I try to make the most of my family’s tradition of summer visits to Branbury State Park in Middlebury, Vermont. As each trip approaches, I scour the web for nearby adventures in the Northeast, which is how I stumbled upon the Appalachian Mountain Club‘s website and learned of a bikepacking tour they had planned on the Maine coast at just about the right time. Armed with my trusty Gary Fisher mountain bike and a set of panniers (a marvelous piece of equipment heretofore unknown to me) newly-gifted to me by my partner, I was ready when late summer approached.

We convened in Bath, Maine; there were eight of us, including me and my friend Joanna whom I had met through the Ladies Climbing Coalition. The group leaders seemed knowledgable and prepared, and they made me feel safely in good hands for my first bickepacking trip.

Once we’d set off toward the Hermit Island Campground, though, I had, well, not quite a rude awakening, but certainly a reality check. I don’t typically cycle on roads—I have a mountain bike; I was not used to the incessant rolling Maine hills; and, in addition to having filled my panniers with camping gear, I was also (because I’m too stubborn not to) hauling all my camera gear—bodies, lenses, flashes, batteries (I’m glad I didn’t bring a tripod!)—on my back. So not only was this my first time bikepacking, but it was also my first time being the slowpoke of the group. Fortunately, everyone in the group was nice about it, and no one made me feel like either a burden or a weakling, and we all still enjoyed ourselves thoroughly.

After the trip to the campground (which included stops for delicious food and even more delicious ice cream along the way), we pitched our tents and spent the rest of the long weekend exploring other sights and destinations on Hermit Island, including the beach and the Fort Popham State Historic Site in Phippsburg. One night at dinner we all made custom license plates for our bicycles.

All in all, it was a fabulous introduction to a new pastime, a beautiful adventure, and a great deal of #funness.