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FARMINGTON – The Trek Across Maine bicyclists finished their first day of riding at the University of Maine at Farmington today, greeted by volunteers, noisemakers and lunch.
For the past 25 years, the American Lung Association’s event has drawn thousands of cyclists, volunteers and spectators to participate and cheer along the 180-mile race, traditionally held during Father’s Day weekend. Beginning June 19 this year, the cyclists started at Sunday River Resort in Newry this morning, will head to Colby College in Waterville for the second leg tomorrow and will end their journey on Sunday in Belfast.
The first rider arrived in Farmington at 10:10 a.m., and others will continue to arrive as the afternoon progresses.
According to volunteers, 2,400 riders have registered to participate in this year’s trek, ranging in age from 7 to the oldest rider, 83-year-old Peter Darling of Portland, who is legally blind. The riders, who collect donations and pledges, have already raised $1.5 million to help fund the American Lung Association’s health research, education, and advocacy projects. Organizers are hoping to hit $2 million before the event is over.
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Bicyclists sought shade after a hot, mid-80-degree ride from Newry. |
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Thanks to all who are riding for lung disease!!
Thanks for doing this for those that are unable to because of lung disease.
Thanks for your contributions to the cause.
Thanks for caring.
GO TREKKERS!!!!!!!! GREAT JOB!!……See you all in Belfast,,,,,,,,,,,,,,
So proud of all of you! Good Luck!
I think what they do is for a good cause and I congratulate them. On the other hand I think and wish the organizers would reroute the ride from Dixfield up route 2 to Wilton instead of through Weld. Our roads are narrow and winding and I think it is very dangerous for the bike riders as well as for the motorists. I find some of the bike riders are very arrogant of us excise tax paying motorists trying to get around them.
Just my 2 cents worth.
Mac is right about some of the riders in the trek………..they have a right to be on the road just like anyone, and most of the riders try to stay to the right side of the road, knowing the locals arent used to 2000 plus bikers coming thru town.It seems to be the hard core bikers that ride year round that will hug the centerline like they are in a camry rather than a bike that weighs 10 or 15 lbs. I saw a guy that was right on the bumper of a chevy truck today. He looked away for just a second, and drove right into the truck that had braked for the car ahead of it. It made a funny kind of “kerrDonk” sound as he hit the truck. The only damage done was to the bikers ego and all was well.Lesson learned. The bikers are riding for a great cause and we all appreciate what they do. Ride safe and try to stay to the right in spite of some of the lousy road conditions.
Your sacrifice is huge.
Mac….I think you would have a lot of Trekkers agree with you that route 2 to wilton would be a better route…that hill by the ball field and rest stop 2 is a killer and the climb over the mountain, twisting and turning the whole way is a beast! :) (as a trekker I dread that stretch every year!)
There are hundreds of riders who are doing the right thing…staying as far to the right as possible..saying “on your left” when passing..riding in single file….giving a shout out of “car back” when a vehicle is approaching from the rear…..being polite riders and all watching out for each other….then there are the “Rocket Riders”…the ones who fly by in groups of anywhere from 4 to 23….the kings of the road…..masters of the Trek.
On roads with nice wide shoulders, this isn’t so bad, but on the narrow winding roads of Weld….with many area’s of loose and broken pavement near the edges it can herald disaster for some of the casual to intermediate cycle warriers. (When being passed by such a troop of Rocket Riders this casual-intermediate rider was faced with moving to the left a little and taking out 3 or 4 of the “RR’s”….hitting an amazing pot hole on the edge of the road….or steering into the soft sand shoulder….I chose the sand for it seemed to offer the least amount of equipment damage and removes less skin upon landing.) And the “RR’s” continued to fly on by…..while the Casual to intermediate riders ALL asked if I needed help or was OK…..fortunately no damage was done and tho I suffered slight injuries the worse was to my pride at dumping my bike in front of so many folks….(even that will heal with time)
So, Yes…there are a few arrogant riders in the Trek…..Even when they obviously hear the echoing call of “CAR BACK” they still will not budge from the driving lane to the side to allow a motorist to pass, at least not until some of us “lesser” riders are out of the way so as to not impeed their speedy progress to the finish…. HOWEVER….MOST of the cyclist’s are an amazing group of people, accomplishing an amazing 180 mile ride to benefit the American Lung Association of Maine.
I understand that it’s an inconvenience, having over 2000 riders pedaling thru your town Mac, and certainly understand your point of view in regard to the cyclist/motorist safety and arrogance on the part of a very small number of riders but thank you for putting up with us for the day.
The line of bikes can stretch for miles and just pulling out of a side road can demand a little patience while you wait for a break in the line………..Thank you to all the people who’s communities we ride thru….
I think its great you all ride that ride for the cause. Thank you !!!!!!! I agree with Mac, steve and DJS. I live in Weld and welcome you all back every year and as I drive by each of you I yell out thank you. A few years back I tryed to go down to wilton to get to work, it took me 1/2 hour to go from the Weld general store to the flower house not even a mile. I turned around and went the other direction as I had a time frame to get to work. So when i get into town each year and see the bikes i go the other direction. I did have a problem with some of the bikers just from downtown to the bypass rd. However its once a year and for a good cuase and like DJS said its only some bikers who think they are it and take the whole road even if there is someone in a car is behind them. They need to remember alot of us need to get to work , doctors ect. . I don’t want to see you reroute the trec. as it is a good cuase and once a year but maybe let the riders know to be aware the roads from Dixfield to Weld to Wilton are narrow and people do need to get to work ect. And to the bikers who finished in Farmington and rode back to wal-martyou really need to realize how much traffic you backed up by taking the whole lane and almost caused 2 accidents that I seen. I say ride safe and smart.