‘Ride Aroostook,’ a two-day cycling tour of Central Aroostook County, scheduled for July 16 and 17, will provide cyclists with panoramic views of northern Maine as well as a canvas of agricultural landscape at potato blossom time. The event has been developed by Cary Medical Center to raise funds for ‘Camp Adventure’ a week-long summer residential camp for children ages 12–17 who have Type 1 Diabetes.
Historically, the camp draws children from throughout Maine and has grown to the point where there is waiting list each year. Camp organizers want to expand the camp and hope the cycling event will provide the required resources.
Bill Flagg, director of community relations and development at Cary Medical Center, who is helping to direct the Ride Aroostook event stated that the project will have many benefits. “We now have this entire event sponsored,” said Flagg, “this means that every dollar raised by the cyclists in pledges for the ride will go directly to benefit Camp Adventure, the only one of its kind in Maine. This program provides an unforgettable experience for children, teaching them how to manage their diabetes and allowing them to experience nature at the same time,” he added.
Beyond Camp Adventure Flagg said that Ride Aroostook will bring new visitors to Northern Maine and will showcase a part of Maine that is often missed.
“I don’t believe that enough people, even people here in Maine, appreciate just how beautiful Aroostook County really is,” said Flagg, whose family has been in the County since the late 1960’s. “When my dad first came here in 1969 it was love at first sight — he called it God’s Country. He never tired of the incredible views, the nice people or the peacefulness of the region. Ride Aroostook will bring people here who have never visited the County and I think they are in for a real treat,” he added.
According to Flagg, thanks to generous sponsors including Fairpoint Communications and the AstraZeneca HealthCare Foundation, the Ride Aroostook event is 100 percent sponsored, with an estimated total of 30 or more sponsors coming to the table helping to cover a variety of expenses.
“We are very grateful to Fairpoint Communications and the AstraZeneca HealthCare Foundation for their generous sponsorship. Many other businesses have contributed at various levels and have helped make the event possible,” said Flagg.
The two-day cycling tour will be based at the University of Maine at Presque Isle (UMPI). The University will provide housing, including camping and food service for riders and their supporters. It is anticipated that participants will begin arriving on Friday evening, July 16, when registration will open.
The ride officially begins on Saturday morning at 7 a.m. and will bring cyclists along the Aroostook River into Caribou, with a rest stop at Cary Medical Center than back to Presque Isle through an agricultural scenic route. The opening ride will be 35 miles. The ride will have a second rest area at UMPI where riders will be treated to a traditional Maine Potato Bar before heading out toward Easton, traveling south to view the windmills in Mars Hill then back onto U.S. Route 1 continuing to Aroostook State Park, passing the pristine Quoggy Joe Mountain. This route will cover 37 miles.
Saturday evening the UMPI Food Service will provide a ‘Tour of Italy’ pasta feast prior to the night’s entertainment, provided by the popular local band, Turning Point, which will perform from 8 p.m. to midnight. The public is invited to this musical event and a $5 cover charge will be required for non-event participants.
On Sunday cyclists will ride through Amish Country toward Fort Fairfield, where the Maine Potato Blossom Festival will be winding down its festivities. Following a rest stop, the ride will continue past the Maine Winter Sports Center’s Nordic Heritage Center and back to UMPI. This loop will cover 30 miles.
The final ride of the event is a local favorite covering 28 miles, taking riders through the rolling hills, farm fields and the quiet back country, with a rest stop in the picturesque town of Mapleton. Ride Aroostook concludes via the scenic route along the Aroostook River, brining riders back to Presque Isle for an ‘All American Barbecue.’ During the closing ceremony cyclists will be presented with a medal featuring the Ride Aroostook logo.
Brent Jepson, an avid cyclist who has participated in similar events including Trek Across Maine and the Dempsey Challenge said that Ride Aroostook offers a great value to those who favor cycling.
“We recognize that it is a considerable hike to get to the County and that is why we have kept our pledge commitment reasonable. A $50 registration fee and $150 pledge is really a great value as riders will receive two days of lodging, 5 meals, a great musical event and two great days of cycling.”
Jepson, who is a member of the Cary Medical Center Board of Directors, is one of many volunteers that have stepped up to create Ride Aroostook. Bill Flagg said that the committee that has helped to put the event together has worked very hard and everyone is trying to make this premier event a great success.
“We all really believe that Ride Aroostook can become a major fund raiser”, said Flagg who hopes to continue the event on an annual basis. “It takes many, many dedicated individuals to make a project like this happen, it is a lot of work. We know that the people in the County will welcome participants and we are confident that Ride Aroostook will grow into a ‘must do’ for cyclists every year.
For more information on Ride Aroostook, go to RideAroostook.org or contactFlagg at 498-1376.
Registration for the event is still open. Volunteers are still needed and businesses or individuals who would like to contribute to the event should contact Flagg.
