:: seanlangford ::

Had an excellent weekend up in Maine with Jen this past weekend celebrating our 5 year wedding anniversary. Started off toward Portland Friday after work and had a bite to eat there at this great seafood place right on the main strip.  Then off to Freeport where we spent the night.  Up early for breakfast and a little shopping in the outlets.  Then off to Camden for lunch.  Took rt 1 the entire way up and spent some time enjoying the old post road as it wound its way through old towns and a myriad of rocky, piny coves.  Eventually got to Bar Harbor and stayed at the Bar Harbor Inn.  Had a great room overlooking the bay.  Enjoyed the pool, a walk through town and a great dinner.
Sunday, after breakfast spent a few hours exploring Acadia.  Did a couple short hikes but mostly did the auto-route.  The view from the top of Cadillac mountain was spectacular.  All and all a relaxing trip.  Was nice to get away from the hustle of back home albeit just for a short trip.

Got to do the Salem Witch’s cup last night. Super fun race put on by local cycling supporter Paul Boudreau. The course encircled the famed Salem commons, but instead of burning witches this nite, it was the burning of legs and rubber which had the town’s attention. Tons of New England strong men were there for the pro race including the McCormicks, Jesse Anthony, and 2 Criterium National Champions Skip Foley and Gavin Mannion. It was an amazing race to watch as you could nearly see the entire course from any vantage point. Rich Fries entertained the crowd and MC’d the event as the action swirled around the commons like some crazed pagan ritual; the Mavic support tent was located conveniently in front of the Salem witch museum and Rodger Conant was there overlooking turn 2 and monitoring the proceedings. He being a hardy New Englander himself might’ve appreciated this race.
Here is a shot of the big boys before the P123 race. CCB’s national champion Gavin Mannion is in the foreground with lead henchman (and hardy New Englander in his own right) Ciaran Mangan just behind.