NEWRY

Sunday River to re-open improved bike park

Additional Photos

A biker rides a trail in the Sunday River Mountain Bike Park in 2008. The park re-opens on June 25. Photo by David McLain

The Sunday River Mountain Bike Park will open for the summer on June 25, with two new trails and a new skills park.

“We’ve worked hard to provide something for every rider to test out, learn on and advance to,” says Steve Boulanger, director of the bike park.

Riders can access trails off of the resort’s Chondola lift and bike transport system.

Beginner bikers will benefit from Easy Tiger, a trail built at the end of last summer that spreads over nearly half a mile and features a gradual pitch and hand-sculpted turns.

Sunday River’s jump line, also known as Keep it Going, is undergoing construction to lengthen the trail by 50 percent. Upon completion, the jump line will run over half a mile and boast new features.

During construction on Keep it Going, riders can work on their techniques in the skills park or on two bigger pump tracks, both of which are near the base of South Ridge Lodge. The park features boxes from the resort’s winter terrain park adapted for summer use, plus a teeter totter and elements similar to those found on trails.

The bike park is open 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. Friday and Sunday, and 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. Saturday. All-day lift tickets are $28 for adults (ages 13 years and older); $16 for juniors (12 years and younger); and trail access with no lift pass is $10.

Mountain bikes are available for rent: full-suspension bikes are $80 and front-suspension rentals are $40. Season passes are also available for $269 (adults) and $125 (juniors).

For more information, visit www.sundayriver.com or call (277) 824-3000.

ORLAND

Paddlers invited to join trip on Narramissic River

The annual Alewife Run paddle from Craig Brook National Fish Hatchery to Orland Village will take place on June 26 as part of Orland River Day festivities.

Cheri Domina of Great Pond Mountain Conservation Trust and Karen Francouer of Castine Kayak will lead canoers and kayakers from the Alamoosook Lake beach at 8 a.m. for a leisurely 3.5-mile (less than two-hour) paddle down the Narramissic River, arriving in the village in time for the parade and strawberry shortcake.

The trip will involve a short portage around a dam. Castine Kayak will rent and deliver a kayak for $20 (call 866-3506); GPMCT will also have a canoe, paddles and PFDs available.

To leave a vehicle in the village, drop off your boat at the hatchery, then drive to the village and catch the shuttle back (courtesy of First Student), leaving from the FL Davis parking lot on Route 175 (next to the Post Office) at 7:30 a.m. Craig Brook National Fish Hatchery is off Route 1 on Hatchery Road in East Orland. 

For more information, call Cheri at 469-2008 or go to www.greatpondtrust.org.

NEW HARBOR

Pemaquid group launches puffin cruise fundraiser

The Pemaquid Watershed Association invites the public to its first Puffin Sunset Cruise with Hardy Boat Cruises on June 26. The two-hour cruise will begin at 6:45 p.m, departing from Shaw’s Wharf in New Harbor.

The planned route includes sailing to Eastern Egg Rock, circling the island for great views of puffins, terns and other seabirds, and then passing by the Pemaquid Point lighthouse at sunset. The route may be modified at the discretion of the captain.

Desserts will be served, and there will be a cash bar. Tickets are $30 and are available at the PWA office at 15 Courtyard St., Damariscotta (side entrance by Salt Bay Cafe) or by calling 563-2196.

Proceeds from the event will help fund PWA’s mission to conserve the natural resources of the Pemaquid peninsula through land and water stewardship and education.

For more information, visit www.pemaquidwatershed.org.

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