The Cycles of Industry

We had a nice, brisk, 40-mile ride from Gardiner to Bowdoinham on Saturday.  Brisk in more ways than one.  Still unseasonably cool (at least I hope it is "unseasonably") but temperatures are supposed to warm up this week.  Many thanks to Joe Renda for leading the ride on Saturday, and to everyone who turned out.  This Sunday's ride starts in Farmington and heads out over the scenic terrain along the back roads to Industry and Clearwater Pond in Allens Mills.  Note that this ride was originally scheduled for August 9th, but has been moved up a week.  Hope you can join us!

Sunday, August 2nd:  FARMINGTON

"The Ups and Downs of Industry":  a ride through the picturesque hills and hollows of Farmington, New Sharon, and Industry.

START:  9:00 A.M., at the Hannaford Plaza on Rt. 4 in Farmington, about a mile south from the junction of Rt. 4 and Rt. 27, towards Wilton.  Park near the entrance to the shopping plaza.

DISTANCE:  25-30 miles.

TERRAIN:  rolling to hilly.

HIGHLIGHTS:  quiet back roads along the Sandy River, spectacular panoramic views from the ridgetops of New Sharon & Industry, and Clearwater Pond at Allens Mills.

LEADER:  Larry Childs.

BCM Calendar Link: http://www.bikemaine.org/event2/kvbc-ups-and-downs-of-industry

 

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

Back to Bowdoinham

We had a rather unseasonable ride around Lake Cobbossee on Saturday, and the cool, wet conditions kept our numbers down. But the weather wasn't all that bad, considering, and we had a good ride, thanks to John Lanoue, who actually rode to the start!  As a bonus, we had a surprise visit from Roger Rocque at the ride start (he later cheered us on when we passed his house) and we look forward to seeing Roger back on the road.  This Saturday, Joe Renda has volunteered to sub for Roger and lead the Gardiner to Bowdoinham ride - a club favorite.  Please note the 8:30 am start.  Also a heads up: we have swapped dates for the next two rides coming up in August - Larry Childs will be leading the Farmington ride on August 2 (not August 9 as originally scheduled) and Jim Merrick will be leading the Mount Vernon ride on August 9 (instead of August 2).  Lots of great riding ahead - see you Saturday!

Saturday, July 25th - GARDINER

"Back Roads to Bowdoinham" - a tour of the southern Kennebec Valley through Gardiner, Richmond and Bowdoinham.

START:  8:30 AM, at the Laura Richards School, Rt. 201 in Gardiner, 1.5 miles south of the junction of Rt. 201 and Rt.s 126/9 (the junction near the A-1 Diner).  The school is a new brick building with a "spiked ball" sculpture, on the west side of Rt. 201, on the left past the Gardiner Armory (just as you enter the "thickly settled" area).  Park in the lot on the north side of the school.

DISTANCE:  40 miles.

TERRAIN:  Moderately hilly.

HIGHLIGHTS:  quiet back roads along streams and farmland south & west of Gardiner.

LEADER:  Joe Renda.

BCM CALENDAR LINK: http://www.bikemaine.org/event2/kvbc-back-roads-to-bowdoinham

 

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 follow us on Facebook.

The Cobbossee Odyssey - The Fielder's Choice

We had a great ride Saturday from Damariscotta to Pemaquid.  Beautiful weather to ride along the ocean, with some nice sea breezes to offset the summer heat in the sun.  Our thanks to David Lipman for another fine ride!  This week's ride will tackle some of the challenging terrain around Lake Cobbossee - with a stop at Fielder's Choice ice cream at the end!

Saturday, July 18th - MANCHESTER

"A Cobbossee Odyssey":  a tour around Cobbosseecontee Lake.

START:  9:00 A.M., at the parking lot on McArdle Street, just off Rt. 202W past the junction of Rt. 202 & Rt.17, between the Manchester Grange Hall and Fielders' Choice Ice Cream Stand.  The parking lot is the first right after you turn on McArdle Street.

DISTANCE:  27.5 miles.  A map of the route can be found here: http://bikeroutetoaster.com/BRTWebUI/Course/667369

TERRAIN:  rolling with some challenging hills.

HIGHLIGHTS:  views of Cobbossee Lake, back roads of Winthrop, Manchester, West Gardiner, Litchfield, and Monmouth, and an ice cream stop conveniently at the end!

LEADER:  John Lanoue, john.lanoue@avid.com.

BCM Calendar Link: http://www.bikemaine.org/event2/kvbc-cobbossee-odyssey

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

Damariscotta - Pemaquid - Boothbay

It's always a pleasure to spend the 4th of July morning riding with Jim Putnam and company, and we had a great turnout on Saturday to prove it. Once again, many thanks to Jim for another memorable holiday ride!
We have a "double-header" planned for this weekend. This Saturday's KVBC ride will return to the scenic Pemaquid Peninsula with a great ride along the shore. There will be a follow-up ride on Sunday around Boothbay. These routes are not only scenic, but also a great trip to the coast, and there are many great places to stop and see the sights. Contact the ride leader for suggestions for overnight accommodations. Hope you can join us for one or both of these rides!
 
Saturday, July 11th; DAMARISCOTTA
"Drafting Through Damariscotta" - a tour through Bristol, Bremen, Pemaquid and Damariscotta.
START: 10:00 AM at Hannaford's supermarket, 469 Main Street (Business Rt. 1) in Damariscotta.
DISTANCE: 40 miles.
TERRAIN: Moderate to rolling with no major hills.
HIGHLIGHTS: scenic roads within the Pemaquid Peninsula, fresh and salt water views abound.
LEADER: David Lipman, dlipman@lipmankatz.com.
BCM CALENDAR LINK: http://www.bikemaine.org/…/kvbc-drafting-through-damariscot…
 
Sunday, July 12: BOOTHBAY
"Bicycling Through Boothbay" - a seaside tour around Boothbay, Barter, Sawyer, and Southport.
START: 9:00 AM at the Knickerbocker Boat Landing, off of Knickerbocker Road just north of the Coastal Maine Botanical Gardens.
DISTANCE: 20 miles.
TERRAIN: easy to moderate.
HIGHLIGHTS: more ocean views and seaside villas, plus a stop for lobster rolls at the Trevitt General Store.
LEADER: David Lipman, dlipman@lipmankatz.com.
BCM CALENDAR LINK: http://www.bikemaine.org/event2/kvbc-biking-through-boothbay
 
For more information on the Kennebec Valley Bicycle Club, contact Jim Merrick at 293-3784 or hjmerrick@gmail.com or visit the KVBC Facebook page.