We have our own Road Trip challenge for YOU this week as the Oct. 8-9 Dempsey Challenge nears: Do the 100-mile Challenge bike route yourself.
Of course, biking it during the Challenge would be best. Exercise. Fundraising for a good cause. Camaraderie. What could be better?
What’s that? Not quite up for 100 miles of biking over the hills and dales of central and western Maine? Well then, drive this scenic route, which takes you through 10 towns, along beautiful lakes, past gorgeous vistas, near historic sights, close to great recreational opportunities and right by some darn good food spots. Stop and enjoy the many offerings.
What’s that Bibby? No gas money? Well, sit back and relax. Here are some of the highlights. (But you really should get off that couch sometime today and start training for next year’s Challenge. Patrick would approve.)
For a more detailed map and turn-by-turn instructions go to: http://www.dempseychallenge.org/cycling. Click on “MapMyRide” and “Turn-by-turn” under the “100 mile” button.
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- The bike trek’s rest stop in Harrison on the 100-mile Dempsey Challenge loop is almost directly across the street from the Caswell House Restaurant, at 22 Main St., and offers spectacular views of Long Lake. If you’re driving — or you’re regretting doing 100 miles on your son’s mountain bike — the restaurant has a great outdoor deck where you can enjoy your lunch and watch the bikers as they go by and cheer them on. Great food, friendly staff and good prices.
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- The entrance to Pondicherry Park in downtown Bridgton is behind Reny’s Store on Main Street, at the back side of the back parking lot. Some call it Bridgton’s new Central Park. Next to the Community Center there are more than 59 acres with trails. Enter through the covered bridge and choose a trail. http://www.pondicherrypark.org/
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- As you head north on Route 121 toward Casco village you will see two scenic pull-outs for Parker Pond where you can stop and enjoy the changing of the colors on the trees. Bring your cameras.
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- Empire Acres Farm at the corner of Empire Road and Dunn Road in Poland has some of the freshest eggs around. You can’t beat eggs straight from the farm. They also raise turkeys for holiday meals, but if you want one, order soon. Most have already been reserved.
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- Empire Acres Farm at the corner of Empire Road and Dunn Road in Poland has some of the freshest eggs around. You can’t beat eggs straight from the farm. They also raise turkeys for holiday meals, but if you want one, order soon. Most have already been reserved.
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- The Kay House on Route 121 in Oxford houses the Oxford Historical Society and a museum that is open Saturdays from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m.
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- Many farm stands dot the 100-mile route of the Dempsey Challenge bike trek, like this one on Route 11 in Mechanic Falls. Farm fresh veggies and cider would be hard to transport on a bicycle, but what’s the support vehicle for anyway?
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- Cyclists, spectators and leaf-peepers alike can stop in at E.R. Clough General Merchandise at 398 Webbs Mills Road in Raymond to grab ice cream, soda, snacks and a handful of 2-cent candies to fuel their “ride.” You can also check out what’s happening around the area via postings on the cork board outside the store.
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- The Songo River Queen in Naples is offering a commemorative cruise the day of the Dempsey Challenge.
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- If you’re driving the route (or way ahead of the pack on biking day), the Egg-ceptional Restaurant in Poland offers up “double-yolker” egg breakfasts — and everything from plain eggs to fruit-stuffed pancakes. Take a whoopie cake for the road. (If you’re way behind the pack, no worries. They serve breakfast all day.)
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- The Crooked River flows lazily alongside Eddes Falls Road and River Road in Harrison after the halfway point of the 100-mile route.
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- Nicknamed by cyclists “Puke Hill,” Raymond Hill on Valley Road in Raymond rises to an elevation of 669 feet, according to mapmyride.com.
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- A plaque at 28 Poland Spring Road in Auburn along the Dempsey Challenge bike route reads: “Androscoggin County Old Pejepscot Claim. Homeland of the Pejepscot Indians. Sold by Warumbee to Richard Wharton in 1684. A century later, after a long, bitter, and sometimes bloody dispute, the boundary lines were established by court.”
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- The bell in the tower of the former South Baptist Church on Penley Corner Road in Auburn has roots traceable to Paul Revere’s foundry in Boston. The church is almost directly across from Fox Ridge Golf Course and is near mile 5 of the Dempsey Challenge 100-mile bike route. According to building owner, Rudy Wing, markings on the bell show it was produced by Henry N. Hooper and Co. of Boston in 1845.
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- The view from Route 85 in Raymond is breathtaking, before a fun descent for bikers of about 290 feet.
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