There are 64 covered bridges like this one in Vermont. Yes, I think it would be fun to do a tour of all of them.
The reason they built covered bridges was to protect the bridge deck from from rot and decay caused by the severe New England weather.
Another State Line. I’m getting really close now. I can taste the finish line!
I’m crossing the Connecticut River into New Hampshire.
My body is starting to complain to me and I can hear it asking me when will I arrive in Bar Harbor?
The interesting thing about Vermont, New Hampshire and Main is that there is more climbing in those states combined than there is in either Washington or Montana.
This struck me by surprise.
It’s a different sort of climbing. The climbs are shorter, but steeper. The roads are also a lot more winding. I assume that is because when these roads were built, heavy earth moving equipment had not yet become available.
It’s no piece of cake making your way through the New England States.
It would be a lot of fun if you had a Bugatti Chiron Super Sport 300…
I always brake for Moose, don’t you? Another one of those road-side signs that is a statement of the obvious, like wash your hands.
I made it to the top of the Kancamagus Pass. This is the biggest climb in New Hampshire. 3,000 feet of climbing in 6 miles. This is world class cycling fun.
The locals affectionately refer to it as “The Kank.” It is steep, but also winding, and very beautiful.
When you top out, you really feel like you have accomplished something. This was probably the most challenging part of my tour but if was also one of the most beautiful.
The last State Line. I’m starting to get really excited. The ride from here to Bar Harbor follows the coast line for most of the remainder of the ride. Contrary to what you might think, that does not translate to flat.
You learn something new every day. It’s not likely I will look at my breakfast egg in the same way ever again.
This is the point where Forest Gump reached the Eastern Shore and turned around to head West again.
I didn’t realize I had missed this landmark until I was about 30 miles beyond it. That made it too late to turn around and go back so I stole this photo off the internet.
This is the home of the Maine Lobster Roll. It’s ironic that Maine is my destination. I can’t eat sea food of any kind.
You can’t miss the Lobster Shacks, they are everywhere. I’m told Lobster Roll is good. I’m going to have to rely on second-hand reports.
I’m really close now. I did not know Maine produced Sardines as well as Lobster. I can’t eat those either…
This is a Cable Stayed Bridge. It was the most beautiful bridge of my entire tour. I was pleasantly surprised to find one in this fairly remote area.
The Cable Stayed Bridge is a hybrid design suspension bridge where most of the load is carried by the towers allowing for longer suspended deck spans. The first Cable Stayed Bridge in the United States was built in 1983. The world’s longest Cable Stayed Bridges (many of them) are in China. These are a relatively new design compared to the more traditional Suspension Bridge.
The traditional Suspension Bridge (like the Brooklyn Bridge and the Golden Gate Bridge) use two massive main cables draped over the top of the towers and are anchored to concrete blocks on the shore. The road deck hangs down from these main cables using smaller vertical suspender cables.
The Cable-Stayed Bridge uses individual cables attached directly to the towers and running diagonally directly down to the road deck. The do now use vertical suspender cables or heavy shore anchorages.
My SAG drove out from Washington to pick me up. The last day was only 15 miles. We met along the way and enjoyed coffee and pastry half-way to Bar Harbor. It was a relaxing ride in to Bar Harbor. My SAG may have enjoyed a Lobster Roll, you never know. After I finished the last 15 miles, we had a nice leisurely day in Bar Harbor.
Would I do it again?
If you can say you don’t spend time wondering how other people see you, but instead, you are focused on seeing other people for who they are, then you are on the path to becoming your best self.
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Washington
Idaho
Montana
North Dakota
Minnesota
Wisconsin
Iowa
Illinois
Indiana
Ohio
Pennsylvania
New York
Vermont
New Hampshire
Maine
This is my final Northern Tier Progress entry. Thank you for experiencing this journey with me. The journey has been epic. I’m proud to have completed it.
Without a doubt, this has been the most challenging of my three coast-to-coast bicycle journeys crossing America. I hope there are more cycling adventures in my future. Even if this is my last big bicycle adventure, I will keep on writing and posting when the spirit moves me. Feel free to join me here anytime you would like.
Once again, thank you to everyone that has been a part of this adventure. May all of your journeys be as wonderful and as exciting as this one has been for me.
Day 1, Anacortes, Washington. June 1st, 2026.
Day 101, Bar Harbor, Maine. September 9th, 2026.
Use the Contents link at the top of the page to explore the site. Enjoy!
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I will wrap this story up tomorrow…
Bar Harbor, Maine. Day 101
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This is my last day of what could be called serious riding. Tomorrow is “Photo Day.” A 15 mile stroll into Bar Harbor. But that’s tomorrow. I still have to get through today.
