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

[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.

[CorsairMac]

ahhhh Denise! After your accident I know how important this trip is to you. Keeping you in my thoughts and yuppers - I'll be following you in your journals. Have a safe and fun trip!!

[wabisabi]

Denise, I just wanted to say that I really like reading your journals, you have a distinct voice and the pictures are great. We have another friend going across country right now, so I drop in on his and yours, oh, and the guy with the two dogs, I just can't resist them.

[nuthatch]

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

[susan.wells]

Enjoy the trip! I always enjoy reading your journals. I'm doing my first small tour this year so my curosity is quite high.

Hoping the weather gods are good to you!
Susan

[DeniseGoldberg]

...I'm doing my first small tour this year so my curosity is quite high.

Susan -
I'm sure that you'll have a great time! Where are you planning to tour?

--- Denise

[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]

...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.

Thanks! I am aware of the ferry (although I wasn't until the innkeeper from the place I'll be staying in Prospect Harbor mentioned it). I did consider it, but I decided that I would like to do the ride. I will only be doing the section of route 1 between Ellsworth & Winter Harbor once though, because after I bike the Schoodic Penninsula I will be staying in Prospect Harbor, then heading east to Jonesport the next day. There are a few sections of route 1 near Jonesport that I'll have to repeat as I return to Ellsworth, but I'm planning my return trip via route 182 from Cherryfield. Have you ridden that road?

--- Denise

[oldbikah]

Looks like you have all the info! Have a great time. Have not ridden the Cherryfield rd.....most in that area are pretty narrow and wind about like a snake!