† Explanation of BAC Ride Fee – This fee is not included in the Estimated Cost and is non-refundable once submitted. The Ride Fee for US and Canada is $50 and $100 for all other countries, both are per participant.
LOGISTICS: Arrive on Monday, September 10, 2018 in Portsmouth, NH and bus back to Portsmouth on Sunday, September 23, 2018. Departure day is Monday, Sept 24, 2018. Max 22/Min 18.
RIDE RATING: Trip is rated 3B and will average 46 miles per day with 2,600 ft climbing per day. The most difficult day is 64 miles with 3,900' of climbing. Generally the climbs are not long, but there are many of them throughout the typical day.
GETTING THERE: Scheduled bus service is available from either Boston’s Logan or Manchester, NH airports. Note it is possible to depart the tour on Sept 23 with a refund for the Sheraton Inn on the last night if we have sufficient notice. Loop rides from Portsmouth are available either before or after this tour.
OVERVIEW: This is the fourth time the Leevers have offered this tour. Boats, beaches, breweries, lobsters, sea kayaking, whale watching, inns and B&B’s are all part of the Maine coast early-fall tour. From the Sheraton Inn, Portsmouth, NH, we walk to our group dinner overlooking the historic harbor and mystical views of the Isle of Shoals in Portsmouth, NH. Check out: portsmouthnh.com. We cycle from Portsmouth, heading north, to skirt the shore or take quieter in-land roads to Old Orchard Beach with its famous 5-mile beach. From there we travel to Brunswick, with a stop along the way at the LL Bean outlet store. Then it's on to Boothbay Harbor for a two day stay. On the layover day you can explore the Boothbay area or take a ferry to Monhegan Island. The next day we take a ferry to New Harbor and start our ride. We skirt the coastline on the way to Port Clyde. We are now in Andrew Wyeth’s back yard. You’ll catch glimpses reminiscent from his paintings along with lonely light houses and craggy rocky cliffs that battle incessantly with the ocean shore. In Rockland, on our way to Camden, we'll pass the Farnsworth Museum, which is worth a visit. In Camden, you can take a ferry to Islesboro Island for a pretty ride, do a loop ride up to view the Camden Harbor, head to the water for a guided sea kayak adventure or take a Windjammer day-sail in the Penobscot Bay. Be sure to sample the blueberry scones and cappuccino. Check out: camdenme.org. Then it’s north again to Blue Hill with a layover day to Deer Island or a visit to the wooden Boat School. Our cycling ends in Bar Harbor with a three day stay. The Acadia National Park offers a 57-mile network of granite carriage roads for non-motorized vehicles, established by John D. Rockefeller. Take in the Bubble Pond, Cadillac Mtn and the famous views of Northeast Harbor. The next to last day, we bus back to Portsmouth for arrival by mid-day. Bike boxes are stored in Portsmouth. The hotel is booked for that night in Portsmouth, NH.
DAILY PLAN: 09/10 Meet in Portsmouth; Sheraton Inn . 09/11 – To Old Orchard Beach, ME; Old Orchard Beach Inn. 09/12 – To Brunswick, ME; Brunswick Inn. 09/13 – To Boothbay Harbor; Boothbay Harbor Inn. 09/15 – To Port Clyde; The Seaside Inn. 09/16 - To Camden; Riverhouse Hotel. 09/18 To Blue Hill; Blue Hill Inn. 09/20 – To Bar Harbor; Bar Harbor Inn. 09/23 – Bus back to the Sheraton Inn in Portsmouth.
COSTS: Estimated tour costs are $2,350 which includes: 14 nights lodging with 12 breakfasts and 4 dinners, luggage van & driver, maps and route sheets. Not included in the cost of the tour is the non-refundable $50 BAC fee. A deposit of $500 assures your place on the tour. Final payment of $1,850, is due by May 1, 2018. Single riders will be accepted who are willing to share a room and we will assist with finding a room mate. A single supplement would cost $1,400! Due to the size of some B&B's we are limited to 11 rooms. Therefore, solo riders will only be accepted if the tour does not fill.
WEATHER: The daily temperatures can vary from lows in the 50s to highs in the low 70s. If there is rain it will feel very cold. Plan to have protective rain gear including jacket, long pants, fingered gloves, helmet and shoe covers. Evenings are usually cool. A light jacket is recommended.
RIDE PARTICIPANT RESPONSIBILITY: Please remember that BAC Ride Leaders are volunteers, and that successful tours depend on participants providing much of their own support, including changing their own flat tires. Participants are expected to come to the ride well trained, in good health and ready to accomplish the required daily riding using well-maintained bicycles. All participants should accept responsibility for a safe and enjoyable tour. We encourage you to read the ride description carefully and respond to requests from Ride Leader. While on the ride, support your Ride Leader with offers to help with various tasks such as happy hour preparation and cleanup. Please do not interfere with the ride by inviting non-participants onto any portion of the ride or tour, without checking first with the ride leader. Please keep the Ride Leader informed of any special request you may have and finally respect the Ride Leader’s decisions.
CANCELLATION POLICY: Any refunds are dependent on our finding a replacement from the wait list. If we can fill your position immediately you will get your refund less the BAC ride fee and processing fees. If we are not able to fill your position, any refund will be based on the principle that costs not be increased for those who are completing the tour (singles will need to have an agreement with their roommate on how the single supplement will be handled in case of a cancellation). Your share of fixed costs like the luggage van, leader and van driver expenses will be deducted from your eventual refund. Whatever we can recover, you will get back after the tour is completed and the final accounting takes place.
SIGN UP; To register for this ride, use the sign-up links just below the Ride Description. Following your acceptance on the ride, you will receive an email message requesting you to make credit card payments to BAC for the BAC fee and your initial deposit of $500. When your deposit is received, your name(s) will be added to the Participant List. BAC members with questions may contact the Ride Director by "clicking" the name at the top of this Ride Description.
Bicycle Adventure Club
PO BOX 23998 San Diego, CA 92193
Telephone (858) 715-9510 office@bicycleadventureclub.org