From Waterville We'll Wend

We closed out May with a really beautiful ride Sunday in Vassalboro. It was sunny, calm, and cool, with lots of great roads and a great turnout of 25 riders, split into two groups for long and short rides. It was followed by another fine reception and lunch at the ride leaders' house - many thanks to the Lipmans! As we head into June we have a couple of new rides in store, starting this Saturday in Waterville. Things are warming up - hope you can join us!

Saturday, June 3rd - WATERVILLE

"China sans Green Bean's" - a ride in search of fine cycling and baked goods, through Waterville, Winslow, and China.

START: 9 am at the Waterville Junior High School located at 100 West River Road, south of Waterville. Park on the left side of the school lot.

DISTANCE: 32 miles.

TERRAIN: moderate to easy hills

HIGHLIGHTS: China Lake and roads east of the Kennebec; possible stop at The Landing at the north end of China Lake.

LEADER: Steve Robe, steve.robe@hotmail.com.

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.

Vassalboro, Vassalboro

As we approach Memorial Day we have been getting some superb riding weather (at last!), and last Sunday's ride in Vassalboro was first rate: cool, dry, calm and sunny. The roads were so nice that a number of us (including yours truly) went right past key turns and kept right on going - with little or no regret.  Our thanks to David for stepping up to lead the Alewives ride in Jeanine's absence (we all missed you, Jeanine).  It was so nice that David and company will take us back to Vassalboro this Sunday to explore some entirely different roads, followed by a post-ride gathering at his house.  Please RSVP below, if you would, and we'll see you Sunday!  If not, have a safe and wonderful holiday weekend!

Sunday, May 28th - VASSALBORO

"Velo Vassalboro" - a scenic tour around the China Lake region

START:  9am  at the home of David and Laura Lipman.  Condo is after Natanis Golf Course on ARROWHEAD DRIVE off of Webber Pond Road 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: Views of China Lake and Webber Pond,  gentleman farms and country homes along the Neck Road.   Stay afterwards for a light lunch and to socialize with fellow bikers.  Please RVSP to laura.lipman@roadrunner.com so Laura can get an idea of how many will be staying for lunch.

LEADER:  David Lipman, dlipman@lipmankatz.com

BCM CALENDAR LINK: http://www.bikemaine.org/event2/kvbc-velo-vassalboro-2

LINK TO RIDE MAP (2015): http://www.gmap-pedometer.com/?r=6796302

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.

Alewives Run, We Bike

We had a fine ride in Readfield last Saturday, after a strategic rescheduling to avoid the rain on Sunday. Our gratitude to Lydia for rearranging her ride to suit the weather conditions, and all those who came out on short notice. If the weatherfolks are right, we are in for some sunny, warm (even hot!) weather ahead this week, and what better time to go biking with the alewives this Sunday! An always popular ride, and we hope you can join us!

Sunday, May 21st, EAST VASSALBORO

"Biking with the Alewives" - a tour along the shores of Webber Pond, the Seven Mile Stream, and China Lake for the Spring Alewife Run.

START: 9:00 AM at Vassalboro Elementary School, 1116 Webber Pond Road, East Vassalboro.

DISTANCE: approx. 26 miles.

TERRAIN: moderate, with some hills and flat sections.

HIGHLIGHTS: scenic river views and a stop at the dam to view the historic alewife spring run.

LEADER: Jeanine Libby, jjlibby13@roadrunner.com.

LINK TO ROUTE MAP (2016): http://gmap-pedometer.com/?r=6864277

BCM Calendar Link: http://www.bikemaine.org/event2/kvbc-biking-with-the-alewives-3

 

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.

Sunday's Ride in Readfield Switched to Saturday

RIDE ALERT!  Due to the forecast of steady rain on Sunday we will instead shoot for Saturday morning at 9:30 am at the same place, the Maranacook School Superintendent's Office off of Rt. 17 in Readfield.  If you forwarded the earlier ride announcement to friends, please let them know that the ride has been moved up a day to Saturday.  And have a Happy Mother's Day in any case!

