June Maine to NY border

[9.8m/s/s]

It looks like I am going to have a couple weeks off in June, and I was thinking about a ride from the top of Maine to the border of NY. I have experience with multiday trips (I did the Great Divide Route back in 2000), but my wife will be new to this. Would like to keep it as cheap as possible. We will both be on road bikes. I'll be pulling a trailer and wife will be using panniers. I'd like to average between 60-80 miles a day. Does anyone with experience of that section have and tricks or tips? Can't miss spots? Camping options?

At this point I'm thinking about a blended route between the Atlantic Coast route and the top part of the East Coast Greenway (www.greenway.org). I would like to hug the coast as much as possible (especially in Maine), as this will be more of a vacation/ test the waters touring for her.

Thanks
Mike

[Tourista829]

I can comment on places to visit, on your trip. Maybe you might want to consider starting your trip in Halifax, N.S. Canada. I believe you can take a ferry over to the mainland. Maine can be very hilly but most of the roads have shoulders. Although you will go inland at times, you will see plenty of coast. You may already have done this, but a stop over in Bar Harbor, Maine is a great place. Cadillac Mountain is a good climb and a terrific view. I know you were thinking of June, if you were there around July 4th, they have a big Fourth of July Picnic. Along the way, there are more Lobster Pots to shake a stick at. One of my favorite places is Freeport, Maine. LL Bean is located there and is open 24/7. It is three levels of nothing but outdoor equipment. They use to have a pretty decent bicycle department.

[destination]

Halifax ferry may not be running anymore.

I would never miss the "Canadian" Deer Island Ferry, Campobello, Lubec, Cutler, Whiting, East Machias areas. One of the last motorcycle rides I went on included the above...and I always wanted to go back and do it again, only go further and all the way around a particular loop. Roosevelt's cottage is on Campobello Island.

Ellsworth is too busy for me personally. I have been told that the roads have been redone near there, but, I have not been able to get down that way via car. I dont like to drive.

I am not an experienced cyclist, but, hope that will change this year.

I had never heard of the greenway organization! In looking at their maps. I am a little confused as to the route they are taking in a particular area near by. Its very close to here. Your welcome if you pass this way while I am here.

[JayH]

If you follow the Atlantic coastal, it spits you out in NY towards the NW Connecticut border which is real pretty.  Just be aware that lots of small rolling hills from the CT/NY border to Rhinebeck and the Hudson though it sounds like you said you just want to ride to the border.  Also, I found riding the coastal maine nice and maybe June is just early for prime tourist season but I did not really enjoy a lot of it just because of the traffic, congestion, at least in the Kittery-Wells-Wells Beach which just across the NH border. Maybe it gets better past kennebunkport or so but my friend and I decided just to head inland and rode towards Sebago Lake before going north to Augusta. 

Of course, Rt 1 is off-limits to bikes betweeen Bath and New Brunswick cause Rt 1 becomes a divided highway..

Jay

[destination]

Mike, If you end up in Belfast, you might be able to contact me through Alex and Diane. I have not met them as of yet, but, hope to in the near future.