From the mountains to the desert, from the forests to the sea.

This article was originally published in abbreviated form in Green & Healthy Maine magazine, May 2019. 

Mountain biking in Maine has become fun fare for the common man, woman, child, and everyone in between. There is no secret handshake, no “right type,” no height requirement, and no one way to do it. Though we typically think of a mountain biker as someone riding a bike with knobby tires in the woods, this moniker can also apply a toddler navigating a city forest on a balance bike or a bike-packer traveling dirt roads. Range Morton of Gorham Bike & Ski says, “it’s more about the trail and the mindset than the bike.”

Bikes, gear, and exploring

If you want to mountain bike despite reservations, Morton says there are ways to clear most hurdles. If you’re worried about slipping and getting banged up, consider shin, knee and/or elbow pads, which have come a long way in terms of comfort and technology—some even have flexible materials that harden on impact. You might also opt for a bike with a plus-size tire or fat tire, which are less likely to slip on Maine’s rooty trails. No time after work before it gets dark? Consider a helmet or handlebar light—or both. Lights made for biking in the woods are so bright you’ll hardly notice when it gets dark. Want a new bike but it’s too hard on your wallet? Consider a capable hardtail bike with plus tires rather than full suspension for comfort, ask your shop to value your old bike as a trade-in, or look at a slightly used model at one of the many spring bike swaps. Think you’re too heavy? Think again. “We fit a bike for a guy who’s 300 pounds,“ says Morton. “We got him a tougher shock with higher tunability. He now rides it at downhill parks.” Want to mountain bike but you no longer have the steam to keep up with the group? Consider an e-bike. A friend in Portland calls her husband’s e-bike “the great equalizer” because although he’s 72 with a bad knee, they can still enjoy riding together on Portland Trails. If you don’t have a mountain bike at all, borrow one from a friend or rent one for a day from one of more than 20 Maine locations and try it out. [See links in each region, below]

If you want explore on your own or with a friend, printed maps, online maps, and phone apps are the way to go. While printed maps might not be able to show every trail on which mountain biking is permitted, they’re unlikely to guide you into unapproved territory. Some phone apps such as Trailforks are very helpful—showing not just the trails, but your current location on those trails, and even which direction you’re facing—but keep in mind apps like Trailforks, Strava and the MTB Project are crowd-sourced, so difficulty levels are identified by different users and some tracks are on trails not authorized for mountain biking. Be smart about it and bring both, and remember that kiosk maps and on-trail signage rule. 

Where to ride in Maine

Who remembers the Jedi Forest, Refrigerator Hill and that sweet trail behind Greely Road with the sign that read “Dog is Friendly”…? Some Portland-area favorites we rode 25 years ago no longer exist due development or erosion, but we don’t lament the loss because so much has been gained. Maine has seen a boom in mountain biking especially in the past 10 years thanks to local chapters of the New England Mountain BIke Association (NEMBA), land trusts, private landowners, and purpose-built mountain biking destinations. Today, there are dozens of great places for an afternoon, day, or weekend of riding in Maine.

Western/Mountains

Carrabassett Valley Trails (CVT) are the crown jewel of Maine mountain biking. Since 2009, $700,000 has been invested in developing the network which now has 40 miles of singletrack for biking, plus 80 miles of doubletrack, and plenty more for gravel riding. Plus, there are plans for significant trail development in the near future. See bit.ly/cvtmbtplan and keep an eye on facebook.com/crnemba. CVT is a collaborative effort of four organizations: the Carrabassett Region chapter of NEMBA, the Town of Carrabassett Valley, Maine Huts & Trails, and Sugarloaf.

CVT has plenty of beginner trails, including the Narrow Gauge Trail (an old railroad bed known as “the Gauge”) along the scenic Carrabassett River and some river-side singletrack off the Gauge. Intermediate riders shouldn’t miss the flowy, bermed descents of Oak Knoll Trail, Newton’s Revenge, and Bear Trail. And be sure to take the short detour to the scenic Bigelow-range vista at the top of these trails near Stratton Brook Hut. Maps can be found at the Allspeed location at the Sugarloaf Outdoor Center, at Carrabassett Valley Bike, and online at carrabassettnemba.org/trail-maps. For aprés, the Rack is a local favorite, the base-lodge Bag & Kettle (“the Bag”) is now open in the summer, or check for happy hour specials at the local bowling alley, the Sugar Bowl. For a swim, ask a local for directions to Huston Brook Falls or the bend in the river near the Spring Farm neighborhood.

