Category Archives: Northern Tier Bike Route

Day 58 – We Did It!!

Day 58 – We Did It!!
We completed our 4,184-mile long coast-to-coast cycling adventure!! After pictures (see photo), we picked up a box of hiking gear at the post office, bought food, and biked a mile to a Day’s Inn. We celebrated by drinking a beer and eating carrots and hummus dip. Isn’t that how everyone celebrates? Tomorrow we go sightseeing!
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Day 57 – Nice people but Crummy roads

Day 57 – Nice people but Crummy roads
After a pleasant night on Haley’s pull-out couch in her living room, we got up at 6am, ate breakfast, thanked our host for her hospitality, and started biking. We crossed the Penobscot River on a high bridge, then rode north on Hwy 127 for 5 miles to Old Stage Road- through deciduous forests. Changes in county road names required us to check our map frequently to stay on the ACA route. At Wiscasset, we crossed the Sheepscot River at low tide (see photo).
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Day 56 – Up and down to the coast

Day 56 – Up and down to the coast
After lunch, we biked 4 miles along a paved bike path that bordered busy US Hwy 1, then continued on a county road to Bath. We enjoyed a view of a tidal creek (see photo). We bought food, then rode to Warm Showers host Haley’s home. After cleaning up, we drove downtown for dinner at a restaurant by the water. Fellow cyclist Jerome, from Quebec, arrived after a 100-mile journey in today’s heat and joined us for dinner. What a fine end to the day.
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Day 55 – Crushing the Canc and into Maine

Day 55 – Crushing the Canc and into Maine
The Canc, as it’s known, has a fearsome reputation on the Northern Tier, mainly due to its reputed steepness. Thanks to some switchbacks, the steady but not too steep climbing didn’t wear us out. We stopped briefly at a Forest Service scenic view near the pass (see photo). Betsy and I reached the pass expecting more climbing; so much for the pass.
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Day 54 – A hot, humid day for climbing in VT and NH

Day 54 – A hot, humid day for climbing in VT and NH
For our biggest climb of the day, we rode east on Hwy 116 to a ridge, then we coasted downhill to a stream at Hwy 112. We pedaled uphill towards the southeast, following a rocky, clear water stream (see photo) to a pass where the Appalachian Trail crossed the highway. Then we coasted downhill to the Maple Haven Resort and camp site, just west of North Woodstock. Showers and dinner revived us. Today was highly rewarding as we pounded out nearly 75 miles with major climbs in the 90 degree heat and oppressive humidity.
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Day 53 – Into Vermont

Day 53 – Into Vermont
Vermont seemed tidier and cleaner than New York. In Middlebury, we rode past Middlebury College and purchased breakfast at a deli. I got my glasses repaired and we got infusions of cash. After buying food for lunch, we headed south on US Hwy 7 for 6 miles, then we rode east on Hwy 125 toward Middlebury Gap- a gain of 1,700 ft. of elevation. Some stretches of the road were extra steep, but we labored on. We passed by Bread Loaf, a satellite campus of Middlebury College. After passing Snow Bowl, a Middlebury College ski hill, we reached the gap- then we zipped downhill for 5 miles to Hancock!
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