In our latest “Who is Parallel?” installment, we bring you the one and only Doug B. from Washington, D.C. Doug traveled to Ireland with us last fall and is, among other things, the winner of Parallel’s inaugural Best Guinness Moustache Award. Read on to learn a bit more about Doug!
Doug! Please tell us about yourself:
I live in Washington, D.C. with my wife, Carri. I am a husband, father of two grown kids and one dog, cyclist, a history nerd, and a Federal/defense budget expert (it’s a work thing). That’s about it, really!
Are you an avid “hiker” in “real life”?
I would not describe myself as an “avid” hiker, but my wife and I enjoy walking outside with our dog, and we love walking and hiking when on vacation, whether it’s in a city or in the mountains. I would say, however, that I am an avid cyclist, however, which means I was well-prepared for the physical aspects of our Parallel trip.
What Parallel trips have you been on?
My wife, Carri, and I did the Ireland hike in September 2025. We loved it and we are headed to Spain with Parallel this fall!
Have you been on a trip similar to Parallel’s before? How was Parallel different?
Not since I was a kid. When I was much younger, I went on several cycling trips in North America and Europe. My wife and I travel a fair amount, but had not previously traveled with hiking as a central focus. Our previous travels have tended to focus on cities or driving through the countryside.
Why did you choose to travel with Parallel?
We were familiar with Parallel due to [Parallel Founder] Chad’s connection with Apogee Adventures. Our son did several cycling trips with Apogee and had a great experience.
Do you have a favorite memory or two from your Parallel trip?
On our Ireland trip, we really loved our evenings in the pubs with the group and Miles, our Parallel facilitator. Another favorite memory was arriving in Dingle after a long, fairly wet day of hiking. Finally, we just really loved the experience of talking and laughing with members of the group as we walked along.
Do have a memorable meal from your trip?
Our hostess in the remote Black Valley, Nana, cooked us an super-authentic Thai meal. It was delicious, and perhaps the last thing we expected in the most remote rural Irish setting imaginable.
Be honest – how difficult did you find the trip?
Honestly, not too difficult. For me, it was just right. My wife would say the same, although she soldiered on through a kidney stone episode one day, but still made it through just fine. (Easy for me to say….) I will say that it helps to be in good cardio shape, avoid stuffing your pack too full, and use hiking poles.
How would you describe the Parallel vibe to someone who’s never heard of it?
The Parallel vibe is, in my experience, super friendly, collegial, relaxed, and chill. Parallel is not a hardcore “outdoors bro” kind of experience at all. If you’re in decent shape, enjoy new experiences, and have a good sense of humor, you will have a wonderful time.
