Summer 06

[volking]

? about riding in Maine. What is the best rode and how far north should i go? Planning a trip next summer for a big east coast circle.

[mike1300]

What are you thinking? Coast, Mountains, little of both?
Rode all over the state this past summer, can help you out with whatever you need.
Bangor would be a good base. Everything is within 50-100 miles,lots of restaurants and motels. Not as hectic and busy as Portland. You could slab up 95, pick a spot and ride US 1 back to Kittery. Or you can take US 2
and work your way out to New Hamster and Vermont thru the mtns.

North of Bangor is nice, but may not be worth it to you to go much above Millinocket , unless you have a big desire to see Aroostook County.

Bangor is the hub of central and northern Maine. People from way up in the very northern parts come down 3 hours for services and to shop.

[volking]

Thanks for the reply. Thinking about doing the coastal route because i have a friend in Portsmouth. Last summer i rode all the way up the west coast and found Cape Flattery at the nothern most point. Looking at the map i do not think you could do this in Maine or would want to. I will end up in the northern part of Michigan before heading home. How is Acadia Park?

[mike1300]

Acadia is very nice, we go down 2 or 3 times in the summer. Bar Harbor is pretty crowded, but small enough to get around OK. My avatar pic is coming down Cadillac Mtn. I like Rt 3 out of Bar Harbor over to Seal Harbor and Northeast Harbor. The Park Loop is nice, but can be busy.
Lots of cars stopping and gawking going on. My wife and I went by ourselves last month,went over to Seal Harbor and rode around the little shore roads looking at the "cottages".


This is off the Bar Harbor town dock..lotta junk around town,I wished they would clean it up a little.

http://www.imagetex.com/albums/userpics/10216/Dscf0035.jpg



http://www.imagetex.com/albums/userpics/10216/Dscf0034.jpg

[volking]

Just the kind of info i was looking for. The park loop looks pretty long going RT. 3 according to my Atlas is the scenic route. I will post when the trip gets closer. Thanks,Bob :)

[customed1300]

Mike, You took a picture of my Yacht without asking? Just kiddin. :lol:

You making fun of us Aroostook County people? 8) Roads are nice up here, the ones that are paved.... :lol:

Acadia is a real nice route, bar harbor to ellsworth, rt 3 down to OOB maybe, nice ride.

[volking]

Thinking about going west after Bar Harbor is RT.1, Banger,RT.2 the best way? (SCENIC)

[mike1300]

You making fun of us Aroostook County people? Roads are nice up here, the ones that are paved....

I dont make fun of County boys. I TAUNT them a lot tho. :D :D
Just kidding, my closest friends are all from up there.

I lugged my X to Ft Kent last August and spent a couple evenings after work riding in the Valley. Just beautiful country up there to ride in. First time I had seen Ft Kent without 4 ft of snow.

I should have stopped and said bonjour when I saw your yacht tied up at the Sportsmans Club in St Agatha last summer. I KNEW I had seen that boat someplace before.

[mike1300]

Thinking about going west after Bar Harbor is RT.1, Banger,RT.2 the best way? (SCENIC)


Rt 2 will put you to the far side of Vermont, if you want. Very scenic.
Bangor to Newport ME is a goatpath, west of Newport and Skowhegan its decent road. They rebuilt and paved a lot of it in the western part of the state last year. Lots of mountains, very nice.

[customed1300]

Yep. You know whats a nice road to bike on? Rt 11 from Fort Kent to the 1-95. About 90 miles, what a nice road. It was all redone a few years ago, nice windy smooth road.

[VTXMatt22]

My favorite part of the state is central - mountain area. from Bethel to up around Rangeley, then you could go east to the coast. A lot of newly paved 45-50 mph roads with nice views, little traffic and some smooth bends. Any of the secondary roads away from the coast will be enjoyable.

Matt