Saturday, May 13th - READFIELD
"The Maranacook Meander" - a lakeside tour through Readfield, Winthrop, Wayne and Kents Hill
START: 9:30 am at the Maranacook School Superintendent's Office parking lot, 45 Millard Harrison Drive, off of Rt. 17 about one quarter mile north of Readfield Depot. The Superintendent's Office is the first left on the drive up to the High School.
DISTANCE: about 27 miles.
TERRAIN: moderate to hilly.
HIGHLIGHTS: many lakeside and hill top views; optional stop at Tubby's Ice Cream in Wayne.
LEADER: Lydia Leimbach, mrsl330@yahoo.com.
LINK to ROUTE MAP: http://gmap-pedometer.com/?r=6864286

A Mother's Day Meander

 

 

May and Bike Month are upon us, and while it has been a challenge to avoid the raindrops, we did manage to get in a great ride in Skowhegan last Sunday. Many thanks to John Lanoue and everyone who participated. This Sunday is Mother's Day and we will meet at the Maranacook School Superintendent's Office (well, his parking lot, anyway) in Readfield for a 27-mile ride. Please note that this ride has been moved up a week from the original KVBC Ride Calendar listing, and that we will be biking with the alewives in Vassalboro the following Sunday. Meanwhile we will hope for less rain and even fewer blackflies, and another great group of people on Sunday in Readfield! See you then!

Sunday, May 14th - READFIELD
"The Maranacook Meander" - a lakeside tour through Readfield, Winthrop, Wayne and Kents Hill
START: 10:00 am at the Maranacook School Superintendent's Office parking lot, 45 Millard Harrison Drive, off of Rt. 17 about one quarter mile north of Readfield Depot. The Superintendent's Office is the first left on the drive up to the High School.
DISTANCE: about 27 miles.
TERRAIN: moderate to hilly.
HIGHLIGHTS: many lakeside and hill top views; optional stop at Tubby's Ice Cream in Wayne.
LEADER: Lydia Leimbach.
LINK to ROUTE MAP: http://gmap-pedometer.com/?r=6864286

BCM Calendar Link: http://www.bikemaine.org/event2/kvbc-maranacook-meander

Saturday's Ride Rescheduled for Sunday

Saturday's Ride from the Oak Pond Brewery in Skowhegan POSTPONED to SUNDAY instead due to rain.
Message from John Lanoue:
Unfortunately tomorrow’s forecast is for rain, so we’re going to switch the ride to Sunday, 10:00am at the same location, Oak Pond Brewery. I called and they’re closed on Sunday, so it’s unlikely we can get a tour… however, I do need to run in and stock up on beer on Saturday for my annual 500 miler, so please email me off-list if you want me to get a few growlers filled for you and I can bring them with me on Sunday. A few hours in the car won’t hurt the beer.

Oak Pond Brewery: http://www.oakpondbrewery.com/default.asp
Selection: http://www.oakpondbrewery.com/products.asp
Thanks, and see you Sunday!

Sunday, May 7 - SKOWHEGAN
"Acorns, no Ales" - a not-quite Cinco de Mayo ride through Canaan, Skowhegan, Waterville and Hinckley.
START: 10:00 am at the Oak Pond Brewery, 101 Oak Pond Road, near the Skowhegan/Canaan town line. Directions at their website: http://www.oakpondbrewery.com/contact.asp. Please park in the area behind the brewery.
DISTANCE: approx 39 miles
TERRAIN: moderate to hilly
HIGHLIGHTS: some little-traveled back roads and river views.
LEADER: John Lanoue, john.lanoue@avid.com.
LINK TO RIDE MAP (2016): http://gmap-pedometer.com/?r=7061836

From Little Acorns

We had a great ride in China last Sunday with bright sunshine and a fine turnout of 20 riders - thanks to Jeanine for leading, and to Jim Floyd who had some extra maple syrup to hand out to anyone who missed out the week before. May is Bike Month, and we have more great riding in store, starting this Saturday in Skowhegan. Although it isn't exactly Cinco de Mayo, we may still have a tour of the Oak Pond Brewery after the ride. Please note the 10:00 am start. Hope to see you then!

Saturday, May 6 - SKOWHEGAN
"Ales and Acorns" - a not-quite Cinco de Mayo ride through Canaan, Skowhegan, Waterville and Hinckley.
START: 10:00 am at the Oak Pond Brewery, 101 Oak Pond Road, near the Skowhegan/Canaan town line. Directions at their website: http://www.oakpondbrewery.com/contact.asp. Please park in the area behind the brewery.
DISTANCE: approx 39 miles
TERRAIN: moderate to hilly
HIGHLIGHTS: some little-traveled back roads, river views, and an optional brewery tour at the ride's end.
LEADER: John Lanoue, john.lanoue@avid.com.
LINK TO RIDE MAP (2016): http://gmap-pedometer.com/?r=7061836
BCM Calendar Link: http://www.bikemaine.org/event2/kvbc-acorns-and-ales