What does the ride registration include?
- Registration includes access to your choice of routes: 50k, 100k, or 20k option.
- Friendly course support that includes a downloadable Ride with GPS (gpx) file, rider support, and mechanical and medical assistance, if needed.
- Well-stocked rest stops.
- Rambler t-shirt.
- A post-ride, wood-fired pizza and salad meal at Knife Edge Brewing.
- Lodging is NOT included. Check out camping options at NEOC here and lodging around Millinocket here.
What is the registration price?
50k & 100k Adult—$135 for all riders ages 18+ who do not reside year round in one of the following: Millinocket, East Millinocket, Medway, Sherman, Stacyville, Patten, Mt. Chase, or Island Falls
50k & 100k Youth—$100 for all riders ages 17 and under who do not reside year round in one of the following: Millinocket, East Millinocket, Medway, Sherman, Stacyville, Patten, Mt. Chase, or Island Falls
Katahdin Area Resident—$95 for all riders who reside year round in one of the following: Millinocket, East Millinocket, Medway, Sherman, Stacyville, Patten, Mt. Chase, or Island Falls
20k Adult—$75 for all riders ages 18+ who do not reside year round in one of the following: Millinocket, East Millinocket, Medway, Sherman, Stacyville, Patten, Mt. Chase, or Island Falls
20k Youth—$50 for all riders ages 18+ who do not reside year round in one of the following: Millinocket, East Millinocket, Medway, Sherman, Stacyville, Patten, Mt. Chase, or Island Falls
What time does the ride start?
All rides will be a “grand depart.” Please be on time to the start at Knife Edge Brewing.
100k – 7:30 a.m.
50k – 9:00 a.m.
20k – 10:00 a.m.
If you miss the mass start of the 100k ride, you will be asked to wait until the 50k ride starts, if you miss the 50k mass start, you will have to wait for the 20k. This is important because there is varying cell reception along the route, and our sweep rider has to stay behind the last rider to know that everyone is safe, and when everyone returns safely. For this reason, we recommend checking in Saturday evening, if you are able.
Please note: No paper maps will be available at the ride. We recommend downloading the routes to your smartphone or navigation device to keep you on track. The files will be available just before the ride.
What time is check-in?
Rider check-in will be open on Saturday afternoon (3:00-6:00 p.m.) and Sunday morning for 45 min before each ride (6:30-7:15, 8:00-8:45, and 9:00-9:45 a.m.) at Knife Edge Brewing. See below for parking and directions. We recommend checking in Saturday if you are able, as Sunday morning is a “grand depart” and riders must be on-time.
What will the routes be like?
20k ride (new this year!): Want a rambling challenge, but a shorter route? Try our new 20k ride. This course is about 42% easy gravel, 28% less-traveled (more difficult) gravel, 30% green circle (most easy) singletrack.
Compared to the longer options, the short course has a higher percentage of more challenging terrain. There are some steep climbs and a few sections that riders might chose to hike-a-bike. Compared to the longer options, this shorter course has a higher percentage of more challenging terrain. What bike should you bring for the 20k? We recommend a hardtail mountain bike for this ride—it will make riding the tech bits easier and allow you to ride the ever growing (and super fun!) singletrack trail system at NEOC throughout the weekend. Bring a gravel bike if you prefer the challenge of under biking the rough parts (you know who you are!) and cruising the smoother gravel and pavement.
50k ride: This course is about 26% pavement, 55-60% easy gravel,10-15% less-traveled (more difficult) gravel, 4% green circle (most easy) singletrack. There are some steep, loose climbs and some of the roads are snowmobile/ATV trails that have rougher surfaces. There is one short tech section that includes a slippery bridge—all riders should dismount to cross. What bike should you bring for the 50k? In past years most riders have used gravel bikes, but those that have been on light mountain bikes have all had a good time and many have said they were glad to have been on them. Bonus—a mountain bike will allow participants to ride all the other trails at NEOC on Sat etc.—there are some really fun trails there!
