One of the most picturesque bike rides in western Maine is a seven-mile section of the Bingham-Solon-Embden (BSE) Rail Trail that parallels the Kennebec River between Solon and Bingham. This converted railroad bed was formerly part of the Somerset Railroad, and the ride is scenic from beginning to end. The trail is nearly flat, offering riding opportunities for all skill levels.
To locate the trailhead, travel north on Route 201 from Skowhegan for about a half hour, until you reach the town of Solon. After passing the junction of Route 201A, it is a little less than a mile to the Falls Road on the left. Follow the Falls Road for a short distance until it turns right and arrives at a large parking area. Heading north, this section of the BSE is sandwiched between the Kennebec River on the left and Route 201 on the right. I found it helpful to use a guidebook when selecting a bike trail. An excellent book for the BSE and other Maine trails is Mountain Bike Maine, which is part of the America by Mountain Bike series. It is written by Sarah Hale and David Gibbs and published by Menasha Ridge Press.
The conversion of old railroad beds to bike trails has become a national movement in recent years. In some areas of the country, such as Florida, there are vast networks of paved and unpaved rail trails. They have become destination points for cycling enthusiasts, and they also provide exercise opportunities for walkers, runners and, when paved, roller bladers. Maine is probably lagging behind in its development, as we only have a handful of such trails, none paved. To learn more about this movement and where the trails are located, access the organizational Web site of Trails from Rails at trailsfromrails.com.
History galore
The BSE trail area is rich in history. The Kennebec was a primary thoroughfare for the Abenaki Indian tribes that lived along the river, and just a couple of miles downriver of the trailhead, ancient Native American petroglyphs can be found on a rock ledge. During the Revolutionary War, Benedict Arnold and his small army paddled their canoes and bateau up this section of the Kennebec en route to their ill-fated battle for the city of Quebec. In more recent times, the river was used to float logs and pulp to their markets, and some of the old logging booms are still visible from the trail. It is possible to access the Solon-to-Bingham section of the BSE in both of these towns. However, there is limited parking in Bingham, and it is along the highway, so I prefer to park in Solon. This provides a pleasant 14-mile ride up and back. While the trail is almost flat, this itinerary offers a slight downhill gradient for the return trip.
From my viewpoint, spring is the best time to bike this trail. While other unpaved trails are inundated with mud and water, the BSE is generally dry. Since leaves are just beginning to blossom, it is an optimum time for views along the river. The trail is well-packed early in the season.
The right bike
Trail conditions on the BSE are predominantly gravel and mostly hard-packed. However, there are several sandy spots, and they become more numerous and expansive as the trail dries after heavy use. I recommend using a mountain bike. It is possible for a strong cyclist to negotiate it on a cross-bike, but it is definitely not the place for a road bike. I used a Trek 7000 lightweight aluminum frame mountain bike with 1.95-inch wide tires for my ride. There are many mountain bikes on the market to choose from, and they range in price from a few hundred dollars to $2,000 or $3,000. Lighter weight bikes with sophisticated gear, brake and shock systems are more expensive. I purchased my bike 10 years ago without shock absorbers. Now, even the less expensive bikes have them, and they provide for a much gentler ride.
Even though the BSE trail is suitable for novices, there are safety issues that should be considered. My primary concern was the occasional presence of all-terrain vehicles (ATVs). I have ridden the trail about a dozen times and have encountered them on about half of those rides. When you see an ATV, I recommend that you stop and move to one side. There really isn’t sufficient width on most sections of the trail for a bike and an ATV to safely travel together. Remember, ATV riders have as much right to the trail as cyclists. The key to peaceful coexistence is courtesy and mutual respect.
Safety first
I have been involved in enough bicycle accidents to know safety must be a concern. It seems accidents occur when you least expect them. I always wear a helmet. Without a helmet, there is a risk of a serious head injury. If you are a frequent cyclist, you will eventually have a fall. There are a multitude of quality helmets that can be found at any store that sells bicycles. I wear a Pro-Tec helmet that doubles as my winter ski helmet. I have also started wearing dark or clear safety glasses whenever I ride. I have been struck in my eyes by insects on several occasions, and that problem is eliminated with the use of glasses.
Good hydration is an important part of bicycle safety. Most bikes come equipped with a water bottle carrier. I use a Camelbak pack with an internal bladder as my primary source of water and the water bottle as a backup. A tube from the bladder can be affixed to the front of the pack in such a fashion that the cyclist has continuous supply of water without the need to stop. It is also a good idea to carry a repair kit, a spare inner tube, air pump and rain gear.
Along for the ride
It was a cool and sunny day when I road the BSE in mid-May, and I was the only rider. The trail was dry despite a wet spring, and there were only a couple of puddles that were easily avoided. As I traveled north on the trail, I had wide-open views of the river, forest and fields on the opposite side. There is no development on the trail, but it is possible to see the backyards of houses which are located on Route 201. There is an abundance of wildlife in the area, and I spotted several different types of birds, a deer and a few rabbits.
The BSE is a great trail for a family outing. There are dozens of spots along the trail that would be ideal for a picnic. One area in particular is located about two miles south of Bingham, where there are several open sections on the river bank that provide a panoramic view of the river and a farm on the far bank.
At a steady pace, the 14-mile ride is easily completed in about an hour and a half. A more leisurely pace could take up to four hours. Regardless, this is a aesthetically pleasing ride that will keep you coming back.
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