Tues., 10 September -- DAY 2

Dennysville to Whitneyville

If I had to title today’s ride, it would be “Water, Water, Everywhere.” I don’t know much about Maine geography. I know that there are acres of marsh and miles of coastline. But the wetland scenery is beautiful on the Downeast Sunrise Trail (DST or DEST). I am including a few of the pictures from my ride today.

There were a few ATVs out today. In my first five miles, I encountered one soul in one. Then there was a group of four about five miles more down the road. Then another about five miles more. Very isolated most of the day. Okay with me. But a shout-out to the ATV groups. I have never been one to think these have a good impact, but they sure keep the trail in relatively good shape. I was also surprised at the number of other ATV or snowmobile trails that cross the DEST.

I cut the ride short today due to the trail riding conditions. I can take hard-pack. I can take uphill on washboard hard-pack. But sand atop washboard and/or hard-pack is a bit much. I am thankful to have been riding on a hybrid. The wider tires and the front shock were a saving grace on today’s ride. I was slated to ride an additional 15 miles, but with the sand, I was slogging away. After two miles these conditions outside the US1 Machias crossing, I begged DL to come pick me up.

Rain in the forecast tomorrow. I have a  33.5 mile ride, and most of that is on the Down East Sunrise Trail. Muddy hard-pack? Dunno. We’ll see.

21.99 mi (13.71 miles short of planned) / 48.99

Tonight we're staying at a cool, family-run, small campground, Cottonwood Campground, in Columbia Falls, Maine. I highly recommend if you're RVing or camping up here to consider this place. Shirley Cotton has set up a wonderful campground. There are eight pull-through spots, several back-in spots, a teepee and a little cabin on stilts that I know about. The Bathhouse is super. Laundry facilities. Love having full hookups in a pull-through. And reasonable! If you're an ATV or DEST buff, this place should be on your radar for sure.