Road Suggestions from Brigdton Maine

[SteveM]

I'm staying up in Bridgton for a few days at the end of the month on a little riding vacation. I know the roads west pretty well, Kanc, HRM, Bear notch, etc. and I may even seek out the T*** road for a lng day.

I'm thinking of heading Northeast into the wilds of Maine for a day. Good roads, routes, is it worth it???

Paging Randy to the route phone

[stoinkythepig]

I have been going up there since 1988 and never been impressed with the roads around Bridgton. Better place to bring a boat than a bike, IMO.

[SteveM]

I've go a few few days, so I'm not tied to the local area. I'm thinking about 400 to 500 miles days and wondering if there's good stuff farther northeast into deepest Northern Maine.

[Currently]

I am from northern maine originally.

Not much on twisties. Route 11 from Sherman to Fort Kent is a "nice" ride but you have to watch out for moose and logging trucks.

I am not kidding about the moose ... if you hit one, you're dead.

Not very many twisties but long, desolate and isolated country.

You can come back around the other eastern side of maine using US1 to Houlton and down through the Haynesville woods to the coast. (Calais ... pronounced Callus)

Just watch out for the wildlife and do not ride during dusk after sunset.

[kbroderick]

I am not kidding about the moose ... if you hit one, you're dead.

A highschool classmate of my brother, who last I heard was making a living wrenching on bikes in Bethel, Maine, centerpunched a moose on a 600cc sportbike (R6, IIRC) and managed not to sustain any serious injuries. He is an tough one, though, and I wouldn't want to try it myself.

As far as north of Bridgeton, you could go west and continue up 16 past Berlin and up to either Errol (then south on ME 26 through Grafton Notch and find your way back), or continue up through Wilson's Mills towards Rangely. The road from Berlin to Wilson's Mills is scenic and twisty in places, although I'm not sure what the pavement is like--there were some pretty rough patches last time I rode it. 232 is a decent road, too, if you happen to be heading back that way.

If dirt interests you, there are more options, but keep in mind when looking at maps that a lot of the paper company roads in northern Maine are closed to motorcycles and ATVs (I assume to cut down on people playing on dirt bikes, but the posting is to all motorcycles).

[stoinkythepig]

I've go a few few days, so I'm not tied to the local area. I'm thinking about 400 to 500 miles days and wondering if there's good stuff farther northeast into deepest Northern Maine.

Sorry for not being clear in my original reponse, I can't think of anything to the north east of Bridgton that would appeal. North and/or west is better for a sport bike.

[Currently]

The ride to Sugarloaf ski resort is a nice ride.