so the last post was for Oregon. Mine is for Maine. I am moving to the Portland area (probably a bit north). I will need a swim group and possibly a few group rides to show me the roads. Also, any suggestions on town to live in? My wife will be working 3-4 days p/week in Augusta so we need to split the difference between the two.
Thanks,
Kurt
There are 2 racing oriented cycling clubs in Portland. Southern Maine Cycling Club (SMCC) http://gorhambike.com/site/page.cfm?PageID=483 and Portland Velo Club (PVC) http://www.portlandvelo.com/. There’s also a triathalon club in Brunswick which is about 1/2 hour north of Portland, http://www.trimainiac.com/. Both SMCC & PVC are great clubs although I’m partial to SMCC. The lbs that sponsors SMCC has always treated me great & is much more convenient for me. I’m not familiar with the triathalon club, but I know one of the owners of the lbs that sponsors them. He teaches a spin class at my gym & he knows his stuff. Another place to check would be the Maine Cycling Club, http://www.rainbowbike.com/ in the Lewiston/Auburn area. They’re also racing oriented. Both the Lewiston/Auburn and Brunswick/Topsham areas would be about half way between Portland & Augusta.
In terms of where to live, I’d look at the Brunswick and Freeport areas before going over to Lewiston/Auburn. I used to work in Augusta, and before my wife decided we needed to leave Maine for her to go to grad school, we were thinking about living in Brunswick. If you end up north of Portland, the Freeport YMCA has a nice new facility, including a very decent pool.
Portland is a GREAT town. For a city its size, it has a lot to offer in terms of restaurants and music, and summer in Maine is a little slice of paradise. The cool breeze off the ocean is truly addictive. Finally, the people are tops. In general, life in Maine is pretty much the way life should be.
Thanks guys, I am pretty fired up to be out of the city. We are going to look this weekend at houses. Probably in the Topsham area.
Train smart,
Kurt
Portland is a fabulous place to live! The Y up in Freeport is absolutely beautiful, my wife and I belonged to the Portland Y (not as nice) and used to sneak into Freeport. I would suggest looking in Yarmouth, Cumberland and Freeport in addition to Topsham.
Training outside is a bit tough in the winter but the summers will make up for it.
When you have a chance head to Bintliffs in Portland for Brunch (across from the post office next to Bubba’s Sulky Lounge), to this day it’s the best breakfast I’ve ever had. Their corned beed is amazing. Just be ready to wait, sometime 1+ hour for a table.
Thanks Erik…breakfast is my favorite meal…I usually eat 2! I would be psyched on Cumberland, but that is a bit of a pull for the wife on the Augusta days.
Thanks again.
Kurt
Kurt, if you like to eat Portland is a great place. Lots of good cheap ethnic food. Sang Thai near the hospital is fantastic cheap thai. Conundrum (sp?) in Freeport is a good bet too, near the Indian. Great Lost Bear out Forest Ave is by far my favorite bar in P’land, tons of great beer on tap, mostly local Maine brews. I recommend Alagash White.
Since you’ll be further north check out Red’s near the bridge in Bath, it famous.
You’ll love it up there, we hated to leave.
Kurt -
Check out MidCoast Multisports in Brunswick (home of the TriMainiacs).
The store and the club members should take care of about 99 percent of your questions.