If you somehow don’t get enough biking in CVT, stop a few minutes south at Freeman Ridge Bike Park in Kingfield for a fun 4 miles of hand- and machine-built trails, with more to come in the future.

Further south and west, you’ll find two trail projects by Mahoosuc Pathways. Bethel Village Trails offers six miles of biking trails that also connect with 8 miles of trails at nearby Gould Academy. Then add a 10-minute drive to Bacon Hill and you’ll round out the day with 2.5 miles of “intermediate, fun and flowy trail” says Gabe Perkins of Mahoosuc Pathways. It’s his favorite. Mahoosuc Pathways is in the process of purchasing 1,000 acres that will become the Bethel Community Forest this summer, which will connect with the Bethel Village Trails. Now part of the nationally significant Borderlands project connecting trail systems around the ME-NH-VT-Canada border, Mahoosuc Pathways will benefit from funding and marketing of trails. Keep an eye on our western border for good MTB things to come. For postride, Perkins says the Millbrook Tavern at the Bethel Inn has a great beer selection. Or check out Butcher Burger on Lower Main Street. Where to swim? Perkins says “there are so many swimming holes it’s crazy.” Check with the Bethel Chamber of Commerce for directions. The Chamber is also where you can pick up maps, or find them online at mahoosucpathways.org.

Don’t want to bother with maps? Cliff Krolic of Back Country Excursions offers guided rides on 20+ miles of hand-built biking trails in Parsonsfield. From tight, smooth singletrack to expert steeps and stunts. Soils in this area drain well, so it’s rarely muddy. A good option in the spring when other trails are often closed. 

Where to rent bikes in the western mountains

  • Barker Mountain Bikes in Bethel rents full-suspension, hardtail, and fat bikes (call for prices and availability).
  • Barker Mountain Bikes also rents fat bikes at Bethel Village Trails in winter (call for prices).
  • Northern Lights Hearth & Sports in Farmington rents full-suspension and fat bikes for $50/day.
  • AJ’s Fat Bikes in Rangeley rents fat bikes for $55/full day, $35/half day.
  • Carrabassett Valley Bike in Carrabassett Valley rents hardtail bikes for $50/day, $35/4 hours.
  • Allspeed in Carrabassett Valley (summer) rents full-suspension bikes for $89/day, kids full-suspension bikes for $65/day, and kids hardtail bikes $50/day.
  • Sugarloaf Outdoor Center in Carrabassett Valley rents fat bikes in the winter for $30/2 hours with no pass, $40/2 hours with a pass, and $90/day.
  • Green Machine in Norway rents full-suspension bikes for $100/day.

Southern Maine

Falmouth has risen to the top of locals’ lists lately—especially Blackstrap Preserve. Biddeford native Tira Denny calls it her local favorite for the variety of trails and because she “can get a lot of miles in.” Denny says she’d only been on a few rides with friends before joining Singletrack Sisters 5 years ago. She felt like she was holding back her boyfriend and wanted to make more connections with women. Upgrading from her “crappy” bike to one with a 29” wheel also boosted her confidence “a ton in being able to easily pedal through techy sections.” Techy—like many of the trails at Blackstrap. Intermediate/advanced riders shouldn’t miss Rocky Ridge (including the tricky waterfall crossing), Bobcat, and Raven (ride this one west to east). Then take a breather on the River Trail.  Denny now ranks 30th in the nation for women’s cross country racing and needs just 10 more points to race at UCI World Cup races. So if you’re looking for training, follow her lead at Blackstrap.