I would be exaggerating only slightly if I said this has been the most wonderful adventure I have yet undertaken. The people. The sites. The pain. The joy. The list goes on and on. There are few things I would trade for having experienced these last three months. Would I do it again? Yes; In a heartbeat. But undertaking an adventure like this has to be supported. Not just by yourself but by everyone that cares about you. I am so very grateful for everyone I have met along the way. everyone at home, everyone that has followed me, everyone that has been a part of this experience in even a small way, even those of you I don’t know.
Adventures can be big or they can be small. The size doesn’t matter. What does matter is that we look for adventure, when we find it, we grasp it. I met a lady on the street today, she said, “I admire what you’re doing.” She added, “it’s important that we keep moving, isn’t it?” I simply said, “yes it is.” Keep moving expresses a big part of what this is all about, also sharing the experience has made it more fun and rewarding.
The Penobscot Narrows Bridge A “Cable Stayed” bridge. It was mind blowing riding across on a bicycle.
Early celebration. Difficult to choose! I tasted the New England, the Heath, and the Coastal. The Coastal was the winner!
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My body’s ability to fully recover after each day of riding is starting to decrease. Each day is now starting to get a little bit harder to pull off. I’m glad I got as far as I did and I’m close to the finish. I think I’m reaching the limit of my long-distance endurance. Yes, “A man’s got to know his limitations.” You won’t find out what that is until you push the boundary. And so I have. And so I do.
Belfast has a very cool shipyard walk. It looks like all the luxury yachts on the Maine Coast come to the Belfast shipyard for repairing and refit.
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Camden, Maine
Searsport, Maine
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When cycling the Maine coast, you can expect to encounter 1,500 to 2,000 feet of climbing about every 50 miles. Vermont, New Hampshire and Maine combined have more climbing than either Washington or Montana. When I began the journey, I thought if I made it through Washington and Montana, the rest would be a breeze. I was mistaken. Every state has his challenges, you just keep meeting a different set of them as you move from one state to the next. Perhaps if I’d looked ahead more carefully before I started, I would have realized that Vermont, New Hampshire and Maine would present the most challenging hills. I feel a little silly, not having realized that starting out.
This morning was chilly. Fall is definitely in the offing. This morning was the first time I’ve had to put on warm clothes to begin day’s riding in several weeks.
One of the things that make cemeteries in the east different from those out west is the fact that there are more of them and they tend to be smaller. Each small church in each small community had its own cemetery. Another thing that makes them unique is that they seem to be perched on, or near, the top of a hill.
I was having breakfast this morning and a group of ladies asked me if I was going to Port Clyde? I asked them why and they explained because that’s where Forrest Gump turned around when he reached the East Coast. I thought about it for a second and then I said, “well, that would be appropriate, but I’m going to Bar Harbor.” I think they were a little disappointed with my answer.
Being allergic to seafood goes a long way toward making your menu choices simpler when you’re visiting Maine.
Have one for me! Don’t ask me why I pedaled over 4,000 miles to get here when I’m allergic to seafood… if you look carefully, you’ll notice that hot dogs are also on the menu. That would be appropriate, since that’s how I began the trip.
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When I’m in the city, it’s amazing how many people I see on bicycles with the seat set too low. I don’t understand that.
I had to get off the bike and push it up several hills today. Maine is very hilly. The hills aren’t that long but they tend to have a steep grade as you approach the top. A lot of times I’ll get about 2/3 of the way up a hill and there’s just no point in continuing to pedal. Peddling up steep hills also puts the chain in tension. I’ve never had one break (probably because I’m not strong enough to do that) but I have had to replace the chain twice on this tour.
I’ve seen yard signs along the way that simply say “Be Nice.” I’ve been thinking about these signs quite a bit. I’m sure that phrase can have many interpretations. As I reflect on it, what comes to mind for me is we should vote for politicians that are nice, not politicians that are mean and show disrespect. I believe the inability of some to be nice is hurting all of us. Politicians that are nice and use evidence based facts to back up their arguments are an even better choice.
I’m the blue dot. It’s the coastal route from here to Bar Harbor.
Religion is performed on a much smaller scale here in New England than it is back home.
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It was a very chill day. After visiting four barbers, I was unable to get a hair cut. I’ll just have to live with shaggy hair until I can find a shop, hopefully before I reach Bar Harbor.
I’m excited to be concluding this journey in just a few days. That said, my desire to make this my last adventure is anything but a foregone conclusion. I don’t have a plan for the next adventure, but it’s out there, somewhere.
I’m excited to get back on the road tomorrow!
It’s time to wrap up this adventure. The fall colors are starting to come in.
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As I was wheeling my bicycle out of the motel room, an elderly lady with her little dog greeted me with a “good morning.” She said she had never seen a bicycle like mine, apparently referring to all the gear. I explained what I was doing and she was a little mystified. The idea of a journey like mine was all new to her. I’m touching peoples lives, even if it’s in a tiny way. Someday I’ll have a little dog like hers, but it’s a bit too early to go down that path right now.
