Back Through the Cellar Door

Come join us this Sunday for a special Kennebec Valley Bicycle Club ride in Camden and Lincolnville.  This is one of several superb rides scoped out and led by KVBC member Ray Giglio, and it is part of our tribute to Ray that we continue to celebrate his many contributions to the club.  The ride will feature a stop at the Cellardoor Winery, and some back roads in a area that we don't get a chance to ride in (as a group) that often.  Part of the route will trace part of the East Coast Greenway, and the ride will have other treats in store.  Hope to see you on Sunday!  - Jim 

August 31st, Sunday:  Camden

“Camden Vineyard Tour” – a circuit of Megunticook Lake, including Camden and the Cellardoor Winery and vineyard in Youngtown (Lincolnville).  

START:  9:30 A.M., at the Cellardoor Winery, 367 Youngtown Rd, one mile east of Route 52.  Please park along the winery driveway leading up the hill, and not in the customer parking lot behind the winery store. 

DIRECTIONS:  From Camden, take Rt. 52 north for 5 miles and turn right onto the Youngtown Rd for one mile.  See the Cellardoor Winery website for map and detailed directions:  http://mainewine.com.

 DISTANCE:  25-30 miles, depending if a loop from Camden to Rockport is taken and if we return to the winery via Rt. 52 or via Rts. 1 and  173.  The route is moderately hilly, and some of the road surfaces are showing wear although many have been resurfaced recently. 

HIGHLIGHTS:  Visit the winery store and take a walk through the vineyards.  Numerous lake views during the ride.  Camden (& Rockport).  Part of the route is the official East Coast Greenway interim on-road coastal route. 

LUNCH:  The picnic tables outside the winery store are available for us to use after our ride.  We can bring a bag lunch, or they sell beverages, local cheeses, breads, and other goodies.  And of course, they sell wine and have wine tasting.

LEADER:  Jim Merrick, 293-3784, hjmerrick@gmail.com.

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

Hills and Beans

 

We got in a great ride Sunday, despite threatening skies, wet roads, occasional light rain and mist, and we managed to traverse the entire Colby Loop in fairly mild conditions. Many thanks to Jeanine for leading the ride and once again warding off any serious rain.  Next Sunday we will return to Vassalboro to tackle some hills and some select roasted coffee beans - some of the best central Maine has to offer.  We still have some fine summer riding to get in before Fall.  Hope you can join us!

 

Sunday, August 24th - VASSALBORO

"Hills and Beans" - a scenic tour around the China and Vassalboro.

START:  9am  at the home of David and Laura Lipman.  Condo is after Natanis Golf Course at 6 Arrowhead 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: approx. 25 miles.

TERRAIN:  Moderate to Hilly.

HIGHLIGHTS: an assortment of fine back roads in China and Vassalboro, with a stop at a fine local coffee shop or two.

LEADER:  David Lipman.

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.

The Colby Loop

We had a great ride from Richmond to Wiscasset Sunday, thanks to David Lipman, who scoped out an all-new ride over some beautiful back roads - and included a delightful stop at Treats Bakery in Wiscasset!  Many thanks to David for putting together such a fine ride on short notice.  This week's ride in Waterville will traverse the popular Colby Loop, starting from Colby in Waterville on Sunday, August 17.  PLEASE NOTE: the ride date has been changed from Saturday to Sunday.  Hope to see you Sunday!

 

Sunday, August 17 - WATERVILLE

"The Colby Loop" - a scenic back roads tour north of Waterville, through Norridgewock, Mercer, Smithfield, Oakland, and Waterville.

START: 9:00 AM at Colby College, Waterville - park in the "Lower Athletic Parking" lot next to the field house near the junction of Mayflower Hill Drive and College Drive - refer to the map of the campus: http://www.colby.edu/visitors/campus-map/

DISTANCE: approx. 40-45 miles

TERRAIN: moderate to moderately hilly

HIGHLIGHTS: a popular scenic loop, arrowed as part of the Trek Across Maine.

LEADER: Jeanine Libby.

 

A map of the Colby Loop can be found at this link: http://www.mapmyride.com/us/waterville-me/trek-across-maine-2012-colby-loop-route-103523017

 

For more information on the Kennebec Valley Bicycle Club, contact Jim Merrick at hjmerrick@gmail.com, and check out the club's Facebook page at https://www.facebook.com/KennebecValleyBicycleClub.

From Richmond to the Sea

Despite the morning showers, an intrepid group of riders had a splendid ride around Damariscotta Lake on Saturday, and a welcome stop at the OxBow Brewery at the ride's end.  Many thanks to Leanne for organizing an all-new ride for us, and to the folks at Oxbow Brewery for their hospitality.  This Sunday's ride will also travel some new roads for us, thanks to David Lipman, as we will venture from Richmond to Wiscasset with possible stops at a couple of great local bakeries.  As always, hope you can join us!

 

Sunday, August 10 - RICHMOND

"The Richmond Roundabout" - a tour along the river through Richmond, Dresden, and Wiscasset.

START: 9 AM at the public landing in Richmond (also known as Fort Richmond Park or Peacock Beach State Park, depending on what map you're looking at) at the junction of Front Street (Rt.24) and Main Street (Rt.197). Park in the public lot next to the landing.

DISTANCE: approx. 35 miles.

TERRAIN: moderate with one or two significant hills.

HIGHLIGHTS: scenic views along the river and Wiscasset, with a possible stop at Treats in Wiscasset and the Richmond Coffee Shop at the ride's end.

LEADER:  David Lipman.

 

Kennebec Valley Bicycle Club rides are open to members and to the cycling public.  Helmets are required of all riders at KVBC events.  It is also recommended that you bring with you on KVBC rides:  a map of the area in case you stray off route; tools for simple roadside repairs, especially a tire pump, spare tube and/or patch kit; water bottles or hydration systems; personal ID and a small first aid kit; and money for purchasing snacks & drinks en-route.  In case of severe weather, scheduled rides may be postponed or designated as "show & go" rides at the discretion of the ride leader.

 

We welcome suggestions for improving our rides and encourage active participation of all members.  For more information, contact Jim Merrick at hjmerrick@gmail.com or check out the KVBC Facebook page.