MOAC - Maine Outdoor Adventure Club

3 Day 150 mile Vermont Rail Trail Ride
2024-06-07 - 2024-06-10
This is an unsupported Bike trip across Vermont. The total distance is 155 miles over 3 days of biking. The longest day is 57 miles. We’ll be packing sleeping bags, tents, food and cooking equipment. The first two days will be entirely on the Lamoille Valley Rail Trail which is a beautiful, really well built rail trail that winds its way through farms, woods and small towns. The last day will be on nice roads, over North and South Hero Islands on Lake Champlain, crossing Lake Champlain on the Island Line Trail. We can spend the night with a friend who lives in St. Johnsbury. I can bring everyone’s equipment in a truck and a trailer. I’m a bike mechanic and I’ll pack spare parts and tools. I’ll also arrange for emergency pick up if needed.
Date is flexible pending interest and availability, as well as the weather. Feel free to get in touch with questions or concerns.
Day 1. Make our way to St. Johnsbury, Vt. Have dinner and spend the night at a friend’s house.
Day 2. The Lamoille Valley Rail Trail climbs up at a 3% grade for the first 17 miles or so, then down at a 2-3% grade for the next 20. 3% isn’t a hard grade, but after 17 miles you’ll be delighted when it changes from up to down. There is about 1600 feet of elevation gain in the first 17 miles. We can stop for lunch at an iconic General Store and eat on the shores of Joe’s Pond. Pack for Dinner which we will cook at our campground, the Mountain View Campground, which boasts a pool, hot tubs and a great selection of local beer.
Day 3. This is a more remote stretch of Vermont, and the trail runs mostly through woods. We can stop for breakfast and pack for lunch at the Morrisville Food Coop, then it’s into the woods. The trail ends at Swanton where we can stop at Hannafords to pick up dinner and the following days Breakfast and Snacks. There are a few miles of biking on a busy road to get to the campground, which is Campbell’s Family Campground. This is just a dairy farm on Lake Champlain that’s diversified into camping. It can be loud at night, but it’s a good spot.
Day 4. Breakfast at the campground. This day is Road Biking on North and South Hero Islands. We’re off the rail trail and on to roads, so there is some up and down, but it’s a manageable 600 feet of climb over the day. North and South Hero islands are beautiful rural islands that make for some great biking. The last 10 miles or so is over the Island Line Trail, which is a really exquisite causeway trail over the Lake. There is a Ferry over a gap in the trail. We’ll end the night at Burlington where we can enjoy some great food and Beer. We’ll book an Air BNB for the night

SUNDAY BEACHES BIKE RIDE - CANCELLED
2024-06-30 13:30 - 17:00 (America/New_York)
Sunday Bike & Beach Ride in Biddeford is CANCELLED due to 75% chance of Thunderstorms this afternoon
Will reschedule – Stay Tuned!
Beach bike ride from UNE (Parking Lot #20) to Biddeford Pool, Fortunes Rocks, Granite Point and Goose Rocks Beach!
UNE Parking Lot 20 at Hills Beach Road & Old Pool Rd.
email Nancy – njdorran@gmail.com for more information

Daisetsuzan National Park, Japan
2024-07-16 08:00 - 2024-07-30 17:00
Super early stages in planning a trip to Japan. Mainly revolving around a grand traverse of the mountain range (1 week on the trail, 50 miles) or just relax in the hot springs for the meantime! Bike trip possible also! Reach out for more info if interested!

Biking for Ice Cream
2024-08-03 13:00 - 16:00
Back by request, we will bike to Toot’s Ice Cream in North Yarmouth for one of their yummy options. Meet in the parking lot behind Rivalries on Farm Gate Road in Falmouth for a 1PM departure. Distance is 18.5 miles and terrain is rolling hills with a couple of bigger hills thrown in to earn our ice cream. Helmets are mandatory.

Group Camping at Mt. Blue State Park 8/6-8/9
2024-08-06 08:00 - 2024-08-09 17:00
Maine’s largest state park, with hiking and biking trails, swimming and camping. We’ll gather at this beautiful area in Weld, Maine on Tuesday Aug 6th and depart Friday Aug 9th. Plenty of hiking and walking options, paddling, and biking along the Androscoggin River Valley. Activities planned by the participants in the group(s).
The Mountain Valley Stomp Music Festival is all day, Aug 10th Saturday in the area. Hours of dancing in a pavilion venue at a campground in Dixfield, Maine.
https://www.maine.gov/dacf/parks/trail_activities/mount_blue_trail_conditions.shtml
The MOAC site is the “South Shelter.” See the insert on the Campground Map, to identify the location.
https://www.maine.gov/dacf/parks/camping/pdf/MtBlue.pdf

Download a printer friendly Maine State Parks Group Camping brochure (PDF 423KB).

