Looks like a beautiful day for a great ride along the rivers and fields of western Maine!
The route to Andover from Bethel is a beautiful ride on quiet roads.
Start at the park (where we picnic on the North Road ride) on the Androscoggin River in Bethel and go north on Intervale Road to where it ends at Route 232 in Rumford Corner. Take a left and cross the Androscoggin River on an old iron bridge, then another left onto Route 2 and shortly afterwards, a right onto Whippoorwill Road.
At the end of Whipporwill, go left onto Andover Road, then turn right onto East Andover Road, taking another right onto Covered Bridge Road and climb a short hill. (left, left, right, left, right, right! Check the map!) All these manoevers keep you on the eastern side of the Ellis River. You will finally cross the Ellis a mile before arriving at the Andover Town Green, complete with a gazebo, and general store. Great lunch stop!
Return via the western side of the Ellis river on Route 5, take a left to cross the Lovejoy covered bridge (Maine's shortest covered bridge) then retrace the route back to the cars via Covered Bridge Road, East Andover Road, Andover a Road, Whippoorwill and Intervale Road.
Total distance: 49 miles
Shorter Option:
Rumford Corner to Andover and back by Whipporwill Road and back via Route 5 is about 25 miles. Park at the intersection of route 2 and route 5 on the side of the Ellis river. There is a small parking area on the right side of route 2 at this intersection just before the bridge over the Ellis. Ride east on route 2 a short distance and take a left onto Whipporwill to join the ride.
Starting Time: 9:30 am Ready To Ride from the riverside park at the end of the bike path in Bethel on Route 26 (our usual lunch stop with picnic tables, porta-potties and playground).
Parking: There are not a lot of parking spaces at the riverside park! If the lot is full, you can park along Main Street in Bethel, also there is parking near the convenience store/DunkinDonuts on Route 2 right at where the bike path crosses the river.
Carpool: Meet at the parking lot across from the J-Town Deli at 8:20 am.
To see a map of the ride click the link:
To see a map of the ride click the link:
http://www.mapmyride.com/routes/view/9696224
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