lots of torque to get the job done. The KingQuad 450AXi features fully adjustable independent suspension, a locking front differential and a sealed, multi-plate rear brake process. A convenient handlebar-mounted push-button control allows the rider to easily select between 2WD, 4WD and differential-lock 4WD. Some of the other top-line features include digital instrumentation including LCD readouts for speedometer, odometer, twin tripmeters, hour meter, clock, fuel gauge, driving range position and drive mode. There is also LED indicator lamps for high, low, neutral, reverse and drive — 2WD/4WD and differential-locked 4WD. And looks do matter when it comes to the 2010 KingQuad 450Axi. This machine sports stylish 30W multi-reflector halogen headlights, and a sleek yet compact taillight and brake light. A high output magneto generator process and large 18-amp maintenance-free battery provides auxiliary power. The MSRP for the 2010 KingQuad 450AXi is $6,999.