Travel... Compete... Win! » randy

Competitive diversions?

randy — Sat, 14 Mar 2009 18:17:32 +0000

When I received an order for a logo thong as part of our broad offer to clothe and supply other types of travel necessities for the FlyerTalk sponsored teams, my first thought was, “Gee, what an inventive way to pack lightly for this scream across Europe. Less weight, faster times to the train, the taxi and maybe even the the top of the stairs. But then again, I’m thinking it might be an inventive way to distract other teams. That would certainly be clever and of course, these teams do want to win.

As you follow along on this blog for the travel competition, let’s all be on the lookout for when this particular item will be used … and how:

Travel Competition Starts Sunday, March 15

randy — Thu, 12 Mar 2009 00:38:25 +0000

While our teams finish their last day of work or current road trips and begin positioning themselve to be in New York by Sunday for the start of this travel challenge, we get to look over the team lists and begin picking who we think will be the winners. I don’t know at this point, I’m still laughing at the various team names and of course re-reading the team applications on why they wanted to be in this competition.

I’m kind of thinking the team with the “washed up air traffic controller” (his words!), but if there is anyone that really know directions it’s got to be the sailing guy team. But when it comes to “bragging rights,” we’re likely to never hear the last from that Stimulus Package and those crafty Thelma and you be Louise ladies. At this point, they really are all my favorites and there are some underdogs as enter our own version of (travel) March Madness.

If you’ve got some ideas on who you think may be the winning team, why not post in the “comments” by clicking on the number listed below the date on the left hand side of this post.

And Now, A Word From our Sponsor

randy — Wed, 11 Mar 2009 23:52:01 +0000

For those finding this blog for the first time, you may be interested in the chatter and dialogue back on FlyerTalk. Here’s two links that we think you’ll find interesting and maybe even your first introduction to FlyerTalk.

Here’s the thread in which we recruited the teams we are now sponsoring. Read for yourself why they wanted to be part of this travel competition:

Team Recruiting

And here’s the individual applications for our teams if you really want to find out what they had to offer to be selected:

Team Stimulus Package – George and Mike (sponsored by FlyerTalk)
Team Application

Team You Be Thelma, I’ll Be Louise – Sheri and Elizabeth (sponsored by FlyerTalk)
Team Application
Additional Application

Team Royal Roadies – Jen and Caitlin (sponsored by FlyerTalk)
Caitlin
Jen

Team Swizzle – Caroline and Bill (sponsored by FlyerTalk)
Team Application

Team Extreme – Kevin and David (sponsored by FlyerTalk)
David
Kevin

And the official team thread on FlyerTalk:

FlyerTalk Team Thread

Welcome to the home of the travel stars!

randy — Wed, 11 Mar 2009 23:17:45 +0000

Flying to Europe from JFK on Sunday March 15 will be 11 teams of two travelers apiece, all seeking redemption for their years of training as a traveler. Count me along those road warriors who like to grin as a “Master of their own Universe” when looking back at their success rate in overcoming the challenges of travel. But the new Competitours travel competition makes that grin become a game face as these teams face off for the inaugural shakedown of what may become the most fun you can do and still count the miles.

Of the 11 teams, FlyerTalk has stepped up to provide challenges for their members and hopefully some bragging rights by fully sponsoring 5 teams and providing co-sponsorship to two additional teams. Why so many? It’s a FlyerTalk thing — we love our travels and we love exchanging the experience, all of which has made FlyerTalk a must stop along the way of travel information.

This blog will provide a ‘listening post’ for all travelers to read, watch and listen first hand from all the teams that are competing in this travel competition. We’ll bring you blog posts, pictures and even videos from around Europe — the first stop of the new travel season.

So, look over the team links on the right hand side of this page, learn who is Thelma and You Be Louise, find out why someone who has bicycled across the U.S. is ready to rumble with the best travelers we could find, who wrangles chickens, who dodged rental RV drivers on a bike, who even admits to being a “washed-up air traffic controller,” who was up-close-and-personal with a 45-foot whale shark, who rode yaks in Tibet, which team has visited 6 continents apiece and finally, which team has an award-winning sailing journalist now ready to get his land legs during this travel competition.

I think you’ll find the teams as interesting as the travel challenge and welcome you all to follow along, in a modern day version of “You Are There.”