A Ride to Father Rasle's

Kennebec River near Old Point, Madison

We have a special tour on tap for this Saturday in Smithfield, partly in keeping with our Halloween tradition of cemetery rides. On this last ride of the year during Daylight Savings Time, we will visit the site of the Battle of Norridgewock, the climax of Father Rasle's War in 1724.  We hope to time our arrival to coincide with a site tour and interpretation led by Colby History Professor Daniel Tortora.  The ride will also explore some back roads in Smithfield and some quiet riverside roads in Norridgewock and Madison - there may be some short stretches of gravel to contend with, but we expect to bypass the Rt. 8 construction project.  If you plan to attend please let me know, as I'd like to get a rough head count for our hosts.  Hope you can join us!

 

Saturday, November 2 - SMITHFIELD

"Monuments, Missions, and Massacres" - a scenic and historic river tour through Smithfield, Norridgewock, and Madison.

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:  approx. 27 miles.

TERRAIN:  moderate to moderately hilly.

HIGHLIGHTS:  a tour of the Norridgewock Village Historic Site, an eighteenth century Abenaki Indian settlement and a French Catholic Mission wiped out by British soldiers in 1724.  Now a tranquil spot on the riverside, we will explore the site and its history, as interpreted by professional historians.

LEADER:  Jim Merrick, hjmerrick@gmail.com.

 

Also, don't forget there will also be a special fundraising event for Leeann Smith in Palermo on Sunday.  Please note that these times below are Eastern Standard Time - don't forget to turn your clocks back an hour on Sunday AM or you'll be an hour late for the rides:

 

Fundraiser for Leeann Smith.
Sunday November 3, 2013.
VFW, Turner Ridge Rd., Palermo, Me.
2 pm - Benefit Bike Ride (three separate speed rides). $20 donation to ride (all funds go directly to Leeann).
4:30 to 6:00 pm - $10 Spaghetti Dinner - Open to Public.
4:00 to 5:30 pm - Silent Auction.

Additional donations welcome!  For more info, call Richard Golden, 485-4088.

 

Fall Foliage Bike & Hike

Norcross Hill, Mount Vernon

We had a very scenic ride last Saturday around Wayne, Leeds, and Monmouth on the Tour de Lacs.  Lots of great views and Fall foliage.  Many thanks to the ride originator, Ray Giglio, who was unable to join us - Get Well Ray!  There is still a lot of Fall cycling in store, so this Sunday we will reprise the Mount Vernon ride, featuring the Chesterville Esker - the roads that were torn up earlier this summer have been repaved, and the route should be much improved (promise!).  Jeanine has also offered to lead a short hike in the Kennebec Highlands following the ride to fully take in the seasonal foliage.  Bring along some trail climbing shoes.  See you Sunday!

 

Sunday, October 20th - MOUNT VERNON

"Fall foliage bike & hike" - a bike tour past many of the hidden ponds and lakes in Mount Vernon, Fayette, Chesterville, and Vienna; and a scenic hike in the Kennebec Highlands.

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 at near peak foliage.  Optional post-ride hike up Round Top or French's Mountain in the nearby Kennebec Highlands.  Possible get-together afterwards at the cafe in Mt. Vernon village.

LEADERS:  Jim Merrick and Jeanine Libby.

 

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 reports, follow the KVBC blog or check out our Facebook page.

Le Tour de Lacs

Passing the base of an early windmill on Morrison Heights

 

 

We had a great ride in Freeport on Saturday, despite the overcast and cool weather.  The roads were first rate and the traffic was light (except for Rt. 1 in Freeport on the return, although not as bad as in mid-summer).  We had a nice, long, flat run out to the end of Merepoint, and some great ocean views with fall foliage along the way.  Many thanks to Ken Louis for setting up the joint ride with MOAC.  This week we will return to Wayne for the "Tour de Lacs" with a great climb up Morrison Heights - ought to be great for foliage views!  Hope to see you Saturday!

Saturday, October 12th - WAYNE

"The Tour de Lacs" - a loop of Androscoggin Lake, with a couple detours for special Wayne sights. 

START: 9:00 AM, at the Wayne Elementary School, Pond Rd (turn north from Rt. 133, just west of Wayne village; go 1/4-mile, park in lot at north end of bldg.)

DISTANCE: 26 miles

TERRAIN: Moderately hilly

HIGHLIGHTS:  beginning loop goes by the Wayne Ring cemetery (Pond Rd) and the Wayne Desert (Berry Rd).  Great views eastward in Leeds (Rt. 106).  A detour near the end climbs Morrison Heights for a beautiful view westward over Lake Androscoggin.  Food and ice cream at Tubby's at the finish?

LEADER:  Jim Merrick.

 

For more information about the Kennebec Valley Bicycle Club, contact Jim Merrick at hjmerrick@gmail.com and check out the KVBC Facebook page.