Central Maine riding/clubs

[nick5446]

We're about to close on a cabin and a few acres in Harmony, ME (between Dover-Foxcroft and Waterville). Would love to find some decent riding areas around there. I've got a trail map, so I'll definitely be exploring in the Spring, but curious if anyone has some first hand knowledge of good trails and/or 2-wheel friendly clubs. All of the nearby clubs I could find seemed geared towards ATVs/SxS, and I'm very familiar with the animosity towards dirt bikes (and whether or not they're ATVs) up there. I'm in a few FB groups, but none are super helpful. I also just requested to join another one, and one of the qualifying questions was whether I was a republican or democrat...

[xrocket21]

NOT very 2 wheel friendly up here, but I am about an hour from Harmony and were 2 wheel friendly here!!!!

While you can't ride the golden rd, I have ridden the Kokadjo area a little on a dual sport and its so rural you just don't see anybody, #4 mountain area.

The rail trail up through I hear is good, but not sure if ATVs are allowed, goes from oakland to bingham I think.

edit: Theres a trackk in Skowhegan or Madison I have heard. Also in Brunswick. Also, I know MX207 in Lyman and Hemonds in Minot are going strong. Youre more than welcome to join us at a Jday and I can show you the ropes.

[nick5446]

NOT very 2 wheel friendly up here, but I am about an hour from Harmony and were 2 wheel friendly here!!!!

While you can't ride the golden rd, I have ridden the Kokadjo area a little on a dual sport and its so rural you just don't see anybody, #4 mountain area.

The rail trail up through I hear is good, but not sure if ATVs are allowed, goes from oakland to bingham I think.

Yeah.....we had a camp near Orono that I used to ride out of. Unfortunately people just don't like the dirt scooters up there. I really wanted to get a place with more acreage/trails and not allow 4 wheelers on it, but alas, I'll have to save that pissing match for another day. My KTM is plated, so that might help me in some scenarios.

[xrocket21]

Yeah.....we had a camp near Orono that I used to ride out of. Unfortunately people just don't like the dirt scooters up there. I really wanted to get a place with more acreage/trails and not allow 4 wheelers on it, but alas, I'll have to save that pissing match for another day. My KTM is plated, so that might help me in some scenarios.

What do you ride for a KTM?

We have our small track here, then a ~6 mile mountain ride, and a few play spots, hill climbs, etc.

edit, dependent on my POS collarbone ever healing

[nick5446]

What do you ride for a KTM?

We have our small track here, then a ~6 mile mountain ride, and a few play spots, hill climbs, etc.

Oh sweet...300 xc-w

[xrocket21]

Oh sweet...300 xc-w

You'll fit right in, my riding buddies are on a husky 300 and a beta 300

[nhbubba]

...one of the qualifying questions was whether I was a republican or democrat...

Wow.

I just moved to mid-coast/down-east. I'm already feeling pretty bummed at how bike unfriendly this part of the world is. Just doesn't seem to be much interesting riding that isn't off limits. When I do encounter someone who rides it feels like we are in some sort of underground, whispering about our contraband.

Recently read an explanation for why motorcycles (even plated) are not allowed on unpaved roads in Baxter SP that claimed that dirt roads were "unsafe" for motorcycles.

My eyes are already looking towards New Brunswick for my next riding destination. Also considering trading down to a lighter dual-sport to trailer back to NH/VT for rallies.

I think my woods riding days are behind me. Glad I was able to unload my 200 XC before we moved.

[nick5446]

Wow.

I just moved to mid-coast/down-east. I'm already feeling pretty bummed at how bike unfriendly this part of the world is. Just doesn't seem to be much interesting riding that isn't off limits. When I do encounter someone who rides it feels like we are in some sort of underground, whispering about our contraband.

Recently read an explanation for why motorcycles (even plated) are not allowed on unpaved roads in Baxter SP that claimed that dirt roads were "unsafe" for motorcycles.

My eyes are already looking towards New Brunswick for my next riding destination. Also considering trading down to a lighter dual-sport to trailer back to NH/VT for rallies.

I think my woods riding days are behind me. Glad I was able to unload my 200 XC before we moved.

That's too bad. I do love Maine, but the dirt biking leaves a lot to be desired. Fortunately my bike is plated, and I've got my Tiger for doing some exploring. I honestly don't need the greatest/gnarliest dirt biking to get my fix...I'm happy just putting around in the woods for a bit.