Through a cooperative effort of Friends of Falmouth Trails and the Town of Falmouth, Blackstrap will soon have a new “up trail” with switchbacks and less of a grade—an easier climb than what’s currently available—as well as a new flow trail with berms, rollers, and tabletops. “Small, but fun,” says Chris Carleton of Friends of Falmouth Trails and Allspeed Cyclery & Snow, who is coordinating the effort. “Think of a low-key Kitchel or Florence.” In the future, Carleton says he would like to help develop a skill-builder section at Blackstrap. But for now, it’s just the two new trails, slated to be finished by July. Last fall, Chris and a partner started Maine Trailbuilders (Facebook.com/mainetrailbuilders) partly for this effort, and they are suddenly in demand. After Falmouth, Maine Trailbuilders moves on to two more jobs in Maine, aiming to be done by summer’s end.


The new climbing trail and flow trail (Flow Creek, seen here) are now complete and super-fun!

Another new favorite spot in Southern Maine is Gorham. The Gorham Conservation Commission, Presumpscot Regional Land Trust, Greater Portland NEMBA, and private landowners have developed three connected areas for riding, with more to come. On the south side of town, intermediate riders shouldn’t miss Couch Potato, the full Sugaree loop, and Unchained (best north to south). A new loop trail adjacent to “Moody Blues” may be established by the time you’re reading this. On the north side, get technical and twisty on Louie Louie to St. Nick to Sons of Yesterday. And keep an eye out for a new trail that will utilize the whole ridge around Shoot to Quill. Two new areas in Gorham will include boardwalk and trails southeast of the center, and a pump track near the middle school.

For a quintessential Maine ride this summer, visit Cape Elizabeth, where trails are stewarded by the Cape Elizabeth Land Trust and the Town of Cape Elizabeth. Park at Fort Williams—site of Maine’s iconic Portland Head Light—and hop on the Crosstown Trail. It will take you across parks, past the “dirt church,” between schools, over a tidal salt marsh, along a freshwater pond, around an ice cream stand, and eventually down to the ocean at Kettle Cove and Crescent Beach where you can cool off. Like riding narrow boardwalks? Detour off the Crosstown to the east side of Gull Crest for a smooth and seemingly endless roll. From Kettle Cove, double back the way you came or continue a circuit across Cross Hill, around Winnick Woods and through the Red House trails before returning to Fort Williams via the Stonegate neighborhood.

There are dozens of other trails across Greater Portland. Many are close enough to link for epic rides with few road connections. Start at Knight’s Pond Preserve in Cumberland, for instance, and ride through Rines Forest (with a Leonardo da Vinci self-supporting bridge), across Hadlock Community Forest and through the dark and challenging cattle tunnel under I-95 to Blackstrap, then through North Falmouth Community Forest, and finally turning around at the fire barn on the far side of Lowell Preserve in Windham to head back. Phew! The round trip is about 30 miles and 2,800 feet of elevation. Or take a turn in Hadlock and ride through Falmouth Community Park, River Point Conservation Area and onto the Presumpscot River Trail in Portland, where you can make your epic even longer by connecting a series of urban parks, or continue to the eastern River Trail terminus and picnic at the falls.

Ready to try something you won’t find anywhere else in the northeast? On your way to or from Bradbury Mountain State Park—a staple in the greater Portland mountain biking scene for more than 25 years— take a ride around the desert. The Desert of Maine, that is. New owners Doug and Mela Heestand are updating the Freeport attraction with plans for camping and music events. They welcome mountain bikers to come see what’s new and take a tour around the edge of the desert. From the parking area, head toward “the camel” and follow the perimeter of the desert clockwise. It’s less than a mile— “not much of a workout,” says Doug Heestand, “but it’s one of a kind!”

Heading up the coast, the Six Rivers chapter of NEMBA (in the Bath-Brunwick-Topsham area) is the newest in Maine. At just a year old, they’ve already established new beginner trails at Topsham Ponds (with the Town of Topsham) and Brunswick‘s Neptune Woods (with the Brunswick Topsham Land Trust). This is a boon for local kids’ programs; most approved trails in the area are in Bath, which is well known for its rocky and technical trails. “Punchy ups and punchy downs,” as described by Lawrence Kovacs of 6RNEMBA. Also a middle school teacher, Kovacs is a champion for the Specialized Foundation’s “Riding for Focus” program, tracking kids’ activity levels with heart monitors to see if time spent at an elevated heart rate improves their grades and attendance. Kovacs says the monitors will show results for exercise in general, though theories suggest that mountain biking is particularly good at reinforcing those neural connections in the brain that improve focus due to the need for quick decision-making, rhythmic cycling motions, and visual stimulation of the close environment.

