Take a Bow

This Sunday the KVBC ride heads back to Newcastle for another very scenic tour around Damariscotta Lake, followed by a stop at the award-winning Oxbow Brewery. This ride proved to be so popular last year that no one complained about the rain - at least, no one complained to me, and I missed the ride.  I don't plan to miss it this year, and neither should you, if last year's accolades are any indication.  Hope to see you Sunday!

Sunday, September 6 - NEWCASTLE

"The Oxbow Incident" - a scenic house & garden tour around Damariscotta Lake, followed by a local brewery visit.

START: 9 AM at the parking lot of the Oxbow Brewing Company on Rt. 215 in Newcastle, less than a quarter-mile east of the junction of Rt.s 194 and 215.  Look for the sign on the right of a owl carrying a cask.

DISTANCE: 28 or 50 miles.

TERRAIN: moderately hilly to hilly.

HIGHLIGHTS: Damariscotta Lake, with many stately lakeside homes, and lots of great scenery.  Plus a post-ride stop at the Oxbow Brewery, where they have a tasting room that opens at noon, and picnic tables - it is suggested that folks may want to bring snacks, such as nuts, crackers, cheese, etc.  Non-riders who wish to join us after sightseeing and shopping in Damariscotta are welcome!

LEADER: Leanne Moll.

 

For more information on the Kennebec Valley Bicycle Club, contact Jim Merrick at 293-3784, hjmerrick@gmail.com, or follow us on Facebook.

Pedal the Penobscot

Registration is open for "Pedal the Penobscot" September 13 in Bangor! In past years we have fielded a KVBC team - you need 5 riders to qualify for the team registration discount of $35 per person. Team riders don't all have to choose the same ride distance - signing up for any of the rides will work. To register, you go directly to their online site and select "Kennebec Valley Bicycle Club" as your team (KVBC is already registered) when you sign up: http://www.bangorlandtrust.org/pedal-the-penobscot-2015.html 

Please drop me a line at hjmerrick@gmail.com so I know how many folks have registered. The ride supports the Bangor Land Trust, a bike-friendly non-profit that uses this event to promote cycling as well as raise funds for their conservation work.  Pedal the Penobscot is also a very well-run and fun event!

In and Out the Cellar Door

RIDE UPDATE: Please park on the left side of the road across from the winery store (They will be crushing grapes on the right). Also, the restrooms of the store will be open prior to the start.  If in doubt, follow the ride leaders' lead in parking.

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.  Described as a little bit of French wine country in mid-coast Maine, 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!

August 30th, Sunday:  Lincolnville

“Out Through the Cellar Door” – a circuit of Megunticook Lake, including Camden and the Cellardoor Winery and vineyard in Youngtown (Lincolnville).  

START:  10:00 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 across from the store, 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.

LEADERS:  Tammy Jones, tjjones@colby.edu, and Jeanine Libby, jjlibby13@roadrunner.com.

BCM Calendar Link: http://www.bikemaine.org/event2/kvbc-out-through-the-cellar-door

For more information about the Kennebec Valley Bicycle Club, contact Jim Merrick at 293-3784 or hjmerrick@gmail.com, or follow us on Facebook. 

Coffee is Grown on Hills

We had a great ride from Richmond to Wiscasset last Sunday, despite the heat and humidity.  Due to the heat, we started promptly at 9 am, and took advantage of every shady thoroughfare on the route - splendidly scoped out by our leader, David Lipman.  We also got to ride over the new bridge on Rt. 197 which had some great scenic views of the river from the top.  David has another great route - and another fine coffee shop - in store for us this Sunday.  Hope you can join us!

Sunday, August 23rd - VASSALBORO

"Hills and Beans" - a scenic tour around 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, dlipman@lipmankatz.com

BCM Calendar Link: http://www.bikemaine.org/event2/kvbc-hills-and-beans

For more information on the Kennebec Valley Bicycle Club, contact Jim Merrick at 293-3784, hjmerrick@gmail.com, or keep up to date via our Facebook page.

