Maine Maple Sidney

The weathermen swear they didn't take Spring away - that it will be back this weekend, just in time for Maine Maple Sunday! Which is also Easter Sunday, so many of the sugar houses are also open on Saturday, so Saturday it is! We'll start from the Bean Elementary School on Middle Road in Sidney on Saturday for a 20-mile ride, with an optional stop at the Bacon Farm Maple House. I don't know if they carry those fancy maple syrup energy packs for cyclists, but they do have maple whoopie pies, and those should do the trick. See you Saturday!

Saturday, March 26th, SIDNEY:

"Maine Maple Sidney" - an early Spring ride to a Maple Syrup House.START:  10:30 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:  20 Miles.
TERRAIN:  moderate with a few hills.
HIGHLIGHTS:  some fine back roads and Kennebec River views, and a stop at a local Maple Sap House for some syrup sampling.
LEADER:  Jim Merrick.

RIDE MAP LINK: http://www.gmap-pedometer.com/?r=6813917

Celebrating Charles E. Pratt in Vassalboro

Charles Eadward Pratt, a cycling pioneer said to be the Father of American Cycling, was born in Vassalboro, Maine, March 13, 1845. Pratt organized one of the earliest bicycling rallies, a two-day group invitational ride around Boston in the Fall of 1879, called the "Wheel Around the Hub." The ride was written up (by Pratt himself) in the Feb. 1880 issue of Scribner's magazine, illustrated by a number of detailed drawings, including the one above featuring all the cyclists who took part. Chas. E. Pratt is shown as the first cyclist on the right,

Are you already tired of early Mud Season?  With sunny forecasts and temperatures in the mid-50s, time for another special KVBC pre-season ride!  This weekend marks the birthday of cycling pioneer Charles E. Pratt, first president of the League of American Wheelmen, born in Vassalboro, March 13, 1845.  To celebrate, lets have a ride in Vassalboro this Saturday! (Which is the 12th, I know, but I'd want to factor in a stop at the Green Bean Coffee Shop, as well as opening day at Back's Dairy Bar, both nearby in So. China Village.  I think old Chas. E. would approve.)  See you then!

Saturday, March 12, EAST VASSALBORO

"A Wheel Around the Lake" - a celebration of American Bicycler, Charles E. Pratt, of Vassalboro.

START: 10:30 AM at the Vassalboro Historical Society on Rt. 32 in East Vassalboro, just north of the China Lake Boat Landing (not the boat landing in South China.)

DISTANCE: about 20 miles

TERRAIN: moderate with some hills and flat sections

HIGHLIGHTS: more spring-like weather, scenic views of China Lake, a stop at the Green Bean, ranked in the top ten coffee shops in Maine, and a possible ice cream stop, too!

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

LINK to RIDE MAP: http://www.gmap-pedometer.com/?r=6815798

For more information on the Kennebec Valley Bicycle Club, contact Jim Merrick at 293-3784 or hjmerrick@gmail.com, and check out the club's Facebook page at https://www.facebook.com/KennebecValleyBicycleClub.