Maine`s Gold Coast - Summer Feet Cycling

Maine’s Gold Coast
TRIP L E V E L S :
Sounds like fun
Camden and Acadia National Park
I own bike shorts
MAI N E
What’s included?
Price: $2,195
Trip Length: 6 days / 5 nights
Bike Rental: Included
Trip Dates:
Trips available in June, July,
August, September, and October.
Single Supplement: $500
Let Summer Feet treat you to an unforgettably intimate Maine adventure.
You’ll bring home memories of fabulous dining (did we mention the
lobster?) luxurious accommodations, and the nicest people. Oh…and
great cycling too! Maine’s Gold Coast
Camden and Acadia National Park
ᎰᎰ All lodging taxes and gratuities
ᎰᎰ Most meals – including four dinners,
five breakfasts, and four lunches
On this, our most popular trip, you will see Maine as it really is and
discover the flavors and colors that make it unique. Our guides will lead
you from the top of Acadia National Park’s Cadillac Mountain, through
lush forests, and along charming farms surrounding Rockport. You will
cycle through fishing villages, famous towns, and breathtaking coastal
scenery. When you aren’t on the bike, there will be plenty of time to
taste, touch, see, and do. You’ll dine on lobster and seafood fresh from
the sea, sample artisan cheeses, and catch the sunset from the deck of a
restored schooner. And at the end of each delightful day you’ll find one
of Maine’s most comfortable inns awaiting your arrival.
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ᎰᎰ Five nights’ lodging
ᎰᎰ All taxes and gratuities for these meals
ᎰᎰ Hybrid bike rental
ᎰᎰ Expenses paid for ferry transits,
kayaking, and sailing aboard the
schooner
ᎰᎰ Entrance fee for Acadia National Park
ᎰᎰ Experienced Summer Feet Guides
ᎰᎰ Detailed route notes and maps
ᎰᎰ Van support including fresh water,
ample snacks, and “relief rides”
ᎰᎰ Summer Feet Souvenirs – a cycling
water bottle and t-shirt (available in
men’s and women’s fit)
ᎰᎰ Alcoholic beverages are not included
in the package price and are always at
your discretion
Book your tour online! www.SummerFeet.net or call (866) 857-9544
Our Accommodations
The Harborside Hotel
1-3rd Nights
The Inns at Blackberry Common
4-5th Nights
Relaxed luxury on the shores of the Frenchman Bay.
Minutes from charming downtown, a few short miles from
the breathtaking scenery and unique history of Acadia
National Park.
Located a short walk from the bustling downtown and
waterfront of Camden, this Victorian style restored inn
offers beautifully furnished rooms, outstanding hospitality,
and elegant breakfasts.
Bar Harbor, Maine
Phone – 1.800.328.5033
www.theharborsidehotel.com
Camden, Maine
Phone – 1.207.236.6060 or 1.800.388.6000
www.innsatblackberrycommon.com
Meeting Time and Location
The first day of the tour, your Summer Feet Guides will collect you from your Portlandbased hotel for the transfer to Bar Harbor. The day will begin early with pick-ups
scheduled between 6:45am and 7:30am. You will receive a phone call on your cell
phone the evening prior to verify your specific pick-up time. Please have your cycling
clothes readily available for when we arrive in Bar Harbor.
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Maine’s Gold Coast
Camden and Acadia National Park
Book your tour online! www.SummerFeet.net or call (866) 857-9544
Day to day itinerary
SCHOODIC
BAR
PENINSULA
HARBOR
ISLESBORO
SCHOODIC
PENINSULA
ACADIA
NATIONAL PARK
CAMDEN
ROCKPORT
DAY 1
Cycling Park Loop
Transfer to Bar Harbor Park Loop Road Cycling Route Meals 3.5 to 4 hours
21 or 28 miles
lunch and dinner
Guides will collect you from your hotel in Portland around 7 in
the morning, for the somewhat long (3.5 hour) transfer to Bar
Harbor and the start of your trip. Upon arrival you will have
an opportunity to change into your cycling clothes before bike
fitting and the start of our ride on the Park Loop Road of Acadia
National Park. After a few miles to stretch our legs we pause
for a picnic lunch featuring the freshest local foods. Your ride of
the loop road takes you along the coast and offers opportunities
to explore some of Acadia National Park’s famous landmarks
including Thunder Hole, Sand Beach, and Bubble Rock. After
cycling we gather for a welcome reception overlooking the
ocean before we enjoy dinner at one of the areas most celebrated restaurants.
