FAQ
We want you to be well-informed and comfortable with every aspect of the rental experience. If any of your concerns are not addressed below, please click the button to email us.
How does this work?
You make your reservation. On the day you select, I will deliver the bikes to the Schoodic Woods Visitor Center, at 54 Farview Dr, Winter Harbor, ME 04693. Bikes are available for pickup every morning from 8:30-10am, except for days of inclement weather. (NOTE: You may choose to ride in the rain, but you are not required to. Full refunds will be given in the event of rain, hail, or fiery debris from the sky.) You spend the day exploring paradise beside the sea, and then return the bike to the same parking lot at Schoodic Woods at 4pm. Please be prompt. You will be charged a late fee after 4:30pm. Returns later than 5pm will be charged for a second day.
Where / when / how do we pick up our bikes?
On the day of your reservation, keep your weather-eye open for a sea faring man with both legs. I will deliver the bikes to the Schoodic Woods Visitor Center, at 54 Farview Dr, Winter Harbor, ME 04693. Bikes are available for pickup every morning from 8:30-10AM, except for days of inclement weather. (NOTE: You may choose to ride in the rain, but you are not required to. Full refunds will be given in the event of rain, hail, or fiery debris from the sky.) You will return the bike to the same parking lot at Schoodic woods at 4PM. Please be prompt, as I charge a late fee after 4:30. Returns later than 5 will be charged for a second day. Please contact me if you realize you’ll be late. We’ll try to work something out.
NOTE: If you will be riding the ferry, send me a message. I can bring your bikes directly to the ferry terminal for your convenience, and pick them up there as well. Be aware that you will NOT be allowed to put ebikes on the island explorer bus, nor will you be allowed to take them on the ferry itself.
If you have a large party, I may also be able to bring them directly to your Airbnb, campground, or other location. message me with questions and we’ll try to work something out. 🙂
Where can we go?
Pretty much anywhere you can reach! Be aware that the local roads are not bike friendly and you travel at your own risk. Suggested routes are available on the maps page. You should easily be able to ride the entire Schoodic Loop Road, which runs beside the ocean and boasts spectacular vistas of cliffs and lighthouses, as well as the bike trails, which wind through the forests throughout the peninsula. You can see Frasier’s point, the raven’s nest, Schoodic point, little moose island, blueberry hill, and many other great places along the way. The loop road is generally 7-10 miles, depending on your choices, and there are 8 miles of bike paths. If you still have time, you can ride into the cute little town of Winter Harbor, explore some beaches, visit the fishermen’s harbor, or perhaps get a milkshake or some food.
Do you enjoy puzzles? If you like escape rooms, we have a friend who sells downloadable escape-room style puzzle games to play in the park. Please visit https://acadiaescaperoom.com for more details.
How long/far will we be able to ride?
Battery life varies greatly by rider, route, and the whim of the gods. A good average is to anticipate the battery should last 20-ish real-world miles or better, depending on how you use it. I’ve had riders get up to 40 miles before, but most people will get closer to 20. Generally speaking, here in the schoodic area, on these bikes, most clients find they run out of time before they run out of battery. That said, keep an eye on your battery gauge, and be mindful that you still have to make the return trip, and there are hills on the way back, too. 🙂
What is the cancellation policy? Do you offer refunds?
Book your reservations worry free. You may cancel for a full refund until 24 hours prior.
What happens if it rains?
If the forecast says rain, you may ask for a refund, or you can decide to ride in the rain. I won’t stop you. I will caution you, however, that the wind and rain here can be pretty cold, and I don’t suggest it. That said, if you’re the kind of person who likes to sing and dance in the rain, I love that about you. Go for it!
Can we bring a pet?
Tell your dog I said hi, but no. Please don’t bring them on your ride. I love your pets, too, don’t get me wrong, but it’s just not safe. Backpacks, pet carriers, etc, fair REALLY poorly in bike accidents. You don’t want that tragedy, and I don’t either. Also—and I’m not joking about this—generally speaking, if your pet is small enough to fit in a bike basket, they’re small enough to be carried off by an eagle. Nobody wants that.
Can we bring kids?
Sorry, but no. My insurance forbids me from renting ebikes to people under 18. I am considering renting manual bikes for kids next year, but I don’t know how much demand is out there, so please let me know if that’s something that interests you.
What happens if we're late to return the bike?