I wheeled my bike across the street to the gas station. They had a picnic table set up under a covered area. I went inside and got coffee and breakfast and came back out and sat down undercover watching the rain come down. I knew what I had to do, but still I wasn’t all that eager to begin. It occurred to me the best thing I could do to get motivated would be to listen to a song. I pulled up Spotify and listened to Willie Nelson’s “On The Road Again.” I can’t take my band with me because I’m riding solo (and I don’t have a band). After the song was over I got on the bike and began today’s push to my next destination. Sometimes all you need is a small inspiration to get you going.
I mentioned riding solo, but actually I’m not. I have a navigator, I’ve named him Commander Duck. He’s a rubber duck that was given to me back in North Dakota. He has a seat on my handlebar bag. He calls it his “Flying Bridge.” Whatever… He’s been doing an excellent job of navigating for me. He’s guided me for over 3,000 miles. I’m going to keep him. When I get home, I plan to put him on the dash of my Tacoma. That ought to confuse the Jeep Boys.
I was riding through a mostly rural area when a boy waiting for his school bus yelled at me, “where are you going?” I yelled back, “Bar Harbor!” he was curious enough to ask so maybe someday he’ll do something like this, you never know.
The rain did finally let up, but I had to deal with it most of the morning. There are a few things that should be noted about cross-country travel on a bicycle in the rain. The first thing is, rainy days are not good days to be clipped in. You’re going more slower anyway and it’s a good idea to be able to get your feet off the pedals quickly if you need to. When the shoulder narrowed, I got off the bike and walked. It gives passing cars a little bit more room and it gives me more room and more control over the bike. Another thing you don’t do is take the downhills at speed. The visibility and the conditions simply aren’t conducive to high speed on two wheels. As the saying goes, “discretion is the better part of valor.” Which is another way of saying I’d rather be a living coward than a dead hero.
I finished the day at a micro brewery called the “Black Pug.” The brewmaster was tending bar and he was fun to talk to. The handmade chips they served with their charcuterie board were excellent! I chatted with a nice couple sitting at the bar with me. The fellow recommended a small Maine company that makes Marino Wool Cycling Jerseys. I have a feeling there’s one in my future. He was also interested in getting into brewing. He goes to Portland, Oregon quite often. I told him he needed to come to Bend to experience the brewing scene there as well! One last thing to mention, I didn’t know Pugs came in black, but apparently they do…
This would be the solution to most of our current afflictions.
It looks easy, but it’s not.
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The climbing today was a bit of a surprise. I wasn’t expecting quite that much.
Expanding slightly on the “Thought For The Day,” I do thank my Creator that I’ve been given the ability to make a journey like this one. I have enjoyed every day, even the most challenging ones.
Portions of the ride today were on such rural roads that I was overwhelmed by quiet. I could hear birds and frogs while I was riding, and I was rarely interrupted by the sound of a car. These moments are magical because you can allow your mind to wander without concern for traffic, and wander it did.
At times like this you are also more observant…
Looking ahead of me, I saw a squirrel sitting on its haunches on the side of the road. It appeared to be looking at something. As I got closer, it noticed me and scurried into the undergrowth on the side of the road. When I got to the spot where the squirrel had been sitting, I noticed another squirrel clearly dead. It looked like it was sleeping, but it had obviously been struck by a car. It’s friend that had scurried away when it saw me had been sitting next to it, waiting for it to wake up. How do I know all this? While it is true that perceptions are unreliable, I believe my interpretation is correct. Call me an old softy if you’d like, I don’t mind, I’m tough enough to take it.
That’s it for today. I’ll be in Bat Harbor in 7 days!
MAINE! Welcome Home… Almost!
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The Kancamagus Scenic Byway, also known as the “Kanc,” is 34.5 miles of pure White Mountain wilderness. There are no services but there are plenty of stunning views. I’m hitting it at the right time of year, just as the fall colors are starting to come in. The highway begins in Lincoln, New Hampshire at an elevation of 1,411 feet and tops out at 3,000 feet. That’s 1,589 feet of elevation gain. The “climbing” will be significantly more. My day of rest here in Lincoln has been really beneficial. Note: The actual climbing turned out to be 2,184 feet.
I got a kick out of this sign.
My skiing friends back home will get a kick out of that…
Rules of the road for drivers according to this cyclist. If you see a cyclist, give them a wide birth. That means crossing the center line when you go past them. If there’s a car coming toward you in the oncoming lane, and all three would meet at the same time, slow down, wait for the oncoming car to go by, then go around the cyclist, giving them a wide birth. Not only is this common sense, it’s common courtesy. There is no place so important that it means not slowing down and not moving over.
My last big climb is officially in the books!