Then I’ll head back South for Bangor, and meet my wife there at an AirBnB. We scheduled it. Motorcycle Road Trip: the Back Roads of Maine on a Bike (Part 1), Astrophotography – shots of the night sky & Milky Way, Maine Back Roads on a Motorcycle: The Actual Trip (Part 2), Finding Quirky Roadside Attractions Across America, Motorcycle Camping: Tools, Equipment and Gear every biker needs to have, Restaurants, Parks, Shops, and other Activities. See Less Reviews I’ve only seen about three of these since I got it, and thought it odd. Price is per person, double occupancy. A Relais & Châteaux member. Our only real highways in Maine are I-95 (which goes to Florida) and 295 (which, as far as I know is just another, albeit nicer looking, way to get from Portland to Augusta). I dropped it off (in pieces — it was very sad) and got a call a couple months later saying that everything was working. Maine Art Museum Trail; Maine’s Gold Coast; Pedal the Coast; Boats, Boots and Bikes; Lobster Rolls and Localvores; Solitude and Sunrises; Maine Self-Guided Bicycle Tours. On biking and multi-adventure trips, use of fully equipped Backroads titanium bike plus helmet and accessories Trailercycles, carriers, and kid-sized helmets for Family Trips Equipment and experienced guides for kayaking, rafting, snorkeling, sailing and canoeing as described Park and other entry fees Spectacular views and elegant accommodations await at this luxury boutique hotel on Frenchman Bay. Fresh, tart blueberries growing wild on the side of the road. Stay up to date on the latest Backroads news. Mar 30, 2021 - What better way is there to get an introduction to Maine than by bike. Pedals and Pints; Sailboats and Summer Folk; Exploring Acadia; Beaches and Backroads; A Festival of Color; Maine Weeklong Bike Tours. My goal is to get as many people riding, as quickly as possible! So, I went up a hill at about 10-15 MPH, and the bike chugged (it’s kind of cold-blooded). I goosed it a bit, and ended up dumping it because my back tire was on a patch of sand. But the trip is happening. We encourage you to check websites for your destinations before visiting for the latest health and safety guidelines in place. Wanting a fresh start, I figured a paint job might make things better. Read on for your available bike options for this trip. The next day, I took a ride over to Tommy’s mother’s house. More classic Maine backroads take us up to our lunch stop in Searsmont and then back south toward Megunticook Lake and down the spectacular Howes Hill Rd. A girl living with us (long story, but if you really need to know, she was the half-sister of a boy we fostered and eventually adopted) had a boyfriend. Beaches & Backroads Maine Bike Tour: Weekend Bike Trips: Sounds Like Fun (easy) July 11-16, 2021 Maine’s Gold Coast Maine Bike Tour: Weeklong Bicycle Tours: Sounds Like Fun (easy) I Own Bike Shorts (moderate) July 11-16, 2021. For 20 years we have offered Maine Bicycle Tours for all levels of cyclists. Learn more about how we determine activity levels. Accommodations may vary based on departure date. past beautiful farms into Camden. I’ll putter about town while she’s still at work, and deliver the clue-laden notes to the various targets. Whether you're looking for a honeymoon trip for 2, a 30-person family reunion or a 100-person corporate trip, we can do it all. Consider booking a Private Trip! Sure, Backroads provides amazing leaders, superb accommodations and meals, and opportunities you could never arrange on your own. I’ll meet her at the hotel she stays at in Bangor, then when we’re done (there’s another mission you’ll read about in a bit), I’ll take some more back roads to get home. This custom-designed titanium bike is lightweight and responsive, featuring Shimano Ultegra Di2 electronic shifting, 11-speed compact gearing, a premium Mavic Ksyrium Pro wheelset and a full carbon fork. I am still taking the trip, but it’s going to be a bit abbreviated. I ended up having to go buy the bike back from the impound lot (because the Sanford PD wasn’t bright enough to call whoever owned the bike and avoid the whole impound situation). Fresh seafood dinners and pampering spa treatments tempt. He’s mechanically inclined, so he and I got the bike running enough for me to take it for a spin. If your party has fewer than 8 guests, or your preferred date is not available, we'll create a departure just for you. See reviews and photos of top-rated bike tours on Tripadvisor. And I’m about to give up a