Kris Haralson, also of 6RNEMBA will be using the new beginner trails for an after-school ride organized through the Town of Brunswick. Last year, the program accommodated 22 kids, but had to turn away another 12. Haralson hopes to work with the Town of Topsham to set up a similar program this year. Kids travel from miles outside of town to join this weekly ride.

Now about those punchy up and downs… In Bath, intermediate/advanced riders shouldn’t miss G2 and G3 in the Lily Pond Preserve and the short but sweet A.L.J.A. Rhythm detour off the Whiskeag Trail (to hit the drops right, ride this from the south end).

For trail maps (and post-ride ideas) for more than 35 parks in the GP and 6R NEMBA areas, pick up a set of the southern-Maine/greater-Portland MTB map series at Gorham Bike & Ski shops, Bath Cycle & Ski, the L.L.Bean Bike Boat and Ski store, and other locations. Or order maps here at WendingMaps.com. 

Where to rent bikes in southern Maine

  • Portland Gear Hub in Portland rents fat bikes for $35/day.
  • Gorham Bike & Ski in Portland, Kennebunk, Saco, and Brunswickrents hardtail bikes for $50/day
  • Allspeed Cyclery & Snow in Portland rents full-suspension bikes for $89/day.
  • Cyclemania in Portland rents hardtail bikes for $70/day.
  • Bath Cycle & Ski in Bath rents mountain bikes for $50/day or $150/week (call for availability)
  • Pineland Outdoor Center in New Gloucester rents fat bikes year round for $30/2 hours (for use on Pineland grounds only), which includes a pass and helmet.
  • Kennebunkport Bicycle Company in Kennebunkport rents hardtail bikes for $38/day, full-suspension bikes for $65/day, and fat bikes for $38/day.
  • Kennebunkport Bicycle Company at Harris Farm in Dayton rents fat bikes for $25/2 hours (winter only)

Central/Midcoast

The Central Maine chapter of NEMBA (CeMeNEMBA) was actually the first individual Maine chapter. Brian Alexander, recalls starting the drive south to Bradbury Mountain one day and thinking, “We should have singletrack here.” So in 2008 he helped form CeMeNEMBA and worked with the City of Augusta to create the first trails at Bond Brook. Now a favorite of many Mainers, Bond Brook is home to Tread Fest (treadfest.org) a yearly biking and running race event that has grown so large the events now happen on separate days and camping is available. Intermediate/advanced riders will enjoy challenging, flowy, machine- and hand-built trails. Don’t miss Northern Exposure to Western Way, Wannabe, Half Pipe, and Double B to the Works.

Intermediate riders in search of a challenge should head to the A Trail in the Kennebec Highlands of Rome. It’s “a hell of a climb” says Alexander, but the view and descent are worth it. Six miles and 1,400’ of climbing takes you to the lookout for a view of Great Pond, Long Pond and—on a clear day—Ragged Mountain. Continue another 4 miles of up-and-down to a small “lollipop” end on McGaffey Mountain which will be expanded by about 2 miles later this year. There’s nothing machine-built about the A trail—it’s “rake and ride,” but has natural rock berms, jumps, and cool glacial erratics.


The wharf at Granite City Park in Hallowell

Beginners looking to ride in central Maine will enjoy the 7+ mile, singletrack trails of Quarry Road Trails in Waterville, Pine Ridge near the airport in Waterville (where you might spot the old plane wreckage), and the Hallowell Resevoir. “The Res” is good in the spring because it drains well and dries quickly. Just under surface soil is gravel over granite. It’s this granite that adds extra interest to the trails; old quarry operations in the area left large cube blocks of “overburden”—the top layer of granite discarded to get to the good stuff.

In Auburn, trails at city park Mount Apatite (“Mica Mines”) also wind through remains of old mining operations, but here the good stuff was mica. (Don’t worry, you’re not riding over glass.) Last year, CeMeNEMBA received a $10,000 NEMBA Signature Trail grant for what’s now applauded as a long flowy trail good for beginners and also engaging for veterans. In the future, watch for a connection between Mt. Apatite and Lost Valley, also in Auburn.

