New England clam chowder group ride

[sullivan]

This just may work out. Thanks for the updates.Canadian FJR

Hope to see ya there! Don't forget to stop and pick up MEM along the way!

CJ

Has she fallen and can't get up?

 

[DE OPPRESSO LIBER]

Nah, MEM's a cougar! See NAFO 2010 ,. . . . . ..

PS- you better get in on this ride, you're hosting the Portland lead!!!

 

[sullivan]

CJ, I'll try to get up to Freeport within a week (only 20 minutes by bike or 30 by car) and send you some dig. photos of the motel/hotel possibilities. Plenty available and all right there on U.S. route 1, which parallels I-295. Will leave it up to you to use that info as you like, to post and tell others.

As for the r.s.v.p., yes I'll be in Kittery that morning, so count one or perhaps two.

Sull

 

[sullivan]

p.s. on a side note: Since I had to skip 09 CFR, it will be nice to see my Canadian neighbors again during the chowdah run. I do intend to make the 10 CFR, since it's just a quick pop over past Vermont this year. How can I say no?

As for meeting at KTP, which is LLBean and Cabela competition, we can expect CharlieHoss to be shopping inside in a certain department by the time we all arrive, right Charlie??

 

[cota95]

My wife and I are a probable as long as she can ride her Vstar

 

[DE OPPRESSO LIBER]

My wife and I are a probable as long as she can ride her Vstar

Nope, no way. No Vstar. Must be FJR. And '06 blue, none of this silver, or black, or red crap, either. Oh, and by the way, my wife will be on her BMW! B) :yahoo: Looking forward to riding with ya again, George! And to finally meet the missus!

 

[Canadian FJR]

So, what are the plans for the Saturday after you leave Freeport?

Canadian FJR

 

[Fred W]

Not sure what CJ has up his sleeve, but my continuation plans for after the Friday ride will be to continue on up the coast on Saturday morning from Freeport up to the Mt Desert Island / Bah Hahbah area. It would be a short distance day which would leave more time for knocking around in Acadia on Saturday afternoon. Then Sunday continue on up to Eastport and slab it home on Monday.

All the routing and places to eat / stay for Sat and Sunday is TBD.

 

[Pepperell]

There won't be time for this on this trip, but a visit here is an afternoon well spent.

Seashore Trolley Museum in Arundel, ME

 

[DE OPPRESSO LIBER]

So, what are the plans for the Saturday after you leave Freeport?











Canadian FJR

What Fred said..... in cool rainy Florida on vaca right now. Will Have second and third days potential route planning posted when I get back with Fred's help. But basically, his timing is right on as far as start/stop points just for planning purposes.

 

[MEM]

Hey Charlie Hoss! Haven't seen you weigh in this ride. You hangin' with the rest of us or not ?!

 

[Charlie Hoss]

Hey Charlie Hoss! Haven't seen you weigh in this ride. You hangin' with the rest of us or not ?!

Rats. Ya caught me lurking in the background, didn't ya. I need to work on my stealth. h34r2: Well, since I'm the only Mainiac around (til sullivan showed up), I should pipe in.

I think I will be in on this one. The local BMW group is having their annual rally that weekend at Hermit Island, near Popham Beach, so we're likely to see a lot of Beemers running around. They will be mostly camping but some of the less inclined will be taking up some motel rooms in the region. I happen to belong to the BMW Riders Of Southern Maine and was thinking of volunteering some time to their rally. However, my first allegiance is to my FJR pards. I'm sure they will get along just fine without me.

I'm very flexible with my schedule and the chosen dates are fine with me.

I'm only a bit surprised that the Weathervane restaurants weren't mentioned. They have locations in Kittery, South Portland, Belfast, and Brewer. I think the food is excellent and reasonable. Yeah, it's a regional chain and perhaps not as quaint as some of the others mentioned.

I think Freeport might be congested and the motels may be tight. Brunswick is a few minutes up the road if we need more rooms.

There is an excellent dealer in Topsham, Woodies Yamaha, next door to Brunswick.

One attraction you all should see before you die is the Owls Head Transportation Museum near Rockland. You can read all about it at www.owlshead.org. It would take about 1 1/2 hours to go through and see everything, maybe less. However, it might be a side trip for another time.

Having traveled DownEast about a hundred times, I found that points east of Mt Desert Island are not as interesting as the many places heading up there from the south. I'd be inclined to take more side roads and end the ride in the Bar Harbor area. Just sayin'. It's a looong ride to Eastport and not much to see on Rte1 unless you take the side roads down the many peninsulas. But like I said, I've got nothing but time. BTW, there is no slab anywhere near Eastport. It's either Rte1 back to the west or up to Calais and nearly 2 hrs on Rte 9 to Bangor to pick up I-95. (I thought I read that Eastport was part of the master plan.)

