Travel Reference
In-Depth Information
Biking Safety
Dressing for the weather, preparing to deal with bugs and sun, bringing
adequate water, and proficiency with map and compass are all required
before taking to the backcountry. With few repair shops, especially in the
North, those who fail to bring basic tools or a tire patch kit may not want
to ride further in than they are willing to walk out.
Also, Maine is famous for having just three seasons; summer, winter, and
mud. Because the ground thaws from the top down in the spring, water
cannot soak deep into the ground. This results in thick mud up to two feet
deep in some places. Many areas close trails and roads until the thaw is
complete and roads and bikeways can dry out. This prevents ruts, which
contribute to erosion and increased maintenance costs.
Several firms in Maine offer biking tours, including a company that
offers a trip to watch the sunrise on top of Mount Cadillac and then a
glide down on special bikes with high-tech brakes.
Most major tourist towns, such as Bar Harbor, Camden, Bath, Bethel,
Kennebunkport, Ogunquit, Orono, Searsport and Southwest Harbor
have rental and repair shops.
As the popularity of mountain biking has increased, so has the number of
clashes between bikers and other user groups. Most state and national
parks ban bicycles from hiking trails.
Suggested rides can be found in the individual chapters throughout this
book.
Information Sources
The state-wide
Bicycle Coalition of Maine
is active in promot-
ing the sport. They can be reached at PO Box 5275, Augusta
04332.
865-3636.
The
Maine Bicycle Trail Association
, based in Portland, of-
fers several inexpensive trail-riding maps of the Portland and
Mid-Coast areas. They can be contacted at 43 Carleton Street,
Portland 04102.
879-7440.
