Our new Quebec Bicycle Tours is selling so well we have added a new date August 22-28, 2010

http://www.summerfeet.net/QuebecBicycleTour.asp

Bicycle Tours Focused on Deaf Cyclists Planned for Maine Coast

Innovative Initiative Will Provide Outdoor Experiences to Underserved Group

Portland, Maine (February xxxx, 2010) – This summer, a Maine company will begin offering something unusual, if not unique, among outdoor vacations nationally. The company will host bicycling trips guided by people who are both fluent in sign language and have first-hand knowledge of the coast.

Summer Feet, which provides supported bike trips in New England and overseas, will provide two nationally certified sign-language instructors for each trip. In 2010, those trips will be to:

· Acadia National Park and other spectacularly beautiful areas near Bar Harbor, Maine, from Aug. 27-29.

· Camden, Maine, and neighboring communities that have been identified by various publications as some of the most-scenic and fun-to-visit locations in the country, during the weekend of Sept. 24-26.

“The communications barrier will be eliminated entirely,” said Alyssa Gagnon, a nationally certified interpreter in American Sign Language who has been competing in bike races for 11 years and working in Deaf services for a decade. “All of the information about the places we’re visiting and the bicycling advice offered will be direct from us, and not have to pass through a third-person interpreter.”

Summer Feet has built a reputation for excellence during a decade of offering assisted trips, where the company takes care of logistics for participants. Summer Feet arranges for great accommodations and food, as well as once-in-a-lifetime activities such as sunset cruises on a schooner along the Maine coast. The company also provides van support during the day, so that travelers don’t have to worry about transporting their luggage or fixing their bicycle if something breaks.

This support frees participants to fully experience the stunning scenery of New Zealand, Nova Scotia, Quebec, Prince Edward Island and various locations in Maine. Bicyclists can get to know one another, and unwind from the demands of daily life, without worrying about the details.

“On just about every trip, we tailor the tour in some way to meet the needs of individuals,” said Norman Patry, founder of Summer Feet. “Sometimes, it’s something small, like meeting dietary needs. Other times, we provide help that’s more-involved, like working with a blind person on a tandem bike or, someone who requires special equipment to make the trip possible or enjoyable.”

“This summer, we’re going to go a step beyond those efforts to offer something you just don’t find in the industry,” Patry said. “There aren’t many options for deaf people to experience outdoor activities with the help of people who are both expert bicyclists and fluent in sign language.”

One reason that outdoor trips such as this one are so unusual is that there is a small population of people who are qualified guides and also fluent in sign language, said Gagnon, who will be spending her fourth season as a Summer Feet guide this summer. There just aren’t as many options for people with disabilities to fully experience the outdoors.

This fact, coupled with the expertise of Summer Feet guides, provides the company with a unique opportunity to serve a largely untapped segment of the market: people with disabilities who are interested in outdoor travel vacations.

On the first trip, participants will tour the dramatic, rocky coast of Schoodic Peninsula, across the bay from Bar Harbor, and explore both the Carriage Roads and Park Loop Road in Acadia National Park. A wine-and-cheese reception, lobster dinner and lodging in the elegant Harborside Hotel will complement the bicycling.

The second weekend takes participants to the Camden Hills area, where mountains meet the sea. Participants will cycle what Yankee Magazine called “The Prettiest Six Miles in Maine,” experiencing pristine Islesboro and exploring the one-of-a-kind Rockland area. A Sunset Sail of Penobscot Bay on a classic wooden schooner and fine dining in Camden also add to the appeal.

“Deaf people are just like anyone else,” said Gagnon. “They want to have a wonderful vacation, without complications. These weekends will allow deaf people to blend in and experience the beauty of Maine in the same way that other bicyclists do.”

Based in Portland, Maine, Summer Feet offers travelers assisted bicycle tours and the most-authentic experiences available of beautiful locations in Maine, Canada and New Zealand. Summer Feet has a decade of experience in providing van support, knowledgeable guides and logistics for memorable bicycle vacations. More information is available at www.summerfeet.net, via email to info@summerfeet.net, or by phone at 866-857-9544

Maine’s size and variety offers bike rides for all levels. Here in alphabetical order are 5 of my favorites all of which we do on our great Maine Bike Tours.

Acadia’s Carriage Roads.

