image of the Eastern Trail web page mastheadEastern Trail-A-Thon 2006:
8-Lighthouse Ride
Saturday, September 16, 2006

8 - Lighthouse Ride

Saturday, September 16, 2006    

new logo design for the 2006 ride!The Eastern Trail Alliance held its third annual Eastern Trail-a-thon 8-Lighthouse Bike Ride on September 16, 2006. About 132 riders showed up on a beautiful fall day for the three bicycling options that were offered – a 10-mile family ride on the South Portland Greenbelt, a 40-mile intermediate loop through Scarborough and Cape Elizabeth, and a 100-mile century ride that takes riders that takes riders to Kennebunkport and back through Biddeford Pool. This great turnout confirms that this ride is becoming established as a major cycling event in Southern Maine, and thus we will build it up even more in 2006!

The 10-mile family ride left at 9:30 a.m., and followed the 6-mile South Portland Greenbelt. This mostly off-road, paved path winds through waterfront neighborhoods in South Portland, then turns inland through lovely wooded sections of South Portland before reaching Wainwright Farms Recreational Field, where snacks and facilities are available. The riders returned to Bug Light via the Greenbelt. Estimated ride time (slow pace): 2 ½ hrs. (Sorry, only two lighthouses were visible on this trip.)

The 40-mile intermediate ride left Bug Light Park at 9 a.m. with an Eastern Trail guide leading the tour, but with riders encouraged to ride the loop at their own pace. This tour included the South Portland Greenbelt as well as a spur to the recently completed 3-mile section of the Eastern Trail across the beautiful Scarborough Marsh, the largest salt marsh in Maine. From there, the ride continued along the spectacular coastline of Scarborough, Cape Elizabeth, and South Portland, passing by three state parks, five gorgeous beaches, and two museums. Eight historic lighthouses were visible from the route. 

The 100-mile century self-guided ride left at 7:30 a.m. This ride includeds all of the beautiful scenery of the other rides, as well as a jaunt through Old Orchard Beach and Saco to Kennebunkport, returning along the coast through Cape Porpoise and Biddeford Pool. This ride was not led by Eastern Trail guides, but many members and friends participated in this ride. As with the 40-mile ride, maps were provided. 

New Incentives for the 2006 Ride: Bring $100 in pledge checks made out to ETA to ride FREE and receive a FREE ride T-shirt. Bring $200 in pledge checks made out to ETA to also receive a FREE ET Trail Guide.

T-shirts: Once again we offered free ET T-shirts for the first 150 registrants (a great four-color 8-Lighthouse T-shirt). 

Bug Light - the start of the ride!

Portland Head Light - oldest in Maine!

Two Lights - one lighthouse

Two Lights - the other lighthouse

Kettle Cove in Cape Elizabeth

Peter riding on the beach

Ferry Beach

Pine Point

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