Maine Lobster Ride Draws Record-Breaking Crowd

A record-breaking 625 bicyclists participated in the Maine Lobster Ride & Roll on July 21 in Rockland. The Bicycle Coalition of Maine's biggest fundraiser of the year drew nearly 30 percent more riders than in 2006.

Cyclists came from at least 22 states and two Canadian provinces, including one man who drove from Michigan, biked the century ride, then returned home the next day. Many participants raved about the scenery along the route, which wound through countryside and along the coast. The weather cooperated with partly sunny skies and temperatures in the low 70s.

After rides of 16, 30, 50 or 100 miles, cyclists returned to Rockland High School for lunch. Colorful balloons and red-checkered tablecloths created a festive mood in the high school gym. Volunteer Anne McMath designed beautiful centerpieces for each table with flowers, miniature lighthouses, bicycles and lobsters. Participants watched the Tour de France on a large screen television as they munched on freshly made lobster, tuna and veggie rolls.

More than 80 volunteers helped with the Maine Lobster Ride. We heartily thank all of them. A special thanks to the Lobster Ride Committee: Jon McMath (chair), David Auclair, Cindy Charlson, Chris Christie, Joel Fishman, Anne McMath, Robert Nault, Sandy Nault, Joe Patten, Ken Pote, Jane Self, Maggie Warren, Chris Wells and David Wood.

We also thank our sponsors: the Maine Lobster Festival, HealthWorks, GOMaine, L.L. Bean, Atwood Lobster Co., DeLorme, Bangor Savings Bank, Bikesenjava, the Maine Tourism Association, 102.5 The Peak, Maine Sport Outfitters, Bar Harbor Bank & Trust and Terrence J. DeWan & Associates.

We received generous, in-kind support from Rockland High School, Rockland Rotary Club, Penobscot Bay Chamber of Commerce, Rockland Police Department, American Lung Association of Maine, Farnsworth Art Museum, Maine Lighthouse Museum, Owls Head Transportation Museum, Auclair Cycle & Ski, Modern Pest Control, Time Warner Cable, HAM Operators of Maine, Pepsi Bottling Group, Rock City Coffee Roasters, Clif Bar, Hannaford, Shaws, Willow Street Donuts, Dunkin Donuts, Tim Horton's, Good Tern Food Co-op, Home Depot, Irving, North Center Foods, Camden Bagel Café and Revolutions Personal Training.

Thank you to everyone for a most successful event.