Couldn't Be Finah in China

Ride Start in East Vassalboro at the Historical Society

We had fine weather and a fine crowd at the Start of last Saturday's ride in East Vassalboro. It was a bit cool, but sunny and dry, and we had about 20 riders, young and not-so-young, many in training for the Trek Across Maine. It was great to have everyone out and it made for a really fun day.

Jeanine, our intrepid ride leader, handed out maps and led us out on a loop around China Lake. Traffic was light and the group started to stretch out along the back roads to enjoy the morning's scenery.

Stopping for History at an Old Cemetery in China

We took a side trip down a dead-end road to view a "surprise" - an historic cemetery with a carefully marked grave of a former slave, buried alongside his former masters. China was once a Quaker town where former slaves could find refuge, both in the Underground Railroad and in free black settlements along one of the high ridges on the outskirts of town.

Back on the road, we circled the north end of the lake and headed back down Lakeview Drive (Rt.202). Here traffic picked up a bit, but we took advantage of the wide shoulder and the long, flat stretches of good pavement to head down to South China Village.

Considering Destinations Near and Far

We stopped for a group photo at the International Signpost in South China - half the world seemingly a day's ride away. With a bike you can go anywhere!

Hope you can join us next Saturday, May 19th, in Windsor, where we'll view things you can't see anywhere else, no matter how far you travel. Our thanks to Jeanine for a great ride in China (now that was no surprise!).