|
8 - Lighthouse Ride
Saturday, September 16, 2006
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).
|
|
 |