Go Forth on the Fourth

Time once again to assert your independence (even if you're feeling pretty independent already) and what better way to do it than to join us on the annual KVBC Independence Day Ride in Sidney on Saturday!  Oh sure, I suppose you could go off and ride on your own, but where's the fun in that?  And besides, Jim has a great ride planned for us, and you are all invited to come.  Patriotic attire and accoutrements are optional (I think Confederate flag motifs are definitely out this year).  Plus we'll get you back in time and all warmed up for whatever 4th of July festivities await you later in the day!  That's worthy of a declaration!  See you then!

Saturday, July 4th, SIDNEY:
"Go Forth on the Fourth" - an Independence Day  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, put@roadrunner.com.

BCM Calendar Link: http://www.bikemaine.org/event2/kvbc-independence-day-ride

For more information on the Kennebec Valley Bicycle Club, contact Jim Merrick at hjmerrick@gmail.com, check out our blog, Posted Roads at http://postedroads.blogspot.com, or follow us on Facebook.

Greenville Bike & Boat

It was great to see some old and new faces on the KVBC ride in Augusta on Saturday.  Once again, the weather turned out to be splendid, and we had a fine ride (and breakfast was really good, too).  This week we will venture out to new territory and take part in the Greenville Bike & Boat Ride - note that there is a $25 registration fee for this ride.  You can register online via the link below, or at the start of the event on Sunday - just show up early to register.  You can also make it a weekend trip as Jeanine still has space at the AMC Lodge - details below.  Contact Jeanine directly to sign up for the extended trip!

Sunday, June 28 - GREENVILLE

"Greenville Boat & Bike" - a tour from Greenville to Rockwood with a return trip across the lake on the historic steamboat Katahdin!

START: 10:30 am at the Greenville boat landing (earlier if registering on the day of the event)

DISTANCE: 19.5 miles

TERRAIN: moderate

REGISTRATION: $25 fee to benefit the Charles A. Dean Memorial Hospital; online registration link: https://www.kintera.org/faf/mobile/Default.htm?eventid=1137828&cur=1

HIGHLIGHTS: scenic 20-mile ride, followed by a lake cruise back to the start on the historic steamboat "Katahdin" including food and live music, and t-shirts for pre-registrants. There is also a weekend trip option at the AMC Lodge in Little Lyford - details below.

LEADER: Jeanine Libby, jjlibby13@roadrunner.com

BCM Calendar Link: http://www.bikemaine.org/event2/7th-annual-charles-a-dean-memorial-hospital-bike-and-boat

WEEKEND TRIP DETAILS:
Hike, Bike and Boat Weekend June 26 - June 28
Come join in on a fun filled weekend of hiking, biking and
boating.  We will be staying in the bunk house at Little Lyford for the
weekend’s events.  Friday night arrive in time to meet everyone prior to
sitting down for dinner – served at 6:00 p.m.  Saturday we will plan to hike
Gulf Hagas during the day and view the breathtaking waterfalls.  This is
known as the “Grand Canyon of the East.”  Then we may close the day with an
evening paddle on the pond followed by some storytelling around the camp
fire.  More fun to come as we rise the next morning to prepare for the 19.5
mile Bike and Boat ride to benefit Charles A. Dean Memorial Hospital patient
care.  The bike ride will begin in Greenville and go to Rockwood and then we
will return aboard the historic Katahdin vessel.  While on the boat we will
enjoy lunch and music on our way back to Greenville.
To register for the weekend trip e-mail Jeanine Libby at jjlibby13@roadrunner.com
Weekend Trip at the Lodge totals: $140 per person plus tax to say in the co-ed bunk house.  Meals included.  Fun is Free.
Bike and Boat Benefit Ride: $25 pre-registration fee and must be done separately at
http://cadean.org/About-Us/News/2015/Bike-and-Boat-2015.aspx

Breakfast on the Kennebec

We had a great ride Sunday on Ken's Hot Dog Ride in Wings Mills.  We had 24 cyclists at the ride start - a new record for the ride, and possibly for the club as well!  The weather was again remarkable - in that regard, we seem to be on a roll of late.  Ken's route was scenic and varied, and the post-ride cookout was lots of fun.  Our thanks to Louis household for their hospitality in opening up their home for the club, and for being great hosts.  Join us this Saturday in Augusta (note the 8 am start) for a breakfast ride over the back roads of the capital.  And for those of you doing the Trek, Bonne Route!

Saturday, June 20th - AUGUSTA

"Capital Breakfast Ride" - a tour through the stately residential areas and outlying farms of our capital city.

START: 8:00 AM at the parking lot of the Hussey Elementary School on Quimby Street in Augusta.  Quimby is right off Rt. 100 at the traffic light across from Auclair's Cycle heading north; detailed directions here: http://www.augustaschools.org/schools/hussey_elementary_school/directions.php

DISTANCE: 27 miles.

TERRAIN: moderate with a few hills.

HIGHLIGHTS: An optional breakfast stop (TBD), some really fine touring roads east of the capital, new and intriguing routes - and did we mention breakfast?

LEADER: Jim Merrick, hjmerrick@gmail.com.

BCM Calendar link: http://www.bikemaine.org/event2/kvbc-capitol-breakfast-ride

 

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

Ken's Hot Dog Ride

We had spectacular weather last Sunday for our ride in Wayne - sunny, calm, and cool.  This Sunday's weather is forecast to be just as nice and maybe better!  And how much better could it be, just in time for Ken's seventh annual Hot Dog Ride!  We'll meet in tiny locale of Wings Mills in Mount Vernon (directions below) for a very scenic ride and a Hot Dog cookout later.  Ken would appreciate if you email him at klouis17@hotmail.com so he can get an approximate headcount.  Hope you can join us!

 

 

 

 

 

Sunday, June 14th - WINGS 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).

Park along the sides of the driveway wherever you can.
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, klouis17@hotmail.com.

BCM Calendar Link: http://www.bikemaine.org/event2/kvbc-kens-hot-dog-ride

For more information about the Kennebec Valley Bicycle Club, contact Jim Merrick at 293-3784 or hjmerrick@gmail.com, follow us on Facebook, or check out the KVBC blog, Posted Roads, at http://postedroads.blogspot.com.

Tour de Lacs Cue Sheet and Map

Here is the map and cue sheet for the KVBC Ride in Wayne on Sunday at 9 am: The Tour de Lacs. If you cannot join us Sunday, use the map and cue sheet to do the route on Saturday or some other time!

Tour de Lacs on Sunday

We had a great ride last Saturday, and a terrific turnout for Denise's "Big Lakes Tour" from East Winthrop.  We had the pleasure of welcoming some new people and seeing some familiar faces - and the weather turned out to be great as well. Our thanks to Denise and her crew (Hi Brian!), and to Tom, who provided us with cold water at his shop at the ride's end.

This week's ride will feature another classic KVBC ride: the "Tour de Lacs" in Wayne.  PLEASE NOTE THAT THE DATE OF THE RIDE HAS BEEN CHANGED FROM SATURDAY TO SUNDAY.  Since many folks may be already signed up to do the BCM's Women's Ride in Freeport on Sunday, I will post the map and cue sheet for the Wayne ride for those who might like to do it on Saturday as a show-and-go leaderless ride.  Otherwise I hope to see you on Sunday, and have a great ride regardless!

Sunday, June 7th - 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, hjmerrick@gmail.com.

BCM Calendar Link: http://www.bikemaine.org/event2/kvbc-tour-de-lacs 

 

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