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Welcome to The BackBeat!

Welcome to The BackBeat, the Backroads blog. Looking for pro tips and a peek behind the scenes on trips around the world? We’ve got you covered. Tips and tales from the road and trail? Find it right here. Inspiration for your next epic adventure? Welcome to The BackBeat.

January 17, 2014

Can Your Kids Pack?

Have an upcoming ski trip? Headed out of town after the new year? Traveling with kids and family this winter? Does the thought of packing for the family trip fill you with dread? This certainly used to be the case for me. I have logged countless hours packing bags for family vacations...

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January 13, 2014

From 0 to 60

When I started working at Backroads this past June, I had never been on a road bike in my life. But this October, I joined 230 of my coworkers at our annual Staff Ride, which this year was held in Spain, and cycled 25-60 miles a day. Here’s what I learned, going from 0 miles a day to 60...

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The Spires of La Sagrada Familia
January 7, 2014

Gaudi's Barcelona

As a Backroads trip leader, I often get asked what is my favorite city in the world. Many of my peers answer, "Oh, that's tough..." For me, it's not tough at all. It is, without a doubt, Barcelona.

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Torres del Paine, Patagonia
January 4, 2014

Inside Patagonia

Patagonia, the geographical region of the Southern Andes shared by Argentina and Chile, is often referred to as one of the last great frontiers. It's a remote, spectacular landscape of craggy, jagged peaks that protrude skyward out of windswept pampas...

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December 28, 2013

Why Use Clipless Pedals?

It’s not unusual to gear up with new equipment before a Backroads trip; we all know how wonderful it feels to don a fresh pair of bike shorts with a brand new shammy. There are some things, however, that should be broken in before embarking on an active travel adventure.

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Torino Italy
December 19, 2013

Discover Torino

Located in the north-west corner of Italy, surrounded by the frosted great Alps, Torino has a great cultural and historical heritage that dates back to the Romans. It was founded in 28 B.C., initially as a camp...

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Eiffel Tower in Paris France
December 17, 2013

Footloose in France

Since April, I’ve been in five countries, met hundreds of new people, and slept on more than 50 different mattresses. A full season of leading with Backroads is a whirlwind of new places and faces. After seven plus months full of nonstop travel, what do leaders do when it all comes to an end?

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Backroads Electric Assist Ebike
December 15, 2013

Why E-bikes?

For the 35th anniversary of Backroads, we decided it was about time to get me out talking to the press, something I hadn’t done in ages. Everyone wanted to talk about e-bikes, electric assist bikes. All the editors and writers I met challenged my decision to offer them on trip.

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Backroads Hawaii trips
December 13, 2013

The End of the World

Ukulele chords strummed, vibrant plumerias bloomed and hula skirts swished as soon as my feet hit the tarmac. I was back in Hawaii–one of my favorite places on the planet. But this time, instead of training for a grueling Ironman, or spending time with friends, I was in Hawaii as a first-year Backroads Trip Leader...

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Backroads Staff Ride in Andalucia Spain
December 12, 2013

Staff Ride Love

It's not often in life you get an opportunity to see how loved you are. The opportunity to be reminded just how lucky you are. There are birthdays, but then those are almost obligatory. Random moments caught in time when someone tells you how much you mean to them…

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