Riverbend Smelting Camp

We caught seven smelts.  And we ate them up there and then.

Through an unfortunate confluence of events, it happens that this was the first time in my life that I had reeled in a fish.  And, it boggled my mind…

Do you mean to tell me that, wherever you are, you can literally drop a line in the water and you might pull up a fish?  It turns out that, stripped of all its arcane knowledge and endless equipment, fishing is simple and beautiful!  Maybe not successful, but that depends on how on measure success, right?

For those hardy enough to ride a bike in the deep, dark, Maine winter, a smelting camp would be a great destination for a ride.  They provide everything you need for fishing -  lines and bait all housed in a wood-heated, sauna-like shack.  The fishing hole is inside the shack.  Like Mark says, “It’s a little like fishing from your living room.”

Let’s get small. These guys believe that everything you need to catch a fish fits in an Altoid Tin.  Or smaller.

Another goal for 2009.  Drop more lines.

When you are on your bike, food=fuel.  So, I thought that it’s not too out-of-bounds to pass along a few portable recipes, too…

3×5 Bread – a 100% whole wheat, no-knead, multi-purpose bread dough

I have been making and tweaking this bread recipe for years now.  Although “no-knead” bread recipes have been everywhere recently, I was originally inspired by the book “No Need to Knead” by Suzanne Dunaway .  This book includes several excellent recipes for focaccia, ciabatta and french loaves.

But, my goal was different.  I wanted a bread with only four primal ingredients- 100% whole wheat flour, water, yeast and salt.  It had to be easy to make.  It had to be tasty.  It had to be soft and moist.

And the recipe had to be easy to remember.  It’s called ”3×5″ bread because you use 3 measures of water to 5 measures of whole wheat flour.  A measure can be any amount you like.  I use a 1/2 cup measure for one loaf, but the recipe can be easily scaled up or down using a different sized measure.  So for a 1/2 cup measure…

• Put 3 measures of warm tap water in a mixing bowl.  Sprinkle a teaspoon of yeast on top.  Stir it in.
• Put 5 measures of whole wheat flour in the bowl.  Sprinkle a teaspoon of salt on top.  Stir it all up.  The dough will go from liquid, to ragged, to a loose ball.
• With wet hands, shape the dough into a smoothish ball and set it back in the mixing bowl.
• Cover the bowl and keep it in the fridge overnight.  Or longer, if you like.  If you are in a rush, you can let it rise on the countertop for 4-6 hours.
• When you are ready to bake it, gently scoop the dough out of the bowl and shape it into a loaf.  The dough will be really loose and sticky.  You will probably want to handle it with wet hands.
• Place the dough on a baking sheet sprinkled with oatmeal or coarse cornmeal.  Bake for one hour at 375 degrees.  That’s it!

You can use it for sandwiches, but even better…

Cinnamon Rolls!  Make one batch of dough as described above.  After it rises, roll it out thinly on an oiled surface.  Sprinkle it with cinnamon and sugar, but leave a 1-inch margin on the side.  Roll it up using the margin to seal the roll.  Cut it into rings with a serrated knife.  Place them in a baking pan.  Sprinkle with more sugar.  Bake at 375 degrees for 1/2 hour.

A bicycle that runs on Pier Fries?  Impossible!  It can’t be done!

Defying all physical laws, we bring you this loopy ride from Portland to Old Orchard Beach.  And back.

Download a printer-friendly PDF of the map.

It’s the scenic route, featuring:

• Views of the Fore River - Can’t get enough of that bridge.
• A door that goes nowhere – Just for kicks, I suppose.
• Higgins Beach - A surf spot in the classic tradition.
• Scarborough Marsh - The world’s greatest salt marsh.
• Beals Ice Cream – Two words: Almond Buttercrunch.
• Bayley’s Lobsters – If Pier Fries aren’t enough for you.
• Tacky trinkets - Maybe pick up a new handlebar ornament?
• A Ferris Wheel – Just like a bicycle wheel, only bigger.
• 17 miles out.  13 miles back. - Prime numbers.  Whoa.