Please be prompt with returns. If you’re running late, call me. (My number is on the sticker on the bike.) You will be charged a late fee after 4:30PM, and will be charged for a second day after 5PM. On that note, I am also considering multi-day rentals. Let me know if that’s something you’d like to do, and I’ll provide a charger for you, as long as there’s no reservations conflicting.
Do you offer half-day or hourly rentals?
The short answer is no.
The long answer is, I absolutely want to be accommodating, but the park constrains my drop off and pickup times, which greatly limits my options.
Do you allow multi-day rentals?
Yes, but only with advanced notice, since I’ll need to bring you a charger in addition to your bike, and only if it doesn’t conflict with existing reservations.
Which particular genus and species of Ebikes do you have?
Our current fleet is made up entirely of REI Co-op Generation E1.1 Ebikes.
What kind of shape do I need to be in?
Riders are not required to be peak athletes, but will require continuous use of all 4 limbs to operate the current inventory, as well as the ability to maintain balance. Please note that the park service mandates class 1 ebikes, meaning none of my bikes are allowed to have hand throttles. You must pedal manually to activate the electric motor, which will stop again the moment you stop pedalling. You don’t need to be an olympian; the bikes are powerful and help a great deal, but you will still be outdoors, being active, and moving continuously for the duration of your ride. On the other hand, you can stop as often as you like. If anyone makes fun of you, let me know, and I’ll come throw them in the ocean.
If you’re concerned about the physicality of riding an ebike, feel free to contact me and we’ll talk about your needs. If it helps with context, know that I am a jolly fat man, on the plushy side of 300 lbs, and I’m able to enjoy it without hardship.
I am mobility limited. Do you offer any special accommodations?
Sadly, not yet. I am investigating more inclusive options for next year, but for now, only standard Ebikes are availible. Riders are not required to be peak athletes, but will require continuous use of all 4 limbs to operate the current inventory, as well as the ability to maintain balance. Please note that the park service mandates class 1 ebikes, meaning none of my bikes are allowed to have hand throttles. You must pedal manually to activate the electric motor, which will stop again the moment you stop pedalling.
If you require additional aids or equipment, please let me know. I’m very much looking for ways to make my fleet more inclusive, including the possibility of recumbent style, three wheeled, electric “trikes.” Let me know if that would be helpful.
We didn't make a reservation. Do you accept walk-ins?
Spur o’ the moment, eh? I like the cut of your jib. I won’t tell the cops if you don’t.
I do accept walk-ins, but there are several caveats. The first is, I have limited inventory. While I plan to add more bikes soon, I am still limited by the number of bikes I have. You might get lucky and catch me with extra bikes on a given day, but I’m fully booked more often than not. The second caveat is, the park limits the time I can be in the parking lot. Bikes are only available for pickup from 8-10AM. If you know ahead of time those hours don’t work for you, shoot me a message and we’ll try to work something out.
We have a large group. How many bikes do you have?
I am starting the 2025 season with 6 brand new bikes, and planning to triple that by midsummer, as more bikes get delivered. If you have a large group, let me know. I might be able to order more with enough notice.
Can you deliver a bike someplace else? Will you deliver them to my Airbnb?
Quite possibly. Message me (207-664-3644) with details and we’ll see if we can work something out.
Can we put our rental bikes in our truck and go to Bar Harbor for the day?
As far as I’m concerned, you can take them to Mars and back, as long as you have them back by 4pm. Be aware that travel time to/from Bar Harbor is at least 1 hour each way, and can be considerably longer with summer traffic. Returns after 4:30pm incur a late fee, and after 5pm will be charged for a second day. Please contact me if you realize you’ll be late. We’ll try to work something out.
Also, be aware that ebikes are surprisingly heavy, and will likely exceed the rating of a standard bike rack. They weigh north of 60 lbs each. (27.21 kg. 4.28 stone. 0.03 tons. 960 oz., or about as much as 327 average chipmunks—Tamias striatus).
Also note that you are responsible for any accidents or damage that occurs in transit, both to the bikes and to your vehicle.
Is there a ferry to/from Bar Harbor?
Yes! There is a ferry! You can book tickets at: https://downeastwindjammer.com/ferries/bar-harbor-schoodic-winter-harbor/
Note that you CAN NOT put ebikes on the ferry, nor can you put them on the island explorer busses. BUT! Let me know if you’re coming on the ferry, and I’ll try to bring the bikes directly to you at the ferry terminal. We can arrange to have you drop them off there, too.
I have other questions. How can I contact you?
Please email [email protected] with any additional questions.
I have also been known to respond to cryptic messages scrawled on alley walls in crayon, but that’s hit and miss.