Velo Vassalboro

Round and About in Vassalboro

Nothing short of dismal to cancel a ride on Memorial Day weekend due to nasty weather. And a great ride, too. Bummer. Our thanks and sympathies to Leanne for putting the ride together, only to have it called off - maybe we can reschedule it later this summer on an open date. Hopefully the sun will come out, things will dry out a bit, and we'll meet in Vassalboro on Saturday to kick off the rides for the month of June. The Lipmans have arranged for a post-ride gathering, much appreciated - and they'd appreciate RSVPs so they can get a head count. If the sun will RSVP we'll be in great shape! See you Saturday!

Saturday, June 1st - VASSALBORO
"Velo Vassalboro" - a scenic tour around the China Lake region
Start: 9:00 am at the home of David and Laura Lipman. Condo is after Natanis Golf Course on Fairway View Drive heading north. (Not to be confused with Fairway Drive. Use Barrows Road on your GPS and we are the next road on the left after that) Please park after the garages in the large dirt parking lot after the condo buildings.
Distance: 28 miles
Terrain: Moderate to Hilly
Highlights: Views of China Lake and Webber Pond, gentleman farms and country homes along the Neck Road. Stay afterwards for lunch and to socialize with fellow bikers. Please RVSP so we can get an idea of how many will be staying for lunch.
Leader: David Lipman.

For more information on the Kennebec Valley Bicycle Club, contact Jim Merrick hjmerrick@gmail.com, or keep up to date via our Facebook page.

Windsor Ride Postponed

Scrapped bicycle in a lake, Germany © Thomas Wolke/UNEP/Hard Rain Picture Library

Tomorrow's KVBC ride scheduled for 10 am in Windsor is CANCELED due to the forecast for cold & rain. If the weather should change, or if you should want to ride anyway, there is the option of a Show & Go leaderless ride leaving from the Windsor Fairgrounds at 10 am. We may be able to reschedule the ride later on an open date. Hopefully we will have dryer weather soon.

Tour of the Back 40

A stop along the Sheepscot River

We had another fine ride on Saturday in Winthrop and Monmouth, with 15 riders taking part.  It was cool, but sunny, and we weren't plagued with black flies when we stopped and regrouped.  Many thanks to Denise, who treated us to a great route and a great batch of "healthy" cookies at the ride's end.  We'll take "healthy" cookies like those any day!  This Saturday's ride will return to Windsor for a "Tour of the Back Forty."  Just the thing to kick off the long weekend.  Hope to see you then!

 

 

May 25th, Saturday:  WINDSOR

"Tour of the Back 40":  a tour up and down the banks of the Sheepscot River from Windsor to Alna.

START:  10:00 A.M., at the Windsor Fair Grounds on Rt. 32, about a half mile north from the junction of Rt. 17 and Rt. 32.  Park in the lot across from the entrance.

DISTANCE:  40 miles.

TERRAIN:  moderate to hilly.

HIGHLIGHTS:  scenic back roads with fine straight runs (definitely), the R. Majorowitz Sculpture Garden in Alna (maybe), and nice views of the Sheepscot (for sure), one of the most pristine rivers in the Northeast.

LEADER:  Leanne Moll.

 

For more information on the Kennebec Valley Bicycle Club, contact Jim Merrick at hjmerrick@gmail.com, or keep up to date via our Facebook page.

 

 

Back for the Big Lakes Tour

Heading Out from East Winthrop

It was raining about as hard at the ride start in Vassalboro last Saturday as on the start of any bike ride I've seen - no doubt the weathermen who forecast "100% chance of rain" were muttering, "I told you so." But as the 10 o'clock ride start rolled in, so did Marty and Scott (who rode from Waterville, no less) so Jeanine and I decided we had a quorum, and off we went.  Within 4 miles the rains tapered off, the skies cleared a bit, and the pavement started to dry out.  Not quite trusting our good fortune (and with a nod to our co-riders who had to ride back to Waterville) we cut the ride short to about 15 miles after a fascinating tour of some historic graveyards.  Many thanks to Jeanine for leading the ride (and making the rains hold off for the better part of the tour).  This Saturday we will hope for a bit dryer conditions when we meet in East Winthrop for the Big Lakes Tour at 9:30 AM.  It's another great ride and I hope you can join us!

Saturday, May 18th - EAST WINTHROP

"The Big Lakes Tour" - a ride along the shorelines of Lakes Maranacook, Annabessacook, and Cobbosseecontee.

START: 9:30 AM at the parking lot of Tom's Bike Boutique, 2208 Rt.202 in East Winthrop, across from D.R Struck's Nursery.

DISTANCE: 25-30 miles.

TERRAIN: moderate with some hills.

HIGHLIGHTS: Some nice lakeside runs along backroads in Winthrop, Monmouth, and Manchester.

LEADER: Denise Crowell.

For more information on the Kennebec Valley Bicycle Club, contact Jim Merrick, hjmerrick@gmail.com or check us out on Facebook.

Another China Surprise

We had an outstanding ride in Windsor on Sunday - nineteen riders under bright blue skies as we wound our way around Windsor and Whitefield, Kings Mills and Coopers Mills, and the Roger Majorowicz Sculpture Garden.  And we had a great post-ride pot luck at the ride leader's - many thanks to Bud Newell for leading the ride and opening up his home in hospitality, and to everyone who brought all the great food!  We hope to continue with great riding weather this Saturday in Vassalboro as we ride around China.  Hope you can join us!

 

 

 

Saturday, May 11th, EAST VASSALBORO

"China Surprise" - a delightful tour over the hills and dells of Vassalboro and China.

START: 10:00 AM at the Vassalboro Historical Society parking lot just north of the China Lake boat landing on Rt. 32 in East Vassalboro (not the boat landing in South China).

DISTANCE: 25 miles.

TERRAIN: moderate, with some hills and flat sections.

HIGHLIGHTS: a selection of great, scenic rural Maine roads with great views of China Lake and surroundings, with a surprise thrown in!

LEADER: Jeanine Libby.

 

For more information on the Kennebec Valley Bicycle Club check out the club's Facebook page at https://www.facebook.com/KennebecValleyBicycleClub.

Cinco de Mayo

It is May 1st, the start of National Bike Month, and we have been having exceptional early Spring weather. Last Saturday we had a fine ride in Wayne, thanks to Ray Giglio and the dozen other riders who took part! 

This week's ride will fall on Sunday, May 5 - "Cinco de Mayo" and will feature a post-ride potluck at the ride leaders house in Windsor for all those who are interested.  Bud says to bring what you like - it need not be Mexican (e.g.: the French were also involved in the turmoil at the Cinco de Mayo, although on the losing end this once).  Mexican or French or whatever, we hope to see you at the Windsor Fairgrounds on Sunday!

 

Sunday, May 5th - WINDSOR

"Cinco de Mayo" - we kick off Bike Month with a scenic tour of Whitefield and Windsor.

START: 10:00 am at the Windsor Fairgrounds on Rt. 32 in Windsor - park in the open field across the street from the entrance to the Fairgrounds.

DISTANCE: 25 miles.

TERRAIN: moderately hilly.

HIGHLIGHTS: fine touring country around Windsor & Whitefield, and a post-ride potluck at the ride leader's house, about two miles from the start.  Contact Bud with any questions.

LEADER: Bud Newell.