Adventure Cycling Association

We’ll gather in the afternoon in Scarborough, just outside of the city of Portland, which is known for its fine eateries in the historic Old Port district. Camping near Saco Bay, we’ll be an easy distance from Old Orchard Beach, a favorite of both Mainers and their northern friends from Quebec.

Today will start the trip on a high note! We’ll follow parts of the East Coast Greenway and U.S Bicycle Route 1 as we work our way up the stunning coastline. Early into our ride, we’ll see Two Lights Lighthouse and stop by picturesque Portland Head Light, the most photographed lighthouse in the U.S. As we continue up the coast, we’ll also stop by Spring Point Ledge Lighthouse and Bug Light, and try to catch a glimpse of a few more just off the coast. After a morning filled with endless photo opportunities, we’ll pass through Portland proper on our way to Freeport. Before heading to camp on the coast, stop by L.L. Bean’s world headquarters or venture to Wolfe’s Neck State Park and take a walk along the rocky coast.

We’ll spend much of today riding the route of the East Coast Greenway, passing through great Maine towns like Brunswick and Bath, home of a Naval shipyard. Along the way, we’ll pass through the town of Wiscasset, and if you’re willing to wait in line you can grab a lobster sandwich from the world famous Red’s Eats. Even after you get to camp in Boothbay, there is much to explore — including the Maine Botanical Gardens. Consider turning your road legs into sea legs on a boat tour, or just head to the harbor and soak in the sun and sweet sea air!

Another gorgeous Maine coast ride! Today we’ll start by heading through Boothbay Harbor before working our way up the Damariscotta River to the small town that shares the river’s name. A historic coastal village, Damariscotta was a famous shipbuilding town whose residents built great clipper ships and schooners until about the 1920s. From there we’ll make our way to Pemaquid Point, a fantastic rocky coast and lighthouse just down the road from our campground. Sunrises from here are well worth the early morning wake up!

You’ll want to wake up early and walk down to the rocks to catch the sun as it rises up over the ocean — you’ll be among the first people in the country to see it. As we ride back up the peninsula on the typical rolling hills of coastal Maine, we’ll continue to catch glimpses of the ocean. We’ll camp oceanside, falling asleep to the relaxing sound of waves crashing against the shore.

There is lots to do, see, and explore today! We’ll start our day by heading to Marshall Point Lighthouse, made famous in the movie Forrest Gump. From there we’ll head north, stopping in at Owls Head Lighthouse and Rockland Breakwater Lighthouse on either side of Rockland on our way to Camden. Once at our final destination, we’ll see the lush green Camden Hills inland, and out to sea we’ll look over the schooners and sailboats — truly a picturesque Maine coastal town. We’ll celebrate our journey tonight with some of the freshest seafood available.

After one last amazing sunrise and a 20-mile loop ride around the Camden Hills and Megunticook Lake, we’ll meet in town for a celebratory lunch then jump in the van to shuttle back to Scarborough, reminiscing of all that was seen by the seat of our bikes.