If you missed the 19th annual Maine Bike Rally in Yarmouth this past weekend, well, you missed a lot of good fun, good riding and good people.

There were 33 road rides on the docket: Friday evening rides mostly had a food theme... Lobster & L.L., Buck's Naked BBQ, and Ice Cream at Pat's were among the yummy choices.

The 19th annual Maine Bike Rally was held last weekend at Yarmouth High School.
Carey Kish photo

The rally attracted several hundred bicycling enthusiasts for a very fun and full weekend.
Carey Kish photo

On Saturday the hard core roadies could go full tilt for the Hilltop Century, the Lighthouse Metric Century, the Hill of a Ride. Of a more moderate and easy flavor: Mackworth Bike Hike, Pineland Garden and Audubon Gilsland Farm.

Sunday concluded with rides like Bailey Ferry, Portland Peninusula and a History Ride. Sunrise and Stargazer Rides were available daily for the early birds and night owls.

For the knobby-tired crowd (well, not so much of a crowd as was hoped--where are all you folks and why don't you come to the MBR?), there were 10 rides offered, ranging from Bradbury Mountain State Park to Pineland to the Presumpscot River to an Urban Assault on Portland.

Not being much of a road biker and still in possesion of a 1987 Bianchi 12-speed, I opted for the mountain biking.

Saturday morning three of us rode the Presumpscot River, one of the area's premier mountain bike rides. You can make it as easy or as hard as you want; ride out and back along the river, or include any of a number of loops up and down the hill. Either way it's great single track and wicked scenic to boot.

Riding terrific single track trail along the Presumpscot River, Portland/Falmouth.
Carey Kish photo

Taking a break along the Presumpscot River.
Carey Kish photo

Bike swing on the Presumpscot River. Hmmm...
Carey Kish photo

Early Saturday afternoon we added a couple of folks to the group and rode the fantastic singe track trails of Bradbury: Fox West and East, Lanzo, Ragan, Ginn. Incredible! Without question the best mountain bike riding in the state. And it shows with miles and miles of well designed trails that are now attracting lots of riders. Well done!

Riding Maine's best: the single track of Bradbury Mountain State Park, Pownal.
Carey Kish photo

Sweet riding through the woods of Bradbury!
Carey Kish photo

Congrats and cheers to the Bicycle Coalition of Maine, the many, many dedicated volunteers, and the several hundred bicycle enthusiasts who came for the weekend to enjoy the riding, the food, the music and the camaraderie. All good!

Next year's Maine Bike Rally: Fryeburg! That'll be awesome. Mark it down on your calendar now and plan on a solid weekend of bicycling fun.