20th Annual Maine Bike Rally Called "Best Ever"

The 20th Annual Maine Bike Rally and League of American Bicyclists’ National Rally in Fryeburg on July 11-13, 2008 was a huge success. The rally and related events drew a record crowd of more than 650 people from all over the United States and Canada. Several veterans of previous Maine Bike Rallies declared the Fryeburg event the best ever.

Participants ranged from an eight-month-old baby on his first camping trip to a 70-something couple who biked all the way from Chicago. Several families make the rally an annual tradition, and their children enjoy renewing friendships each July. Among the newcomers was a single mother from Connecticut and her teenage son. The mother beamed as she described how she and her 15-year-old boy biked together through challenging, mountainous terrain.

Highlights of the rally included outdoor bike-in movies, Rick Churchill’s entertaining slide show about a bike trip gone awry, the annual bike parade and ice cream social with live music by Sounds Clever and the Valley Horns, hot air balloon rides provided by ReMax, a screening of the incredible documentary film, “Asiemut,” and a talk by the film makers about their ride from Mongolia to India. And, of course, the bike rides - nearly 50 rides on roads and trails.

Thanks to all of the volunteers, business sponsors and others who helped out on the rally. Special thanks to Fryeburg Academy and the town of Fryeburg for hosting the event.

2008 Photo Gallery