Rooms on Mt Desert Island shouldn't be too hard to find before Memorial Day the 24th. Preseason rates should still apply. There are several motels in the nearby town of Ellsworth and a good Yamaha dealer is there also.

I know my way around this state a little bit (just a little) and might suggest a few short scenic routes just off the planned route. I'll wait until the ride and we'll see if the time allows. It sounds like a great ride and a good turnout. Let's hope the typical May showers hold off. Looking forward to seeing everyone. And as usual, all you Canadians can sleep on my couch. :sleepysmileyanim:

My 2 dollars, um, cents worth.

Charlie

 

[Charlie Hoss]

p.s. on a side note: Since I had to skip 09 CFR, it will be nice to see my Canadian neighbors again during the chowdah run. I do intend to make the 10 CFR, since it's just a quick pop over past Vermont this year. How can I say no?
As for meeting at KTP, which is LLBean and Cabela competition, we can expect CharlieHoss to be shopping inside in a certain department by the time we all arrive, right Charlie??

Jeezum, Sull. If I do any shopping there I'll have to arrive around 6 AM. And we all know I can't even get up that early except to take a whiz!

The Kittery Trading Post is THE PLACE if you shoot, hunt or fish. A destination all it's own. (Kevin, are you listening?)

 

[TheAxeman]

CJ, Could you amend your first post so it shows the date of the ride or maybe you could have one of the admins edit the thread title? I wasn't following the thread to closely because I wasn't sure if I could make the ride so I had to look around for the date. Its not looking good for Wheaty's camping trip for me because I have to be down on Camp Lejeune on the 15th so I'm hoping to make this ride.

 

[TAZ1300]

This ride sounds great,and have never ridden that area before. The dates are before some other planned rides, and I would like to ride with everyone again, now to see if I can get out of work ......

 

[MEM]

And as usual, all you Canadians can sleep on my couch. :sleepysmileyanim:
My 2 dollars, um, cents worth.

Charlie

Damn, Charlie! How big is your couch ?! :lol:

 

[FJReady]

May 21st... alright, a date to plan with (wasn't that the date of first Wright Bros flight or sumptin?)

I can vouch for Chauncy's boiled lobsta as as been mentioned as a possible stop. Don't know about the chowder. It is a beautiful setting for sure.

Also as mentioned above the Owls head transportation museum is a great take. A few bikes worth looking at but some terrific aeroplanes, cars and stationary engines, etc. Last time I was there I saw a functioning Corliss steam engine. Massive and impressive.

Perhaps a good Saturday destination.

Looking forward to the event. C'mon spring!

 

[wheatonFJR]

Man...if I had the $$, I would head up that way after my camping trip in the Smokies. This sounds like fun! :clapping:

 

[Canadian FJR]

Well, well, well..........I've been wanting to do the Maine 400 for two years and look what weekend it is taking place https://www.maine400.com/ . Decisions, decisions.................... <_<

Canadian FJR

 

[DE OPPRESSO LIBER]

Charlie! Hey hey! Glad to hear from you and Sull! My oldest boy Tim says to say hi to you and the Missus!

I'm only a bit surprised that the Weathervane restaurants weren't mentioned. They have locations in Kittery, South Portland, Belfast, and Brewer. I think the food is excellent and reasonable. Yeah, it's a regional chain and perhaps not as quaint as some of the others mentioned.

The Weathervane's that I have been exposed to have all been less than appetizing, in fact, just downright awful. Must be the location!

I think Freeport might be congested and the motels may be tight. Brunswick is a few minutes up the road if we need more rooms.

You're right, Charlie. I'm thinking it shouldn't be too crowded as it is still before the prime tourista season, but Brunswick is a good, nearby place to find haven if'n folks can't find rooms. Do you have any favorite eatery in that general area for dinner/breakfast or both Charlie?

Having traveled DownEast about a hundred times, I found that points east of Mt Desert Island are not as interesting as the many places heading up there from the south. I'd be inclined to take more side roads and end the ride in the Bar Harbor area. Just sayin'. It's a looong ride to Eastport and not much to see on Rte1 unless you take the side roads down the many peninsulas. But like I said, I've got nothing but time. BTW, there is no slab anywhere near Eastport. It's either Rte1 back to the west or up to Calais and nearly 2 hrs on Rte 9 to Bangor to pick up I-95. (I thought I read that Eastport was part of the master plan.)

Good to know, Charlie! Like I said, the closest I've come to travelling these roads are by looking at a map! If there's enough interest from the group in heading all the way to Easport just to say they've been there, then that's fine. If the majority would rather take more side trips down all of the many peninsulas, this can be mapped out as well. I'm certainly fine if the group wants to split into subgroups for the third day of riding to do their own exploring as well.

I know my way around this state a little bit (just a little) and might suggest a few short scenic routes just off the planned route.

Don't be shy, pardner! Whatchya got?