For postride, the Liberal Cup is a favorite in Hallowell. Across the street, the Quarry Tap Room has outside seating with a view of the Kennebec River. In Waterville, Mainely Brews Restaurant & Brewhouse also has outdoor seating and a cornhole court. In Auburn, try Lost Valley Brewing Co., grab some poutine at the new Side By Each Brewing Co. or visit the Auburn location of Gritty’s—Maine’s original brewpub.

CeMeNEMBA discontinued printing of their maps, but have plans for an online option. In the meantime, look for trails on the Trailforks site or app. [Note: the CeMeNEMBA app is now available in the Apple Store and Google Play]

The highlight of the Midcoast Maine NEMBA chapter is the Camden Snow Bowl. It’s town-owned and connects to the Ragged Mountain Preserve (part of the Coastal Mountain Land Trust) which is challenging and, well, ragged. These also connect to the Goose River Trails (“Rollins Road”), an area of private land open to mountain biking except in November during hunting season. The Goose River Area is easier than the advanced trails of the Snow Bowl and Ragged Mountain, but John Anders of Midcoast Maine NEMBA says “you have to ride intermediate trails to get to the beginner trails, so overall the area is intermediate.” There is an initiative to build more beginner trails in this area, however, so keep an eye out. You can find maps at the Snow Bowl, at Side Country Sports, at trailhead kiosks and also online: bit.ly/mcnembafront and bit.ly/mcnembaback.

The Midcoast chapter has also been working with the Georges River Land Trust on building multi-use trails at the Thomaston Town Forest that are purpose-built for mountain biking at a beginner level. Phase two starts this year and will add more trails. It will be on this year’s map, but you can also find a map of the forest online at georgesriver.org/thomaston-town-forest.

When you’re done riding at the Snow Bowl, take a swim at the base in Hosmer Pond, or drive into Camden for postride at Sea Dog Brewing or the Rhumb Line—both with outdoor seating and a classic Maine harbor view. In Thomaston, Threshers Brewing Company is opening a new brewpub 5 minutes from the Forest. They’re likely to have light pub fare available by the time you’re reading this.

Where to rent bikes in the central/midcoast area

  • Bath Cycle & Ski in Bath rents mountain bikes for $50/day or $150/week (call for availability)
  • Green Machine in Norway rents full-suspension bikes for $100/day
  • Rainbow Bicycle in Lewiston rents fat bikes year round for $50/day
  • Busytown Bikes in Lewiston rents used mountain bikes (call for availability and prices)
  • Green Machine at Lost Valley in Auburn rents fat bikes in the winter for $35/day
  • Side Country Sports in Rockland rents full suspension bikes for $75/day, and hardtail or fat bikes for $50/day
  • Side Country Sports at the Camden Snow Bowl rents full suspension bikes for $75/day, and hardtail or fat bikes for $50/day
  • Maine Sport in Rockport rents hardtail bikes for $30/day, full-suspension bikes for $50/day, and fat bikes for $30/day

Bangor and beyond

The Penobscot Region chapter of NEMBA (PR NEMBA) will be working on a better variety of trails for non-expert riders this year. In the Bangor City Forest, a few of the doubletrack trails are good for beginners, but when asked if the singletrack there and at “the Bog,” connected to the city forest, would be good for a beginner rider, Craig MacDonald of PR NEMBA admitted, “no, I’d call that intermediate/advanced.” Newman Hill on Caribou Bog Conservation Area in Orono is also best for expert riders. “Super techy” he said. “Our stuff is the some of the hardest stuff in the state.”

PR NEMBA’s current efforts, however, are going into a variety of trails at Essex Woods Recreation Area—an 70-acre park on an old ski mountain in Bangor. There are currently 2.5 miles of purpose-built singletrack trails, another 3+ miles of “old school” trails and 4+ miles of doubletrack. Trails range from beginner, where kids’ clinics are held, to intermediate/advanced. The feature trail has machine-built jumps, drops, tabletops, rollers and berms. This modern trail is “a 1,200-foot sampling of what’s coming this year,” says MacDonald.