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Maine’s Gold Coast
Camden and Acadia National Park
DAY 2
Exploring Acadia on the
Famous Carriage Roads
Acadia’s Carriage Roads Cycling Route 35 miles
Shorter Carriage Roads Options 12 and 20 miles
Meals breakfast and dinner
Picture breathtaking scenery, gentle grades, and car free
cycling, and you have Acadia’s famous carriage roads. A gift
from John D. Rockefeller to help the people of America enjoy
Acadia’s beauty free from the noise and the pollution of the
automobile, Acadia’s carriage roads will carry you through
ancient New England forest lush with pine trees, moss covered
rocks, streams, and water falls. We begin cycling from the inn
and soon we are crossing Duck Brook and on the carriage
roads. You will cycle along Paradise Hill and see the beauty of
Frenchman Bay from a stand of trees much as native Americans
saw it hundreds of years ago.We will continue along the shore
of Eagle Lake and pause to admire the panoramic views of
Somes Sound and to admire the craftsmanship of stone bridges
each of which was designed to blend into the landscape and
is architecturally unique. The ride offers you the opportunity to
stop for lunch at the famous Jordan Pond House. The original
Jordan Pond House pre-dated the formation of Acadia National
Book your tour online! www.SummerFeet.net or call (866) 857-9544
Day to day itinerary
(continued)
Park, and has been drawing visitors for tea, lunch, and their
famous popovers since 1870. In the evening we will all hop in
the van for a short ride across Mt Desert Island to one of our
favorite lobster shacks, all us locals would never order a lobster
in Bar Harbor, and enjoy a lobster feast (yes, there are other options for dinner) as the sun sets on the boats that caught our dinner.
DAY 3
The Rugged Beauty of the
Schoodic Peninsula
Ferry Transfer to Winter Harbor 45 minutes
Schoodic Peninsula Cycling Route 35 miles
Shorter Options 15 and 29 miles
Ferry Transfer to Bar Harbor 45 minutes
Meals breakfast and lunch
Today we will enjoy a little more leisurely morning, so you can
linger on the ocean front patio and enjoy another cup of coffee
before the short walk to the town pier and a ferry ride across
Frenchman Bay to Winter Harbor and the Schoodic Peninsula.
During the hour long ferry ride we will enjoy great views of
Acadia’s Coast and be able to share the same view as Samuel
de Champlain who named the island “Ile des Monts Deserts” or
“Island of the Bare Mountains” in 1604. Our ride will take us
through the town of Winter Harbor where you can browse some
great galleries and antique shops as well as ramble through
the Winter Harbor 5 and 10 store, a true little bit of everything
store, and onto the Grindstone Neck, a summer community
established in 1869 and featuring some wonderful summer cottages. After pausing to admire the architecture and great views
of Cadillac Mountain we will cycle onto the Schoodic Peninsula. Part of Acadia National Park, but a world away from the
summer frenzy of Bar Harbor, The Schoodic Peninsula is many
of our leaders’ favorite ride and you will see why as you pedal
along the granite ledges and listen to the sound of the ocean as
it rhythmically crashes into the shore. Our ride continues off the
beaten track through the tiny villages of Prospect Harbor and
Corea, what folks in this area call the real Downeast Maine
before an afternoon ferry to Bar Harbor. Tonight is a free night
so you can explore Bar Harbor.
