Day 1: Searsport to Millfield

118 km (73 miles) – Total so far: 118 km (73 miles)

If you have kids or work with them you may recall a time when after a long journey you need to drive around for another. 15 minutes to let the DVD finish. I was one of those kids last night arriving in Searsport trying to get my book finished; tremendous also, the Collini Case.

I Checked into a family run motel, not awfully upmarket but much more personal and cheaper than the chains, and got to be shortly after 11 on a long day that had started in Manchester just after 5 UK time. I wouldn’t say I’m used to be woken in the US by police sirens in the middle of the night that are 20 metres away, but it has happened; the Christmas shooting at my brothers neighbours a couple of years back for example. It was the only example, until now. A serious domestic incident in the room 2 down from mine resulted in ambulance and police, here in very rural Maine, and the participants, 65 and 69 years old. Window cabaret which I was barely awake for.

A great first day in the saddle today, with excellent weather (partly cloudy with temperature between 20 and 26 C). It’s obligatory to do 100 k on the first full day. Last year in Italy it nearly killed me, but this year few problems. A large part of the day was on Route 1, which was fine as it has a cycle lane at the side for almost all. I took a detour into the hills around Egypt Bay and Hog Lake, very quite and very hilly, but a good change. One purpose was to see the state of the rail trail (the Downeast Sunset Trail), and it was rough, great on a mountain bike. with my set up though, not a good idea and also 50% slower.

Route 1 itself would be quite a ride, it is 2369 miles long from Fort Kent just north of here to Key West.

A lot of holiday traffic turned off to Acadia National Park at Bar Harbour, best avoided by cyclists at this time of year I think. A great ocean coastline when visible ( and it will be for several more days), plenty of Maine seafood kiosks, with famous Lobster rolls and more. Inland is forested with many Mosquitos. I did look at a campsite at Steuben, but was bitten while doing so a few times which put me off. I need a plan for future nights, no short and tshirt at that time of day for a start.

I’m in a family run, basic motel in Millfield. Very quite in town (I made the mistake of calling it a village to the lady at reception). Wandering out soon in search of local beers and lobster rolls.

Distance 114 km – 71 m High speed 58.3 km / hr – 36.2 mph Ride time 5 hrs 54 mins, Avge speed 19.2 km /hr Left 10:15 am, arrive 5:05 pm Height gained 1240 metres, though never higher than 85 meres