Cross Country Bike Blog

Saturday July 31, 2010, 68 miles (109 km) – Total so far: 4,096 miles (6,592 km)

What a day!  Of course the main event was getting to Bar Harbor and the Atlantic Ocean but the day was chock full of other  great sights and wonderful memories.

The first WOW of the day was Fort Knox and the bridge over the Penobscot Narrows.  As we rode around a bend in the road there it was!   A stunning bridge with dramatic geometric designs.  As an added benefit was a freighter being towed upstream that we were able  to watch from the top of the bridge.

We got a birds eye view of Bar Harbor about 3 miles from town. It is a vast and dramatic harbor.  From that lookout we turned inland and entered Arcadia National Park.  We rode the last two miles of trip through the park.

Finally we arrived in Bar Harbor!  The most important task was to get to the beach and dip the front wheel of our bikes in the ocean thus ending our coast to coast odyssey.  We had to coordinate 27 people to get the pictures taken. We created quite a stir on the beach.  For about 30 minutes we were the main tourist attraction in town.  Everyone was cheering for us.    That evening the entire group went out for a lovely celebratory dinner complete with a champagne  toast.

Bridge over Penobscot Narrows

Freighter being tugged up the river

The Group Photo at the Atlantic

The perfect ending!

July 31 Belfast to Bar Harbor,ME  65 miles…..more later ,too busy celebrating

July 30 Wilton to Belfast,ME  (81 miles)  Day 56

Another day of gorgeous weather!  Aside from some drizzle in Quebec we have not had rain since Wisconsin.  Our route took us through small towns of central Maine.  Very hilly!  Up and down–up and down.  Should have kept track of how many times we switched gears.

At about mile 78 we rode around a bend and below us was Belfast Harbor!  Our first glimpse of the Atlantic Ocean.  It was breathtaking!  As we rode into town we could smell the fishing boats and the sea.  We still have 65 miles to ride before we are on the easternmost part of Maine so, the trip is not yet over.  That’s tomorrow.

Kayaks on the Kennebec River - Sylvie

Belfast Bike Bridge

Roger & Mary Beata on the bicycle bridge

Dinner at the Lobster Pound

July 29 Dixville Notch,NH to Wilton, ME  70 miles Day 56

Today we crossed into Maine.  First we had to climb the rest of the Dixville Notch.  Rough roads and long steep hills were the flavor of the day.  ”Watch for Moose” is a very popular sign along the highway.

Mid morning we intersected the Appalachian Trail.  We met six hikers who were hiking the entire trail south to north.  Wonderful stories were exchanged describing south to north versus west to east.  Wouldn’t  be surprised if an Appalachian hike is in our future.

Roger near the summit of Dixville Notch

Maine has several towns named after countries such as Mexico, China and Peru.  We came upon a sign welcoming us to Mexico!  We thought perhaps we’d made a wrong turn!

Welcone to Maine

Love seeing these "downhill" signs

July 27 Newport  to Dixville Notch,NH  65 miles – Day 54

Dixville Notch is traditionally  known for casting the first votes for any national election. It amounts to about 5 citizens casting their votes shortly after midnight and promptly submitting the results.  For us it was our destination.

We bagged another state today.  After mile 45 we were in New Hampshire “Live Free or Die”.  There was not a serious climb but the ride was a series of undulating hills.  The steepest grade was 12% going up.  The downhills were a treat.  Highest speed clocked was 42 mph.

Dixville Notch is on the top of a hill.  At the end of the day this hill was a big challenge.  The payoff was getting to The Balsams where we stayed for one night.  It is a huge old hotel on 600 acres of protected land.   It is 150 years old steeped in rich tradition.  One of the traditions is that men wear a sport coat and tie to dinner.  Women should dress in a similar formal fashion.  We were granted a special dispensation and allowed to dine in casual clothing however we were sequestered from the rest of the guests.

Morning sun on Lake Memphremagog in Newport

Entering New Hampshire by crossing the Connecticut River

Roger climbs into Dixville Notch - gasp gasp

Beata & Roger cycling together - a rare occurance

Vermont farm with mountains

Tuesday July 27, 2010, 64 miles (103 km) –  Day 53 Total so far: 3,799 miles (6,114 km)

Vertical feet: 3,600 – Total so far: 100,200

Our of two  full days in Vermont was spectacular.  It was hot and sunny – a rare day in VT.  The route was only 64 miles so we decided approach the day with a leisurely attitude.  We stopped for coffee and a glimpse at a newspaper.  Over the past 7 weeks we seldom have had a chance to pore over a paper.  Today we took the time.

Today’s highlight was climbing Jay Peak (3766 ft).  It dominates the landscape for miles so to get to  the other side is quite satisfying.  This peak along with other rolling hills made for  good day of riding.

When we rode into Newport we ca me upon a most beautiful Lake Memphremagog. It shares a border with Quebec.  As one enters the city the landscape is dominated by a church on as hill

Coffee and newspaper stop

Church in the Newport skyline

July 26 Montreal to St. Albans,VT (95 miles actual miles – route described 70) Day 52

When we were in Montana we could go days with barely seeing a town.  Today we had a significant milestone about every 15 miles.  We crossed from Canada to the USA via New York and crossed into Vermont.  Seemed we were forever taking pictures of us in front of border signs.

By leaving Montreal we left the St. Lawrence Seaway but it wasn’t long before we came upon Lake Champlain.  Another huge body of water.  A strong westerly wind made for big white caps.  As we rode east we could see the Adirondacks far off to our right; to the northeast we could see the Laurentian Mts.  All in all a magnificent day.

Heading south out of Montreal - early morning

Back in the US - we in in NY for 4 miles

Roger, Phyllis and Vicky entering VT