life in tech to step into a family business (a lumber yard). Before I write about the ride, I’ve got to tell you, this bike’s got a story…, I took a crash course in UNIX and Linux (computer programming languages) for a year. I think going from the southern tip to the northernmost spot is about an eight-hour motorcycle ride (unless there’s a blizzard, then you’ll want to figure in a few more). Please do not use this itinerary to schedule your flights or any other travel. But while I was there, I bought a Kawasaki Vulcan 1500 Classic. The Bethel area, long a headquarters for skiers and snowboarders, has something else to brag about: its mountain biking. Our newly redesigned titanium e-bike is a lightweight yet powerful machine unique in the world of e-bikes. The next morning, I’ll hand her a letter with the first clue, then book it to get to the first stop and meet her there. A day ahead of time, I’ll ride from my house in southern Maine, stop a ways up for the night, then go to Caribou and back down to Bangor the next day. I talked with another former coworker from that bike shop who was working at a Kawasaki dealership in Lebanon. Your adventure begins with a hike up Mount Battie in Camden Hills State Park—behold 360-degree views of pine forests, Camden Harbor and Penobscot Bay | Duck into the woods for a descent through pine forest | Bike through coastal communities, rolling green countryside and Rockport, the state’s most picturesque harbor | Arriving in the heart of seaside Rockland, stroll the streets and perhaps visit the Farnsworth Art Museum and its collection of 18th- and 19th-century American art | Continue biking to Owls Head Lighthouse, dramatically perched on a cliff. Have a question and need expert advice? You can also visit our FAQ's. Accommodations may vary based on departure. Maine Biking Premiere Hotels Trip Date: Choose Your Date 6/21/2021 6/28/2021 7/5/2021 7/12/2021 7/19/2021 7/26/2021 8/2/2021 8/9/2021 8/23/2021 8/30/2021 9/6/2021 9/13/2021 9/20/2021 9/27/2021 10/4/2021 10/11/2021 On the way to Bangor though, I’m hoping to stop into or go through places I’ve heard of while growing up. Worldwide award-winning bike tours, family vacations, walking and hiking tours. Backroads, which has been offering hiking, biking and multi-sport getaways around the world for more than four decades, has a wonderfully diverse program in Maine. Visitors from New Hampshire, Vermont, Massachusetts, Connecticut, and Rhode Island are currently exempt. MidCoast Maine offers incredible biking opportunities for both road and off-road biking. I’d like to think we’re both in love. Back to biking Visitors must quarantine or provide a negative COVID-19 test within 72 hours of arrival in Maine. The custom vans and bike trailer, complete with mobile repair shop, and the two dozen bikes for our Maine trip, had been driven all the way out from Backroads’ Utah operations center. Address: 801 Cedar Street Berkeley, ME 94710 . This trip, I’m doing the same kind of thing (25 or so years later) where I’ll be giving her a note that leads her to a store in Bangor. Solitude and Sunrises Maine Bike Tour: Weeklong Bike Tour: I Own Bike Shorts (moderate) July 11-17, 2021. When I showed up, the bike actually worked. Hiking trails are often uneven, with roots, mud, rocks and other obstacles. You’re free to opt out at any time. I refuse to get a new bike (as much as I’m into computers and tech, I’ve decided that I’m all set in the “let vehicle manufacturers decide what kind of software my vehicle runs” department) and hope that the Vulcan will forgive me for any transgressions I might have afflicted it with. Hills rising from the rocky shores of Camden. While not the biggest state in the nation, Maine is a bit on the huge side. National Park Adventure in the Northeast Down East Maine is calling. A guest post by my good friend and Maine Native Craig, who somehow finds time to help me while he runs the show at FossFolks and Moulton Lumber. TRY RENDEZVOUS Select your ideal departure date (or a range of dates) for a list of available trips. We encourage you to check websites for your destinations before visiting for the latest health and safety guidelines in place. Maybe in January, but I’ll be damned if I’m going to ride a bike through Maine that time of year. There’s a lot of bad juju here. Post was not sent - check your email addresses! Email: backtalk@backroads.com. Please note that unpredictable mountain weather can make hiking conditions more