
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.