Damariscotta, ME to Bucksport, ME; 69 miles, sunny, 10 SW, 60-70’s
The ups and downs continued, especially on the state roads. There were longer stretches of riding on US 1 with a generous shoulder and less traffic than yesterday. The route is following the coast line by cutting across the headland peninsulas. US 1 has flatter hills and more traffic. The state roads have less traffic but more hills including the “steeps”, those short sections of high gradient. Along the way I spotted a beast that looks like it must be in the cattle family, but I have no clue what it is. We passed through the bay towns of Rockport, Camden, Belfast, and Searsport before arriving in Bucksport. This is the second year in a row I have biked to Belfast. Last year it was the end town for the Trek Across Maine charity ride I participated in. Belfast has a working ship yard and a large boat was being hauled into a large building for some dry dock work as I rode by. At the end of the ride I rode over this magnificent bridge to Verona Island just across from Bucksport over the Penobscot River where it empties into Penobscot Bay.