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- Nov 12, 2015
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MTB on Mt Desert Island would be really cool. Let us know if you find any.
I found Downeville more to my taste.
I don’t think there is much up that way. Sounds like you’re from MA based on the suggestions you gave? If you are…Black Strap in Portland could be worth a stop on your way home. As could Bond Brook in Augusta (I haven’t personally been there in 10 years, but know it was pretty awesome then, and they’ve done a lot of work since).I asked and searched around about mtb in Bar Harbor but if there are good trails, and there must be, they are top secret.
Not ON Mount Desert Island, but across the water on Schoodic peninsula, part of the Acadia National Park. Or shall I say the "forgotten part of the Park"?My avatar pic is from Arcadia/ Bar Harbor. But in it I'm riding around on a granite ledge that we found on a short hundred yard or so trail off of a carriage road. Views to rival the left coast.
Yes and since MA was included I threw a few in in case it was on the itinerary. I mtb in Bethel ME area.and sometimes Southern Maine U on the way home if I meet my brother in law. Bethel is good but Carabasset might be more of a mtb destination, although we like Mt Abram too and hiked it this morning. For mixed skill Bethel is great. I saw some little kids covered in mud. The kid on the 24” looked a little burnt out.I don’t think there is much up that way. Sounds like you’re from MA based on the suggestions you gave? If you are…Black Strap in Portland could be worth a stop on your way home. As could Bond Brook in Augusta (I haven’t personally been there in 10 years, but know it was pretty awesome then, and they’ve done a lot of work since).
I don’t think there is much up that way. Sounds like you’re from MA based on the suggestions you gave? If you are…Black Strap in Portland could be worth a stop on your way home. As could Bond Brook in Augusta (I haven’t personally been there in 10 years, but know it was pretty awesome then, and they’ve done a lot of work since).
My avatar pic is from Arcadia/ Bar Harbor. But in it I'm riding around on a granite ledge that we found on a short hundred yard or so trail off of a carriage road. Views to rival the left coast. We found no trails but had a great ride on a mix of pavement and gravel. Sections of the park don't allow bikes as to not spook buggy pulling horses I believe. We did some fun riding near Portland guided by @Tony S on our way north.
Downeville is extremely technical. It's not for the faint of heart.Having live both east and west coast, it's pretty obvious to me the view is better out west by a huge margin.
The only time the east beat the west is during fall color season. And even then, it needs good sunny days which is not guaranteed in the east.
The Flume trail I would considered a "must do once" for anyone who mountain bikes. But it's a bit on the crowded side for my taste (on weekends at least) as far as the biking part goes. I think of it more as a "wheel assisted sightseeing".
There're a lot of other mountain biking trails in California (where I used to live) that has just as spectacular view and similar trail characteristic. Plus many others with less or more technical challenges to choose from for those who have different preference. For just riding, I found Downeville more to my taste. Also in the Grass Valley area there're a lot of easy trail for families of mixed ability. Very good scenery too. (doesn't hurt for us from the SF bay area the drive is shorter).
The coastal range up and down the state of California has so many trails with amazing scenery to choose from, it's mind boggling! Despite the year round riding opportunity, I didn't feel like I scratched the surface during my short stay of 3-5 years (part time some of those years). As a destination for trips? How much vacation time do you have?
I haven't been to Graeagle but so many people tell me about all the amazing stuff to do there.I came so close to doing the downieville race three separate times when I lived in OR. Now that we're in MT probably not going to happen.
But the place I really wanted to ride in that neck of the woods is called Graeagle. Apparently a lot of ground-level tech challenge, which at least used to be my jam!
It's been over 10 years since I last rode it. So my recollection maybe a bit fuzzy...Downeville is extremely technical. It's not for the faint of heart.
While I have not ridden it, @Philpug and our friend CJ has ( @DeAnn Sloan's husband) and I trust Phil when he says....Not for you Tricia.
I ride in Bethel fairly often...lots of great "1-3 hour" rides...not too much linked together into long full-day excursions though. I really enjoy Abram, they've done an amazing job with their trails. For longer days, I generally venture over to Gorham, NH from Bethel...another incredible up-and-coming location.Yes and since MA was included I threw a few in in case it was on the itinerary. I mtb in Bethel ME area.and sometimes Southern Maine U on the way home if I meet my brother in law. Bethel is good but Carabasset might be more of a mtb destination, although we like Mt Abram too and hiked it this morning. For mixed skill Bethel is great. I saw some little kids covered in mud. The kid on the 24” looked a little burnt out.
I've ridden there twice now, one time with a local, one time without...needless to say, we hit better trails, in better directions with the localThe trail network in Gorham (ME) is ever expanding and ever improving. Will worth a detour to sample. As with so many MTB locales, having a local along is helpful.
Consider a trip to Porto Santo, Portugal.MTB on Mt Desert Island would be really cool. Let us know if you find any.