# 62 Maine Thing To Do

# 62 Maine Thing To Do - Bike Maine

Maine hosts trails unmatched, from mountain biking down a ski trail, to leisurely pedaling along a country lane. Take a week-long guided bicycle tour of rural Maine or rent a bike and explore Acadia National Park with its 57 miles of carriage trails and the less-traveled roads of the Schoodic Peninsula. Pedal along the rocky coastline and enjoy a picnic lunch in the shadow of an historic lighthouse. Get off the beaten path on a secluded logging trail or a quiet coastal village lane. Board a ferry and spend the day riding around one of Maine’s many islands in Casco or Penobscot Bays. Bicycle rentals are available throughout the state by the hour or by the day.Spectacular coastal scenery, expansive sandy beaches and charming New England villages mark the Southern Maine Coast. Cyclists will travel through the historic coastal towns of Wells, The Kennebunks and Old Orchard Beach.

________________________________________101 Links

Explore Maine By Bike is a useful site which outlines rides and details. Its produced by Maine Department of Transportation. Individual tours have downloadable maps and details on whatever ride interests you

Saco River

This tour begins from popular summer beach destinations and ventures inland along the Saco River through rural farmland and the hamlet of Goodwins Mills.

Southern Coast

This leisurely ride has broad appeal for sun-worshippers, sightseers and history buffs. The tour offers numerous beaches, great views of the coast and many museums and historic towns.

Eastern Trail/East Coast Greenway Tour

This 80-mile ride serves as the southern gateway for Maine’s portion of the East Coast Greenway. Cyclists will enjoy meandering through the rural countryside and southern Maine villages, as well as stopping at oceanside beaches along the way.

Maine’s largest metropolitan area sits right on the beautiful Casco Bay, a gateway to historic forts and lighthouses. Cyclists can expect a visit filled with scenic beauty, recreational opportunities and a wealth of historic, culinary and cultural attractions.

Freeport-Brunswick

This ride takes the rider through the lesser-known scenic pleasures of Freeport and nearby Brunswick. Here the coastline harbors gorgeous views of Maine’s rocky coast, history and an Audubon sanctuary.

Portland-Lighthouse

This tour begins with Portland’s working waterfront and Old Port district then heads south along the coast to state parks and beaches. Highlights include the several lighthouses encountered along the way.

Casco Bay Route/East Coast Greenway Tour

This pleasant 35-mile ride takes cyclists from Portland’s historic waterfront to nearby suburban towns, including Falmouth, Yarmouth, Freeport and Brunswick, and the quiet countryside along Maine’s coastline. Among other attractions, the coastline offers gorgeous views of Maine’s rocky coast, a bird sanctuary, seaside camps and Wolfe’s Neck Woods State Park.

All along the Mid-Coast, cyclists can get their fill of grand panoramas along with a wealth of arts and entertainment offerings, historic lighthouses, quaint fishing villages, and museums and galleries.

Waldo County Ridge

This tour originates from the coast and meanders through rural Waldo County with its lighter traffic, quiet country roads and plenty of scenery to reward those who make the challenging climbs.

Rockland-Port Clyde

This tour travels from the bustling town of Rockland to the tiny, picturesque village of Port Clyde. It passes several museums, state parks, lighthouses and sites of great interest along the way.

Merrymeeting

The scenery and history encountered are magnificent on this tour. It features the graceful old homes of Bath and Wiscasset and views of Merrymeeting Bay.

Coastal Route/East Coast Greenway Tour

This 187-mile seaside ride takes cyclists from Midcoast to Downeast Maine. The coastal route offers gorgeous views of Maine’s rocky coast and historical sites while providing a glimpse of coastal living.

The unspoiled mountain vistas, placid lakeshores and majestic forests of Western Maine offer cyclists plenty of opportunities for sightseeing, museum visits and hiking.

Franklin Heritage

This loop is ideal for a multi-day exploration of the lakes, mountains and heritage of Franklin County. It offers the rider spectacular views and a chance to experience history at the many museums and historical societies.

