BANGOR DAILY NEWS • June 3, 2023
Cycling is one of my favorite activities and a primary source of aerobic exercise. The older I get, the more I enjoy it. I was a runner for almost 40 years, but a knee replacement compelled me to quit. The knee guy said, “If you keep running, you’ll be back for another one.” A certified sissy, I’m not suffering that very painful rehabilitation again if I can avoid it. The clever folks at Harvard Medical School say cycling is excellent for the heart, brain, blood vessels, muscles, balance and bone density. Here in Maine, we only have a handful of true bike trails that allow for a decent ride. Many riders consider a 10-mile round trip to be the minimum acceptable distance. The vast majority of our scenic country roads lack a safe shoulder for bike travel. The good news is that things are improving. Two great trail rides in southern Maine are two sections of the Eastern Trail. The northern sector from Scarborough to Saco is eight miles one way, while the southern ride between Biddeford and Kennebunk is six miles. ~ Ron Chase