Trick or Treats in Wiscasset

We had a nice ride with a great group last Sunday in Mount Vernon - mostly cool, dry, with little wind.  And many of us stayed after the ride for Lunch at the Post Office Cafe in the village.  That served as a two-fold warmup for next Sunday's ride which will travel from Richmond down to Wiscasset, where we will stop at Treats - another fine store with a superb bakery.  Hope you can join us!

Sunday, August 16 - RICHMOND

"Wheeling Down to Wiscasset" - 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. 35-40 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, dlipman@lipmankatz.com.

BCM Calendar Link: http://www.bikemaine.org/event2/kvbc-wheeling-down-to-wiscassett

 

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. 

Climate Ride Northeast - Bar Harbor to Boston

Hot enough for you? Maybe you should check out the Climate Ride! They are looking for another two dozen riders for the inaugural Climate Ride Northeast from Bar Harbor to Boston, coming up just six weeks away. Sounds like fun, and you likely get a chance to explore sections of the East Coast Greenway, too!

Climate Ride Northeast-Bar Harbor to Boston, a five-day 320-mile charitable bike-a-thon, is seeking at least 22 more riders to help fundraise and meet it’s $400,000 goal.... Climate Ride is a one of a kind ride that benefits hundreds of regional and national nonprofits across the country to raise money and awareness for the environment and bicycle advocacy.

Calling All Cycling Enthusiasts
Climate Ride Needs Your Help to Better the Environment
Inaugural Climate Ride Northeast – Bar Harbor to Boston
Thursday, Sept. 17 to Monday, Sept. 21
Are you passionate about the environment or are seeking safer cycling roadways? Take action and register now for the inaugural Climate Ride Northeast – Bar Harbor to Boston to raise money and awareness for regional and national nonprofits that work to create a more green and sustainable future. Use your bicycle as a vehicle to create change!
Set for Sept. 17 through Sept. 21, the five-day charitable bike-a-thon will take participants 320 miles down the scenic coast of New England to support more than 100 sustainability, cycling advocacy, active transportation and environmental causes. Climate Riders have the ability to direct the funds they raise to up to five beneficiaries of their choice. The event goal is to raise $400,000.

Climate Ride Northeast –Bar Harbor to Boston is a fully supported bike-a-thon that provides meals, snacks, bike support, luggage transport, and lodging for participants along the route. On the road, the Climate Ride support team will assist riders to each day’s final destination, exploring the beautiful national parks and the outdoors they are helping to protect along the way. At night, business, policy, public health, and environment experts will engage in conversations with riders. “Ignite Nights,” a networking opportunity with representatives from some of Climate Ride’s 2015 beneficiaries, will be available to riders this year.
Climate Ride is the first adventure travel nonprofit to raise funds for environmental causes and awareness about the importance of bike advocacy and active transportation that will dramatically reduce the carbon emissions that plague the environment. To date, Climate Ride has raised and contributed $2.28 million.
For more information, to register to ride or to support a cyclist of team, visit www.climateride.org or call 406-552-0708. Participants can enter the discount code climateride2015 for $25 off their registration fee

Ponds and Eskers

Weather is warming up nicely for August - with some storms thrown in - but hopefully the weekends will stay clear.  Hope everyone had a great ride last Sunday from Farmington to Industry, and thanks again to Larry Childs for leading.  This Sunday we will return to Mount Vernon for a nice flat ride along the Chesterville Esker, with some significant hills and downhills before and after!  We may regroup after the ride at the Post Office Cafe in Mount Vernon Village.  Hope you can join us!

Sunday, August 9th - MOUNT VERNON

"Eleven Ponds" - a tour past many of the hidden ponds and lakes in Mount Vernon, Fayette, Chesterville, and Vienna.

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 (and one memorable one).

HIGHLIGHTS:  rural back roads winding through many small ponds and lakes, and across the top of the Chesterville Esker.  Possible post-ride get-together at the cafe in Mt. Vernon village.

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

BCM CALENDAR LINK: http://www.bikemaine.org/event2/kvbc-eleven-ponds

 

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 us on Facebook.