Today was our tour group’s lighthouse ride and little did we know it was also the day for the 21st Annual Maine Lighthouse Ride. That ride benefited the Eastern Trail Alliance and had mileage of 25, 40, 65 or 100 miles. Our group with Discovery Tours did 32 miles. Considering how many stops we made today, it was the perfect mileage.
Discovery Tours typically does Inn to Inn tours, however this ride is based out of one inn and we are shuttled as needed. Today we started and ended at the inn.
When we started this morning around 9:00am, the temperature was 63 and winds were out of the north at 8mph. No fog today and that was nice! Much of the ride early on was on the road, however having the large group of riders with the other event meant many cars had stayed off the roads. We stopped at five lighthouses throughout the ride.
We had lunch at the Bite Into Maine food truck. It is said to have the best lobster rolls and it was not an exaggeration!
After the lunch stop we had a stretch of trail riding, including a small section of the East Coast Greenway route. We ended the ride about 2:15pm with a temperature of 73 and the winds had shifted to the SSE at 4mph and gusts of 8mph. That means it was a perfect afternoon for riding!
Most of the riders opted to go into downtown Portland for dinner, however we ate at the Inn so we could have an evening stroll along the beach.
Portland Head Light at Fort Williams Park.
Alan and I at Kettle Cove State Park.
Eastern of two lighthouses at Cape Elizabeth.
The second lighthouse at Cape Elizabeth.
The view from Cape Elizabeth.
Lunch stop.
THE best lobster roll.
Portland Head Light in the distance.
Fort Preble; part of a former military facility in South Portland.
Bug Light was erected in 1875 that was inspired by the Choragic Monument near the Acropolis in Athens. It’s unique style sets it apart from any other lighthouse in the world.
Close up of Bug Light.
The bottom sign on the pole, of two trees, is the designation for the East Coast Greenway route (north/south along the eastern seaboard of the U.S.).
Our group of riders along the trail.
Lobster scampi…yum!!
Sunset walk along the beach.