Still unsure about what bike to bring? Do you want to speed through the smooth sections and don’t mind some good ‘ol under-biked a few times throughout the course? Go gravel bike. Want to ride with confidence everything but perhaps ride a bit slower on the smooth stuff? Go mountain bike.
100k ride: This course is about 23% pavement, 60-64% easy gravel, 9-13% less-traveled (more difficult) gravel, 3% green circle (most easy) singletrack. The 100K route features a water crossing—riders are ferried across Pemadumcook Lake by pontoon. There are some steep, loose climbs and some of the roads are snowmobile/ATV trails that have rougher surfaces. There is one short tech section that includes a slippery bridge—all riders should dismount to cross. The immediate section following the ferry crossing is best walked. In general, come prepared to include a couple short hike-a-bikes. What bike should you bring for the 100k? In past years most riders have used gravel bikes, but those that have been on light mountain bikes have all had a good time and many have said they were glad to have been on them. Bonus—a mountain bike will allow participants to ride all the other trails at NEOC on Sat etc.—there are some really fun trails there!
Still unsure what bike to bring? Do you want to speed through the smooth sections and don’t mind some good ‘ol under-biked a few times throughout the course? Go gravel bike.
Want to ride with confidence everything but perhaps ride a bit slower on the smooth stuff? Go mountain bike.
How many riders are coming?
The Rambler is capped at 200 riders, so get your spot early!
Will these routes be accessible after the event?
Riding on these routes is NOT PERMITTED outside of this event. This event is being held with special permissions provided by The Nature Conservancy and Katahdin Forestry Management and trespassing outside of the Rambler will compromise our ability to hold the event in the future.
Is there parking on site?
Yes, parking will be available on site. Please click here for directions to Knife Edge Brewing.
Are meals included? What is the cost?
A post-ride, wood-fired pizza and salad dinner is included with the registration fee from 1-4 p.m. Rest stops will have a variety of snacks to keep you fueled along the route. Knife Edge Brewing will have drinks available for purchase, as well as Orono Brewing (with proceeds going to the BCM).
What is the COVID-19 policy?
Please see our Covid-19 Health and Safety page for the most updated information.
What is the cancellation policy?
Riders who cancel their registration before July 31, 2023 will be refunded in full, minus a 7% processing fee. Starting August 1, 2023, no refunds will be given to riders who cancel for any reason. If the ride is canceled by the event organizers because of extreme weather, state or local declared emergencies, or any other safety-related reasons on or before July 31, 2023, riders will be refunded in full, minus the processing fee. If the ride is canceled after August 1, 2023, no refunds will be given.
Registrations are non-transferable. Because the funds are allocated to goods and services related to the event, and the event itself does not serve as a fundraiser for the organization, your registration is not tax deductible.
If you have questions about your registration or need to cancel, contact ride@bikemaine.org.
I need to cancel, can I transfer my registration to someone else?
No. Registration is not transferable, and you will be asked to show a photo ID when you check in. If you have questions about your registration or need to cancel, contact ride@bikemaine.org.
Is water on the property potable? Should I bring a water bottle?
Potable water will be available on site, and yes, of course a water bottle (or two!) is a necessity. We recommend at least 1 liter to carry on your bike and refill at aid stations.
What is the weather typically like in September?
Maine can be unpredictable in the fall. Bring layers so you can be prepared for all weather conditions. Millinocket is inland and far north, so it can be colder in the fall than Southern Maine, but temperatures of 65F are also typical in September. And if you participated last year, you know that a torrential downpour is also not out of the question! It didn’t dampen the fun though!
Will I have WiFi or cell service?
WiFi and cell reception at NEOC has recently been upgraded, and should be available. AT&T will have the best service, as there is a tower nearby. Much of the course is a remote, wilderness setting, and cell reception will be intermittent at best. We recommend downloading the route file (which will be made available before the ride). For this reason, we have a mass start and it is important that you arrive on time, so our sweep rider can stay behind the last rider and know when everyone is off the course.
What are the lodging options?
Riders are responsible for booking their own accommodations. Lodging/camping may be available (but NOT included with registration) at New England Outdoor Center, and various campsites and indoor options around Millinocket.
