Bowdoinham, Maine · Saturday, August 15, 2026
The Le Tour de Bowdoinham is a cycling event held on Saturday, August 15, 2026. It is located at 9 Main Street in Bowdoinham, Maine.
Ready to take on the ultimate challenge? 🏊♂️ Come participate in the Ironman 70.3 Maine in Augusta, an exhilarating adventure in the heart of the spectacular nature of the Maine! It's the perfect opportunity to test your endurance with a competition combining swimming, cycling, and running 🌎.
Download Course files
Short Course: https://strava.app.link/lN12uUb4LLb
Long Course - https://strava.app.link/w5sfXrf4LLb
Event Website: www.mainelygravel.com
The Mainely Gravel ride is an event for all riders and is designed to challenge everybody on a mixed surface route over rolling hills. The gravel sections are everyday roads and can be ridden with either a road bike (30+mm tires ,recommended) or a gravel bike. PEDAL ASSIST BIKES are allowed but riders using such are not eligible for prizes. The dirt road surfaces can vary day to day depending on weather conditions and pot hole development. Please know that the last 5 kilometers of the route are on Pineland Farms xc ski trails that are well maintained and mown but could prove tricky on a road bike.
This year there are two course length options. The Long Course is 58 miles, and the short course (35 miles) is per the Long Course until mile 25 when the Short Course riders head for home while the Long Course riders do a 20-mile loop and then come back to hit the final 7 miles per the short course.
Registration check-in opens the day of the race at 8:30 with the mass start at 10:00. Riders will start en masse on Pineland Farms’ Oak Hill field adjacent to the parking lot. Please line up per your attitude toward the ride (Race? Ride? Adventure?). There is a lead car neutral start as the ride exits the 300 yards of the starting Oak Hill field and heads down Route 231 until the right hand turn onto Doughty Road.
Post race we are organize a gathering complete with food, drink and music. Food is provided by the Pineland Farms Deli and can be ordered on this registration page. Music is performed by local bands and we love giving them exposure. During the gathering we will have the awards presentation for Mainely Gravel short and long courses for all divisions. Our timing and results are handled by Eleven 11 Timing (www.eleven11timing.com) who do an absolutely wonderful job.
USA Cycling membership is not required for this ride.
Safety is paramount so follow the rules of the road. There will be road crossings. Stop! Check for traffic. The roads are open so stay right especially on blind sections such as corners and rolling hills.
Plenty to do at Pineland Farms. Bring the family who can enjoy a hike or run on the trails while registrants are out riding. Guests can buy lunch at the Pineland Farms market.
Port-a-johns are adjacent to the Oak Hill field parking lot.
Finally, Downeast Racing donates $5 of every registration to Independence Association (IA) which, for the last 60 years, has been dedicated to assisting adults and children with disabilities in obtaining full and inclusive lives in their chosen communities. As you will notice, we have included a donation option on the registration page. All donations (none too small!!) are used to enhance the programs for the Independence Association clients. Independence Association (IA) does fabulous work assisting those with disabilities lead full lives in the communities of the Maine Midcoast Region. Supervised independent living homes and apartments, outreach programs, work training, multiple physical fitness activities, friendship and caring. Mainely Gravel, through the generosity of its participants, has raised over $11,000 for Independence Association. We and the gang at IA thank you!!
Join us for the 23rd Annual Maine Lighthouse Ride (MLR) on Saturday, September 19, 2026. True to its name, MLR highlights the breathtaking views of coastal southern Maine, including multiple lighthouses, rolling terrain, and stunning views of the Atlantic Ocean and the iconic Scarborough Marsh. MLR offers four ride lengths to challenge riders of all abilities – 25 miles, 40 miles, 62 miles, and 100 miles!
This ride benefits the Eastern Trail Alliance, a nonprofit organization that builds, maintains, and promotes the Eastern Trail, southern Maine’s premiere multi-use greenway. ETA members use discount code Member2026 to save 10% off registration! Your registration fee includes the ride, well-stocked rest stops with yummy snacks, pickles, PB&Js, and more, and post-ride festivities including a meal and two beers.
Join us for the Tenth Annual Share the Road with Carol.
