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Bicycle coalition presents BikeMaine ride

    The Bicycle Coalition of Maine is pleased to announce BikeMaine, a seven-day ride to promote and celebrate cycling while also exploring a selection of Maine’s inland and coastal communities. This week- long cycling adventure, which has been two years in the planning, is the first of its kind in New England. BikeMaine cyclists will pedal 60-70 miles a day primarily along rural roads featuring scenic views throughout the 400-mile course. The ride begins and ends in Orono and the loop includes overnight stays in Dover-Foxcroft, Belfast, Castine, Bar Harbor and in Ellsworth at Camp Jordan (the full loop route can be found online at www.bikemaine.org under “ride details”). The ride will also include a stop for lunch in Milo.

ne-bikeMaine-dcX-po-17Photo courtesy of the Bicycle Coalition of Maine

    SEEING MAINE BY BICYCLE — Hundreds of bicyclists will be traveling through Piscataquis County, including an overnight stay in Dover-Foxcroft, during the Bicycle Coalition of Maine’s inaugural BikeMaine ride in September. BikeMaine is a seven-day ride to promote and celebrate cycling while also exploring a selection of Maine’s inland and coastal communities.

    Over the duration of their fully supported ride, cyclists will discover Maine’s rich history, culture, along with the hospitality and encouragement of host community organizations and residents throughout the state. This first ride will be limited to 350 participants but the Bicycle Coalition of Maine plan is to grow this ride to 2,000 participants over time. Each year the ride will include a new route exploring a different part of Maine, which will focus attention on, and provide an economic boost to, the host communities supporting the event.
    “BikeMaine will showcase the great riding found here but it is more than just a bicycle ride — it’s a celebration of Maine communities and an exploration of our great state,” said Kim True, BikeMaine ride director. “Week-long endurance cycling events are well established and quite successful in many other parts of the U.S. We hope BikeMaine will be a catalyst for motivating residents to engage in active lifestyles and for raising Maine’s profile as a mecca for bicyclists.”
    The Bicycle Coalition of Maine plans on investing over half of the net proceeds from BikeMaine in grants to the host communities in support of local cycling and pedestrian projects. The other half will be used to support its mission to make Maine a better biking state and promote healthy, active lifestyles.
    Registration for BikeMaine 2013 is limited to 350 riders to ensure a well- supported high quality first year experience for riders and host communities. To date, riders from 25 states have registered. The fee to participate includes 18 meals from locally sourced ingredients (including a lobster bake in Bar Harbor), beverages and snacks along the route, baggage transport, mechanical and medical support, plus camp sites that include hot showers, restrooms, daily entertainment and multiple food vendors.  L.L.Bean and Anthem Blue Cross and Blue Shield in Maine are founding sponsors of the ride. 
    BikeMaine is one of several annual cycling events produced by the Bicycle Coalition of Maine, a Maine nonprofit organization dedicated to “making Maine a better place to bicycle.” Founded in 1992, the coalition offices are located in Portland. For more information or to register, please visit www.bikemaine.org or call 623-4511.

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