Built through the generosity of John Rockefeller the carriage roads offer 50 plus miles of car free cycling. Most people who ride the carriage roads only ride the super highway between Eagle Lake and the Jordan Pond House. It is a nice family friendly ride that offers a nice stopping point with services but it gets crazy crowded on summer days. If you really want to do this ride try it after 3 pm and you will encounter a fraction of the people. Looking to ride the carriage roads with a few less people try the Around the Mountain Loop, a little bit more challenging but worth the effort, I have ridden this at the height of tourist season in August and seen maybe 6 other people. In addition to more exercise and less people the Around the Mountain Loop will offer some nice views of Sommes Sound and Northeast Harbor. Want a kid friendly ride cycle Witch Hole going the opposite way at Eagle Lake from the crowds heading to Jordan Pond.

Blue Hill Peninsula

A little further a field and best for experienced road cyclists Blue Hill offers great cycling. Both the towns of Blue Hill and Castine are charming and great starting points. Get the Delorme Maine Gazatter and plan a route following the roads along the coast for miles of low traffic roads with a nice mix of hills. Be sure to visit Blue Hill reversing falls just south of the town of Blue Hill

Cape Elizabeth and Prouts Neck

My hometown favorite leave Porltand and do a bit of urban cycling over the bridge to South Porltand. From here cut over to the South Portland shore and visit Both Bug Light a small fire plug lighthouse with a nice little museum over looking Casco Bay and Spring Point another small lighthouse with a stone jetty for great views of Portland. Pop into Willard Square and stop at the great bakery for a treat before cycling out Shore Road with great views of some beautiful houses and a visit to the Portland Head Light. From here cycle onto Route 77 heading south to Two Light State Park where can wander on the Rocks, and enjoy a Lobster Roll at the scene from a Edward Hopper painting. Pedal onto Kettle Cove and then follow Route 77 to Prout’s Neck for more ocean views and view of Pine Point and Old Orchard Beach. Cycle back to Portland and celebrate your ride with one of our great micro brews from Geary’s or the Shipyard.

Rockland and Port Clyde Loop

From the funky town of Rockland, think Camden with a soul, head south on Route 73 to the Owls Head Light continue south passing the Owl’s Head Transportation Museum a great spot for any one interested all kinds of transportation from air planes to bicycles. and continue south to the Junction of Route 131. Follow 131 down to Port Clyde visiting the Marshall Point Lighthouse and the fishing village of Port Clyde. Stop at the general store or dip net for lunch before cycling back to Rockland

Route 113

One the best fall foliage Maine. Start from Bethel and follow the North Road to the bridge, cross the bridge and turn right onto Route 2 for a short stretch until the junction of Route 113. It offers easy cycling up until Hastings campground where the leisurely can turn around and the more enthusiastic can cycle up to Evans Notch. For a bigger challenge start in Fryeburg and follow 113 from the steeper side into the Notch

Portland, Maine was just named by Forbes Magazine the “Most Livable City in America”

http://www.forbes.com/2009/04/01/cities-city-ten-lifestyle-real-estate-livable-cities.htm

Check out why this summer plan a visit to Portland and then explore the rest of the wonderful state with a Summer Feet Cycling week-long or weekend bicycle tour.