challenging. https://takebackroads.com/2020/08/03/motorcycle-road-trip-maine-back-roads-1 Click on dates for pricing, itinerary variations and to book your trip. Website: www.backroads.com. ($900 for sgl occ). I got my motorcycle permit, bought the bike, and rode it around a bit until my permit expired. A proven classic, our most popular custom-designed titanium bike is suited for a wide range of cyclists. It was awesome. A dedicated Custom Trip Consultant will work closely with you to bring your dreams to reality. I’ll skirt it just a smidgen. Book effortlessly online with Tripadvisor! These are towns and cities that were once “on the map.” They were places that manufactured shoes for the Union army during the Civil War, or paper, or anything else made here until all of our (US) production went to China. These are experiences you cannot have behind the wheel of a car, or on a train or a tour bus. I wore a helmet, but also shorts and a t-shirt. But it became the unexpected Plan B after we scratched a plan to spend a … Choose from the selection of dates below for your group; some dates are only available for 16+ guests while other dates are available for 8+ guests. Address: 801 Cedar Street Berkeley, ME 94710 . Three or four hundred dollars later, I had the bike in a trailer and headed home. A couple days later, I got a “Dude, I’m wicked sorry,” call from said Tommy. The key to a stellar day's ride is a bike that's perfectly in tune with your cycling style… Backroads has you covered with the best bike fleet in the world! You can enjoy riding the roads one of our islands like Vinalhaven's 49 miles of paved roads or on the quiet roads around Lake Megunticook. Climbing around the north end of Ragged Mountain on backroads with a view back toward the ocean we have a coffee break at the Hope General Store. And it sat until about 2012. The sky's the limit! Her ride will be under three hours (she’ll just go to Gray and hit 95), and mine will be in the 8-9 hour vicinity. It's a place where mountain paths and centuries-old roads lead you on stunning adventures through state parks and charming harbor towns. This isn’t just about a back roads ride though. Back in the 90s, when we were just “going out,” I created a scavenger hunt. Several routes and a range of levels are offered each day so you can choose how much or how little activity you want to do. I love the bike, but some pretty terrible things have happened. Backroads Bike Tours Backroads was born from the idea that the absolute best way to see a new place, a new landscape, a new corner of the world, was on the seat of a bike. Take it for a spin I did. $3,499 - $3,799 pp dbl occ. Fast forward a couple years… I’d let the bike sit a while longer (because of my calf and I’m pretty sure broken-elbow injury from the last ride). For the preliminary details, check out Back Roads of Maine Motorcycle Trip: Prelude.If you have not read it, you may want to check it out first, as it provides a good deal of the back story. The raw adventure of biking rocky shorelines, the exhilaration of hiking to spectacular ocean vistas and the old-fashioned charm of boating and fishing villages beckon. Every Backroads trip is designed to appeal to a wide variety of interests and fitness levels. Do not book flights until your trip details are confirmed. It features a comfortable ergonomic seat and a long wheel base that add to the bike’s control and stability. An extra leader and van for even more flexibility | +$2,400 for Europe and +$2,900 for North America | Call us to book your Rendezvous. On the St. George Peninsula and the Rockport Peninsula you will find scenic views and relatively little traffic. There have been a few changes to plans… There will be no wife working at her office for the foreseeable future. Maine’s beauty lies in its rawness. Tell us what your dream trip would be and we'll make it happen! This ride is a little different. May 3, 2018 - Where to run, bike, eat and stay around the coast of Maine based on our week-long trip with Backroads. I simply can't imagine a better way to immerse yourself in the life of a region, to explore hidden corners and appreciate nuances while enjoying the benefits and enormous satisfaction of traveling under your own power. We encourage you to check websites for your destinations before visiting for the latest health and safety guidelines in place. From wildflowers to winding rugged shoreline, the lure of Maine's storybook landscape is calling. Phone: 877-301-2040, 207-858-4040 