Go Forth on the Fourth!

The damp conditions at the start didn't dampen this turnout.

Well, our glorious Fourth-of-July ride last Saturday wasn't quite glorious enough, apparently, even though we had a respectable turnout of nine people in damp conditions.  For all those who missed it (and those who want to do it again!) we've decided to run it again this Thursday - a special holiday ride!  Hey, doing the Fourth-of-July ride on the Fourth-of-July - what a concept!  You can join us for the ride in the morning and still take part in whatever activities you may have lined up in the afternoon!  And we have an open weekend coming up with perhaps another ride in store - stay tuned!

 

 

Thursday, July 4th, SIDNEY:
"Go Forth on the Fourth" - a tour through the middle of Sidney & the middle of a prime farming district & the middle of Fourth of July preparations.
START:  9:00 AM at the James H. Bean Elementary School on Middle Road in Sidney.
Directions to the Bean School:
From south: I-95 North exit #120. Turn right at end of exit ramp onto Lyons Rd. Follow Lyons Rd. to stop sign. Turn left onto Middle Rd. Bean School is approximately one mile on the right.
From the north: I-95 South exit #120. Turn left at end of exit ramp onto Lyons Rd. Follow Lyons Rd. to stop sign. Turn left onto Middle Rd. Bean
School is approximately one mile on the right.

DISTANCE:  16 or 30 Miles.
TERRAIN:  moderate with a few hills.
HIGHLIGHTS:  some fine back roads and Kennebec River views, and some Fourth of July paraphernalia, most likely.
LEADER:  Jim Putnam.

 

For more information on the Kennebec Valley Bicycle Club, contact Jim Merrick at hjmerrick@gmail.com, and/or follow us on Facebook.

 

It was foggy and damp on Saturday's ride, enhanced in this image by road spray on the camera lens.

 

Pre-Fourth of July Ride

Glorious!

 

Yessir, it's that time of year again.  Time for fireworks, bonfires, parades, barbecues - and Jim Putnam's glorious annual "Fourth-of-July" ride in June.  Don't wait til July!  Truly, it will be glorious, and you can't get much better than glorious.  (At least not until we get one more shot at using the word "glorious," and who could pass that up?)  Just show up at the Bean School on Saturday in Sidney.  That alone will make it glorious.  We'll see you then!

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Saturday, June 29th, SIDNEY:
"Independence along the Middle Road" - a tour through the middle of Sidney & the middle of a prime farming district & the middle of Fourth of July preparations.
START:  9:00 AM at the James H. Bean Elementary School on Middle Road in Sidney.
Directions to the Bean School:
From south: I-95 North exit #120. Turn right at end of exit ramp onto Lyons Rd. Follow Lyons Rd. to stop sign. Turn left onto Middle Rd. Bean School is approximately one mile on the right.
From the north: I-95 South exit #120. Turn left at end of exit ramp onto Lyons Rd. Follow Lyons Rd. to stop sign. Turn left onto Middle Rd. Bean
School is approximately one mile on the right.

DISTANCE:  16 or 30 Miles.
TERRAIN:  moderate with a few hills.
HIGHLIGHTS:  some fine back roads and Kennebec River views, and some Fourth of July paraphernalia, perhaps.  Simply Glorious!
LEADER:  Jim Putnam.

 

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

On the first loop of the ride in Sidney

 

Eleven (not quite a dozen) Ponds

A quiet run along the Chesterville Esker

We had great weather and a great ride last Saturday in the Belgrade Lakes. We were able to visit with the Trek riders at the Smithfield rest stop on the Colby Loop - coming the day after the tragedy on the Trek, we felt like we should be with them, and as luck would have it we ran into Leanne, and the stop cheered us up. This Sunday we will meet at the Post Office in the village of Mount Vernon, as we head out to Fayette and Chesterville for a nice run along the Chesterville Esker (a really pretty route if you haven't ridden it yet). See you Sunday!

 

 

Sunday, June 23rd - MOUNT VERNON

"Eleven Ponds" - a tour past many of the hidden ponds and lakes in Mount Vernon, Fayette, Chesterville, and Vienna.

