This article originally appeared in the Portland Press Herald.
Experienced cyclists will get a test of Maine in September
The Bicycle Coalition of Maine is planning a seven-day event that includes camping out at night.
By Glenn Jordan gjordan@mainetoday.com, Staff Writer
Take the Tour de France. Throw in a few staples of Maine summertime — camping, tourism and local foods. The result might look like something the Bicycle Coalition of Maine is planning for September.
BikeMaine is a fully supported seven-day bicycle tour of the state designed for cyclists comfortable with riding 60 to 70 daily miles and camping out at night. The inaugural route will start and finish in Orono, cover 400 miles and 24,000 feet of elevation, and make stops in Dover-Foxcroft, Belfast, Castine, Bar Harbor and Camp Jordan in Ellsworth.
“For our 20th anniversary we wanted to take on a new challenge,” said Kim True, director of the ride. “We think it will be a grand time for our riders and what we’re hoping is that it will be a driver of economic development for our host communities as well.”
Read MoreThis article originally appeared on BangorDailyNews.com
First 7-day BikeMaine tour route unveiled
By John Holyoke, BDN Staff
Posted Feb. 06, 2013, at 3:45 p.m.
BANGOR, Maine — The Bicycle Coalition of Maine unveiled Wednesday the route of the organization’s first-ever BikeMaine 2013 event, and 350 determined cyclists will spend seven days in September touring several popular destinations in eastern Maine.
The 400-mile tour will start in Orono on Sept. 7, and make overnight stops in Dover-Foxcroft, Belfast, Castine, Bar Harbor and Ellsworth before returning to Orono on Sept. 13.
Organizers unveiled the route during a press conference in Bangor on Wednesday afternoon.
“[This] is probably the biggest initiative that we’ve had in 20 years, and we see this extraordinary event as the vehicle that will bring the Bicycle Coalition of Maine’s message and mission to all parts of the state, will showcase the fantastic biking that we have in Maine, and will realize the tremendous economic potential of bicycle tourism in Maine,” said Nancy Grant, the executive director of the Bicycle Coalition of Maine during the press conference and reception.
This article originally appeared on WCSH6.com
BANGOR, Maine (NEWS CENTER) — Only the hardiest of souls are out biking during these coldest days of winter, but the planning is well underway right now for the Bicycle Coalition of Maine’s ‘Bike Maine 2013 Inaugural Ride.‘ The 7 day ride will begin and end in Orono, and will feature scenic rides through several communities including Dover-Foxcroft, Belfast, Castine, Bar Harbor and Ellsworth. Cyclists will camp each evening in the various communities and enjoy meals prepared by local organizations that use locally sourced foods. Organizers hope the ride will showcase local comunities, and promote healthy lifestyles.
“There are several other successful week long ride programs in other parts of the country and some of our coalition members have been on those rides in other parts of the country, most notably cycle oregon and ride the rockies,” explained Kim Andersen True, the Bike Maine 2013 Ride Director.
The ride will take place from September 7th through the 14th.
For more information, visit http://bikemaine.org
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Contact: Kim True
BikeMaine Ride Director
Cell Phone: 207-400-2500
Email: kim@bikemaine.com
BikeMaine 7-Day Cycling Event Unveils Inaugural Route
First in New England, BikeMaine Expects to Boost Tourism
February 6, 2013, Bangor, ME – BikeMaine, a seven-day, 400 mile rolling celebration of Maine debuting September 7-14, unveiled its inaugural bicycle route today. The loop route, which begins and ends in Orono, will see cyclists camping in the following host communities: Orono, Dover-Foxcroft, Belfast, Castine, Bar Harbor (two nights) and Camp Jordan (Ellsworth). Limited to 350 riders in the first year, half from out-of-state, the event is expected to grow to about 2,000 riders after the startup years, offering an economic boost to host communities supporting the ride. Each year, the route will visit a different part of Maine with new host communities. BikeMaine is the latest and most ambitious undertaking of the Bicycle Coalition of Maine to promote and celebrate safe cycling events and pedestrian initiatives.
Read MoreFOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Contact: Kim True
BikeMaine Ride Director
Cell Phone: 207-400-2500
Inaugural BikeMaine Cycling Announcement and Route Unveiling
Announcement Tomorrow, 02/6/13, in Bangor
BikeMaine, a seven day, six town, 400 mile mass cycling event — the first of its kind in New England — will unveil the 2013 inaugural route and announce this year’s host communities tomorrow, Feb. 6, in Bangor. The announcement will be made at a 2:00 PM press conference hosted by the Bicycle Coalition of Maine and Bangor Savings Bank at the G. Clifton Eames Learning Center, 203 Maine Avenue, Bangor.
The media is welcomed and encouraged to attend. Other invited guests include representatives from host communities, sponsors, and partners, local and state officials integral to the success of the Ride, and BikeMaine leadership. Light (and tasty) refreshments follow the announcement.
TIME: 2:00 PM to 3:00 PM
LOCATION: G. Clifton Eames Learning Center, 203 Maine Avenue, Bangor
This article originally appeared in the Portland Press Herald
Thursday December 20, 2012 | 02:52 PM
Posted by Karen Beaudoin kbeaudoin@mainetoday.com
Back during the summer days of riding in riding in short-sleeved jerseys past blooming fields and lush green trees, I wrote a column about the Bicycle Coalition of Maine’s new ride, BikeMaine. In July, the inaugural event seemed a long way off. That’s no longer the case.
Read MoreThe Coalition released this press release this morning about our exciting new ride!
Augusta, ME – On its twentieth anniversary, the Bicycle Coalition of Maine (BCM) is launching a major new 7-day bicycle event that will showcase Maine as a premier cycling destination on the East Coast. BCM is Maine’s leading voice for bicyclists with programs on safety, improved infrastructure and advocacy both in Augusta and Washington. As a result of BCM’s efforts, Maine has consistently ranked in the top ten bicycle-friendly states and as high as number two last year.
Read MoreAt the Coalition’s Board of Directors meeting on Thursday June 21, the Board unanimously voted to proceed with the inaugural BikeMaine event for September 7-14, 2013. The Coalition has secured the necessary start-up funding for the event. The Betterment Foundation has approved a two-year grant, the Horizon Foundation and the Elmina B. Sewall Foundation have each approved one-year grants and the Maine Office of Tourism has approved a grant to cover first year marketing expenses. The organization is also talking to select businesses for sponsorship of the ride.
Read More
