Members of the Rage on Portland mountain biking club write a bi-weekly column on mountain biking in Maine.
This week:
Need more reasons and motivation for riding? Join the club.
Join a club or at least a club ride and you'll have several reasons to get off the couch and into the saddle.
(May 23, 2002)

The bike path
The Bicycle Workshop teaches teens how to rebuild bikes. The "Earn-A-Bike program fills a void for youths, shows them how to turn landfill-bound bikes into reliable transportation, and at the same time teaches them valuable mechanical skills.
(Apr. 29, 2002)

Low rider
They may look odd, but recumbent bicycles have enjoyed a surge in popularity in recent years. That's because they're so comfortable.
(Mar. 24, 2002)

It's called cyclo-cross
Sometimes termed the steeplechase of cycling, it can be a hard, technical sport to learn, but its newness draws in the participants.
(Jan. 13, 2002)

More news and features about Maine cycling ...

CYCLING GUIDES

Greater Portland | Midcoast | Kennebec Region | Downeast/Acadia

GREATER PORTLAND

The lighthouse loop
The Portland-Cape Elizabeth Lighthouse tour is one of many tours created by the Maine Department of Transportation. You can dip in and out of the 43-mile-long tour to see lighthouses, islands and marshes. Get printer-friendly directions, a map and more.

Jewel in the crown
A path connecting the Eastern Promenade and Baxter Boulevard becomes a reality.
(Jun. 4, 2000)

Bicycling trip offers taste of meandering midcoast
The Georges River Bikeways has three sections, each with a distinctly different character — and rider comfort levels.
(Sept. 23, 2001)

Playing favorites: It's Vinalhaven
The island is a bicyclist's paradise with distant vistas and historical sites.
(Aug. 12, 2001)

Cycling in Acadia: the quality still wins despite quantity
The carriage roads are still great for cycling thanks to the work of volunteers and planners.
(Aug. 26, 2001)

Cyclists turn out to celebrate new trail
HALLOWELL — Years of effort went toward the creation of the Kennebec River Rail Trail; the entire route is expected to open by 2003.
(Oct. 28, 2001)

Augusta-to-Hallowell section of rail trail opens to public
HALLOWELL — After they had worked several years to see the Kennebec River Rail Trail become a reality, traversing the initial 2-mile section after a grand opening ceremony Saturday was a walk in the park for the trail's advocates.
(Oct. 22, 2001)

The state Department of Transportation has a list of 25 bike tours, including trail routes and detailed descriptions, that provide information on where you can find bike shops, accommodations, points of interest, places to eat and more all along the route. The routes vary in length from 20 to 100 miles long.
We've got a sample tour, the Portland-Cape Elizabeth Lighthouse tour, here, plus you can get all the details of the other Bike Tours in Maine on the Office of Passenger Transportation, Bike and Pedestrian Section Web page.

The Bicycle Coalition of Maine has useful tips and a listing of related events and links to clubs throughout the state.

The Curtis Memorial Library in Brunswick has a page on its Web site called the Great Outdoors that includes Trail Descriptions in the local Brunswick and Harpswell area as well as details on regional and state trails.

The Maine Mountain Bike Association has information about races and events for cross country and down-mountain rides.

The Portland Trails Web site has information, descriptions and maps of trails in the Portland area.

The Saco Bay Trails Web site has information, descriptions and printable maps of trails in the Saco area.

The East Coast Greenway explains its plans for a bike trail from Maine to Florida.

At Pedaling.com, you can search for rides by region. Ride routes include maps and descriptions; you can also submit your own rides.

Rails-to-Trails Conservancy has information about trails for walking and biking. New England Rail Trails has descriptions and trail guides to many converted rail trails in Maine.