Schoodic Point (pronounced ‘skoodick’) is a part of Acadia (pronounced ‘ahrcadia’) national park in Maine (pronounced ‘mayne’). It’s off Route 1 in Northern Maine, across from Nova Scotia, Canada. I spent just about every summer for most of my life hanging around this part of Maine, since my family has a cabin up there; I never biked the area, though.
UNTIL NOW! I rented a trusty Fuji from a not-so-local bike shop in Southern Bar Harbor (prounced ‘bah hahbah’) and was excited to bike from where our camp is (near Milbridge) down to A(r)cadia and back.
Lightly concerned about my cell phone’s battery already being low, I decided to venture forth anyways. I mean, hey – I spent every summer here for 25+ years. I know my way around! I won’t get lost! I’m FINE! I have some gel and water and a bonk bar. I’m gonna be FINE.
Not a traffic light in sight
Ohhhh famous last words.
So first of all, it is wonderful biking in Maine. I biked possibly a bajillion.. maybe a bajillion and a half.. miles without ever coming to a stop light. In fact, I’m not sure I even SAW a stop light the entire journey. The image indicates the wide open road encountered. Note the lack of cars, stop lights, pedestrians, and gaze upon the extreme abundance of trees.
Sadly, no Moose/Bears/Deers/Live Porcupines were spotted. Just dead porcupines.
Also, don’t be fooled – that road is NOT flat. Lots of lovely rolling hills. Just steep enough you will switch gears, but challenging enough that you don’t get bored (and you stare at the side of the road to distract yourself and see lots of dead porcupine).
While cycling down Route 1 towards Schoodic, I started to stare at all the road signs.
The first one that really caught my attention was a sign proclaiming that DOMESTIC VIOLENCE IS AGAINST THE LAW and that you will end up in jail. No, I didn’t manage to get a picture of it (Mom is going to go back and get a pic). It was a legit road sign, complete with a picture of “jail”. Ladies – remember, it’s against the law to hit your husbands, k??
I keep on biking and apparently there is a winery/brewery up ahead. All I could think about was the perfect combination of alcohol and domestic violence. Fabulous.
Keeeeeeeeeep on biking, and I finally turn into A(r)cadia. woo hoo! Progress!
This adventure is too much to contain in one post, so check back/sign up for updates/scan the Facebook page for more!
On my trek fiddy two, bumpin’ down tha street
Sunshine’s out ta get me and burn my sexy meat
Protectin’ my sweet necessities with my fly accessories
To avoid that lobstah* action and get a pimp reaction
w3rd
So I posted about what to carry in your bike bag, but what about on your own being (this is why bike jerseys have giant pockets in the back!) or apply prior to your ride (*cough sunblock and chamois cough*)?
I won't leave the house without this stuff
A. Helmet
B. Road ID**
C. Sunblock. Seriously.
D. Solid Food
E. Gelatinous food (aka Gel, Goo)
F. ARM covers!!!
G. Chamois cream 
H. Optional: Heart Rate Monitor
Don't let this happen to you
Think I harp on too much about sun block in all my posts? The image to the right was taken TWO MONTHS after the burn happened. I was lobster red. I foolishly did not put on ANY sunblock, went for a 50+ mile ride (and bonked, by the way) and ended up with the most horrific tan line evah. Then I went to the pool at the gym and was laughed at by young adults, which is apparently nothing new for me.
The moral of my tale of woe is to wear sunblock. Even if it’s cloudy. There are sun protecting arm covers out there, they are amazing. I don’t leave home without them anymore.
Is there any gear/apparel you refuse to leave home without? What is it?
*I am from New England so I can totally drop that ‘r’ in lobster.
**Ever since I got the Road ID, I have felt SO much safer riding around (I ride long distances solo). I actually just wear it all the time now. What if I got hit while just crossing the street? I’m also a horrible driver – a serious car crash could happen any time! Essentially, you provide all your medical/health info on their site and paramedics/police/person who finds your body can call the number on your bracelet and find out your blood type/allergies/emergency contacts, etc. It also comes in pink.
So one of the really annoying things about biking more than 20 miles at a time is you gotta eat. It’s not like you can pig out on a tasty hamburger or mac n’ chz or something. You usually end up with small, pre packaged foods (although some people get fancy and make their own sandwiches, etc), that you shove into your back jersey pockets.
I personally need to eat almost every 20 miles. Big rule of thumb with cycling: Eat before you get hungry, drink before you get thirsty.
Also, “Ride to eat, eat to Ride”. YOU are the machine – gotta fuel the ride, yo!!
So there you are, biking along, mile 30, and you are sick of gels (which I will review later) and need something substantial. There are a buttload of bar options (and weird gel “fruit snacky” things) on the market.
Today, I shall review my current favorite – bonk breaker bars
nom nom nom
So you may be thinking “bonk? what a silly word!”. Bonking means ‘hitting a wall’ while you are running/cycling/whatever-ing and you didn’t fuel yourself. Exhaustion. Fatigue. Fail. Bonking sucks. It makes those last grueling 15 miles feel like the entire century. Don’t bonk. It’s not fun.
There are several flavors these bars come in – PB&J, chocolate chip (MMMM) and almond butter (MMM). As you can probably tell by the “MMMM” , I really like the chocochip and almond butter.
Some major selling points on these bars:
1. The packaging is loose, which allows for easily opening while riding and re storing into your back pocket without the bar falling INTO the pocket, turning into a bunch of mushy pieces while mingling with your sweat, causing you to lose your bar or eat sweaty bar in desperation. Don’t ask.
2. The bar itself does not require too much additional chewing, like Cliff bars. It goes down smooth – no choking on random nut or oat pieces that get stuck in your throat.
3. Dang, they are SO tasty. HIDE them when you are in your house – NO grazing/snacking on Bonk bars unless you are doing something high energy. Seriously. I hide them near my gel packets in the bike room.
These bars have worked really well for me in the past few rides – you don’t need to eat the whole bar at once – I generally graze off of it over a 20 miles period – graze, drink water, graze drink water.
I also wrote the company to tell them how much I liked their product, and that I was glad they donated a bunch to the AIDS Life Cycle (ALC), which is how I learned about their product. The president wrote me back and was super nice. Love personalized companies!
You can find these at your local REI for a pretty good price, especially if you are a member, and your local bike store. The almond butter ones are a bit harder to find right now.
Let me know how you like ‘em!
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