annesherrod

I am thinking about a going to Maine either in early summer or in the Fall to see the foliage next year.
I received a brochure in the mail from a company called Summer Feet. It incudes lodging, meals and of course the bike trip for up to 10 people. Have you heard of them? Has anyone done an extensive bike trip there, opinions/experiences?

Thanks.

annesherrod

ttt

annesherrod

one more time.....

dfrostnh

We don't bike but out of curiousity I googled bike maine coast. I really like the itinerary on this one
http://www.bikeinmaine.com/?gclid=CM...FVMq5wod0yYRkw
because it looks like you do more than bicycle and get a more intensive look at a smaller area of Maine. One of the Summer Feet tours did a lot of coast but I was skeptical of how much time was on backroads. The distances seemed long. The kind of routes we take via car. FYI from Searsport to Ellsworth is a loooong ways probably mostly on Rt 1. I thought the ride thru Bayside would be lovely. That's a quiet stretch of road but all in all I thought the other bike tour would give you more ocean side and views. A lot of Rt 1 is not within sight of water. Summer Feet seemed to be a more strenuous itinerary. Hope someone with biking experience replies.

cindyj

Haven't done a trip but I live here and do a lot of biking. I also haven't heard of Summer Feet but when I get a chance later today I'll take a look at their site. (I'm headed out for a ride before the temps rise - we're having a heat wave!) I also know that Backroads and Vermont Bike Tours do cycling vacations in Maine, specifically the Mount Desert Island area. No offense to dfrostnh, but if you're not a biker its hard to judge the distances or roads. Most non biking friends I know say they couldn't imagine going where I go but I feel completely comfortable and don't take any chances.

cindyj

I looked at the Summer Feet website and they look like great tours. I guess if you live in an area you just aren't aware of tour operators. I know you're looking at next year, but I can't help but comment because I do a lot of riding and know these roads, etc. I think I've ridden most of the Summer Feet loops in Maine and just got back from a week in Mount Desert Isle where I cycled about 150 miles over the course of the week.

First of all, you would have to go in early to mid-Oct to see foliage. This might be great biking weather, but is risky for cold and rain. Also, June can be very unpredictable. My recommendation would be early september, still warm but all the families with school aged kids have gone home, etc. The weather thing really depends on what you're used to, but our weather is quite variable so you should be flexible.

Second, how much biking do you regularly do? I noticed that some of the SF trips included an average of 50 - 75 miles per day but when you look at the specific itineraries there are shorter options for most days. I know I chastised dfrost for her comment, but that 50 miles per day would be a lot for me after a couple of days. Hubby and I did a Backroads trip in Napa/Sonoma two years ago. I felt really discouraged that we only seemed to average 25 - 30 miles per day and always seemed to be taking the shuttle at the end of the day. The leader kept saying to remember that we were on vacation and I finally relaxed. The thing is that if you're in a new place you want to stop and enjoy the scenery, etc. The day goes by quickly and you want to do a bit more than just ride. So it is completely different than your usual riding. (I have done a Century ride as well as 175-mile, 3-day charity rides and many 75 mile days, but this was different.)

How much do you typically ride and in what area? Maine is pretty hilly and you should be prepared for that.

Feel free to keep asking questions, its so nice to feel knowledgeable and helpful to someone in need because I have gotten so much from these boards for trips to California, NYC, France, Greece, etc.

annesherrod

CindyJ - Thanks so much. I bike aboutt 20-25 mi average once or twice a week. Yesterday I pushed the envelope and I am so sore! I did not enjoy the scenery as i was on a "mission" - DH keeps telling me that I am not in a race.
I am nervous about lots of hills. How long is the bike is first gear? How many miles/minutes would you estimate on the tour next to the ocean?

Thanks for the tip on the best time of year too! I wondered about that.....

annesherrod

"How many miles/minutes would you estimate on the tour next to the ocean?'

TO clarify - I meant how long are you in first gear on the hilly sections? I know that is pretty open question and probably hard to answer......

cindyj

Well, it sounds like you need to do some more biking before embarking on a biking vacation. It will be a fun goal and you guys can work together. My DH doesn't bike as much as I do and so tends to be slower on the hills, but I just wait for him at the top when we ride together.

The gear thing is totally personal and depends on your bike. Even two similar road bikes can have very different gear ratios. But 'the gears are your friends' so don't worry about getting into the easiest gear that will allow you to just continue up the hill in a steady, even though slow, pace. And remember, everything that goes up must come down! If you want to correspond directly, email me at [email protected].

annesherrod

I fell a few days ago and now I cannot bike for awhile. In fact, I am getting it x-rayed in a few hours to make sure it is not broken.
I will contact you soon, as I am very serious about scheduling this bike trip next year.