Website: www.downriverexpeditions.com Backroads, Berkeley, California. I’m a native: I don’t pronounce the letter R except in extreme circumstances, and even say Ayuh at least four or five times a day. During your seven day inn to inn bike tour, cycle the best of the Maine Coast. The company runs biking, walking & … Enjoy the write up! Maine Bike Tour in Acadia & Penobscot Bay Backroads, founded in 1979, has grown to be the world's #1 active and adventure travel company, with the most destinations, itineraries and annual departures in the industry. In partnership with L.L.Bean, Bike and Brew is a moderate skill group ride through the back roads of Freeport, Yarmouth, North Yarmouth and Pownal. Travel + Leisure World's Best. Our team of Trip Consultants is here to help! See More Reviews Winding roads built centuries ago that hug the shore connecting village to village. Visitors from New Hampshire, Vermont, Massachusetts, Connecticut, and Rhode Island are currently exempt. $3,499 - $3,799 pp dbl occ Down River Expeditions - Kayak, SUP, Tube and Mountain Bike Rentals and a Gear & Gift Shop in Skowhegan, Maine. But, once things get back up and running, I’m planning a trip. The bike’s a ’97, and this was in about 2008. The coast of Maine offers amazing diversity as it travels almost 400 hundred miles from Kittery to the Canadian border. I highly recommend this destination! Trip details may vary based on departure date. Maine Bicycle Tours. I called his cell… nothing. I’m just waiting for Coronapocalypse to be over so she can go to her Bangor office again. I started her off with a note in an envelope. Explore, discover and connect with the world on a Biking, Walking & Hiking, Multi-Adventure or Family trip. She told the truth. When I got out, my first “computer job” ended up being at a motorcycle shop. I’ve laid the groundwork. Back Roads Only started in the back of a minivan with dreams of providing bike repair anywhere in the United States. Start/End locations may vary. Soon enough, we’ll hear about the ride itself. Being from the whilly-whackers, I’m no stranger to back roads. I was only taking it for a little ride (my road is a loop out here in the willy-whackers) but it was Spring, and we still had sand on the roads. While I expected to do all sorts of computer-ish work, it ended up being more data entry and customer service. Gather your favorite people to share a Backroads adventure on a ready-to-book Private Trip - featuring all the legendary Backroads hallmarks from expert leaders to unforgettable activities. I’m ashamed to say that I have never been to The County. Maine Bike Tour in Acadia & Penobscot Bay. Write a Review. Maine Weekend Bike Tours. Order a free catalog or call 800-462-2848 to book a tour now. (spa). There it sat for another couple of years…. I never confirmed with a doctor, but I’m pretty sure I did some bone damage to my left elbow as well. Backroads was founded in 1979 by Tom Hale and has been a leading innovator in active and adventure travel for over 40 years. Photo Credit: Jock Montgomery / Backroads. I’m not sure the details, but it sounds like he took the bike on some sort of drug run, got pulled over by the Sanford PD, and was arrested. It was contained to my parents’ house, but was still kind of cool. 10 or more Guests: from $3,399 pp dbl occ, Expertise and services of our experienced Trip Leaders, Additional guides and experts from the region on many trips, Van shuttles to support a variety of route options, Comprehensive Travel Planner with detailed pre-trip information, Private guided tours at museums, historic sites, wineries and other select attractions as noted in the Travel Planner, Special events, including wine tastings and other select attractions as mentioned in the Travel Planner, On biking and multi-adventure trips, use of fully equipped Backroads titanium bike plus helmet and accessories, Trailercycles, carriers, and kid-sized helmets for Family Trips, Equipment and experienced guides for kayaking, rafting, snorkeling, sailing and canoeing as described, Fares for trains, ferries and other modes of travel as listed in the Travel Planner. The rugged coastline -- where lobster rolls, soaring mountains and ocean vistas abound -- is a true paradise ripe for adventure. And at the end of each day, Down East hospitality awaits at your waterfront retreats. We’re currently in Coronapocalypse lockdown, so she’s working at home with me for now. I feel guilty about letting this thing sit, get dumped, and