We're Maine Bound!

[Mr. Bloom]

For the first time in about 15 years, I will have a beachless summer. We're bound for Maine! I've never been there, so the prospect of 75 degree July days is an alien concept to me! I can't wait! I guess it's a big deal that we're on the "sunny side" of the pond!

Here's the house we're renting with my cousin

http://www.stationvacations.com/round/Rp_home.htm

Yes, that's a caboose in the yard...I'm sure one of the kids will love sleeping in that...but not me!

[Sheesh]

That looks like a fun trip! I hope you have a great time! We just got back from New Hampshire, so I know what you mean about the 75 degree weather (thought it did get into the 80's a couple of times while we were there).

[Sheesh]

By the way, it looks like you'll only be about 1.5 hours from North Conway, NH. There is a Pearl Izumi outlet store, and the only Louis Garneau store in North Conway. We got some great deals at the Louis Garneau store, but we didn't have time to stop at Pearl Izumi. It's worth the trip if you need anything!

[Mr. Bloom]

By the way, it looks like you'll only be about 1.5 hours from North Conway, NH. There is a Pearl Izumi outlet store, and the only Louis Garneau store in North Conway. We got some great deals at the Louis Garneau store, but we didn't have time to stop at Pearl Izumi. It's worth the trip if you need anything!

Quick, let me unplug the computer before Silver wakes up!

[Mr. Bloom]

Roads Scouted out for 25 miles ride tomorrow - $7 in gas
Two mountain bikes rented...$250
Looking forward to tomorrow's ride...priceless.

[Cella66]

Well, they call it "Vacation Land" for a reason! I hope you enjoy your stay and the mountain biking is fabulous here. I just hope the weather is to your liking. The older generation likes to say if you don't like the weather in Maine, just wait a minute. Yesterday it went from 53 to 78, sunny to torrential downpours with 20 mph winds to sunny and calm with a chilly 65. Great for evening campfires though. But that is here in Old Town (were the canoes are made) Anyway, welcome, and I know it will be a fabulous vacation!

[SheFly]

Hey! That's just down the road from my Maine house! Sadly, I won't be up anytime soon, but if you are looking for any recommendations on rides, I can DEFINITELY hook you up (oh, and the road riding is MUCH better than the mountain biking in the area....).

Also let me know if you are looking for any other recommendations - dining, sightseeing, etc. We spend A LOT of time up in that area.

SheFly

p.s
North Conway is only an hour's drive - shh, don't tell Silver!

[Mr. Bloom]

I'm on "dial up", so I'm not online much...totally eliminates the possibility of "dialing up" the office !!!

We're riding a route today (weather permitting) from our house toward Rumford and back about to Bethel in Innervale(?) road. Tomorrow or Wednesday, we're probably going to Evans Notch (which was recommended by a couple of cyclists we accosted for info yesterday).

These cyclists told us to stay away from North Conway because the traffice was so bad. What's there - besides a PI outlet?

Cella: that's exactly the weather we had yesterday including the s'mores at a campfire last night! None of that stopped me from putting the teenagers to shame on the rope swing into the lake though

[SheFly]

Your route today is a good one. If you head towards Bethel on Rte 26, turn right on Sunset Rd and then right on Intervale. Take Intervale all the way to the end, and turn right onto 232, back to Rte 26 - that will give you about 30 miles. (BTW - when you do turn right onto Sunset, the little gray house with red metal roof on the left right on the corner is mine!).

For a longer route to Evans, ride into Bethel on 26. Take a right onto Parkway and another right onto Rte 2. Cross the river, and take a left onto North Rd. This is a WONDERFUL road that parallels Rte 2, with little traffic and some great rollers (and views). Take North Rd to Gilead, and cross the bridge over the river. Take a right onto Rte 2, and then the next left onto 113 which will take you up and over Evans Notch. You can either do this as an out and back ride, or you can continue down Evans Notch on 113, and cut over to Lovell, ME (where Stephen King has a place), hooking onto Rte 5. This will bring you back in towards Bethel, and will net you somewhere around 70 or so miles. There is a small store in Lovell where you can stop to refuel.

Another great ride (but much longer - it's 90 miles round trip from my house) is to go up through Grafton Notch, and back through Berlin and Gorham, NH. To do this ride, head into Bethel as above, but continue on Rte 2 all the way to Rte 26, where you will take a left. This will take you UP Grafton Notch with some great scenery, and potentially a moose sighting (if you don't do this ride, head up here around dusk, and you are almost certain to see one of the creatures). Continue down into Errol, NH, passing Lake Umbagog on the way. Fuel up in Errol and take a right onto Rte 16. This follows the river all the way back into Berlin, NH where you will take a left onto Rte 2 to head back into Gorham, NH. From here, continue on Rte 2 to North Rd on the left (you will pass a large resevoir on the left just before this turn) and follow North Rd back into Bethel.

For dining options, the Sunday River Brewery is a good bet for pub style food. If you're looking for something just a little more upscale (you can still go in dressed casually), try the Sudbury Inn (DH recommends the duck!). Finish Line Pizza makes a delicious pie, and they now have all kinds of fancy beers. Stay away from the Chinese food - it's not that great. If you want a good breakfast, there's the Cinnamon Stick right near you, or the Crossroads Cafe in Bethel.

Do enjoy your stay! I'll be interested to hear just what you end up doing for rides, and what you thought of them.

SheFly

p.s.

North Conway will be busy, but less so during the week. It's got a lot of outlet shops (including an LL Bean outlet as well), and driving over from Bethel, you go past Mt. Washington on the way - awesome views! There is StoryLand (your kids are little too old for that, though), some mini golfing, etc. If you do trek over, stop at Moats for lunch, and try the Sante Fe Nachos.

[Mr. Bloom]

We did the innervale ride the opposite direction...but we'll take sunset today to see your house!

Yesterday, we were miserable.

• we're having to get used to Mtn Bikes
• Silver's rear shifter stopped working, leaving her with just three gears
• feeling sympathy, I only used three gears, wound up cross chained and lost my chain at the bottom of a 10% grade and went down, hitting Innervale Road hard! But I kept all my skin!
• We finally got back to Bethel and swapped Silver's bike out for a different one...but we were stressed and exhausted by then.

So, we're going to do the same route today...hopefully without incident. Since we started from the pond and took an excursion into Bethel, it was about 23 miles.

Then, maybe Evans Notch tomorrow.

[Veronica]

We're in Maine too, SE of where you are Mr S. We've had nothing but rain where we are. My niece and her BF rented a motorcycle. I think in 4 days they have ridden 70 miles.

V.

[uforgot]

Yesterday you were miserable, but won't it be tomorrow's laughs??? I'm soooo jealous. But then, I'd rather be painting classrooms. Have a good time and make sure you take pics to post when you get back! I've never been to Maine, so I, for one, would love to see your vacation pictures!

[Veronica]

So far no pictures - it's all been family stuff. Tomorrow we're going on a Puffin watch. Maybe we'll take some then - if the sun comes out.

V.

[Mr. Bloom]

Today's much better

Did the same ride, just faster. We're really struggling with the Mtn Bikes, but I'm sure it's making us stronger.

Veronica: I have to admit...I don't know what a Puffin is....are you on the coast?

[Trekhawk]

Here is some Puffin info for you. Cute little things.

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Puffin