There's a guy in one of the Maine dirt bike/dual sport FB groups named Roger who is always trolling everyone with pictures of awesome single track. When people ask him where it is, he's always way too excited to tell them it's in MA, which is where the best dirt biking in New England is.

[R7]

I’ve spent a lot of time riding in the Harmony area. In the past 8-10 years, it’s become harder and harder to ride 2 wheels up there. It’s still possible, but a lot of the private land trails are closed to dirtbikes. The state trails and most paper company trails, are open for both. If I were to start riding up there again, I’d get a plated dirtbike.
I honestly wouldn’t even call them trails anymore. Most in that area are either public roads, fire roads, or logging roads. From Harmony center, you can take Chadborn rd into Wellington. There’s a trail on the left that goes to Kingsbury dam and from there, you can take ITS trails to Greenville.

We were in Harmony a couple months ago, I still laugh at how undeveloped that town is. The gas station in town still has the old style pumps where you flip the handle up and all the numbers zero out.
Also the Harmony Labor Day fair is something not to be missed.

[nick5446]

I’ve spent a lot of time riding in the Harmony area. In the past 8-10 years, it’s become harder and harder to ride 2 wheels up there. It’s still possible, but a lot of the private land trails are closed to dirtbikes. The state trails and most paper company trails, are open for both. If I were to start riding up there again, I’d get a plated dirtbike.
I honestly wouldn’t even call them trails anymore. Most in that area are either public roads, fire roads, or logging roads. From Harmony center, you can take Chadborn rd into Wellington. There’s a trail on the left that goes to Kingsbury dam and from there, you can take ITS trails to Greenville.

We were in Harmony a couple months ago, I still laugh at how undeveloped that town is. The gas station in town still has the old style pumps where you flip the handle up and all the numbers zero out.
Also the Harmony Labor Day fair is something not to be missed.

Yeah I'm not expecting any challenging single track or hard enduro until I find myself 100 acres nearby. Our place is only 5 acres, but it's on the water, so that was an intentional tradeoff.

Awesome you're familiar with Harmony! I'll take any and all recommendations or pro tips you've got. I spend about an hour in their general store the other day laughing at all of the ridiculous stuff they sell.

[xrocket21]

I’ve spent a lot of time riding in the Harmony area. In the past 8-10 years, it’s become harder and harder to ride 2 wheels up there. It’s still possible, but a lot of the private land trails are closed to dirtbikes. The state trails and most paper company trails, are open for both. If I were to start riding up there again, I’d get a plated dirtbike.
I honestly wouldn’t even call them trails anymore. Most in that area are either public roads, fire roads, or logging roads. From Harmony center, you can take Chadborn rd into Wellington. There’s a trail on the left that goes to Kingsbury dam and from there, you can take ITS trails to Greenville.

We were in Harmony a couple months ago, I still laugh at how undeveloped that town is. The gas station in town still has the old style pumps where you flip the handle up and all the numbers zero out.
Also the Harmony Labor Day fair is something not to be missed.

Kingsbury dam, with the giant sign that says, "NO DIRTBIKES"?

Hmmm, I thought you could see it from the road, maybe its further up in

https://www.google.com/maps/@45.1178...oASAFQAw%3D%3D

edit: and how the fuck do you guys know about a town with a population of 825 in rural Maine lol

[R7]

Kingsbury dam, with the giant sign that says, "NO DIRTBIKES"?

Hmmm, I thought you could see it from the road, maybe its further up in

https://www.google.com/maps/@45.1178...oASAFQAw%3D%3D

edit: and how the fuck do you guys know about a town with a population of 825 in rural Maine lol

The sign for no dirtbikes, which there used to be two of them, were for the trails going on the private property. Years ago, there was a gate on the road leading upto the blueberry farm on the opposite side of Rt 16, the property owner didn’t like bikes. You need to ride Rt 16 for a bit to get to the logging road entrance. Once you’re on the logging roads, follow the signs to Bingham and Greenville.
The road on the same side of Rt 16 as the dam, go over the bridge and stay right, that brings you into Harmony using all public roads

[R7]

edit: and how the fuck do you guys know about a town with a population of 825 in rural Maine lol

My Aunt used to live in Wellington, then moved to Harmony about 15 years ago. We used to ride from Wellington, to Abbot, then from Abbot to Greenville. This was all long before an official ATV trail system was in place. Back then, if you had a Maine atv plate and the property wasn’t posted, it was legal to ride.

