It was time to test some final adjustments to the bike and gear while continuing prep for the Hoka Hey Motorcycle Challenge. Since Maine was one of few remaining states I needed to complete my Northeast Harley-Davidson stamp card Tour.

What followed was roughly 1,300 miles. The weather looked like garbage before we even left. Storms were brewing, temperatures dropped quickly in the mountains (down into the mid-40s), and there was plenty of cold rain, wind, moose country, and construction zones waiting for us. Thankfully, we spent some time studying the radar and managed to thread the needle around the worst of it. Did we stay dry? Absolutely not. But it could have been a whole lot worse.

And the wildlife…Every other sign seemed to warn about moose. If you’ve never ridden up there, those signs aren’t decorations. A deer is one thing. A moose is basically a horse with anger issues.

Moose Alley along Routes 201, 11, 6, 9, and parts of Route 1 absolutely lived up to the hype. The scenery was incredible. Long sweepers through the mountains, lakes tucked between ridgelines, endless forests, and even a few fun roadside attractions scattered along the way. Of course, all that beauty came with me constantly scanning every ditch and marsh looking for a giant brown missile preparing to ruin my evening. The weather never completely left us alone either. Cold rain would move in, we’d dodge around it, then it’d somehow find us again a few hours later. By the end of the trip I was still cold despite every layer I brought. Maine definitely made us earn the miles.

The dealer stops were worth every mile though.

👉 L-A Harley-Davidson was awesome. Josh, the front-end manager, immediately got a kick out of the fact we rode all the way from Connecticut in that weather. He pointed us toward some warmth while the local H.O.G. chapter was grilling burgers and hot dogs outside. Everyone made us feel welcome. We stood around talking rides, motorcycles, Maine roads, and all the usual rider nonsense. The H.O.G. chapter president was fantastic and even handed us special 35th Anniversary challenge poker chips. How cool is that? You know those places where you walk in and feel like you’ve been there before? That’s L-A.

👉 Seacoast Harley-Davidson was another standout. They gave us a behind-the-scenes tour of the operation and spent time showing us around. You could tell pretty quickly they take a lot of pride in what they do. I’ve heard people say they have some of the best technicians on the East Coast, and after seeing things firsthand, I can understand why. Doug and I both agreed it’s a dealership we’d gladly ride back to.

👉 Big Moose Harley-Davidson was fittingly located right in the heart of moose country. Fun fact: the dealership gets its name from nearby Big Moose Mountain. Between the mountain views, endless forests, and more moose crossing signs than I’ve ever seen on a single trip, it felt like the unofficial gateway to Maine’s North Woods.

👉 Central Maine Harley-Davidson sits in Hermon, just outside Bangor, and serves as a crossroads for riders heading north, east, or Downeast. Fun fact: Bangor is home to author Stephen King, and every time I pass through town I half expect to see Pennywise standing next to a storm drain waiting for unsuspecting riders.

👉 North Country Harley-Davidson in Augusta was another great stop. Fun fact: Augusta is one of the smallest state capitals in the country by population. Despite being Maine’s capital, it still feels like a small town, which honestly fits Maine perfectly.

👉 And then there’s Ride North Harley-Davidson in Caribou. For most riders, this is the one that separates the casual stamp collectors from the people willing to put in the miles. Caribou isn’t exactly on the way to anywhere unless you’re headed for Canada, Fort Kent, Four Corners Park, or exploring the far reaches of northern Maine. Fun fact: Caribou is the northeasternmost city in the United States and is famous for its potato farming. By the time we rolled into town, it felt less like another dealership stop and more like we’d reached the edge of the map. The stamp was cool, but the ride getting there was even better.

Looking back, I started this trip chasing stamps. But like most motorcycle trips, it stopped being about the stamps pretty quickly. It became about the roads. The scenery. The weather. The wildlife. The random conversations. The laughs. And most importantly, spending time with my friend and brother from another mother, Doug.

Just another chapter added to the story. 🏍️🌧️🤣