Northeast - Maine Cycling Routes?? (Road Bike)

Bikeforums.net is a forum about nothing but bikes. Our community can help you find information about hard-to-find and localized information like bicycle tours, specialties like where in your area to have your recumbent bike serviced, or what are the best bicycle tires and seats for the activities you use your bike for.



PDA
Architect
06-23-08, 08:50 PM
Taking my beloved Kestrel to Maine this summer. We'll be near the coast at various locations around Deer Isle, Mt. Desert Isle, Orland and then Winter Harbor.

I hear traffic can get treacherous for cyclists near the coast so I am wondering if anyone has any suggestions for road cycling routes without much traffic. Anything will do but ideally 25 to 70 mile range .

Ritehsedad
06-24-08, 10:09 AM
Here are some resources you might be interested in:
Bike Coalition of Maine Website (http://www.bikemaine.org/)
Eastern Trail Alliance Website (http://www.easterntrail.org/) (goes from Kittery to South Portland)
Maine State Gov's "Explore Maine by Bike" website (http://www.exploremaine.org/bike/bike_tours.html). There is a couple routes in the Schoodic Peninula, where Winter Harbor is and one that goes from Ellsworth to Calais (140 miles).

If you had MTBs you could ride the Carriage Roads (http://www.acadia.national-park.com/info.htm#carr) which is a 45 mile network throughout the park. I say MTB because the paths are mostly gravel.

Good luck and have fun!
Architect
06-25-08, 08:53 PM
Hey thanks . Thats exactly what I was looking for.

late
06-25-08, 09:26 PM
The perimeter road at Acadia is paved and a good ride. Be careful you don't miss the turn for the water, it's near the beginning and hideously easy to miss. The Jordan Pond Tea House is a must (it's on the perimeter road), they are famous for chowder and popovers. The perimeter road also goes up Cadillac Mtn, which is a good hike, an easy drive and a gut wrenching climb on a bike. Btw, you can rent a Mtn bike for the carriage trails.

There is a bunch of good riding. I liked rte 230. The peninsula that goes down to Deer Isle is mostly good riding. Follow the coast. I'd stay off Rte 3 and Rte 1A to Bangor. You prob won't get down there but avoid Rte 52. But most of the other roads aren't too bad; Rte 1 isn't all that bad except for about 4 miles north of Camden. There is an easy detour, and it doesn't sound like you're touring.

If you are doing lite touring, I have done that in that area and would have some suggestions.