Acadia: Dirt and Pavement

I took the Giro to Acadia National Park, where I road it on the packed gravel carriage paths and the Loop Road.

For the carriage paths, I put on the 24" (520) front wheel that I built, with the Intense Micro Knobby tire. Luke at Calhoun Cycles was a big help in selecting the parts for the wheel. Changing from the 26" (559) to the 24" (520) had no effect on the handling of the bike and lowers the bottom bracket slightly less than one inch. The rear wheel was a Mavic Crossride UB with a Nashbar  Accelerator Mountain Tire. I was hoping the first wheel I built wouldn't collapse into a pancake and the bike would have enough traction so I wouldn't slide out in the gravel and crash. We started at the Bubble Pond parking area, and headed out over rolling hills to the Around the Mountain loop. I got the usual recumbent stares, since I was the only recumbent on the carriage paths. I have ridden the carriage paths many times, but have never seen a recumbent on the paths. The bike worked flawlessly, no skidding at all on the fast twisting downhills and great traction while climbing the couple of one or two mile climbs on this ride. On one fast downhill I coasted past Amy on her mountain bike and she said "Dad, your crazy". I didn't think I was going that fast, just letting the bike slip through the air. Lot's of fun. Here are a couple of pictures at the highest point on Sargent Mountain.

Sargent Mountain on Around the Mountain Loop

Sargent Mountain on Around the Mountain Loop

I put on the wheels and road tires that came with the bike for Thursday's Loop Road ride. I also filled up two water bottles and brought along a cable lock in case I wanted to go into the souvenir store on top of Cadillac Mountain for some food. I started at the Visitor Center and headed up the climb that leads out onto the Loop Road. That is always the hardest part of the ride for me. It takes me awhile to get going, especially after four days of hiking and biking, so starting with a long climb is not fun. The Loop Road has a 10 mile one way section with two lanes. The rest of the ride is on narrow roads, but the cars are mostly courteous. There are many great views along the way.

Acadia Loop Road

I was deciding whether to go up Cadillac Mountain, as I was climbing from Bubble Pond. The Loop Road has much more climbing than I'm use to and it is a pretty good climb from Bubble Pond to the road up Cadillac. I turned onto the road and took a break at the turnout just as you get onto the road. I felt better after the quick break and figured I don't get this chance very often. So, up I went. Soon I was wishing I hadn't brought the extra water bottle, lock, sunscreen .... but just kept turning the pedals. I made it all the way up, sometimes just doing 5mph, but didn't have to stop the rest of the way.

Top of Cadillac Mountain