LJ

Annesherrod: take courage...I am the (lousy tipping!) one who broke her ankle in March and had to take the flight, anyway.

I had the fall and had an initial XRAY, thought it was just sprained and then went back to the hospital two days later for what I thought was arrangements for physio and it turned out to be broken. Plaster cast, boot arrangement for 5 weeks.

But here is the good news: I am older than you are I suspect (these days I am older than everyone I chat with!) My ankle, though broken just 5 short months ago, is as sturdy as it ever was. This summer we hiked and kayaked and danced at our daughter's wedding. So be of good cheer!

Now as to that bike trip...I have not yet checked out Summer Feet BUT...we summer in Maine every year on Cape Rosier and every year we see a bunch of cyclists come through our backroads. I am going to do a little searching to see which group it is, but on your list the itinerary might show up as including: Blue Hill, Brooksville, Holbrooke Wildlife Sanctuary. It would probably include Deer Isle, Stonington, Castine.

I can highly reccomend this area, though clearly I know nothing about the group organizers. But DH and I have often commented on how much fun it must be explore these green and quiet backroads with the charming small towns and not too many hills with a mixed ages groups of happy cyclers who go from inn to inn.

Best of luck with that ankle!

annesherrod

LJ - Thanks for sharing your story. I am really mad at myself even though it was an accident. It really makes me appreciate good health and working body parts!!

I am glad to read about the areas you mentioned - it sounds gorgeous! I have always wanted to go and I am going to keep working towards it!

cindyj

I hope your injury heals soon. Coincidentally I have a similar story that just came back to haunt me this week. April 1 I rolled my ankle in the garage - just walking around the car! Although I've done this before, it was different and sooooo painful. After ice, etc. I went to the Dr. the next day. I could put some weight on it but any movement of the ankle hurt. Diagnosed as a bad sprain. A week or so later it wasn't much better, back to the Dr., told me that sprains can take a long time to heal. Never having sprained or broken anything before, I just didn't know what to expect.

FYI - Cape Rosier is one area of Maine I haven't explored on two wheels, but I know it is beautiful. Sounds like a trip my biking buddy and I need to plan!

Fast forward to this week. Went to the Dr. for a swimmer's ear problem after vacation (maybe women over 50 shouldn't be diving into Somes Sound off the rocks?). Asked about the ankle (different Dr.) because I was still having swelling and some throbbing after standing or walking for long periods and after cycling. So he ordered an x-ray and voila - I have a fractured fibula! So now I'm waiting for an appointment with an orthopedist and don't know what he's going to recommend. I can't stand the thought of not biking for the most beautiful part of the season!

annesherrod

Just returned from the airport....

Oh Cindy that is awful. I hope you you are able to get a quick recovery option!! I agree that the thought of not biking is depressing... Good luck!
I will getting an xray later today....

annesherrod

As I mentioned on another thread I did in fact break my ankle in 2 different spots! Ugh

This will make me work harder to prepare for the bike trip when I recover. I am more anxious now to do it than ever.

Suki

I had a stress fracture in my ankle about 2 years ago, an injury I got from running. Six weeks in a boot, but I've been good as new ever since so have faith that all will be well.

anne, please do update us on this trip. My husband is always complaining that there are no bike threads on Fodor's.

cindyj

I agree on the lack of bike threads. I did a lot of research 2 years ago when we did a Backroads trip in California and I couldn't find anything. The trip was amazing and we will do another one as soon as we can afford it. But for now we're content to camp in Acadia and do local rides!

cindyj

Anne - so sorry about your ankle. But you're not planning the trip until next year so you'll be fine. I haven't seen the orthopedist yet, apparently they are very busy and since my injury is 4 mos old they do not see it as an emergency. But I think I'm having psychological reactions to the news as it feels like it hurts worse and I'm a bit afraid to get on the bike. Hopefully I'll have a recovery plan early next week.

Anyway, we're getting a near miss from Bill this weekend so it will be a good time for all the indoor chores I've been putting off.

amyb

Anne, I highly recommend Vermont Bicycle Tours. I rode with them in Tuscany a few years ago before I was a more serious cyclist. My longest ride before I left was 25 miles and I did 25-35 every day for 8 days no problem. They have shorter and longer options, so whatever you feel up for that day you can decide on the spot. There were people doing a lot more miles than me and a lot less. I think VBT has something up in Maine, near Acadia if I'm not mistaken! I keep getting lots of emails from them now on discounts if you book early for next year.

You have lots of time to recover and plan for this trip. Take some Spinning this winter to get some seat time and work with some weights to strenghten your leg muscles to support that ankle as it continues to heal!

Peter_S_Aus

Trip report for a bike ride in Australia a few years ago:

http://www.fodors.com/community/aust...-road-trip.cfm