10 tips for choosing a bicycle vacation

1. Think about where you want to cycle. Bicycle Vacations are one of the fastest growing in the travel industry. A Google search of Bicycle Tour Companies returns over 2 million results. The possibilities are endless. There are bicycle vacations to just about anywhere you want travel.
2. Think about the type of tour you want. The most popular type of tour is a fully supported tour. On a fully supported tour, you and the group you are cycling with are accompanied by tour leaders and a support vehicle often called a SAG wagon. The leaders take care of all the details, fix flat tires, carry your luggage and point out highlights of the areas you visit. On a limited support tour, usually your luggage is carried for you but you are on your own during the day. On a fully loaded tour, you carry everything including clothing, spare parts, tools, food, tent and anything else you need.
3. Think about how much cycling you want to do. Again, the possibilities are limitless. There are companies that cater to folks who are not cyclists but think a cycling vacation would be fun. Often these companies plan their trips expecting guests to bike between 10 and 15 miles per day. On our recreational trips, our average guest moves at about 8 miles per hour including stops. There are also trips for people who want a little more cycling. Summer Feet Cycling’s recreational trips are set up for people who want to ride between 20 and 35 miles per day. At 8 miles per hour, this works out to be between 3 and 5 hours of cycling always broken up by stops and lunch. More aggressive tours will ride between 50 and 75 miles per day at a quicker pace and then there are trips for the hardcore cyclists who want 80 to 100 miles a day with as many hills as they can find. Most companies will encourage you to cycle as much or as little as you want so there is no pressure to do it all. Look at the company’s website and it will often disclose the daily mileage option.
4. What type of lodging appeals to you? Here the possibilities also run the gamut. At the higher end, you will stay in the best Hotels and Inns an area has to offer. Other companies use simple, clean and comfortable lodging, and there are trips designed for those who wish to camp. Similar to the Bed & Breakfast based trips, camping trips will range from deluxe camping where someone pitches your tent and cooks for you to do-it-yourself camping trips.
5. Consider price. Self proclaimed luxury companies charge somewhere between $3000.00 and $5000.00 per person per week for a fully supported domestic trip offering high end lodging and meals, and between $3000 and $7000 per person per week in Europe. Like everything else, some things cost a lot because people enjoy the prestige of paying a lot. There are many opportunities to enjoy a luxury trip for less. In some areas that are hard to reach or have legitimate security concerns, the premium may be justified. In most places, you can get as good or a better tour for less money. Knowing what is important to you will help you narrow down the selection.
6. Do Some Research Most companies will have a wealth of knowledge on their websites: the itineraries, daily cycling distances, links to lodging, as well as list of what is included in the tour price. Request brochures and call the company’s toll free number with any questions.
7. Do Not Be Intimidated. All the companies I have ever dealt with understand that the best way to grow their businesses is by making sure every guest has a great time. The trip leaders will 99% (everybody has a bad day on occasion) of the time bend over backwards to make sure you feel comfortable and enjoy yourself.
8. Small Group Travel is Not a Bus Tour Many people are wary of signing up for a packaged vacation because they worry about giving up their freedom, eating bad chicken, and being stuck with the boorish auto parts salesman from Des Moines for six days. Small group adventure travel offers travelers a great deal of flexibility while also turning over the logistics and planning to someone else so you can enjoy your vacation. Everyone who has ever taken a Summer Feet Cycling trip as there first bike tour or group travel experience has told me they cannot wait to do it again.
9. Bigger is Not Always Better. The industry is dominated by a couple of large players, Backroads and VBT being the biggest. The advantage of a large company is consistency of product in a wide variety of places. The disadvantage is that many trips offered by large companies are formulaic. Therefore, with so many places to manage, they may not drill down as deeply as a smaller company dedicated to getting it right in a few locations. In full disclosure, I am the owner of one of the smaller niche companies, Summer Feet Cycling.
10. Take a Trip In ten years in business, I have never had anyone say that the trip was a mistake, a disaster, or a regret. I have sent a few people home sad that it rained a little more than we all would have liked. I have had hundred of people say that they were, thrilled, elated, changed and looking forward to their next trip. 27 million people have taken a bicycle vacation in the last five years. Join the fun!

Into my inbox today came an exciting offer from TREK travel a 3 day/ 2 night wine country weekend for the bargin price of $1595.00 pp. I do not see the bargain. Summer Feet Cycling offers 3 day/2 night trips on the coast of Maine for $725.00 pp ($625.00 pp when booked by 4/30/2009) and POMG Bike Tours of Vermont offers 3 day/ 2 night trips for $465. 00 to $525.00 granted you will not get to ride the latest and greatest TREK bikes but think about it this way. With the money you save you can either invite an friend, take a week-long trip with a company like Summer Feet or you have almost saved enough to upgrade to a full dura ace group.

I just returned from the National Bike Summit in Washington DC.  The summit is the annual gathering of bicycle advocates  from across the country. The 1stday was dedicated to speeches and seminars. We were fortunate to hear from the new Secretary of Transportation Ray La Hood who offered a very optimistic speech about the Obama administration’s embracing a more bicycle friendly transportation policy.  Day 2 was the dedicated advocacy day where by state we all descended on Capitol Hill to lobby our elected officials to support bicycling friendly initiatives.  We met with aides of all 4 members of Maine’s delegation, both Senators Olympia Snow and Susan Collins, as well Representative Chellie Pingree. Despite some long held cynicisms about the effectiveness of the government it is quite refreshing and uplifting to realize that our elected officials are accesible and willing to listen to concerns of constituents.

Most bicycle tour companies offer great delas to gather early season bookings. Summer Feet Cycling www.summerfeet.net offers $200.00 pp off week-long trips and $100.00 off 3 day trips booked before 12/31/2008. many other companies are also offering deals. Now is the time for the budget minded cyclist to book for 2009

I have always thought it would be fun to do a charity ride in all 50 states, I am curious what people would say are the best one day and multi day rides in their states.