Hunting, Fishing, Bicycling?

Before you scratch your head in puzzlement, too much, be assurred that Ken Allen, of The Morning Sentinel in Maine, has explained.

In April he wrote an article that answers the all important question:

Why should anglers and hunters pick up another sport such as bicycling?

I want to share a little secret with you, and I say "secret" because it is almost sacrilegious for an angler-hunter to admit the following. Many years ago, when snowy winds soughed under the eaves, my thoughts drifted to spring afternoons on a river, casting dry flies to rising trout. These days, though, my winter day dreams often include images of bicycling down a country road with overhanging trees and shadowed splotches on pavement.

Yes, bicycling in Maine has everything to recommend it -- wonderful exercise, great scenery, low traffic (by New England standards), camaraderie and rugged hills that arguably change this aerobic workout to anaerobic, which needs a brief explanation. Bicycling up a long, gently sloping incline can feel as aerobic as dancing, but a steep ridge can make bikers think that they are on a leg-lifting machine, trying to move 200 pounds.

He proceeds to answer the question he poses in this way:

One perfect reason is conditioning. Bikes offer us a cardiovascular regimen that makes it a snap to walk hardwood ridges in the fall or wade deep currents in the spring. In short, besides bicycling being just plain fun, the sport makes hunting and fishing just that more enjoyable. After deer hunting or fishing hard since dawn, it just feels great to have spring in your legs late in the day.

Another reason for getting into bicycling is this: 1) Bikers pedaling along a road can silently approach a small patch of deer woods for an evening vigil, or better yet, easily traverse north-country roads behind gates, where landowners prohibit motorized access but allow bikes. The latter opens up opportunities for superb angling away from crowds.

Now, who would have thunk it? :-D

He goes on to talk about his cycling experiences a little, and to encourage his readers to join the fun.

He also tells of the following excellent resource for cycling in Maine which I've long had a link to in my Cycle USA collection of links:

The Maine Department of Transportation put out a wonderful, free booklet for bicyclists -- "Explore Maine by Bike," which includes foldout maps of 25 bicycle loops around the state.

Information on how to get this booklet is available from the Maine Department of Transportation, #16 State House Station, Augusta, ME 04333-0016; www.exploremaine.org/bike.

Full Story -- Morning Sentinel Online/MainToday.com: Bicycling perfect way for hunters, anglers to keep fit.