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I'm planning my next big trip and looking for some advice from those who've ridden New England. There's so much of it and I can't decide where to start. My wife keeps talking about small coast towns in main and vermont bed and breakfasts. I'd love to ride the coast, but I feel like there's a lot I'd miss by staying by the coast too. Anyone have any recommendations?
Vermont /NH/ Maine have a lot to offer---Maine coast is extremely busy and traffic jams from July 1st-Labor Day[and expensive] Vermont B&Bs in the summer are plentiful-[Fall is their moneymaker]stay north of Rutland--NH offers many great rides -but as a visitor,staying in White Mountain area is your best bet[June will be Bike week in Laconia]--Maine is a vast state--stay mid state and south/Bar Harbor[Acadia National Park] [Mount Desert Island] is a must--- the coast roads of Maine are not as scenic as some may think ,but always a bucket list thing------Others will chime in I,m sure of their favorite spots in New England---should be a interesting thread Bed and Breakfast on Maine coast Mt Washington Hotel--rt 302 in northern NH Common site on roads in Vermont
Trisk, if you'll be riding through NY, ride route 3 from Watertown NY through Lake Placid. Route 3 is just a real nice ride. Near Lake Placid, take the gondola to the top of Whiteface Mountain. It's pretty cool. Then, you won't be far from the ferry across Lake Champlain & into VT. I'll let New Englanders give you details about MA, VT, NH, & ME.
Partner, if you're coming to New England from South Dakota my best advice is that once you get to the coast...EAT. Eat often and enjoy all the great food to be found along the New England shore. Seafood, obviously. Lobster, fish, and my personal favorite: deep fried WHOLE BELLY Clams. You're also going to find Gen-U-wine Eye-talian food. Prepared by people with lots of vowels in their name. Not egg noodles and ketchup. Get all you can...take some home, show it around...who knows, it might catch on out there on the prairie.
For Bona-Fides, I'll tell you I did 3-5 in Nebraska, (out on the plains, not in Omaha). Best people I know, but the cuisine is..well, "boring".
Take a side visit into the Berkshires (western Mass) and ride up to the top of Mt. Greylock. Did it in July 2018 as I re-visited my home town of Pittsfield. Great views, twisty roads.
In NH Bentley's Saloon ME shorline
Laconia bike week in June.. stay there and do day rides..
Mt Washington and White Mountains
Take the organized ride to Bentley's Saloon in Arundel, ME
Up and down the coast in ME
What time of the year, how much time and how long in the saddle you can tolerate each day will have an impact on where to go.
I live in Cape Cod and have ridden alll over the New England region I am happy to get on the phone if you like. Not sure how to do that with putting my phone number in the forum.
I have some some great rides from the Adirondack region of upstate NY (Lake Placid/Saranac Lake/Saratoga/ Lake George) over to VT (Green Mountain National highway) thru Stowe, Smugglers Notch, up to Jays Peak, into NH with Kancamagus highway and white mountains to Maine coastline of Camden/Rockland to Portland thru Massachusetts (Gloucester, Salem, Ispwitch, Essex and Hamilton) on your way thru Boston to Cape Cod and then onto Newport RI.
I didnt even include a detour from Portland ME on the ferry to Nova Scotia up to the Cabot Trail. There are also rides through Quebec and the Fjords that can be included.
So many miles, memories and such little time.
I cannot speak to other parts of the country but this is an absolutely beautiful area to ride.
You will notice a lack of the known chain hotels. There are a lot of mom and pop places and some bigger hotels. Much of this closes down in the winter, I think.
Look close at a map. The through roads are not on the coast, only in spots. The coast is out on spurs. Info is easy to internet. We found some old forts, a place where they dress as first pioneers and know tons of history, a lighthouse we could climb to the top and MANY cool explore the coast line areas and neighborhoods with old houses and excellent ocean views. Whale watching. I loved the little harbor towns which as mentioned had some GREAT local fare.
Pick you some coast towns, and other areas to explore, find a hub and enjoy. Keep in mind also as mentioned, the popular spots can be VERY busy in prime time, lots of people and lines, on the road and to get in some of the places. We visited Boothbay and Rockport areas. Wanted to get 'down east' but..... Acadia nat park was one spot many said we should visit, we didn't.
We crossed into NH, White Mt area and Vermont, Rough but scenic roads.
I'd say connect with Wmbailey5 pm a # and get some local info! Beautiful area, great folks to talk to, wonderful visit.
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New England advice