Evans Notch

Plan to spend two days on this splendid and challenging ride that starts from Bethel and heads south through the foothills of the White Mountains with views of three mountain ranges and scenic Evans Notch. The final leg winds its way to Bethel hugging the Androscoggin River.

Grafton Notch

Old Speck Mountain guards the passage through Grafton Notch, one of many hidden scenic treasures in western Maine and a major site on this challenging ride. There are lots of opportunities to combine biking and hiking.

Lake Auburn

This route passes over constantly changing terrain, rewarding the rider with great views of near and distant mountains and Lake Auburn.

Western Foothills

This hilly route explores a marvelous network of country roads hidden in the foothills of western Maine. This is quintessential New England - old stone walls, maple-lined country roads, river views and gracious homes.

Cyclists flock to this region known for its outstanding outdoor recreation opportunities, including biking, hiking, canoeing, whitewater rafting and fishing. Cyclists looking for history and culture will enjoy spending time in Augusta, the state’s storied capital, and shopping in nearby Hallowell.

Capital

This pleasant ride takes cyclists from the State Capitol to the scenic lakes region west of Augusta. It provides scenic views of Cobbosseecontee Lake, rolling farmland, apple orchards and the Kennebec River.

Kennebec River

This hilly and scenic gem winds through the historically important Kennebec River Valley and features a mix of agricultural and rugged mountainous terrain.

Waterville-China Lakes

Challenging hills and excellent views make this tour a 3-season pleaser as it traverses the China Lakes region with its ridge views and charming villages.

River Route/East Coast Greenway Trail

This inland 176-mile river route connects Midcoast to Downeast Maine. On this route, cyclists explore three river valleys and the state capital. Be sure to leave plenty of time for exploration because there are numerous museums, historical sites, hiking trails and other interesting sites along the way.

The Maine Highlands region is home to 200,000-acre Baxter State Park; Moosehead Lake, one of the Northeast’s largest; and mile-high Mt. Katahdin, the state’s tallest peak. Of course, for those cyclists looking for an urban adventure, there’s also the arts-rich city of Bangor.

Heart of Penobscot County

This ride begins by following the Penobscot and Piscataquis rivers before swinging back south through the agricultural land of western Penobscot County, encountering old dams, mills and farms.

Penquis

This tour offers terrific views of mountain scenery, scenic lakes, rivers and potato farms. It travels along rural roads in portions of Piscataquis, Somerset and Penobscot counties in north-central Maine.

Up, Down and Around Bangor

This is a short, urban tour featuring the highlights of Maine’s third largest city. The entire ride takes place on city streets, and riders must be skilled at navigating through traffic.

River Route/East Coast Greenway Trail

Sebasticook Valley Tour

This tour takes cyclists through a dozen towns in the Sebasticook Valley region, offering scenic views of Big Indian Pond, Sebasticook Lake and Plymouth Pond.

Bustling towns, scenic harbors, picturesque bayscapes, delightful villages and spectacular mountains-to-the-sea views make Downeast hugely popular among cyclists. The region is home to the breathtaking Acadia National Park as well as numerous easily reached islands.

Washington County-Downeast

From endless forests and blueberry barrens, to craggy coastline, this tour takes you on roads less traveled in beautiful Washington County where the first rays of sunshine fall on the United States.

Schoodic Peninsula

This tour takes the rider through the easternmost reaches of Acadia National Park at beautiful Schoodic Point, picturesque fishing villages and a dramatic stretch of Maine’s rocky coast. Great for beginning cyclists, this is a short loop on low-speed roads.

Deer Isle-Stonington

This tour includes fishing villages, beaches and coves that beg further exploration, with the centerpiece being Stonington.

Passamaquoddy Bay

This is a great tour for beginning road cyclists thanks to low traffic, good pavement and moderate grades. It provides scenic views of Boyden Lake, Pennamaquan River and ocean views of Passamaquoddy Bay.

