Hey guys, great ride, hike and video. I was just there recently, camping at Lunksoos, did 75 gravel miles in KWWNM, plus 12 miles kayaking. The overlook section will be closed for the next year or so for maintenance and improvements. There is a 3 mile detour on the Rocky Pond road. There was also a 7 mile detour before the Sand Bank camp but that is now open. The section of the IAT to Barnard Mt down to Orin Falls had been cleared out and is worth the trip. I have been camping, hiking and cycling in BSP for over 50 years and now KWWNM just adds to the adventure. I also visited the new KWW contact station and it is spectacular although not officially open yet. Thanks for the video, loved it and recognized just about all the areas.
Appreciate it Maurice! We did just heard of the loop road closure. Definitely a bummer to hear for folks who were hoping to check it out for foliage, but will be neat to see how they improve it over the next year. Is that IAT section cleared for biking as well or just cleared for foot traffic?
Love this video! Been up and ridden gravel roads at mattawamkaeg lake on an aggressive mountain bike, probably my first mistake. For me, deer flies were absolutely horrendous leading me to feel like quitting 2 miles in, and actually quit 16 miles in. It was horrendous because of the deer flies, probably 50 swarmed my head at all times. Other than that, beautiful up there.
It sounds like you went gravel riding in Maine in July! We agree, deer flies are evil. We try and avoid the open gravel roads in the deep woods of Maine in July if at all possible. June is generally good and Mid August things seem to be fine again. So much potential for gravel rides in this area!
It is! Still kind of weird layout and park in our opinion. Stuck in between a place where it should obviously be protected, but still has an open recreational feel that lumber company lands have. Regardless the Katahdin Loop Road is awesome and they’ve been working on adding new biking trails as well as hiking trails which should give it a more “park” feel in the future.
My first watch of one of your videos. I grew up in NH and Maine and and know that area like the back of my hand. Fifty + summits on Katahdin every month of the year. Your video is excellent. My only complaint that 15 minutes is a rather short video for such an amazing bikepacking trip. Kudos for hiking up Doubletop Mtn; that is a great hike in BSP. I will like and subscribe. Good video!
This is the kind of riding I would like to ray a Lauf fork on. I would have to do it first rigid and then the Lauf to see how much physical endurance it would conserve.
Cool loop I've heard a lot about. I've read a few times that bushwhacking may be necessary - would you substitute any portions of your ride if you were tick and bushwhacking averse?
We're not aware of any bushwhacking via our version of the route, so you're good there. There is a small section that takes an old road that turns to single track for a couple miles but it's by no means offroading. Ticks, not sure what to say there - you'll have the same issue anywhere in New England...or anywhere in the country. Just avoid tall grass and if you do need to pass through some for nature breaks, we recommend a few tick checks for peace of mind. We hate ticks just as much as the next person, but we refuse to let them kill our dreams.
You’ll need to register when entering Baxter State Park (it’s free for cyclists), and you’ll need a reservation made via their website to stay at any campground area inside of the park. Most are usually booked well in advance because it’s a popular place, but you’re usually good earlier in the summer. We’d recommend riding through the park counterclockwise (entering from the North entrance), and staying at either South Branch or Nesowadnehunk Field Campground. You’ll want to familiarize yourself with Baxter State Park and all of its unique rules & regulations as well, so check out their website!
Thanks for the great video! What time of year did you do this? Buddy and I are thinking about it in late June but hear the mosquitoes will make it miserable.
Awesome! You definitely should. Mosquitoes are likely going to be around and pretty pesky from June to August. They’re definitely worse early summer. Honestly, the black flies are worse though. They are manageable as long as you keep moving though!
Awesome video guys! Exactly why I quite my DC job and moved back to Maine. One question on the Strava route, am I reading it right and it includes your hike?
That’s the best part of the whole route - it follows the Katahdin Loop Road which is part of Katahdin Woods & Waters National Monument. Great views of Katahdin if it’s not in the clouds.
Pretty sure we were all on 47mm. If you’re confident in your bike handling, a 40mm tire would do just fine…but 47 is nice for the KWW portion of the ride, which at times isn’t the smoothest of gravel.
We just figured it out. Ben’s. We thought you were referring to a car. Yup it’s for only the worst bug situations, or for an old GoPro lens. Which still works well btw!
Hey guys, great ride, hike and video. I was just there recently, camping at Lunksoos, did 75 gravel miles in KWWNM, plus 12 miles kayaking. The overlook section will be closed for the next year or so for maintenance and improvements. There is a 3 mile detour on the Rocky Pond road. There was also a 7 mile detour before the Sand Bank camp but that is now open. The section of the IAT to Barnard Mt down to Orin Falls had been cleared out and is worth the trip. I have been camping, hiking and cycling in BSP for over 50 years and now KWWNM just adds to the adventure. I also visited the new KWW contact station and it is spectacular although not officially open yet. Thanks for the video, loved it and recognized just about all the areas.
Appreciate it Maurice! We did just heard of the loop road closure. Definitely a bummer to hear for folks who were hoping to check it out for foliage, but will be neat to see how they improve it over the next year.
Is that IAT section cleared for biking as well or just cleared for foot traffic?
Beautiful video
Thanks Brian!
Well done all around! You guys definitely make me want to adventure in the Northeast! Looks like so many cool places, routes, adventures to be had!🙌
that's the main goal of this channel. Psyched to hear this comment!
Stayed in that exact lean to a few years back beauty spot
Awesome turtle AND moose encounters? Gotta love the deep woods of Maine.