START:  9:00 AM, Mount Vernon Post Office, just off Rt. 41 on Main Street in Mount Vernon.

DISTANCE:  14 and 29 miles.

TERRAIN:  Rolling with a few good hills.

HIGHLIGHTS:  rural back roads winding through many small ponds and lakes, and across the top of the Chesterville Esker.  Possible post-ride get-together at the cafe in Mt. Vernon village.

LEADER:  Jim Merrick, hjmerrick@gmail.com.

 

 

Kennebec Valley Bicycle Club rides are open to members and to the cycling public.  Helmets are required of all riders at KVBC events.  In case of severe weather, scheduled rides may be postponed or designated as "show & go" rides at the discretion of the ride leader.  For ride updates and other club info follow us on Facebook.

 

The Lakes Are Full Of It

Blueberry Hill, Belgrade Lakes

We managed to dodge the worst of last weekend's storm, and we were able to work in a really nice ride around Lake Maranacook.  Many thanks to Ray Giglio for leading the ride despite the stormy forecast.  The weather looks like it will finally break this weekend - "Bon Route!" to all you Trek riders!  For the rest of us, we'll check out how high the lakes are, as we ride from Belgrade Lakes.  Hopefully we will find dry pavement and visible arrows from last fall.  See you then!

 

 

 

June 15th, Saturday:  BELGRADE LAKES

"Belgrade Lakes and Highlands" - a tour around Great Pond through Belgrade, Rome, and Smithfield.

START:  9:00 A.M., at the Belgrade Community Center on Rt. 27, a half mile south of the Village of Belgrade Lakes, on the right (northbound) just past the Great Pond Marina.  Park in the community center parking lot nearest the street (just as you turn in).

DISTANCE:  23 or 30 miles, with a short option of 15 miles (all arrowed).

TERRAIN:  rolling to "moderately" hilly (translation: there are hills on this ride).

HIGHLIGHTS:  views of the Belgrade Lakes, some roller coaster hills, Castle Island, and Blueberry Hill.

LEADER:  Jim Merrick, hjmerrick@gmail.com.

 

For more information on the Kennebec Valley Bicycle Club, check our page on Facebook.

Tomorrow's Ride in Readfield Doubful

From the Sorcerer's Apprentice, Walt Disney Productions

Hi Gang - the forecast for Saturday's Ride in Readfield does not look promising (unless the promise of 100% rain can be considered promising).  If it is raining buckets tomorrow at the scheduled 9 AM ride start we probably won't ride.  If it is raining thimbles or (praise be heaven) not raining at all, we may have a short ride around to Wayne and back.  Otherwise, we'll once again hope for better weather and try to reschedule (Sunday is out due to prior commitments).  We may try to rerun one of our washouts next weekend.  Details to follow.  Stay dry!

Readfield Roundabout

Along the shore of Echo Lake

Summer arrived early, and with determination this past Saturday, as we saw temperatures soar into the 90s during a splendid ride around Vassalboro and China, topped off by a great post-ride party!  Kudos and thanks to our hosts, the Lipmans, for putting together a great ride and a fine post-ride spread in a delightful air-conditioned setting.  Many thanks from all of us!  This Saturday's ride will return to another of our favorite scenic areas - the pastoral lands around Readfield, Wayne and Winthrop.  Hopefully the weather will be fine (and perhaps a bit cooler) and lets hope for another great turn-out!

 

 

Saturday, June 8th; READFIELD

"Readfield Roundabout" - a tour in and around the scenic byways of Readfield or thereabout.

START:  9:00 AM, at the Readfield Post Office, at the junction of Rt. 17 and Rt. 41 in Readfield Center.

DISTANCE:  25 miles.

TERRAIN:  Rolling with a few hills.

HIGHLIGHTS:  Readfield and its surrounding towns are interwoven with fine cycling roads and scenery, and this ride will scope out a good selection of both.

LEADER:  Ray Giglio.

 

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.