For over 20 years, the Tri-State Trek has brought together cyclists, people with ALS, and their friends and family for a weekend of athletic achievement, emotional support, and raising essential funds for ALS research. In 2023, the event will continue these traditions in a new location, with a new format that will preserve the challenge of the ride while allowing cyclists of all abilities to join in on the fun.

What’s Changing: Two Days, a New Route, More Options, and One Basecamp

In past years, the Trek has followed a three-day, point-to-point route from Boston to Greenwich, Connecticut. This provided a scenic journey through southern New England and New York – but it also meant every night, riders, supporters, and volunteers needed to pack up camp and move to a new location. In addition, over the years, many of these roads have become busier, and less safe for cyclists. This year, the route will be a “figure eight,” with two daily distance options beginning and ending in our new overnight location – Durham, New Hampshire.

Over the shortened, two-day event on June 24 and 25, Trek riders will have the choice of two different loops leaving from our base camp at the beautiful University of New Hampshire campus. Each day will include a roughly 30-mile and 100-mile option, allowing participants to choose between riding a total of 30, 60, 100, 130, or 200 miles over the course of the weekend.

Along the routes, cyclists will enjoy quiet, scenic roads through the coastal areas, lakes, and Hills of New Hampshire, Massachusetts, and Maine. These new routes will also allow us to better avoid dangerous roads and intersections so that all our riders can feel safe. By introducing multiple distances, anyone from novice bike riders to experienced cyclists will be able to participate in the 2023 Trek, while choosing a custom level of physical challenge.

Our central basecamp will also make the event friendlier for family, friends, and supporters, who will no longer have to follow the route from point to point to cheer on their loved ones. While Trek riders are out on the road during the day, supporters will have plenty of time to reunite with their #TrekFamily friends while enjoying family-friendly activities at basecamp and in the surrounding area. Durham is also easily accessible by Amtrak, making travel easy for those who want to avoid driving or are flying into Boston.

What’s Staying the Same: The #TrekFamily Spirit.

While the location and format of the ride has evolved, the spirit and mission of the Tri-State Trek will always remain the same. Honoring loved ones and connecting with members of the ALS community are among the things that make the Trek so special. The We are Trek Family Saturday Night Speaking Program and Open Mic, often one of the most memorable experiences of the weekend, will of course continue. Riders, volunteers, and their friends and family can spend the weekend with old friends and meet new ones, many of whom have, themselves, been affected by ALS. All funds raised by the event will still go to support the critical research to end ALS at the ALS Therapy Development Institute (ALS TDI)

This year’s event will improve upon 20 years of the Tri-State Trek, making it safer and more accessible to all while keeping the same #TrekFamily spirit. For more information about the Tri-State Trek, including more details about the new format, visit www.tristatetrek.com.

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