Share the Road with Carol is a commemorative bike ride planned for September 20, 2026 in Windsor and Whitefield, Maine.
This ride will honor the memory of Carol Eckert, M.D. Carol was tragically killed as a result of a bike accident that occurred in Windsor on October 10, 2016. Biking was Carol's passion and we invite everyone who feels the same to join us in remembrance of a life well pedaled and to further the cause of bicycle safety in Maine.
As a part of our commitment to safety, everyone who participates in this ride must wear a helmet.
*** Register today to win prizes! Again this year we will be raffling off coveted items. All riders who PRE-REGISTER will receive a free raffle ticket. Unfortunately, riders who register the day of the event will not be eligible for the drawing.
We encourage family participation. Any child under the age of 15 may register for only $10 if a parent(s) are registered.
There will be one rest stop on the 27 mile ride. Please join us after the ride at the Windsor Town Hall for fellowship, remembrances and light snacks.
Whether you knew Carol or not, this ride is a wonderful opportunity to explore the lovely rolling hills along the border of Kennebec and Lincoln Counties.
Note: This ride is not a fundraiser.
12 mile ride map: https://www.dropbox.com/s/5suzkms50jek7rg/Share%20The%20Road%20With%20Carol%2012%20Final.pdf?dl=0
27 mile ride map: https://www.dropbox.com/s/04vf0432xmityl7/Share%20The%20Road%20With%20Carol%2027%20Final.pdf?dl=0
Cider Cross / Fon Solo Weekend 2026!
Year Five — Bigger, Better, and More Fun Than Ever!
[October 3-4| Alna, ME]
Forget the pumpkin spice — we’ve got a sour batch of apples ready to be mashed!
Join us for a two-day festival of fall mayhem featuring short-track MTB & CX racing, last-person-standing style trail running, epic gravel rides, and camping under the stars. Whether you're racing, riding, running, or just hanging out by the fire, Cider Cross / Fon Solo has something for everyone.
SATURDAY: CIDER CROSS + BACKYARD ULTRA-STYLE RUN
Cider Cross Race:
One 40-minute race with CX and MTB categories
About a 1-mile course – re-routed for 2025 to feature faster, more open gravel-friendly sections
Expect slop, speed, and heckling
Bring any bike — gravel, mountain, cyclocross — whatever rolls!
Yes, the optional fire jump is back.
Yes, there will be prizes (top 3 per category, TBD)
Last-Person-Standing Trail Run:
Race format an easier version of the Backyard Ultra
~1 mile loops on the same course
Time limit decreases by 1 minute per lap
(e.g., Lap 1 = 20 min, Lap 2 = 19 min, etc.)
Run till you can't make the cutoff!
You can expect 7–8 laps if you're at a 12-min/mile pace
Last year, the fastest runners made it down to the 6-minute mark!
Food, drinks, and camping available.
BYOBreakfast! (But seriously, sign up for a camping spot early.)
SUNDAY: THE FON SOLO GRAVEL LOOP
Our grand finale — a gravel adventure through the Sheepscot Valley. This year, we’ve got two route options:
Short Loop: ~25 miles — easier & faster than the original loop. Fewer climbs, smoother ride, great for the gravel curious.
Full Loop: ~49 miles — the classic, with climbs, views, and chunky gravel madness. The route will be very similar to last year but we are always looking for areas of improvement!
Less full Loop ~41 miles. The same as the full loop with the furthest 8 miles trimmed off.
Both routes:
Cruise scenic roads and remote stretches of backcountry beauty
Roll through the tasting deck at Oxbow Brewing near the finish (yes, seriously)
End with good vibes, sore legs, and cold cider
REGISTRATION INFO:
Open to ALL — racers, riders, runners, and revelers
Sign up for one day, both, or just come hang out!
Spots are limited, and we WILL sell out — don't wait!
All proceeds go to support The Schmid Preserve in Edgecomb.
Ride, run, and race for a great cause.
New this year…we have merch available! There is a selection of T's, a hoodie and trucker hat to choose from! You can order directly from Hubnotic and your items will ship to you directly. https://www.hubnotic.com/collections/fon-solo 50% of all orders benefit the Schmid Preserve!