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Biking the Canary Islands
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Welcome to The BackBeat!

Welcome to The BackBeat. Looking for pro tips and a peek behind the scenes on trips around the world? Tips and tales from the road and trail? Inspiration for your next epic adventure? Find it all on The BackBeat.

Backroads Croatia 2016 Biking with both dads
July 21, 2017

Backroads Biking with my Dad

"We're going up over that hill?" I said under my breath, looking ahead as the road went up, up, up and disappeared over a hill. It was a beautiful sunny day in Nova Scotia, Canada, ten years ago, and we had been riding on quiet, shady roads all morning. More talking than riding, I had slowly been ge…

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Chateaux Chenonceau
July 17, 2017

Loire Valley Châteaux

In French, 'castles' translates to 'châteaux' and throughout the country there are many châteaux that embody the extravagance of French nobility from centuries past. The epicenter of this 16th- to 18th-century lifestyle was the Loire Valley, located two hours southwest of Paris and the perfect setti…

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Backroads Hiker on Dock at lake in Chile
July 14, 2017

Finding Backroads in Chile

I’m often asked how I found my job leading Backroads trips… Fate. Magic. Luck… Well, perhaps a combination of those things. It’s a unique story that involves a photography exposition, a small community in northern Chile and two random backpackers high in the Chilean mountains. And it’s a story that…

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Backroads Cyclist resting in Hawaii
July 11, 2017

Epic Biking on Hawaii's Big Island

Hawaii. The paradise of the Pacific. It’s a place that stems jealousy every time you tell someone you're going. And I get to live and work here. With its tranquil beaches, tropical breezes, exotic fruits and island pace, the Big Island—the youngest of all the islands—embodies all that is Hawaii.

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July 7, 2017

Falling in Love on a Backroads Trip

Well, I'm not a writer, and I've been asked to write about how I met my husband. I'll tell it to you straight, as I have so many times before--including to a woman who subsequently followed in my exact footsteps and meet her own future husband in the exact same fashion!

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The Old City from above with-the-Forest of Marjan in the distance
July 5, 2017

24 Hours in Split, Croatia

Welcome to Split, capital of Dalmatia and the second-largest town in all of Croatia. Thanks to the unstoppable style of its natives, this bustling city-by-the-sea is a fantastic place to visit and one of Eastern Europe’s best-kept secrets.

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Kathy in Mallorca on a Backroads biking trip
June 30, 2017

Why I've Taken Ten Backroads Trips—and Counting!

My husband and I love to travel. Years ago, we were on a trip to Paris and we took a day excursion to the Loire Valley. As we traveled by bus through the countryside, I was stunned by the beauty yet dismayed to be seeing it from a bus. We are active people and I was sure there had to be a better way…

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Backroads' Tom Hale trail run
June 28, 2017

How to Stay Active at Any Age

I truly believe that an active lifestyle has a profound impact on overall health and our ability to rebound from setbacks. So, what are some of the easiest ways to stay active, regardless of age or ability level?

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Hiking and Biking with Backroads
June 23, 2017

Hike or Bike Tour? How to Choose the Perfect Trip

Exploring a new place actively, whether on a bike or your own two feet, sets a pace that enables you to appreciate its sights, sounds and smells, to experience its depth beyond the tourist attractions, and to notice details of its character that might slip by if viewed from a car or a tour bus. Both…

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Backroads Parma to Verona Bike Tour
June 15, 2017

Parma to Verona Bike Tour Video

From Parma to Verona, passion is everywhere. In the air. In the water. In the art. Food is prepared with it. Wine is produced with it. The culture is steeped in it. Even the people themselves are famously passionate—look at Romeo and Juliet. And when you experience this place for yourself, you'll be…

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