May 15, 2025
Day 4 Ogunquit to Portland
Average speed 10.8 mph
I got off to a good start, especially compared to yesterday. I did lose my Take-A-Look mirror, which had been falling off the helmet recently. I managed to get a workable replacement in Portland though.
Breakfast at the Greenery Cafe, right next door to the Sea View Motel. The Sea View, from which you can’t see the sea, but can see Route 1, is undergoing a complete room by room refresh and construction. It looked like a construction site. I think our room was the only one occupied. The hammering stopped at 9pm. And they charged us a resort fee to use the pool, which we couldn’t use!!
I got moving at about 7am. Another pleasant ride. The temperature was cool in the low 50s and the skies were overcast, so good biking weather. After some time on Route 1, the ride went along the shore, through Wells, Porpoise Beach and some others, continuing the beautiful oceanscape views. It really feels like Maine!
I passed the Rachel Carson National Wildlife Refuge. She was pioneer in conservation and created a new movement to protect nature. Her book “Silent Spring” is a classic and the awareness it created about the use of pesticides led to the banning DDT. Without her book, eagles perhaps would not have recovered to where they are today. (Now the danger is SGAR rodenticides).
Another notable point of interest was the University of New England. My second time riding past it. It’s where Otto, a childhood friend and baseball player with James, went to school. Otto’s father leads the Department of Public Works in Arlington.
I made it to Old Orchard Beach, going off the route a bit, and it conjured up memories of bringing the kids here to the amusement park and the arcades.
Otherwise the ride was fine. It bit long when on the state highway stretches with nothing too interesting too look at, but it changed once I got to Cape Elizabeth and more ocean views. And new housing development - lots of it. Waterfront property is highly desirable and there are dozens of construction projects, some right on beaches. Taking away natural habitats for McMansions is the wrong thing. It will lead to yet more decline in plants, fish and birds. There’s a lot money out there.
I made it Portland about 1:15, so a decent time. I was ready to get to the La Quinta and start decompressing. The streets are confusing and the lack of signs does not help but I made it. Ad was already here (she’s spoiling me by staying with me). The hotel is right down the street from where the Sea Dogs play, but unfortunately they are out of town today.
Lastly, the Celtics won last night!!! Wow, I had written them off once Tatum got injured. I’m a fair weather fan I guess. On to Game 6.
And on to Lewiston, Maine, tomorrow.
Today's ride: 61 miles (98 km)
Total: 184 miles (296 km)
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