be stolen over the course of the last 12-13 years. Maine Multi-Adventure Tour - Biking, Hiking & More | Backroads The bike and I have a new relationship, as of May 2020. But I’m going to avoid them like the plague, and ride my bike on the back roads of Maine the whole way. Phone: (510) 527-1555, (800) 462-2848. Back to biking Visitors must quarantine or provide a negative COVID-19 test within 72 hours of arrival in Maine. Once I find out the next time she’ll be in her Bangor office, I’ve got a plan. A snowmobile maybe, but no bike. For those of you “from away,” that means Aroostook County, which is pretty much the whole northern half of the state. The biking terrain on the Maine coast consists of constant rises and valleys, making our rides both challenging and highly rewarding. Maine has a way of capturing the adventurer’s imagination. It provides plenty of power to flatten the hills and more than enough battery range to cover the distance. Most of the stores I contacted did not reply, so there will only be a couple of stops for her the next day. So after a fair amount of sanding, cleaning, and a ton of elbow grease, it went from the original green-and-white original paint job to red (Toyota’s Barcelona Red, according to Dupli-Color). Perhaps it’s because here in the far corner of New England the natural world feels more raw, rugged and romantic. The mechanic at the bike shop where I’d bought it originally was still around. Since 1979, our bike tours have been the core of who we are, and we’ve only gotten better with time. I’m leaving the house tomorrow, 7/31/2020, and going far enough North (Millinocket) to say that I’ve been to Aroostook County. Visitors from New Hampshire, Vermont, Massachusetts, Connecticut, and Rhode Island are currently exempt. Address 801 Cedar Street Berkeley, Maine 94710 I’d gotten my official motorcycle license a week before (thank you very much to Erik Payne, at the non-profit Motorcycle Rider Education of Maine — that two-day class was a ruckus too, but it’s another story) and insurance, and pretty much just rode the bike home from there (stopping at The Brew Shoppe in Shapleigh to show Tim the bike I’d been talking about for so long). Put a circle around Thursday nights and get ready to ride a 22-mile route that begins at Maine Beer Company and comes full circle at the end. View cancellation policy, SMALL GROUP? This is sad, but will still be a nice getaway. You must have JavaScript enabled to use this form. Email: backtalk@backroads.com. I happened to be riding through Sanford one Sunday, and noticed what looked like a green and white ’97 Vulcan near the gas pumps at a 7-11 (which has since closed and been boarded up). Use extra caution along the narrow trafficked roads, which offer minimal shoulders. Phone: (510) 527-1555, (800) 462-2848. No bike. And you can always change your mind — you won't be charged to transfer to a different trip before your final payment is due. I honestly don’t really like to bike. Call or email us to reserve your date. Active travel is, at its heart, a way of connecting more authentically with the world. I’m leaving a couple days before she does, to take my back roads ride (courtesy of Scott at takebackroads.com), and landing in the same day she does. This Maine back roads trip has a story, a really big one spanning about 12 years at this point. Traveling with you own group? Colors in fall. FROM: Photo Credit: Jock Montgomery / Backroads. Arrive at Mount Desert Island, home to Acadia National Park | Begin your exploration at Sieur de Monts Spring, featuring the Wild Gardens of Acadia | Hike up Emery Path, with its series of stunning granite staircases and views of Bar Harbor and the Porcupine Islands | Keep your heart pumping on the climb up Dorr Mountain, or return along a boardwalk to Sieur de Monts Spring through an airy birch forest | Get to know Bar Harbor, exploring its stunning coastline and original boutiques | Hop on your bike for smooth riding along Ocean Drive, with spectacular coastal vistas of Sand Beach's sparkling waters, dramatic waves crashing through Thunder Hole and Otter Cliffs’ jagged headlands | Bike along the rocky coastline and through the forests that surround beautiful Jordan and Bubble Ponds | For the most avid of cyclists, tackle the ascent up Cadillac Mountain | Stroll on Acadia's wild and scenic Great Head Peninsula | At Sand Beach, dip your toes in the chilly waters of the Atlantic Ocean. 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