I know this is a lame ass day trip for you guys, but my wife and I are taking the bike from the philly area to Camden Maine. I'm wondering does anyone have any suggested routes? I'd like to avoid the highway, but don't want to spend 24 hours getting there.
It's been a while since I've been up there, but I wrote an article on a drive (car) up through Maine I did in 2010 for an automotive site. Most of the roads I took were based on research I did of scenic roads in the area. Might be helpful. I was coming from DC and on a short timeframe so I spent the parts of the trip going to and leaving from Portland on expressways.
Thanks Blixa, I'll check it out. We're not going that far North, staying in Camden then headed back home.
I hope others chime in with their suggestions. I am curious myself. Would love to return on my bike one day.
Not to go up 1 north of Camden to Lubec. Would make a great day trip if the weather's good and very scenic up there, plus the added benefit of not as much traffic, most of that bleeds off by Camden. There's a great international park called Campobello Island, its actually part of New Brunswick but only connected to land via a bridge to Lubec. Gorgeous spot, one of my favorites.
Thank you Farmholio, That's wha I'm looking for. We plan to ride to Rockport Mass and stay the night, then get up the next morning and follow the coast (pretty much) up to Camden. Then we have 2 days in Camden, and we'll superslab it home on Monday. But those 2 days, I'm gonna want to do some exploring while we're there, and no... I'm not afraid to take the concours offroading, well gravel roading anyway.
Anytime. I grew up not far from those parts and a big part of settling where we did was that it reminded me of there, just with nicer views and cheaper real estate. I'm not sure how much dual sporty gravel stuff down east you'll encounter where you'll be but there's plenty of logging roads off to the West in the center and north of the state. I always have really liked your bike. If I can talk myself into another one its most probably going to be a sport tourer. Should be a great trip. Don't forget to eat a whoopie pie (found at most gas stations), drink a Moxie (also found at most gas stations) and eat a lobster roll at a lobster shack. You'll be a real down easter by then I reckon, ayuh. I just remembered another great road/ride just a little south of where you'll be. Its the road out to Bailey's island to a place called Lands End. You'll know when you've gone as far as you can go. There's a decent lobster shack (more of a restaurant really) off to the right just a few miles before you get to the end of the road. Also, if riding to Campobello ends up something you want to do, don't forget passports. While its only connected to Maine, there is actually a border crossing. Its totally worth it too, its a gorgeous island.
If Rockport, MA is a must do then you might look at hitting the Taconic Parkway to make your north and head over to route 7 in western CT, then north on Rte 7 into the Berkshires in Mass, then heading east to the Rockport area via Rte 2. If you don't have to do Rockport MA then I'd continue north through the Berkshires then head east towards the White Mountains in NH and across into Maine that way - avoids lots of city traffic around eastern Massachusetts. Good Luck
This is tough... I looked for the same route from Maine to South Jersey a few years ago. I didn't have much luck and ended up doing much of the ride on I-95 and 495. There is just no decent secondary direct routes unless you want to get stuck in stop and go traffic and/or drive way out of your way which will chew up two days. In Maine, US 1 is really slow with traffic and stoplights until you get north of Portland. I would suggest taking the interstate to Maine then slow down by taking RT4 to RT 202 then RT 17 from Agusta. This isn't coastal but at least you'll be moving and perhaps safer than US 1... but still slow. Alternately, ride 95 to Freeport... visit LL Bean then take RT 1. Lots to see and places to eat. Moody's Dinner in Waldoboro is a favorite to many. I lived in Maine and do a ride nearly every year.
Well, we wound up taking the wife's car. had some minor medical issues and the trusty Connie was acting up a bit. we had a great trip, it turned out to be really hot so air conditioning was nice! We wound up sleeping late on the first day, so took the highways to Rockport Mass. Spent the night in Rockport and got up early Friday morning. Followed route 1/1A all the way to Rockport Maine. A little disappointed to have to take the car, but we had a great time anyway driving all over just like we would've on the bike. We did some hiking, some sailing, some touristy trolley bus touring. Mostly just enjoyed our "22nd Honeymoon" Thanks for the suggestions,, we didn't make it further North than Bar Harbor, but spent a lot of time driving through the woods looking for a (nonexistent) moose.