Smithfield Figure 8

Heading Out Rt. 8 in Smithfield

 

We have had some exceptional riding weather of late.  Sunday's ride in Albion was clear, cool and dry, and Jeanine had mapped out a fine route with lots of new pavement and some great ridgetop vistas, ending with a great ice cream stop.  Thanks, Jeanine!  Fall is on the way, and this Saturday we will be meeting in Smithfield for a great double loop around North and East Ponds with some great lakeside runs, followed by another nifty ice cream stop.  Hope you can join us!

 

 

 

Saturday, August 31st - SMITHFIELD

"Route 8 Figure 8" - a scenic tour through Smithfield, Belgrade, Rome, and Mercer.

START:  9:00 AM, at the new Smithfield Fire Station on Rt. 8 in Smithfield, about a quarter-mile north of the junction of Rt. 8 and Rt. 137.

DISTANCE:  15 and 28 miles.

TERRAIN:  moderate to moderately hilly.

HIGHLIGHTS:  many scenic lake views and back roads, and an ice cream stop.

LEADER:  Jim Merrick, hjmerrick@gmail.com.

 

 

On to Albion

"Cyclists and Yellow Field" by Andrew Macara

 

 

We had splendid weather for our end-to-end ride on the Whistle-Stop rail trail last Saturday, and despite some rather deep sand on parts of the trail we did manage to ride the entire distance.  Had a great stop at Dutch Treat in Wilton on the return trip, too - where the topic of an open date in this weekend's calendar came up - and Jeanine stepped up to remedy this situation.  Thus we will meet in Albion on Sunday for what promises to be a great ride.  See you then!

 

 

 

 

Sunday, August 25 - ALBION

"On to Albion" - a pretty country ride through Albion, Benton, and East Winslow.

START: 9:00 am at the Albion Town Office building on Main Street (Rt.s 9, 137,and 202)

DISTANCE: 30 Miles.

TERRAIN: moderately hilly

HIGHLIGHTS: hairy cows, ice cream, and home grown veggies (perhaps not all at once)

LEADER: Jeanine Libby.

 

For more information on the Kennebec Valley Bicycle Club and its rides contact Jim Merrick, hjmerrick@gmail.com, or check out the KVBC Facebook page.

 

The Whistle-Stop's Here

We had beautiful clear dry weather for Ken's 5th Annual Hot Dog Ride from Wings Mills on Saturday.  The post-ride hot dogs were great - as were the surprise commemorative t-shirts!  Our thanks to the Louis's for another fine event and for graciously welcoming us to their home.

 

This Saturday's ride will explore the Whistle-Stop Rail Trail from Jay to Wilton to Farmington.  The trail is unpaved, so mountain bikes or hybrid bikes are recommended.  The trail has some great scenery and is well worth exploring!

 

Still looking for a ride leader for August 24-25.  We also have some open dates in September and October.  If you missed your chance to lead a ride earlier in the year, step right up - you can still lead a ride with Fall on the way!  Just contact Jim Merrick at hjmerrick@gmail.com.  Thanks!

 

Saturday, August 17th - JAY

"The Whistle-Stop's Here" - a tour of the Rail Trail from Jay through Wilton to Farmington.

START: 9:00 am at the French Falls Park Trailhead in Jay:

Directions to French Falls Park Trailhead:

From South: From the intersection of ME Routes 4 and 17 in Livermore Falls follow ME Routes 4/17 north 1.6 miles, turning left onto French Falls Drive just after the Jay Elementary School. Follow this road past the Whistle Stop Trail entrance and park in the lot at the end of the road next to the baseball field.

From North:  From the intersection of ME Routes 4 and 17 with ME Route 140 in Jay, follow ME Routes 4/17 south about a mile. Turn right onto French Falls Drive just before you reach the Jay Elementary School. Follow this road past the Whistle Stop Trail entrance and park in the lot at the end of the road next to the baseball field.

DISTANCE: 28 miles or less

TERRAIN: most flat and unpaved; some southern sections of the trail have been quite sandy in the past, but have been improved recently.  Mountain bikes or hybrid bikes with good tires are recommended.

HIGHLIGHTS: scenic, quiet touring along the old Railway right of way; wooden trestle bridge over Wilton Stream; possible ice cream stop in Wilton.

LEADER:  Bud Newell.

Whistle-Stop Rail Trail Trestle over Wilton Stream

Hot Dog, Hot Dog, Hot Dog, Hot Dog, Hot Dog!

We had a great ride in Livermore and Leeds on Saturday, despite getting off to a rainy start.  By the time we got to the general store in Chesterville, the sun had broke out and the roads were drying up, and we had a fine stretch along the Chesterville Esker.  It was great to see some familiar faces appear for the ride (and breakfast!).  Next week's ride will also feature some culinary delights as we explore the roads around West Mount Vernon and Wings Mills on Ken's Fifth Annual Hot Dog Ride.  If you've missed it the last four times you won't want to miss it now.  Hope to see you Saturday!

 

Saturday, August 10th - WING'S MILLS (Mount Vernon)

"Hot Dog! - The Hot Dog Ride" (not because we'll ride like one but because we will want one) - a tour through Mount Vernon, Belgrade, North Augusta, and Manchester

START: 9:00 AM at 49 Marble Point Rd., Mount Vernon

      Directions to Start:

           From Augusta, take #27 North to Belgrade and turn left onto #135 (Christy's store and blinking light)
           Go 3 miles and right onto Wings Mill Rd; go 2.5 miles and right onto Marble Point Rd. which is just
           after crossing Belgrade Stream; it is a hard pack dirt road and we are the log home on the right)

           From Mount Vernon, Readfield: Take North Rd to Wings Mills Rd and go about 3 miles to Marble Point Rd;
           just after passing Bartlett Rd on the right, turn left onto Marble Point

           Delorme Maine Atlas Map 12; A-4. Just west and across the stream from the intersection of Dunn Rd and
           Wings Mill Rd. (Marble Point is not listed by name on the map).
DISTANCE: 29 miles
TERRAIN: Moderate with some hills
HIGHLIGHTS: Views of Belgrade Stream, Hamilton Pond, Stuart Pond, Messalonskee Lake, Doctor Pond, Silver Lake, Gould Pond, with a Hot Dog cookout lunch following the ride - swimming available also.  
LEADER: Ken Louis.

 

For more information on the Kennebec Valley Bicycle Club and its rides contact Jim Merrick,  hjmerrick@gmail.com, or check out the KVBC Facebook page.