[nhbubba]

5 acres should be enough to cut in a reasonably fun home track. I had just under 3 at our last place and made something short but still entertaining.

There's a guy in one of the Maine dirt bike/dual sport FB groups named Roger who is always trolling everyone with pictures of awesome single track. When people ask him where it is, he's always way too excited to tell them it's in MA, which is where the best dirt biking in New England is.

Oh man. I think I've seen those posts. I never realized it was trolling like that. Never bothered to read many of the posts except the string of "where is this" over and over. I always assumed it was local secret and/or not entirely legal.

[xrocket21]

Where is this?

[nick5446]

Kingsbury dam, with the giant sign that says, "NO DIRTBIKES"?

Hmmm, I thought you could see it from the road, maybe its further up in

https://www.google.com/maps/@45.1178...oASAFQAw%3D%3D

edit: and how the fuck do you guys know about a town with a population of 825 in rural Maine lol

That's definitely close enough that it's worth exploring!

I'd been looking at cabins all over, though mostly farther south. This place popped up FSBO for significantly less than it was worth, so we checked it out and made an offer on it. As I'm sure you've seen, the prices on camps/cabins/land up there has gone bananas, though I suspect it'll start cooling off soon.

[nhbubba]

Where is this?

NYC?

[nick5446]

5 acres should be enough to cut in a reasonably fun home track. I had just under 3 at our last place and made something short but still entertaining.

That's my hope...even if it's more appropriate for small bikes, it'd still be awesome to ride on my own property. The house and barn are in the far corner of the property, and the rest is pretty densely wooded, so I think with some selective clearing I can make some fun loops.

[nhbubba]

On the subject. One local I talked to told me I should join an OHV club. Said they are mostly about the quads and SxS but I should join anyway to keep some representation around. Was light on the details of who to join though.

Back in the Seacoast of NH there were clubs both in Portsmouth and to the near-north of me. However I somehow fell in with the Merrimack group (MVTR) and have maintained membership with them, even though I pretty much stopped riding HopEv. Any clubs around here worth throwing some dues money at to try to keep this stuff alive?!

[nick5446]

Same question! I'm also a member with MVTR though I basically never do anything with them...it discounts the cost of the ATV reg, so I'm happy to give them my money.

I would definitely be game to join a Maine club, even if I'm the lone dirt biker.

[nhbubba]

That's my hope...even if it's more appropriate for small bikes, it'd still be awesome to ride on my own property. The house and barn are in the far corner of the property, and the rest is pretty densely wooded, so I think with some selective clearing I can make some fun loops.

My near worthless $0.02. Keep it way tight and as al-natural as possible. I cut a shitload of big fat pines for reasons. Wound up with a 25HP tractor with loader in large part to clean up that work. Then and only then decided to cut the trails. In the end I wound up with too much straight and not enough twist. My favorite spots were deep into the parts I hadn't cut any trees in and had no hope of getting my tractor into. Trim enough brush to walk through, then get a Mcleod and go at it. Let the rest burn in. My tiny trail was maybe 30 seconds to scoot around on my 200 XC but still big enough to do on my 890 ADV-R.. and was a snooze on my MTB. I wished it was tighter.

Geez. Now I'm missing owning land.

[nick5446]

My near worthless $0.02. Keep it way tight and as al-natural as possible. I cut a shitload of big fat pines for reasons. Wound up with a 25HP tractor with loader in large part to clean up that work. Then and only then decided to cut the trails. In the end I wound up with too much straight and not enough twist. My favorite spots were deep into the parts I hadn't cut any trees in and had no hope of getting my tractor into. Trim enough brush to walk through, then get a Mcleod and go at it. Let the rest burn in. My tiny trail was maybe 30 seconds to scoot around on my 200 XC but still big enough to do on my 890 ADV-R.. and was a snooze on my MTB. I wished it was tighter.

Geez. Now I'm missing owning land.

I think that's exactly my plan. I wish I didn't just sell my e-bike, but I'll use either my MTB or a small dirt bike to scout some lines and basically cut as little as possible. I figure it's easy enough to remove more later, but I like the idea of some natural-ish looking goat trails.

Sounds like you need to come over with a saw in the spring!

[nick5446]

Any of you guys look into the Dexter Rail Riders? I saw one of their maps and hadn't previously come across them. Their FB page makes it look like they're all SxS, but their logo has a dirt bike, so I reached out. Apparently their president and VP both ride dual sports. At $20/year I think I'll join.

https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=100064326143799