Places to stay and ride in Bethel/Sunday River area

[boudy]

Hey,

The GF and I will be up in the Rumford/Bethel area this coming July for the Rally America race.

We're looking for some fun winding single track (nothing crazy - she's a newbie) to ride between race events.

I'd appreciate any recommendations as to where to ride and stay, including group rides. Also any tips on viewing the Rally is appreciated. For instance, are we better off riding to the primo viewing spots?

I've never been to the area so please include details and links to relevent sites.

-Eric

[onespd]

Most of the Rally cars racers stay either at Sunday River or at Madison Motor Inn.
Sunday River still has some trails open. Not many beginner trails, but still good riding.
Black Mtn in Rumford is currently discussing the idea of summer riding. The x-cntry trails there used to be a race course for the Maine Points series.
I'll post more info as I get it.
Jeff Clarke

[slapheadmofo]

Yeah, seems that lot of the rally racers used to stay at some of the slopeside condos at the mountain. Never found much for singletrack in the area besides the DH trails, though you can always ride the XC ski trails/dirt roads around the base of the mountain; you should be able to hunt down a map pretty easily once you're up there.

[steve_b]

I'd appreciate any recommendations as to where to ride.

When you are there, take Rte. 2 out to Gilead, and turn left onto 113 south. After maybe two miles, turn right onto the Wild River road which is dirt. It's about 5 miles long. You can follow the signs to the Wild River campground, as the WMNF parking lot is at the campground. They have one of the self-pay setups where you put the $3 in an envelope and deposit it.

From the parking lot, follow the sign to the Wild River trail. The first section is a little rooty and requires a short hike-a-bike section across a creek bed right out of the parking lot, but you can avoid this by taking the old railroad grade / dirt trail through the campground. The trail is really mellow and follows along the Wild River for a several miles and includes a neat bridge crossing. You can cross the bridge and take a left at the junction and continue on for a couple more miles, if desired. It's a great trail for a new rider for the first few miles. You would do it as an out-n-back, and make it as long as you choose. A couple nice swimming holes are available if you pay attention.

There's some great side trails off of this one, but are much more tech. and require a good amount of climbing.

[ride in maine]

There is a bunch of single track located off from Jordan Bowl. Its a good ride which is around 11 miles and it takes you out to a fire road which is connected to the covered brdge road out near Outward Bound facilities.Bad part is riding the road all the way back up the the acess road by sunday river and on your way to Jordan back to where you started. Kib and I have done it a couple of times and it is a burner. good luck

Calvin Weeks