An overall map of Bangor-area trails can be found at bit.ly/bangortrails, though MacDonald says the best source for mountain biking is Trailforks.


*Correction: a climbing trail takes us to the top of the Capstone Trail (now open), but continue up Great Pond Mountain for some fun granite rolling, and views as far as Mount Desert Island.

PR NEMBA is also looking forward to using a recently awarded $10,000 NEMBA Signature Trail grant to develop the first trail on Great Pond Mountain in Orland, Maine. This 3.7-mile, machine-built trail will take us to the top of Great Pond Mountain*, with views of Acadia National Park and the ocean. A collaborative effort of PR NEMBA and Great Pond Mountain Conservation Trust this project has been applauded by senators King and Collins to help bring recreation to the area.

For post-ride, the Orono Brewing Company in Orono and Bangor are local favorites, or sit outside with a view of the river at Sea Dog Brewing Company in Bangor.

Where to rent bikes in Bangor

  • Rose Bike in Orono rents fat bikes year round for $$55/day, $35/half day, $100/weekend.

Find your tribe

If you don’t want to head off into the woods alone, or send your kids there, try out a group or two. From toddlers to seniors, beginners to experts—there are many ways to fit into the Maine mountain biking scene.

This article was originally published in May of 2019, before the current challenges of social distancing. All group activities mentioned here have either been suspended or modified for safety. Contact the group for more information. Though riding together is tricky right now, groups are still carefully getting together or staying connected online. 207MTB – Maine Mountain Biking! is statewide. Find more in the greater Portland area: Mountain biking with others in greater Portland

The Youth Cycle Project is run by Tim Corcoran, of Center Street Cycles in Brunswick, and Lenora Felker, whose background is in education/therapy and professional cycling. Eight years ago, they started by teaching 10 kids about bicycle etiquette and safety. Since then, they’ve hired a staff of 5—all certified in coaching, first aid, and CPR-—and between 800 and 1,000 kids have participated in one or more programs. They offer an after-school biking program for Falmouth and Yarmouth (grades 2-4), a kids’ biking program for “Minis” (K-1), beginner bike clinics (age 6+, including adults), day camps at the West Side Trail in Yarmouth (weekly, by ages), and the popular My Bike series (age 3-18). My Bike is a race series, but Felker says it feels like a “fun series” as it’s focused more on community and social interaction than competition or winning—especially for the younger kids. The “Littles” (2-4 years) and “Minis” (K-1) are about half girls, half boys. The older groups are fewer girls than boys, but Lenora says the girls in all age groups tend to hang together—forming a badass “pink posse.” You go, girls. See youthcycleproject.org

The Southern Maine Mountain Biking Syndicate is the brainchild of Michael Stefanakos of Freeport. He started in 2015 with 11 kids. Last year they were 35. This year long-standing school-based teams like Gould, Kents Hill, Camden Hills and Hebron will be joined by Syndicate teams in southern Maine, Bangor, Lewiston/Auburn, Brunswick, and possibly Scarborough to form a full Maine-based race league. “These kids just needed a tribe,” says Stefanakos. He wants kids and parents to know about the Syndicate as alternative to things like soccer and cross-country running. He doesn’t want to pull kids from other activities, but dreads hearing “Oh, I wish I’d known about this sooner.” Compared to other sports, it costs “next to nothing” says Stefanakos, It’s $10 for a number plate for all races, and $20 to be on a team. Some costs are optional, like a $45 jersey or upgrading a bike. But “kids show up on ‘frankenbikes’ or their parents’ old bikes” and have a great time. Rides and races are open to boys and girls in grades 6 through 12. There currently aren’t a lot of girls, but “we’ve got some fast girls,” says Stefanakos, “two will be in 8th grade next year racing high schoolers.”

