The Capital Town of Augusta

The Kennebec River with downtown Augusta on the left.

July 16, 2010 — AUGUSTA, Maine

After waking up Friday morning and rubbing lots and lots of sleep out of my eyes (that's what not having a shower will do for your beauty sleep), I rode out of my graveyard and back onto the highway.

I fully expected to find a campground or Motel 6 at the bottom of the next hill, but did not. I don't think I saw a hotel until I got to Augusta, the capital of Maine. By the way, that's always a good trivia question. Everyone remembers Portland and Bangor, but no one remembers Augusta.

It's a very pretty town on the banks of the Kennebec River.

I ate some lunch beneath the shady trees surrounding Capitol Park, a broad lawn sweeping downhill from the Maine Capitol nearly to the river. I debated whether to travel further toward New Harbor, my final destination, or to stay at Augusta. The next large town downstream is Gardiner, and a six-mile Kennebec River Rail-Trail runs south from Augusta to Gardiner.

I finally decided I could ride down, see if there is a hotel in Gardiner and then ride back if there isn't. Which is exactly what I did. No motels in Gardiner. Nearest one is probably in Augusta, I was told. So I came back to Augusta and now have a room at the Senator Inn and Spa. Rough life. Did I mention the restaurant and the seafood medley and Spanish Torres wine? Well, I am on vacation.

Headed for New Harbor down on Pemiquid Point today. I can't believe none of my conspiracy-theorist friends haven't wondered why I'm on the coast of Maine at the same time as President Obama. Well, someone needs to give him advice on the National Bicycle Route System, of course. Not that he needs a lot. Ray LaHood, the secretary of transportation, has expressed a lot of desire to increase bicycle opportunities and increase funding for bicycle lanes and and paths.

Arkansas is one of two states that the Adventure Cycling Association does not have a route going through, in part because of the condition of our roads. The U.S. Bicycle Route System will have routes through Arkansas, but Arkansas is pretty far down the line compared to states that have embraced the notion that highways and roads can serve both automotive and bicycle traffic.

Comments

[Bill]

Compared to Louisiana, Arkansas roads are in immaculate condition!