Reservation Fee: $50. (Paid by MOAC)
Group Campsite Fee: $50 per night min. fee, (Covers up to 10 people, including children)
Additional Person Fee: $5. per person/night for each additional camper beyond 10 (including children).
9% Maine Lodging Tax
Fee per person is $21 total, regardless of the number of nights. Please register by email or text to Eileen. Thank you. Pay cash/check in person or send a check to 370 Parker Farm Rd., Buxton, ME 04093 or pay by Venmo @Eileen-Whynot ahead of time.

You may relocate to Mountain View Campground in Dixfield on Aug 9th. https://www.mountainviewcampground.net/
Reservations are not needed to tent camp at the location of the Mountain Valley Stomp. The views from the campground and the possible paddles, cycles and hikes are only limited by our energy to participate! Bring your road, mountain or hybrid bike, a canoe or kayak and your hiking boots/walking shoes!
If you are at all interested, please send me an email with subject: Mt Blue.
Or Text or call Eileen Whynot at 207-749-0211.

Take Pride in Acadia Day, 2024 - Registration is closed
2024-11-02 08:00 - 13:00
For 33 years, volunteers have gathered on the first Saturday of November to help ready the famous carriage roads for winter. Sponsored by Friends of Acadia, teams are assigned troublesome sections of carriage roads where erosion can cause damage over the winter. The task? Rake the leaves and debris off the shoulders and into the woods. MOAC has had members at this event for many years. We have a team that will work together.
If you follow the Friends of Acadia link above, there will be information about how to sign up for the event. PLEASE do not do that. Since we are working as a group, use the sign up link below so I can keep track. I will submit our roster of names to Friends.
Please click HERE to sign up. Your email is so we can communicate before the weekend. Your phone number so we can as well during the weekend.
Most who sign up make it a weekend, but that is not required. The actual commitment to the park is from roughly 8:30 am to noon on Saturday. If you choose to make it a weekend, the rest of the time is yours.
There is no cost to the event itself. If you choose to stay over, you will need to find your own lodging. Tam and I are staying at the Bar Harbor Grand Hotel, right in downtown and that has been the hotel of choice for the most part for a few years now. But, you can do as you wish in this regard. The Grand offers a free breakfast. Local restaurants for the rest.
Except for the provided lunch after the work Saturday. After our work commitment is done, we can head over to the Hulls Cove Visitors Center for a “CCC” lunch. Chili, cornbread, and cider. Aside from the ingredients, it’s named to honor the Civilian Conservation Corp, who did a lot of work in Acadia.

Bike the Eastern Trail
2025-05-11 13:00 - 15:30
We will bike the Eastern Trail from the Scarborough Marsh to Thronton Academy. Distance is about 17 miles, pace is conversational. Helmets are required. Road bikes are not recommended. Meet in the parking lot on Eastern Road off the Black Point Road in Scarborough.

Bike the Eastern Trail in Scarborough to Saco
2025-06-01 10:00 - 12:00
Let’s meet at the Eastern Trail parking lot at Eastern Road, just south of Black Point Road in Scarborough at 10 am on Sunday, June 1.
We’ll bike southward towards Saco. The distance from the Eastern Road parking lot to Saco is about 8 miles. So for those planning to ride the full distance to Saco and back, plan on 16 miles. The trail surface is packed gravel and the trail is an abandoned railroad bed. This is a show and go. No need to sign up.

Eastern Trail Bike Ride--Ride may not happen, may need a Plan B, please read
2025-09-13 10:00 - 12:30
I have found out that the Eastern Trail Lighthouse Ride uses the trail from Black Point Road to Milliken Road so it may be very busy. I plan to still go there as I am afraid some may not see this update. Please use your discretion on whether you want to come. Sorry for the late notice.
Join me for a bike ride on the Eastern Trail. Distance is approximately 17 total miles. We will meet in the parking lot off of the Black Point Road in Scarborough (Eastern Road) and bike to Thornton Academy. Helmets are mandatory and bring water or a snack.

