Pedal Power!

Bicycle riding just might be one of the best ways to explore all the Midcoast has to offer. And while you’re at it, you’ll be getting one of the best aerobic exercises possible.

Biking — the pedal-powered variety — is growing in popularity and has become much safer as a result of the development of bike paths that wind their way through so many of our towns, as well as the City of Rockland.

All along the region’s bike trails are bed & breakfasts, country inns, motels and campgrounds. Exploring the communities through which bike paths wind will uncover many specialty shops as well as excellent places to eat and refresh.

A bike trail mapped out along existing roads in the Georges River Watershed offers over 100 miles of cruising on a variety of roads bound to suit every taste. (see accompanying story on Rockland to Port Clyde trip)

At the head of the trail, back roads offer numerous river crossings and glimpses of ponds and distant hills. A mid-section that includes the dirt and gravel Appleton Ridge Road provides panoramic views. The southern portion of the trail on the Cushing peninsula takes riders along well-paved roads, through saltwater farm country.

The bike roads are part of a four-season trail project of the Georges River Land Trust, which also includes scenic drives for automobiles and sensational hiking trails across private lands in previously inaccessible mountainous areas in West Rockport, Camden and Hope.

Officially opened in 1997, the bike trails were selected based on aesthetics, low traffic and suitability for biking. The trail system is part of the Land Trust’s goal to enhance the larger community’s sense of the variety and beauty of nature in our backyards, and to further the Trust’s mission of preserving the scenic and historic integrity of the Georges River and surrounding area. A newly revised trail map, with mileage and suggestions for vehicle parking, will be available this spring from the Georges River Land Trust in Rockland: 594-5166 or e-mail to: grlt@midcoast.com

The bike trail begins in the town of Liberty in Waldo County, near the St. George River’s headwaters, along Route 220 and then to Route 173 and the town of Searsmont. This portion of the ride is hilly and crosses the river four times along lightly traveled roads.

Back onto Route 220, the trail leads from Searsmont to Appleton, where there is a highland as well as a river valley route. The high road runs along the Appleton Ridge and Butler roads on a mixture of dirt, gravel and paved surfaces. The terrain is suitable for a mountain/road hybrid bike with wide tires and the intermediate rider who enjoys the challenges and rewards of climbing.

The climb from Searsmont at 216 feet above sea level, goes up Appleton Ride to 400 feet, drops down again and then continues to the ridge’s highest point at 550 feet. The reward is a “top of the world” view of surrounding hills to the west, and to the east Simmons Hill, Philbrick, Ragged and Moody mountains and glimpses of the Camden Hills. Blueberry barrens reign on the ridge, and in the valley below the wide river reflects the changing sky. At the southern end of the ridge, a two-mile-long descent along Butler Road brings the rider back down to 100 feet.

A loop of approximately 16 miles begins in Searsmont, continues south on Appleton Ridge Road, turns east at Oakes Corner and descends 400 feet to the valley floor, then turns north on East Sennebec Road to Peabody, Magog and Moody Mountain Roads back to Searsmont. Peabody and Magog are flat and quiet backwoods roads, good for family biking with younger children.

TO THE COAST
The saltwater section of the Georges River trail in the towns of Friendship and Cushing runs along Finntown Road, Route 97, and Pleasant and River roads in Friendship and Cushing. This section is linked to the northern trails by Routes 131 and 235, more heavily traveled paved roads that travel through the towns of Union and Warren.

The terrain of the saltwater ride is relatively flat, and runs about 15 miles from Route 1 and Finntown Road to the end of the Cushing peninsula at Pleasant Point and Stone Point Roads. Road biking enthusiasts will enjoy the fairly new pavement on Finntown road, wooded stretches, open fields and scenic coves. Stop at Fales Store, located at the intersections of Pleasant, River and Cross roads in Cushing, for sandwiches, drinks and friendly directions.

In addition to the Georges River trails, excellent biking can be found in Camden, Rockport, Port Clyde and along the Owls Head bike trail.

Maine Sport, a bike sales and service center, is a source of information about mountain biking and racing at: mainesport.com
Brown Dog Bikes in Camden, which offers bike rentals, sales and repairs, suggests a number of Camden and Rockport rides on their website: browndogbike.com

The village of Port Clyde, at the tip of the St. George peninsula, offers bikers paved roads, a 35 mph speed limit, ice cream and sandwich shops, harbor and ocean views and the Marshall Point Lighthouse and museum.