Ocean Avenue and Cape Porpoise (8 Miles)
Definitely bring your camera on this ride. Head out of Dock Square on Ocean Ave with the water on your right. Ocean Ave. is heavily traveled so families with young children may want to take another route. You will be riding parallel to the Kennebunk River and will see it empty into the Atlantic. Some classic coastal Maine homes are on either side of the road on the way to the Bush residence. Bear right at the Wildes District Fire Station and stay on Wildes District road all the way into Cape Porpoise. Here you will find a working fishing village with great vistas and traditional Maine fare. When you have had enough lobster, hop on your bike and backtrack your route back into town.
Goose Rocks Beach (11 Miles)
From Dock square take North Street to Arundel Rd. Follow Arundel Rd. past the horse farm and take a right on to Goose Rocks Road. Ride Goose Rocks Road to the end and go straight across Rt. 9. At the end of the Dyke Road you will find the pristine Goose Rocks Beach. There are many tide pools and rocks to play on. If you get lucky you might see one of the many families of seals at Goose Rocks. This ideal family destination usually has very limited parking, but you won’t have that problem with a bike. This also happens to be the ride with the least amount of traffic. When it’s time to return follow the same roads back to town.
Kennebunk Beach (7 Miles)
If you want to ride for an hour or so this one is right route for you. From Dock Square go up the hill to the traffic light and take a left onto Beach Ave. After a couple minutes you will see the Monastery. A walk on the grounds is well worth the time spent. Please lock your bike when you enter, as bike riding is not allowed in the Monastery grounds. Continue down towards the beach by taking a left out of the Monastery back onto Beach Ave. Kennebunk beach is now straight ahead about 1 mile. Follow the ocean for the next two miles. Where the road heads away from the ocean you will see Great Hill Road on the left. This dead end road borders the Mousam River and houses some beautiful homes. After you turn around take a left on to Boothby Road. This connects to Route 9 and will bring you back into the Port. You will be on Route 9 for only a short time. This ride is good for adults and parents with children over about 9 years of age. The beach makes a nice rest stop and picnic lunch location. There is slow moving traffic all the way but there are also some wide shoulders to ride on.
Mountain Bike Tours
There is some phenomenal mountain biking in the area. However, trails are difficult to find, often cross private land and are not marked. Your best bet is to go on one of the daily group rides held at a local bike shop or hire a local guide for a tour. The area offers fast technical and challenging terrain as well as some scenic easier off road trails. If you do want to go by yourself here are a few places that are close by and are relatively easy to find. Most people in the area will be able to give you directions.
Bridal Path
Flat dirt path about two miles long that parallels the Mousam River. This is an excellent ride for beginners and families.
Wonderbrook Park
Muddy, hilly, technical loops of interconnected trails. They are short but fun and include some bridge and log crossings. This is best combined with a road ride because of the short distance.
Cummings Market
There is an old train line in West Kennebunk that is now a dirt path that runs next to Cummings Market. There are some trails that branch off as you head North. The terrain is flat, and easy to ride. About 100 yards behind the market you can see the Mousam River.
Clifford Park
This is about 15 minutes North on Route 9 in Biddeford. Here you will find lots of rocks and a series of interconnected loop trails that offers terrain for intermediate and expert riders. There is mud, logs, jumps and all that other good stuff that gear heads love. The fact that this park is in the middle of a small city makes it really hard to get lost.
Remember, the same rules apply to bicycles as to any other vehicles on the road. Ride on the right, obey all signs, use hand signals, stay off the sidewalks and always wear your helmet.