They learn to fix a flat, fit helmets, and charge their lights for fall rides. “It’s not the kind of ride where your dad’s behind you with a water bottle,” says Stefanakos. The Syndicate meets for weekly rides through the summer. At the end of August they start racing, but during the summer, kids can just show up. If they don’t want to race, that’s fine. But the ones who want to go fast, can. “And they progress so quickly just by being out there with other kids.” Last year the Syndicate ranked 3rd of 52 New England teams and had the fastest racer. “The kids are passionate. The parents are passionate,” Stefanakos says. He expects someday, for middle and high school kids, mountain biking will be as ubiquitous as soccer. See facebook.com/SouthernMaineMtbSyndicate

The Community Bicycle Center (CBC) is a non-profit in Biddeford that runs programs for kids 8 to 18. The “Kids Bike Factory” allows kids to learn basic repair skills and then put them to use offering repair services to the public. At the Bike Factory, kids have an opportunity to earn a bike they have repaired, and also to set goals for fixing and restoring donated bikes to sell at the Bicycle Coalition of Maine’s Great Bike Swap in April. Through an 8-week STEM bike mechanics certification course, kids use STEM concepts to review and repair a bike—leaning math calculations of gear ratios and friction of braking systems, for instance. “On Pi Day [3/14], we learned about circumference” says Cliff Oliver of the CBC, “and used pi to calculate how many wheel rotations it would take to complete the Trek across Maine.” Kids can drop in Wednesdays through the summer for mountain bike rides from 1 to 4. See communitybike.net

Kids programs and rides can also be found throughout the state—“Rough Riders” is an elective of the Sugarloaf Mountain Adventure Camp. Carrabassett Valley Kids’ Mountain Bike Day Camps will continue this summer. Midcoast Maine NEMBA hosts Youth Explorer Mountain Bike Program—a weekly summer ride series that usually ends with a swim in Hosmer Pond. And many Maine NEMBA events are kid-friendly.

Us bigger kids can also find our tribes. Women are welcomed to join one or more of greater Portland’s Singletrack Sisters weekly rides: beginners on Mondays, advanced riders on Wednesdays and intermediate riders on Thursdays. Contact them at facebook.com/groups/124077747611022. Likewise, women are welcome to join Central Maine’s Dirt Divas, with similar rides—all abilities on Monday nights, a fast pace with minimal stopping on Wednesday nights and a moderate pace on Thursday. Find them at facebook.com/groups/419884788049548. Locations vary for both groups and beginner and intermediate rides (and sometimes advanced rides) are “no drop” so you won’t get left behind.

This season, the Portland Gear Hub is offering “Gender Equality Outdoors” rides on the first Tuesday of each month for female, trans, femme, and non-binary folks. Also new this season: gender-equality “wrench nights” on the second Tuesday of each month, with free access to bike stands and tools. The Gear Hub also offers a MTB Edition of the Be Your Own Bike Mechanic 6-week course for adults, a MTB Skill Builder series for different levels of all ages, and two week-long Girls Mountain Bike Camps for girls 10-14—one in July, one in August. See portlandgearhub.org

Brian Danz, who will be leading the Gear Hub’s Skill Builder series, will also be leading Ninja Mountain Bike Performance clinics in Portland this July—including one for just women and one for improving intermediate/advanced skills. See sandiegomountainbikeskills.com/maine

Welcoming riders of all kinds, each of Maine’s NEMBA chapters usually have regular rides throughout the warmer months, if not year round. All chapters are listed at nemba.org and most have websites and Facebook pages as well. Before you show up for an event, ask about ability levels. Some events split groups into different levels, such as GPNEMBA’s Tour de Greater Portland series, and some are family-friendly all-levels gatherings such as the Midcoast Maine NEMBA Explorers Monday-night series which welcomes kids—even little ones on balance bikes.

If this all sounds a bit too tame for you, try an all-levels group ride with a local NEMBA chapter or a weekly shop ride with a local bike shop. These rides are often “no drop” but you can be sure the diehards are leading the way. See if you can keep up.

The many local groups focused on mountain biking, the wealth of Maine places welcoming us, the new technology in bikes and gear—it’s all so different from riding rigid bikes with a couple friends along muddy powerlines 25 years ago. I can’t help but wonder what the Maine mountain biking scene will be like in another 25 years… and what trails we’ll be riding.

Wendy Clark has been mountain biking in Maine for 25 years. She’s a member of the New England Mountain Bike Association, the Bicycle Coalition of Maine, and the Maine Outdoor Adventure Club. She’s also an avid skate skier. You could say she’s experienced at wending her way through the woods. The greater Portland mountain bike maps series she created is presently in its second edition. 

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