krankase

A few summers back I visited Acadia with my family. We spent lots of time cycling carriage roads on our hybrids, which I highly recommend. We are thinking about returning there during summer of 2012, but this time I am thinking about bringing my road bike so I can tackle the park loop.

I wish I had paid better attention to it last time I was there, but other than noting that I would be sure to ride early in the morning before traffic picks up I can't recall anything about the difficulty of the ascents on the loop, other than Cadillac Mountain.

Can anyone offer any experience or advice?

Thanks!

VT_Speed_TR

I vacation at Bar Harbor each summer for 2 weeks. Been doing that now for 15 years. Love the riding there. I get up and ride the Loop Road just about each morning we're there, as a little warm up before the family takes to the Carriage Rds. I think its about 20 miles, though I ride straight from our house in the village, so my ride works out to about 23 miles. The road is just rolling, no big climbs. You do need a Park Pass though since there is a manned gate near Sand Beach. The one is also 1 way along the ocean, so once on that section you can't turn around, though there are a couple of cut offs to local roads that I know of if I want a shorter ride. No problem on a road bike. I haven't climbed Cadillac Mt road yet, figure I'd blow out my knee ;-) Though I want to try it at some point. I head out at 6am or 6pm. I would not recommend doing it during 9am - 4pm. Too many tourist driving and looking at the ocean, and the road is very narrow in places we no shoulder, so cars and the park buses can't pass you safely. I've seen drivers squeeze riders off the road mid-day. Also, be sure to have a rear blinky light, often its foggy along the ocean in the morning and very minimal visibility for cars approaching from the rear. Also can be MUCH cooler on the Loop Rd then in the village, so bring some type of wind breaker jacket. Enjoy!!!

tenzing211

The Park Loop road is fantastic! If you park your car at the main Visitor's Center and start/finish from there you'll be riding close to 30 (this includes up and down Cadillac Mtn). When you first leave the Visitor's Center there is a long SERIOUS climb that hits before you're warmed up: brutal! After that it is a rollercoaster ride along the most scenic shoreline in the country. The climb up Cadillac starts at Bubble Pond, so by the time you reach the turn off ascent, you're already well on your way so you might as well go for it. The views are spectacular, the switchbacks are tight, and the only motor vehicles to really worry about are the tour buses. Be careful coming back down Cadillac because of the tight turns and meandering traffic.

The krewe I ride with have been doing a ride ( we call it The Ride for the Bacon--first one up Cadillac wins 1lb of bacon) the week after the Trek Across Maine. If you're around then, come on out and join in!

-Dave in Bangor

krankase

Thanks to you both for your splendid advice. It's certainly pleasant to be thinking about a ride around Acadia just as winter starts to wind up here in New York.

Derailed

I spent a few days in the park after finishing the Northern Tier in 2010. Biking on the loop road is great -- there's some up and down, but nothing that's too bad. VT_Speed_TR's advice about timing when you ride is good; the traffic can indeed get quite heavy.

It's definitely worth the trip up Cadillac Mountain. I tried to bike up there from the Blackwoods Campground for the sunrise, yet despite getting a very early start, I couldn't cover the 13 miles in time, and the sun came up while I was still ascending. That said, it was still a great view, and it was very fun (and a bit surreal) to bike through the park while it was still totally dark.

grinningfool

Acadia has a lot of great riding. The scenery along the loop road is spectacular, and be sure to stop at Thunder Hole. I usually prefer to ride there after Labor Day, as a majority of the tourists are gone, and the car traffic is much less. And as you already know, there are about 45 miles of carriage roads, where you are apt to see quite a bit of wildlife. The deer are almost tame, so make sure you have your camera. If you don't want to tackle Cadillac, the ride up Sargent Mountain has some excellent views, and won't wear you out.