Downeast Route/East Coast Greenway Trail

See Maine’s rural and agricultural past and present. This 140-mile ride takes cyclists through the heart of Downeast Maine. The route offers an unforgettable combination of the best of rural Maine and its small towns and villages, blueberry barrens and bald eagles.

In Aroostook, Maine’s largest and northernmost county, cyclists traverse wide open spaces and rolling countryside, encountering “big skies,” historic communities, very little traffic, and the county’s deep-rooted Acadian history.

St. John Valley

This tour traverses Maine’s “Big Sky Country.” Highlights include the extensive French-Acadian history, farms, fields and small towns.

Potato Country

This exhilarating 50-mile ride takes cyclists through the heart of Aroostook’s beautiful and rural landscape.

Katahdin

The north Maine woods and the state’s highest peak, Mt. Katahdin, provide the dramatic backdrop for this extremely challenging tour with abundant opportunities for wildlife viewing.

Off-road Biking

Aroostook also offers Maine’s most extensive system of off-road biking on abandoned rail trails. These multi-use trails offer over 100 miles of flat riding surfaces between Houlton and St. Francis. Check out some of these great trails.

Also check out

Bicycle Coalition Of Maine www.bikemaine.org for events and information on other places to ride.

Bike Shops in Maine.

AUBURN, Rainbow Bicycles, 800-244-7576
AUGUSTA, Auclair Cycle & Ski, 1-800-734-7171
BANGOR, Ski Rack Sports, 800-698-6474
BAR HARBOR, Acadia Bike & Canoe, 288-9605
BAR HARBOR, Bar Harbor Bike Shop, 288-3886
BAR HARBOR, Cadillac Mountain Sports, 288-4532
BELFAST, Belfast Bicycles, 338-0008
BERWICK, Jerry’s Bike Barn, 752-0580
BIDDEFORD, Quinn Bike & Fitness, 284-4632
BIDDEFORD, Wildfire Human Powered Vehicles, 282-8800
BREWER, Pat’s Bike Shop, 989-2900
BRUNSWICK, Center Street Cycles, 729-5309
BRUNSWICK, Midcoast Multisport, 721-9299
ELLSWORTH, Bar Harbor Bike Shop, 667-3886
ELLSWORTH, Cadillac Mountain Sports, 667-7819
FARMINGTON, Northern Lights, 778-6566
FREEPORT, National Bike & Ski, 865-0523
FREEPORT, L. L. Bean, 552-7834 (repairs) 552-7922 (sales)
GREENVILLE, Northwoods Outfitters, 695-3288
HALLOWELL, Kennebec Bike & Ski, 621-4900
KENNEBUNKPORT, Cape-Able Bike Shop, 967-4382
LEWISTON, Roy’s Bicycle Shop, 783-9090
OAKLAND, Mathieu’s Cycle & Sport, 465-7564
OLD TOWN, Stillwater Recumbents, 827-6461
ORONO, Rose Bike, 800-656-3525
PARSONSFIELD, Back Country Excursions, 625-8189
PEAKS ISLAND, Brad’s ReCycled Bike Shop, 766-5631
PORTLAND, Back Bay Bicycle, 773-6906
PORTLAND, Cycle Mania, 774-2933
PORTLAND, Gorham Bike & Ski, 773-1700
PORTLAND, Midcoast Multisport, 775-1158
PORTLAND, Portland Velocipede, 899-3133
PRESQUE ISLE, MOJO, 760-9500
RANGELEY, Seasonal Cycles, 864-2100
ROCKPORT, MaineSport Outfitters, 236-7120
SACO, Gorham Bike & Fitness, 283-2453
SANFORD, Goodrich’s Cycle Shop, 324-1381
SEARSPORT, Birgfeld Bike, 548-2916
SKOWHEGAN, Bikes and Boards, 474-9090
SOUTHWEST HARBOR, Southwest Cycle, 244-5856
VEAZIE, L & J’s Bikeshop, 945-9932
WESTBROOK, Ernie’s Cycle Shop, 854-4090
WOOLWICH, Bath Cycle & Ski, 800-245-3626
YORK, Berger’s Bike Shop, 363-4070