Bike ride Falmouth-Yarmouth rescheduled to THIS SUNDAY 9/28 @ 10A.M.-12:30P.M.
2025-09-28 08:00 - 17:00, 2025-09-28 10:00 - 12:30
Falmouth-Yarmouth and back. Approximately 15-mile ride of moderate difficulty. In Falmouth, from Lunt Rd., then north on Middle Rd., left on Greeley Rd., and then into Yarmouth via Hillside Rd. We’ll stop for a break at Rosemont Bakery on Main St. From Main St. we connect with Route 88 via Pleasant St. to ride through Cumberland and Falmouth foresides. Back in Falmouth we make a right onto Depot Rd. and ride back to cars. Meet at 10 a.m. (please note change) at Flagship Premium Cinema parking lot (between Walmart and Hat Trick Drive) in Falmouth. Please contact me if you are coming.

Take Pride in Acadia Day, 2025 - Rescheduled to 11/9
2025-10-31 08:00 - 2025-11-02 13:00
Due to the government shutdown, TPIAD has been moved to Sunday, November 9. If the government is still shutdown on November 3rd, the event will be cancelled.
Tammy and I cannot attend on the 9th, so there will be no official MOAC group this year. If you would like to participate as an individual, please sign up here:
Take Pride in Acadia Day

You will be assigned to random groups.
I have left the original information from the event below.
————————
For 34 years, volunteers have gathered on the first Saturday of November to help ready the famous carriage roads for winter. Sponsored by Friends of Acadia, teams are assigned troublesome sections of carriage roads where erosion can cause damage over the winter. The task? Rake the leaves and debris off the shoulders and into the woods. MOAC has had members at this event for many years. We have a team that will work together.
Most who sign up make it a weekend, but that is not required. The actual commitment to the park is from roughly 8:30 am to noon on Saturday. If you choose to make it a weekend, the rest of the time is yours.
There is no cost to the event itself. If you choose to stay over, you will need to find your own lodging. Tam and I are staying at the Bar Harbor Grand Hotel, right in downtown and that has been the hotel of choice for the most part for a few years now. But, you can do as you wish in this regard. The Grand offers a free breakfast. Local restaurants for the rest.
Except for the provided lunch after the work Saturday. After our work commitment is done, we can head over to the Hulls Cove Visitors Center for a “CCC” lunch. Chili, cornbread, and cider. Aside from the ingredients, it’s named to honor the Civilian Conservation Corp, who did a lot of work in Acadia.

Pine Point to Camp Ellis Bike Ride
2026-05-20 10:00 - 12:00
Join me for an easy flat bike ride from Pine Point to Camp Ellis. Distance is about 15 miles. Meet across from the Clambake on Route 9 (Pine Point Road). There are public parking spaces across from the Clambake, do not park in the Clambake parking lot. Departure time will be 10AM. Helmets are mandatory.

Eastern Trail Bike Ride
2026-07-12 09:30 - 12:00
Join me for a bike ride on the Eastern Trail. We will bike from the Eastern Road trailhead in Scarborough to Thornton Academy, about 17 miles round trip. Pace will be conversational. Road bikes are not recommended. Bring water, snack, and helmets are mandatory. Please meet and be prepared for a 9:30 departure. The Eastern Road is a right off of the Black Point Road. Show and Go.

Bug Light ride to GAP ribbon cutting
2026-08-06 09:15 - 11:00
Meet at Bug Light at 09:15 and ride to the ribbon cutting ceremony.
It is a 5 mile ride from Bug Light to Wainright Field
Continue on from there at your leisure after the the trail opening.
Meet in the eastern parking lot that faces out over the outer harbor.
This is a show and go event. Please call me if you have any questions.

Jim Rochette
207-841-7482

Eastern Trail "Gap" Ribbon Cutting/Opening
2026-08-06 10:00 - 11:00
https://www.easterntrail.org/news/ribbon-cutting-ceremony-and-grand-opening-of-the-eastern-trails-gap-section/
It’s finally here!!! The “Gap” on the Eastern Trail between Wainwright Sports Complex and the Scarborough Marsh section has been closed. Bicyclists will no longer have to navigate Highland Ave and Black Point Rd as they travel the Eastern Trail.
The ribbon cutting is set for Thursday, August 6, at 10 am, at the Wainwright Sports Complex and the trail will open for public use at its conclusion. Be one of the first to officially bike/walk this section. There are also two free Welcome Walks scheduled. See the details for those from the link above.