1-2 punch
Love this video! Been up and ridden gravel roads at mattawamkaeg lake on an aggressive mountain bike, probably my first mistake. For me, deer flies were absolutely horrendous leading me to feel like quitting 2 miles in, and actually quit 16 miles in. It was horrendous because of the deer flies, probably 50 swarmed my head at all times. Other than that, beautiful up there.
It sounds like you went gravel riding in Maine in July!
We agree, deer flies are evil. We try and avoid the open gravel roads in the deep woods of Maine in July if at all possible. June is generally good and Mid August things seem to be fine again. So much potential for gravel rides in this area!
@ mid july, yep. it was pretty bad! thanks for the tip though
fantastic episode - gorgeous country
Great video, I live in Maine and have only been to Katahdin Woods and Waters once. It’s beautiful up there.
It is! Still kind of weird layout and park in our opinion. Stuck in between a place where it should obviously be protected, but still has an open recreational feel that lumber company lands have. Regardless the Katahdin Loop Road is awesome and they’ve been working on adding new biking trails as well as hiking trails which should give it a more “park” feel in the future.
Love watching you explore the best state. 😌
Thanks! No doubt it's the best state :)
My first watch of one of your videos. I grew up in NH and Maine and and know that area like the back of my hand. Fifty + summits on Katahdin every month of the year. Your video is excellent. My only complaint that 15 minutes is a rather short video for such an amazing bikepacking trip. Kudos for hiking up Doubletop Mtn; that is a great hike in BSP. I will like and subscribe. Good video!
Cheers Mike, thanks for the note! We agree on length. To combat this we'll make more videos in the area when we get a chance :)
Epic adventure. Solid video. Beautiful piece of a the state.
Glad you enjoyed it!
Sweet video dudes! Looking forward to doing this ride myself now!
Awesome! You'll absolutely love it.
What an awesome video! I've yet to see the sunrise from atop any peak in BSP. Need to make that happen.
We highly recommend it!
This is the kind of riding I would like to ray a Lauf fork on. I would have to do it first rigid and then the Lauf to see how much physical endurance it would conserve.
I think it would maybe make a little difference but personally I think a super wide tire on this route would be a little overkill.
Cool loop I've heard a lot about. I've read a few times that bushwhacking may be necessary - would you substitute any portions of your ride if you were tick and bushwhacking averse?
We're not aware of any bushwhacking via our version of the route, so you're good there. There is a small section that takes an old road that turns to single track for a couple miles but it's by no means offroading.
Ticks, not sure what to say there - you'll have the same issue anywhere in New England...or anywhere in the country. Just avoid tall grass and if you do need to pass through some for nature breaks, we recommend a few tick checks for peace of mind. We hate ticks just as much as the next person, but we refuse to let them kill our dreams.
Great ride and video guys! Did you need a reservation for the lean to or is it a first come, first serve scenario? Ty
You’ll need to register when entering Baxter State Park (it’s free for cyclists), and you’ll need a reservation made via their website to stay at any campground area inside of the park. Most are usually booked well in advance because it’s a popular place, but you’re usually good earlier in the summer. We’d recommend riding through the park counterclockwise (entering from the North entrance), and staying at either South Branch or Nesowadnehunk Field Campground.
You’ll want to familiarize yourself with Baxter State Park and all of its unique rules & regulations as well, so check out their website!
Thanks for the great video! What time of year did you do this? Buddy and I are thinking about it in late June but hear the mosquitoes will make it miserable.
Awesome! You definitely should. Mosquitoes are likely going to be around and pretty pesky from June to August. They’re definitely worse early summer. Honestly, the black flies are worse though. They are manageable as long as you keep moving though!
Awesome video guys! Exactly why I quite my DC job and moved back to Maine. One question on the Strava route, am I reading it right and it includes your hike?
Maine is home! The Strava route does not include our hike, it is the bikepacking loop.
So that loop from mile 90ish is just riding - cool. Thanks!
@@DrDilweed yes, that loop is the Katahdin Loop Road in Katahdin Woods National Monument and best part of the route
Hey dudes. What's the little lollipop portion of the ride on your route? Is that for something scenic or was that to facilitate your hike?
That’s the best part of the whole route - it follows the Katahdin Loop Road which is part of Katahdin Woods & Waters National Monument. Great views of Katahdin if it’s not in the clouds.
@@chrisandchris Saweeeet! Thanks!
hey guys, what is the name of the campsite you stayed at? thanks.
No problem. We would have stayed at Nesowadnehunk Field Campground.
Which tires width you're using?
Pretty sure we were all on 47mm. If you’re confident in your bike handling, a 40mm tire would do just fine…but 47 is nice for the KWW portion of the ride, which at times isn’t the smoothest of gravel.
How far into your ride when you came across that bad bridge where it looked like few had been past there in years?
It's probably about half way. Its fine to cross just not for vehicles.
Haha dude you totally caught a tick in that shot of the crash! Maine the deer tick state
Ticks are only in the southern half of the state
Do you have a RWGPS route of your ride/route?
Hey Tom, the route is in the video description via Strava.
I'm not seeing a link for your Strava.
NM .... I found it!
You know the benz will melt your lens , glasses anything plastic
We’re wondering, is this a rap verse from a song we don’t know about?
We just figured it out. Ben’s. We thought you were referring to a car. Yup it’s for only the worst bug situations, or for an old GoPro lens. Which still works well btw!
@@chrisandchris just typo