17th Maine Bike Rally

Approximately 200 bicyclists gathered in Belfast over the weekend of July 8-10 for another wonderful Maine Bike Rally. Despite some rain on Saturday, we had a fun and successful event. All the dinner rides and the night ride on Friday were dry, and Sunday was a gorgeous hot summer day. Saturday's cooler temps worked out well for some of the long rides, and many of the riders did go out.

The Maine Bike Expo on Saturday afternoon moved into the Troy Howard Middle School Gymnasium where participants got to join Senator Dennis Damon and Mayor Mike Hurley in test-riding many different types of antique and contemporary bikes, trikes, and recumbents. Noah Blanchard was again the star of the Bike Expo with a remarkable collection of antique bikes, including many well over 100 years old. The climax of the Bike Expo was the Bike Parade circling around the gym for several laps with participants of all ages with quite a wild collection of decorated bikes and helmets.

The ice cream social included live music by the local band Abbirabbashabba. Saturday's dinner prepared by the Belfast United Methodist Church was an awesome all-you-can-eat pasta feast and was a fundraiser for the church to help them do mission work upgrading homes in downeast Maine. As folks finished dinner, BCM's Director Jeff Miller started the awards program recognizing bicyclists, elected leaders, and professionals who have helped make a difference.

After all this recognition and celebration, several of the pioneer bicyclists who rode the first East Coast Greenway bike tour last year gave an awesome multi-media presentation on their epic adventure. Everyone had a fabulous time, and several of the spectators have since arranged to have the show presented in their communities.

All in all, the Maine Bike Rally organizing committee did a superb job and pulled the whole thing together beautifully. Dozens of volunteers helped run the show from registering participants to helping lead rides. Our hosts in Belfast, in particular the Waldo County YMCA and the Troy Howard Middle School, were as wonderful as anyone could hope. Our sincere thanks to everyone who contributed to the fun and success of the Rally this year. Join us at the 18th Annual Maine Bike Rally July 7-9 when we move the Rally to Yarmouth!

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