Here are some more photos.  And some further explanation, if you like.

Lou received this email the other day:

“Anyone interested in a long, steady, ride starting early on Saturday morning and going until noon+/-?

I’m ready to start my Gorham-Fryeburg-over Hurricane-Jackson-then return ride.  I intend this ride to be steady…only stopping to replace fluids, with maybe a short snack break in Jackson.”

Stopping only to “replace fluids”?  What’s that supposed to mean?  We are not machines.  We are human beings.  During a long bicycle ride, the cyclist thirsts not only for fluids, but possibly for a bottled morale booster.  While on a dusky buzz around the town, who doesn’t enjoy the added lift of a cold beverage?

I’m speaking, specifically, of beer.

Never one to miss an opportunity, the bicycle industry appears happy to oblige.  Perhaps they have been reading hard-drinking blogs like Drunk Cyclist and How to Avoid the Bummer Life.  Or, more likely, they are trying to entice that niche of cyclists who aren’t obsessed over ounces and just want to have a good time on a bicycle.

Either way, you can now find bottle openers under seats and on drop-outs.  Baskets and racks are no longer measured by cubic inches, but by how many six-packs you can carry.  When you get an Xtracycle involved, things can really get out of hand.

For those of us who ride in the winter, there is an endless range of thermal cups and vacuum bottles for your coffee.  And a flask holder if you like it with a little something extra.

Listen.  I don’t want to imply that you should be reckless on your bike.  In my opinion, a bicycle pub-crawl is a good way to hurt someone.  But the law still allows you to take a break with the beverage of your choice.  Enjoy the privilege while it lasts.

P.S.   I once saw a bicycle reflector with a bottle opener built in.  The back face was inscribed with the phrase, “Open.  Pause.  Reflect.”  Now I can’t find it anywhere.  Anybody know about this?

We have been out on the roads exploring our small world and designing new bike routes.  You know?

Ride #1:  Get Circumnavigated

Forget about “bike loops”.  Circumnavigation is it, baby!  How better to explore a place then to see it from 360 degrees?

Portland’s downtown is on a hill.  On a peninsula.  It’s practically surrounded by stunning views.  Not to mention the cool little details and unique architecture you can see streetside.

These guys did a lap around in a canoe.  We do it on bikes.

Ride #2:  The Water Treatment

Featuring a secluded waterfall, a quiet island, a rushing tidal pool, a delicate salt marsh, and inescapable ocean views.

Oh yeah, and a stinky treatment plant, too.

 Ride #3:  The Heart Attack

 A loving survey of the fried foods that keep our pedals turning.  Starting with Tony’s Donuts, pausing for Pier Fries, and culminating with fried clams.  Bon Appétite!

This weekend, I got a chance to check out the new Eastern Trail bike bridge over the Scarborough Marsh.  This bridge was built, of course, to allow Portland cyclists easier access to the Pier Fries at Old Orchard Beach.

For those who don’t know what I’m talking about, Pier Fries are thick cut french fries.  They are served in a cardboard tray and with a little wooden fork.  You add your own salt and vinegar from the shakers chained to the counter.  They are seriously earthy.  And greasy.  The way fries should be.

Verdict is out over who makes the best.  You can get them at Lisa’s Pizza, Bill’s Pizza, and at a stand on the pier called “Pier Pizza”.  Why not collect them all?

Keep in mind:  The precious calories lost while pedaling to Old Orchard Beach and back can be re-claimed by enjoying a box of Pier Fries and a beer.  Don’t worry about it.

I have posted a route map on Bikely.  It’s not the most scenic bike tour in southern Maine, but it’s not bad.  And it is the fastest route to “the oob”.

UPDATE:

Not in a hurry?  There’s a better route.  Here’s a new map in the ultra-contemporary Lookabout style.