Activity Preview!

Dear Bicycle,

In addition to points of interest along the daily routes, we work hard to find unique excursions to fill your days post-ride. Here is a taste of what you can expect this year in Bethel. The Info Tent will have a full schedule with days, times, and locations, and prices if applicable.

• Shake-out rides— loosen your legs, get a feel for the area, and make some new friends with a series of short road or gravel group rides on Thursday afternoon after check-in.
• Bike-fishing— bring a pole and reel (4-6 weight spin or fly rod) and a bungee cord— we'll take you and your bike on a guided short ride to a fishing hole. You must have a fishing license. Purchase a one-day license here.
• Complimentary massage or injury prevention consultations with Dr. Connor McGehee PT, DPT from Kinetic Physical Therapy— We will also have massage sticks and foam rollers available for use at our space.

Limit to one 30 min slot per person for the Weekend.

• Yoga with Wendy—Wendy Youmans, a 500 hour Kripalu Yoga teacher, will offer 45-minute gentle/moderate vinyasa flow classes appropriate for any level of yogi - including beginners! Wendy is also a lifelong bicyclist and understands what needs to be stretched after a day of biking. Bring a towel or mat or stretch on the grass.
• Bethel Historical Society— presentations and self-guided tours
• Maine Mineral & Gem Museum— guided tour, or self-guided tours 
• Bethel Outdoor Adventure— group tubing tour, rentals for canoes & kayaks
• Maine River Runners— SUP, canoe, kayak rentals (10% off if you use code "BikeMaine")
• Tennis courts open at Gould Academy— bring your own rackets and tennis balls
• Lawn Games — cornhole, bocce, or bring your own!
• Fix-a-bike clinics — back by popular demand! How-to instruction with BCM staff
• IW+T Adventure Package— guided afternoon mountain bike and gravel tours for all ability levels (rentals may be available at Barker Mountain Bikes).
• Valentine Farm Conservation Center— unwind with some birding, walking/ biking trails, gardens 
• In case of rain— bikey films at the Gem Theater

Reminders!

Check-in Thursday opens at 3 p.m.— please respect that we need time to set-up. Do not come early, as you may not set up camp until you have checked-in.

Two-day rider check-in— Camping for two nights is included, so you may camp the night before your first day's ride, and check-in then if you choose, or arrive the morning of your first day's ride, and camp on the night of your second ride.

CAMPING IS NOT ALLOWED ON WEDNESDAY OR SUNDAY NIGHTS.

E-bikes are allowed— please make sure you have indicated that you are riding an e-bike in your registration. Indoor charging space will be available, but is limited to those that have pre-registered their e-bike during registration. You can make changes to your registration by clicking here.

Charging station— you will be able to charge devices (phones, gps, lights) at the Info Tent. We will not supply cables so please bring your own. Space will be limited, we HIGHLY ENCOURAGE you to bring your own power bank.

BYO toiletries — our shower building is NOT supplied with shampoo or body soap. We will have limited bar soaps at the Info Tent if you forget.

Is your bike ready for the Weekend? We will have mechanics onsite to help with small adjustments, but please, make sure your bike is tuned up and ready to go before arriving.

Check out this handy list by our friends at Gorham Bike & Ski on how to get your bike ride-ready! If you only have one spare part with you, consider buying a derailleur hanger for your bike. These are bike-specific and we cannot supply them. We've seen it happen that one breaks during BikeMaine, potentially ending your Weekend.

Lastly, if you missed any newsletters, you can find them archived on our website, here. In August, there will be two newsletters— one with important check-in, parking, and detailed daily scheduling information, and the second with routes and GPX files. And if you have any questions about the event or your registration please review our extensive FAQ page.

Colleen Donohoe

Event Director

Bicycle Coalition of Maine

colleen@bikemaine.org