This week we're bringing you the charming quaint  lifestyle of coastal New England; renowned for its seafood, and autumn colors that wash the landscapes in blazing reds, oranges, and yellows. You'll find out why small-town New England still represents that idea of small-town America. [caption id="attachment_19314" align="aligncenter" width="622"] Lowell's Boat Shop, Amesbury. MA. America's oldest continuously operating boat shop, preserving the tradition of hand building wooden boats.[/caption]

In a Nutshell:

Where is it? Starting in the small colonial city of Newburyport, Massachusetts, founded in 1635, you'll cycle along coastal and country roads through a number of colonial and classic New England towns such as Ipswich, Exeter, and Portsmouth, and end your ride in Kennebunkport, Maine. Distance: 147-190 miles Grading: This trip is graded easy to moderate, the daily distances average about 40 miles, and the routes will have hills but these will tend to be long and gradual, rather than steep and short. [caption id="attachment_19315" align="aligncenter" width="587"] Freshly cooked Maine lobster.[/caption]

Why Cycle it?

The food! Nothing quite lives up to classic New England cuisine than being on the coast of New England (trust me, I've tried everything that makes the claim from Ireland to Italy to San Francisco). This is New England, the home of Ben & Jerry's ice cream, the Whoopie Pie (being from Maine, the true home of this sweet treat, Wicked Whoopies are the way to go), maple syrup/candy/ice cream, frappes, apples, blueberries, pumpkin pie, the fluffernutter sandwich, baked beans, New England Clam Chowder,  fresh Maine lobster, oysters and clams galore (we really like our seafood)! You'll never be disappointed where ever you stop for a bite. The history, New England was the heart of the original 13 colonies, many of the small town and cities you'll be passing through date back to the 1600's and were well established by the Revolutionary War. Time-permitting try to make a stop at the Strawberry Banke Museum in Portsmouth, New Hampshire. This outdoor history museum is located in the historic district of the town, and live actors/guides teach visitors about the history and lifestyles of each house, and how it reflects the social changes of its time period. The landmarks, visit the Cape Neddick Lighthouse (we call it Nubble Lighthouse) in York, Maine, a picturesque example of a classic lighthouse, and on the National Register of Historic Places since 1985. It is the second most photographed lighthouse in America, after the Portland Headlight, also in Maine. A photo of the Nubble Light titled 'Seashore' is etched in the Golden Record aboard the Voyager spacecraft, launched in 1977, it was one of 115 images chosen to represent Earth. [caption id="attachment_19317" align="aligncenter" width="594"] Typical fishing town on the New England Coast[/caption]

Planning and Preparation:

This trip is available to start on Sundays from May to the end of October. This time period promises great weather throughout the region with June-July, and sometimes August being the hottest part of the year, perfect for going for a swim in the ocean. September to October is a very popular time to go for 'leaf peeping,' the autumn foliage begins around mid-September and lasts until November in some areas. The autumn months still promise nice weather, but it tends to be cooler and crisp. This tour is self guided so you cycle at your own pace and decide when and where to stop. If you’d like to take a look at this trip online or begin booking click here. Alternatively if you have any queries you can contact us at info@macsadventure.com Our Vermont Inn to Inn cycling trip also offers a quaint experience and excellent colorful foliage. We would recommend booking either of these tours soon, as foliage season is right around the corner!