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Maine’s Gold Coast
Camden and Acadia National Park
DAY 4
A Day to Explore the Ocean
Sea Kayaking in Somes Sound 4 hours
Van Transfer to Camden 2 hours
Evening Schooner Sail 2 hours
Meals breakfast, lunch, and dinner
Today is our day for exploring the ocean. Our day begins with
a sea kayak excursion (no experience necessary). Our friends
at National Park Sea Kayak will take us to the quiet side of Acadia where they will guide us on a 2.5 hour paddle. They will
share their knowledge of the sea and the local wildlife and we
will all keep an eye out for seals and dolphins which we usually
see. We will pause on a local island for a break and to comb
the shore for shells and interesting rocks and the stalwart can
enjoy a swim in the chilly Maine waters. After kayaking you will
have time to change before a quick lunch and the 1.5 hour van
transfer to Camden. Once we settle into the inn we will meet my
good friend Aaron Lincoln, owner and captain of the Schooner
Olad, and join him on an evening sail on Penobscot Bay. A
natural story teller, Aaron will share stories from his sailing life,
while the guides serve a gourmet picnic and the sun sets over
the Camden Hills.
DAY 5
Cycling Isleboro –
Maine’s Friendliest Island
Islesboro Island Route 26 miles
Optional Ride to or from the Ferry Terminal 10 miles one way
Shuttle to and from Islesboro Ferry 20 minutes
Ferry to and from Islesboro Island 20 minutes one way
Meals breakfast, lunch, and dinner
After breakfast with the warmth and charm of our innkeepers,
Jim and Cyndi, you will have an option of a 10 mile bike ride
through the Camden Hills or a van ride to Lincolnville for the 20
minute ferry ride to Islesboro Island. Islesboro has changed little
in the 25 years I have been visiting. Populated by a mix of year
round islanders, most of whom earn their living from the sea,
and owners of 40-room cottages whose ancient and sprawling
homes define the island our ride around this pristine island is
a great opportunity to experience the unique nature of one of
Maine’s prettiest islands. After the short ferry ride back to Lincolnville you have the choice between a van ride or 10 more miles
of cycling. Either way you will have the opportunity to sample
Book your tour online! www.SummerFeet.net or call (866) 857-9544
Day to day itinerary
(continued)
wine at a beautiful vineyard in the Camden Hills and the opportunity to swim in Lake Megunticook before our farewell dinner.
DAY 6
Cycling the Prettiest Six Miles
in New England
Beauchamp Point Route Option 7 miles
Van Transfer to Portland 2 hours
Meals breakfast
Today we enjoy an early breakfast before our seven-mile victory
lap through the town of Rockport. We will cycle along Rockport
Harbor, through the tree-lined shore of Beauchamp Point and to
the Vesper Hill Children’s Chapel and the Curtis Island Overlook
for last glimpses of the coast before we arrive back at the inn.
You will have time to shower and change before we check out
of the inn and then you will have an hour to squeeze in some last
minute shopping or an early lunch before a noon departure for
Portland. We will drop you off at the airport or your local lodging around 2 pm and say a sad goodbye to a wonderful week.
Getting to Maine
Drive, fly, ride your bike, or take the train to Maine.
Regardless of your preferred means of travel, we are
excited to share the coast of Maine with you.
If you Fly to Maine, we recommend you fly into the
Portland International Jetport. When searching for flights
online, Portland’s airport code is PWM. Please do not
book any flights until your reservation on this trip has
been confirmed with a Summer Feet representative. The
following rental car companies serve the Portland Jetport –
Avis, Budget, Hertz, and National.
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Maine’s Gold Coast
Camden and Acadia National Park
If more convenient, you may also fly into Boston’s
Logan Airport (airport code BOS) or New Hampshire’s
Manchester-Boston Regional Airport (airport code MHT).
From Boston, you can get to Maine via the Amtrak
Downeaster (www.amtrakdowneaster.com), Concord
Coach Lines (www.concordcoachlines.com) which picks
up almost hourly from each of Logan Airport’s terminals,
or by renting a vehicle through numerous national rental
companies located directly at the airport. If you fly into
New Hampshire, we recommend you rent a vehicle.
