My return to touring --- 6 days riding in Downeast Maine

[Veronica]

It's visits. We'll be there July 26 - Aug. 2 to go to my reunion and visit with my family. Thom's parents are truck drivers and they won't be home then. So we're stopping back again for a few days before we fly to the Azores Aug. 16 - 19.

It's going to be a busy summer!

Please write about the B&Bs you stay at - especially the hosts and the breakfast! We like to go up to that area if we're spending more than a week at home.

I'm glad you're touring again. I haven't gone to read about your accident. Just the things you said here were enough to freak me out. So I'm thrilled that you're out and about.

V.

[Trek420]

Tailwinds!

[DeniseGoldberg]

Please write about the B&Bs you stay at - especially the hosts and the breakfast!

...I'm glad you're touring again... V.

There are links to the web sites for the two B&Bs in the journal already, and I'll plan on including at least a quick review of both of them after the trip. The folks I talked to on the phone when I made the reservations seemed very nice, so here's hoping they are good spots to stay!

I'm glad I'm touring again too. It's been a long spring, trying to get myself back into shape for biking 50+ miles day after day with gear on the bike. Of course credit card touring is much easier from a weight standpoint! Here's hoping...

You are going to keep us posted on your own travels this summer too, right?

--- Denise

[Veronica]

We'll at least put pictures up on tandemhearts. I don't know how much of a write up I'll do for the mountain bike trips. Battery life is one of those things we have yet to work out.

V.

[emily_in_nc]

It's wonderful that you will be touring again soon, Denise! I look forward to reading your tour journal. Wishing you lovely weather and tailwinds!

~Emily

[aka_kim]

Great name for your journal, Denise!

Can I ask what are probably stupid questions? In picking your route, do you also look at topo maps so you'll know the climbing to expect? What gear do you take for a credit card tour -- do you use the trailer?

[DeniseGoldberg]

Great name for your journal, Denise!

Can I ask what are probably stupid questions? In picking your route, do you also look at topo maps so you'll know the climbing to expect? What gear do you take for a credit card tour -- do you use the trailer?

I'm glad you like the name - I had fun coming up with it!

Your questions aren't stupid at all. It probably would have been smart to use topo maps, but I didn't. I just assumed that coastal Maine would have some ups & downs... From the state road map it doesn't look like there are a lot of roads to choose from, so I just used a combination of the state map, the Maine bicycling map (which really doesn't show much more - they have good cue sheets for specific rides, but only 1 is in the area that I am planning to wander in), and a confirmation of distance by using AAA's online TripTik.

On the panniers vs. trailer front, I'm planning to use just 2 panniers for this trip. And I'll be using my front panniers (because they are smaller than the rear panniers) on the rear rack. I haven't tried to fit everything in them yet, but I don't think I'll have a problem.

Are you asking just because you're curious, or are you planning a tour yourself? If you're planning a tour, I've written a couple of articles about my decisions between using a trailer or panniers, and about the gear I take with me on my tours. Here are links to the articles in case you're planning your own tour - but I'd be happy to try to answer any questions you have, just keep asking!

"Panniers, a trailer, both?" can be found at http://PanniersOrTrailer.crazyguyonabike.com
and
"What's in that trailer? Or in those panniers?" can be found at http://DenisePacks.crazyguyonabike.com

[aka_kim]

Thanks for the links. I'm not planning a tour, but I've gone from the "what, are you crazy" stage to "hmm, sounds like fun" stage, and am interested in how light you can make credit card touring. Your packing article was very helpful.

[MomOnBike]

I knew you'd be taking tours again! You're an inspiration.

Good luck, good weather, all that.

I'll be following the write-up.

[nuthatch]

Be safe and have fun, Denise! There's nothing like the wind in your helmet!

[oldbikah]

By the way, Denise, are you aware that there is a ferry which goes from Bar Harbor over to the Schoodic peninsula. You could avoid backtracking from Bar Harbor to Ellsworth, and also avoid doing the Route 1 section from Bar harbor to Winter Harbor twice. The ride around Schoodic is lovely.

I was on the island last month and was lucky enough to get a couple of days of dry riding in. Spent many a day at Otter Cliffs supposedly studying when I was in college (Univ of Maine).

[DeniseGoldberg]

Please write about the B&Bs you stay at - especially the hosts and the breakfast! We like to go up to that area if we're spending more than a week at home.

V -
I've included a review of both the Oceanside Meadows Inn (Prospect Harbor) and Harbor House on Sawyer Cove (B&B) in my trip journal. The page describing them is here.

If (or maybe I should say when) I'm in the area again, I would happily return to either place.

--- Denise

[Veronica]

Thanks!

It sounds like you had a wonderful time.

V.

[DeniseGoldberg]

It sounds like you had a wonderful time.

V.

I did! Now I just have to finish uploading pictures to my journal. I'll post a note here when I'm done...

How is Thom doing? Are you still planning to head to Maine this month?

--- Denise

[Veronica]

How is Thom doing? Are you still planning to head to Maine this month?

--- Denise

He's no longer using the sling and is able to type some, the doc said he was okay to play the piano, but that REALLY hurt. He's getting some range of motion back. So coming along.


Yep, my 20th reunion is July 30th. We're thinking hard about bringing the tandem. It has S&S couplers so can be carried as luggage. I think we should ride to visit family.

V.