July 30: today’s Joyous Vagary was an e-bike ride on the full length of the Down East Sunrise Trail (aka, DEST) – a 90 mile multi-use trail that runs between Ellsworth and Pembroke, ME. Rapha held vigil at various points along the way, keeping a steady supply of cold drink whenever needed.
The ride began in Ellsworth at 5:00 AM, with a few raindrops in the first 5 miles, but eventually gave way to sunshine, puffy clouds, a steady breeze, temps in the upper 70’s – low 80’s, and very few bugs – a perfect combination for an e-bike ride.
At the start of the Down East Sunrise Trail, Ellsworth, ME – 5:00 AMEllsworth kiosk. 9 miles to FranklinTwo miles already done, but this marks the “official” start of the DESTKilkenny StreamBridge over Kilkenny Stream, heading EastWest Branch StreamEgypt StreamWest BrookMill BrookMountain Blueberries factory, Franklin, MESwan BrookKept out of that one!Schoodic Bog, Sullivan, MEMore of Schoodic BogSchoodic Mountain, Sullivan, ME, looking EastSchoodic Mountain, looking WestMilepost 20, eastbound on DEST – 70 miles to go!Muckleberry Pond, Sullivan, METunk Stream, Steuben, MEBridge over Narraguagus RiverNarraguagus RiverPleasant River, Columbia Falls, MEIndian River Stream, Columbia Falls, METanacetumMilepost 50, Whitneyville, MECothell Meadow Brook, Whitneyville, MEDEST along the Machias RiverMachias River, Machias, MEEast Machias River, East Machias, MESecond Lake, Whiting, MECathance Stream, Edmunds Twp, MEUnknown body of water, covered in lily pads in Denneysville, MEGetting close to PembrokeWilson Stream, Pembroke, MEAt the finish, Ayer Junction Road, Pembroke, ME – 4:26 PMWell, there goes that mirror – result of a crash 25 miles into the ride. The bike fared far better than the rider. Yes, the bike fared much better than the rider90 miles on the Down East Sunrise Trail, from Ellsworth to Pembroke – Done!