Book your tour online! www.SummerFeet.net or call (866) 857-9544
Weather
Whether to Pack that Extra Layer
Summer in Maine may be short-lived, but the weather
makes it worth living. Days along the coast are usually
pleasant with temperatures averaging in the 70s. The
evenings are cooler and comfortable. Along with the
autumn colors come crisp mornings, and temperatures that
drop with the sun. Dress in layers so that you can find that
perfect combination of clothes to keep warm. Coastal fog
is beautiful but carries with it cooler air than what you’d
experience inland. Our trips run rain or shine. Refunds
cannot be offered for any weather-based events, so please
plan accordingly. Each guest has the freedom to choose
whether he or she wishes to cycle based on the weather.
For cycling, comfortable, athletic-oriented clothing is best.
All guests must wear a helmet while cycling. Feel free
to use one of ours or to bring your own. Experience has
shown a good pair of cycling shorts can greatly improve
the quality of your overall experience. We recommend
clothing that you can layer. Generally, a base layer of
a t-shirt, along with a layer for warmth such as a fleece
or sweatshirt, and an outer layer with wind, and waterresistant or water-proof capabilities are recommended.
Casual attire is appropriate for dinner.
Average JuneJuly Aug Sept Oct
High Temp 73°F79°F77°F69°F58°F
Low Temp 53°F59°F57°F49°F37°F
Rain Fall 3.3”3.3”3.0”4.4”4.4”
Suggested Packing List
*Please limit your luggage to two pieces per person
ፌፌ Tee Shirt and Shorts
ፌፌ Rain Jacket
ፌፌ Sunscreen
ፌፌ Cycling Shorts (2 pairs)
ፌፌ Socks and Underwear
ፌፌ Lip Balm
ፌፌ Cycling Gloves
ፌፌ Light Weight Hiking Boots or
Sturdy Shoes
ፌፌ Swimsuit (for the brave)
ፌፌ Hat and/or Sun Glasses
ፌፌ Casual Clothes for the Evening
ፌፌ Long Sleeve Top
ፌፌ Fleece Jacket
ፌፌ Windproof Jacket
ፌፌ Personal Toiletries
ፌፌ Camera
ፌፌ Shoes suitable for kayaking
Conclusion of the Trip
The trip ends at noon on the final day. Your Summer Feet guides will transfer you back to the Portland area – either to
your hotel or the Portland Jetport. You can expect to be back in the Portland area by 2:00pm.
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Maine’s Gold Coast
Camden and Acadia National Park
Book your tour online! www.SummerFeet.net or call (866) 857-9544
Where to Stay
Before and After Your Trip
Portland is host to numerous elegant hotels and intimate bed and breakfasts. Many are located within walking distance
of Portland’s Old Port, Art District, and working waterfront, while others are a stone’s throw from the airport, or train/
bus station.
Recommended Area Lodgings:
Downtown Portland Area:
Greater Portland Area:
Hilton Garden Inn Waterfront
1-207-780-0780
www.hiltongardeninn.com
Clarion Hotel Airport 1-207-774-5611 www.clarionhotel.com/Maine
Holiday Inn by the Bay
1-800-345-5050
www.innbythebay.com
Portland Regency Hotel
1-800-727-3436
www.theregency.com
Portland Harbor Hotel
1-877-407-7200
www.portlandharborhotel.com
Residence Inn
1-207-761-1660
www.marriott.com
(adjacent to Amtrak and Concord Trailways bus station)
Comfort Inn Airport
1-207-775-0409
www.ComfortInn.com/Maine
Hampton Inn Portland Airport
1-207-773-4400
www.portlandhamptoninn.com
Inn at St John 1-800-636-9127
www.innatstjohn.com
Wild Iris Inn
1-800-600-1557
www.wildirisinn.com
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Maine’s Gold Coast
Camden and Acadia National Park
Book your tour online! www.SummerFeet.net or call (866) 857-9544