What the heck’s in Maine??

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Fryeburg is in the foothills of the White Mountains, minutes away from the Kancamagus Highway NH-112 and scores of great back roads!

Fryeburg could not be better located for a BMW RA rally! Mere minutes from the NH border in the foothills of the Presidential Mountain Range within the White Mountains. The best way to get there is the Kancamagus Highway but don’t call it that, it’s the “Kanc” to the locals. For 34.5 miles of exhilarating 2-lane sweepers and tight switchbacks, the Kank takes riders along the Swift River climbing to almost 3000′ before starting down the twisties toward Lincoln, NH. It’s only 34.5 miles but there is no gas so plan accordingly! If you happen to Lincoln around lunch time, plan to make The Gypsy Cafe your stop. The Gypsy has an eclectic mix of delicacies from around the world that will tantalize your taste buds.

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The Rangeley Lakes region is 2.5 hours of back roads away.

Point your forks north up route 113 (don’t skip 113B!) to Gilead. Forget US-2 and find the N road east along the Androscoggin River to route 26 (also part of US 2 for a time). Route 26 will take you through the western Maine mountains to NH at the southern end of Umbagog Lake, home of the Umbagog National Wildlife Refuge to Errol NH where you’ll find route 16 that will wind you back into Maine and up over the top of Cupsuptic, Mooselookmeguntic and Rangeley lakes as you roll into the town of Rangeley. From Rangeley you’ll want to make your way over to route 17 south and be sure to stop at the Height of Land, overlooking the southern end of Mooselookmeguntic lake for a breathtaking photo-op! Oh, and if you’re so inclined, bring a fly-rod. IYKYK!

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The Mt. Washington Auto Road is an hour’s ride away.

There are two ways to get to the top of the 3rd highest peak in the east, Mt. Washington, the Mt. Washington Auto Road and the Cog Railway. Whether you take the auto road or what has to be the most unique railway ride around, you’ll be treated to spectacular 360 degree views stretching, on a clear day, from the coast of Maine to the Canadian border. But watch out for the winds!  Mt. Washington once held the world record highest wind speed ever recorded on the planet, directly measured at 231 mph, a record that still holds for the Northern and Western Hemispheres. Operating since 1861, the auto road starts at approximately 1500′ and ascends to the summit up an average grade of 11.6%. It is a toll road but you can get a sticker that reads “This bike climbed Mt. Washington” Locals hint: On your way back to the Rally, look for Hurricane Mountain Road. But you didn’t hear that from me!

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The Green Mountains in Vermont are 150 miles away, either on your way to the rally or on the way home!

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It’s Labor Day Weekend so you have an extra day to travel!

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LL Bean is 57 miles away!

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Tax free shopping in North Conway!

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Mountain passes in the morning, lobster rolls on the coast in the afternoon!

Set between the Appalachian mountain range on the west and nearly 3500 miles of rocky coast on the east, Maine boasts as the most forested state in the nation with a full 89+% of its area covered by trees. Leave the mountains early in the morning under a canopy of oak, ash, birch, maple and pine along lonely back roads and you can be sitting on the deck at Five Islands Lobster Company in Georgetown by noon watching lobster boats motoring in and out of the harbor.

Or here’s another approach: Set your GPS to avoid highways, and then put in the Winnegance Restaurant & Bakery in Bath, ME as your destination. On the way, you’ll pass through beautiful western Maine to the Sebago Lakes region where you can take a ride on the Songo River Queen paddle boat in Naples on Long Lake. On to Freeport where you can visit the famous LL Bean and get your picture with the largest Bean Boot in the world! Bath Iron Works and the Maine Maritime Museum, are just a few miles down route 209 to the Winnegance on the shores of the Kennebec River. It’s an easy “breakfast ride” and their breakfast won’t disappoin.! If you’re too late for breakfast then you MUST try the Lobster Grilled Cheese and throw back a few fresh Mere Point oysters, both likely pulled from water earlier in the day. If you’re coming from where they only have warm water oysters and lobsters without claws, don’t try ours. They are cold water and far superior and will ruin you for all the others!

Notes from other riders who frequent New England roads

Jeannie Zetterstrand (Newburgh, New York):
Riding is fun, visiting new places is good for you, and Maine IS beautiful!

Stephen McCarthy (Westbrooke, Maine):
As of early 2022, Maine is home to 165 active, licensed breweries, representing over 100 unique brands.

Kenney Bassett (North Hero, Vermont):
Getting to Fryeburg from any direction, including Canada, requires travel through the most scenic mountain towns and roads in the Adirondacks of NY, the Green Mountains of VT, and the White Mountains of NH. What’s not to like? And eastern Maine north of Fryeburg is a treat in itself!

Roy Bertalotto (Dartmouth, Massachusetts):
September in Maine / New Hampshire / New England is just about perfect! I’m going!

Carol Hill (New Boston, New Hampshire):
Maine is one of the largest states in the continental USA offering unimaginable beauty and hospitality. Adventures are at every corner. From Fryeburg you can easily ride over to the White Mountains in New Hampshire, jaunt up Mt. Washington, ride Sandwich Notch or just enjoy all the natural beauty.

Will Davis (Westbrooke, Maine):
Fantastic mountain twisty roads over peaks and through notches. BDR. Covered bridges. Historic small towns. Waterfalls. Fantastic people. Easy access to the coast for lobster, lighthouses, beaches, rocky shores and scenic views.