History is being made this year.

For the first time tour bikes are being allowed on the famous Golden Road in the north woods of Maine.

The Golden Road is the name given to a logging road that takes you into remote regions around Baxter State Park.

Normally you pay a fee to access the road as it winds through private lumber company land.

This is a working road, with traffic consisting of very large logging trucks hauling wood to be made into lumber and paper, and is heavily used in the winter months when work in the woods is at its peak. In the spring of each year and the onset of Mud-season, Maine’s fifth season, wood harvesting operations stop and logging trucks halt.

Until recently no bikes were allowed on the Golden Road in Maine for obvious safety reasons.

The Katahdin Trails Alliance saw an opportunity to bike tour on the Golden Road while the heavy trucks were not hauling wood. And so after negotiation with the land owners, history is about to be made as the first ever Golden Road Bike Tour that travels along the West Branch of the Penobscot River and the route of Henry David Thoreau, will take place on Saturday June 2, 2007.

The weekend events start on Friday June 1 with a “Welcome Bikers” party at the Hotel Terrace in Millinocket starting at 6:00pm.

The 30-mile tour race starts at 9:00am on Saturday June 2 at Debsconeaq Turnout – Millinocket Lake. Enjoy yourself on this scenic tour adventure, ride 5, 10, or 20 miles. “Just remember to double the mileage.” If you go to Rip Dam the round trip is 40 miles. Check out points of interest along the way at Abol, Horse Race and Rip Dam.

After a hearty breakfast you can take part in the 18-mile just-for-fun race on Sunday June 3 and starting at 9:00am again from the Debsconeaq Turnout.

The price for single registration packet is $25.00, family $40.00, and group rates available. For more information about the Golden Road Bike Tour contact Stan at stan.extreme@gmail.com or write to Katahdin Trails Alliance, P.O. Box 248, Millinocket, Maine 04462.

My thanks to Jessica Taylor of the Bangor CVB and The Maine Highlands organizations for today’s information. Visit them at www.themainehighlands.com

A full schedule of the weekend events is also available at http://www.katahdintrailsalliance.com/ and you’ll also be able to check out local lodging availability.

This is a scenic area in Maine’s back country where you can hear yourself breathe and share the wilderness with others who enjoy the beauty of the north woods of New England.

Enjoy your week,

Cliff Calderwood
Executive Director
New England Vacations Guide