I'm getting ready to ride my first century at the end of this month and at the suggestion of some of the folks here, went out to ride 75 miles today to get a feel for that type of distance. Got a beauty of a day here in Downeast Maine, 37F start at 8am and 63F when I got home at 2pm. Clear. Brought the camera and took some pics...

singlecross

Started out slow and easy as folks suggested. Got the 2 bigger climbs out of the way fairly early by mile 35. In the century ride they come at mile 65 and 90. Views from Cadillac Mt...

singlecross

Had a great ride. 75 miles, ~5500 vertical, 4hrs50min ride time, 15.5 ave mph. No saddle sore:thumbsup: , no mechanicals:thumbsup: , only some minor cramping in miles 35-45 so I'll need to start better hydrated and keep up with it. Good lesson learned. I felt great for miles 50-75 after catching up with the hydration.. Thanks for all the advice given in the "Century questions" thread. I rode the silver/red bike although the other one looked interesting...

singlecross

Your bike and the lawnmower are awesome in very different ways.

Nice pic's! I'll have to check out Maine someday...

Guess some folks just can't get enough saddle time!

OR... Life's full of compromises:
Mrs: I want ya ta cut the grass!
Mr: I want ta ride m' bike!

Done deal.

Said it before, I'll say it again-I want to live there. Everytime you post these pics of your awsome back yard, I reach for my car keys! Congrats on your 75er. I, too, rode that distance for the first time Sunday, en route to my 1st century planned for Oct. 7, rain or shine. I won't have quite that much climbing, and Singlecross, you're a man among men to save your toughest climbs for mile 90 on your first century! My last 20 planned miles are pretty gently rolling. If I can cover the distance once, I'll toughen up subsequent 100's. (That or sell my bikes!!!) Let us know how you make out.

Nice!

That "other" bike has gotta be a b!t@# to turn!

As good as the biking is here(and it's damned good), the sailing is even better. The first pic is of an International 1 design. Beautiful boats. Now much outdated but there is a loyal following in Northeast Harbor here on the Island. Imagine a race series designed around classic lugged steel bikes. We have it for these classic sailboats. Old boys and their old toys...

singlecross

Great post. And yeah, that might be one of the more brilliant NNC uses of a bike.

Bar Harbor is a beautiful area. Having ridden to the top of the Caddy both times I have stayed there it is truely a nice view of the whole area.
As some one who grew up in NH, Maine was always a day or vacation spot for us. Places like York, Onguquit, Freeport, Camden, etc were common. Good family friends own a house right across from Nubble Light in York.
My next adventure in Maine is hopefully going to be hiking and biking in Baxter State Park area.

To those who have not been, go to Maine and enjoy it. You will not be disappointed.

Beautiful skies! Clouds rolled in about a week ago here and I already miss blue sky :(

My next adventure in Maine is hopefully going to be hiking and biking in Baxter State Park area.

FYI, I hiked Mt. Kathadin w/ gorgeous views. The next day, H-A-Z-E from N. Brother Mt.

Do be aware that most of the roads in Baxter are unpaved.

Maine truly has got to be 1 of the most underrated outdoor adventure states in the union. Unlike most of New England, it's actually pretty affordable, too, w/ many hostels for the people who just want safe/clean lodging before their hike or ride the next day.

Isn't Cadillac mountain the point in the US that the sun hits first? Something like that? Would make nice pics.