Support & Rules for Cyclists

Check-In/ Registration
The check-in desk is located outside the Shawnee Peak ticket booth on the morning of the event. All cyclists must depart promptly at 8am or 10am with their fellow riders or forfeit trek support. See event schedule for options.

Check Out
Visit the check-out station on the lawn to receive your finisher’s packet.

Directions
The Loon Echo Trek is hosted at Shawnee Peak Ski Resort located six miles west of Bridgton on route 302. For directions from multiple locations, visit http://www.shawneepeak.com/mountain/directions/.

Signage
The bike routes are signed and the roads are painted at all turns and intersections. Information regarding signage and the road color codes will be provided on trek day. The Fryeburg rest stop is the return point for the 25 milers, whereas the 50 mile course returns at the Cold River rest stop. The Century route runs counterclockwise and finishes with the 50 and 25 milers.

Food and Drinks
Cyclists are well fed throughout the day. In the morning, water and gatorade will be provided in the parking lot. During the trek, there are several rest stops along the route with water, sports drink, fruit, energy snacks, and other goodies. Finally, a warm BBQ meal will welcome finishers back at Shawnee Peak.

Parking
Enter at the main (second) entrance to the Shawnee Peak facility (look for the sign). Volunteers will direct you.

Rest Stops
There are seven Rest Stops along the route that have refreshments, snacks, and emergency radios. There are port-a-potty or restroom facilities at the Fryeburg, Cold River, Bethel and Waterford stops only. When you stop at a Rest Stop, please check with the Ham Radio Operator or other volunteers if you need immediate assistance.

Safety Support
Four safety vehicles wagons (SAGs) and an ambulance patrol the route looking for stranded or injured riders. Volunteer Ham Radio operators are stationed at the rest stops with high-tech communication equipment. If you are having a problem along the route, pull-over to the side of the road, stay visible, be patient, and a SAG will find you.

Technical Support
Specialists from local bicycle shop Ernie’s Cycle Shop will be tuning and fixing bikes the morning of the trek. SAG vehicles will also patrol to support riders.

Trek Identification    
Each trekker will receive a tag to attach to your bicycle or back in a visible location (pins and pipe cleaner will be available to attach tags).  Please review and bring the route map. You’ll receive your lunch ticket (& t-shirt if ordered in advance) after you complete your ride.

Removal from Course
Century Trekkers who do not reach the Fryeburg Rest Stop by 4:30 PM will be asked to drop out of the Trek due to course closure at 5:30 PM.

Pack Smart
All cyclists are required to wear a helmet and their trekker ID tag and bring a water bottle. Cyclists are also encouraged to pack the following: proper weather related gear, eye protection, gloves, extra water bottle(s), extra route map, small tool/bike pack, extra tube, pump/CO2 cartridge, sunscreen, first aid kit, identification, cash, credit card, cell phone, and bike mirror.

Rules and Regulations

  • Anyone under 18 must have a parent or legal guardian authorize participation in this event by signing the event waiver form
  • Bike helmets are required at all times
  • Baby buggies behind bikes are prohibited
  • Radios, Walkmans & headphones are prohibited
  • Any use of illegal drugs or the use of alcohol on the trek route(s) is prohibited
  • Obey all traffic laws on the road
  • Ride on the right side of the roadway, with traffic
  • Ride bikes single file; do not draft
  • Pass on the left side of a cyclist- after calling out, “on your left”
  • Ride a safe distance away from other cyclists
  • Give proper hand signals so that motorists & cyclists are aware of your intentions
  • Never run a stop sign or traffic light
  • Use extreme caution when crossing intersections- even if you have the right-of-way
  • Obey instructions of volunteer road crews
  • Use caution when descending hills; brake lightly and hold onto your handle bars securely
  • Always cross railroad tracks straight on (90° angle)
  • Use caution in the rain; roadways can get very slippery and braking distance is longer
  • Avoid stop abruptly. If you need to stop, warn others by yelling out, “stopping”.  Then pull off the road out of the way.

Weather
The Trek will be held rain or shine. If the weather is dangerous (hurricane, lightning storm, etc), the event will be cancelled. A recorded message will be left on the office telephone by 6:30 a.m. on Saturday morning at (207) 647-4352 if the event is cancelled and on this website. Average temperature in Bridgton on this date ranges from 44 to 68 degrees. In the past, the trek at points has been as hot as 80 degrees and as cold as 40 degrees. Come prepared for a 3-8 hour journey.

Cancellation
If you cannot attend or if the event is cancelled on account of dangerous weather conditions, your registration fee will be considered a donation to Loon Echo Land Trust (sorry, no refunds).

Check out
All riders must “check-out” at the end of your trek at the ticket booth.