KVBC Bike Rides in July

Although it looks like we might have a damp weekend ahead, we are still hopeful that we can get in a ride Saturday morning in Belgrade Lakes. Meanwhile, here is the KVBC ride line-up for July, with some popular, tried & true rides from Sidney, Damariscotta and Gardiner, and perhaps some hot dogs in your future! Please join in!

Great Pond, Great Pavement

Last Saturday we had another wonderful joint ride with the Kennebec Land Trust on a new tour of many of their conservation properties. The day started to heat up and we just managed to finish back in West Gardiner before some thunderstorms rolled in.  Our thanks to Jean-Luc and everyone who came out for this special ride.  This Saturday we'll see if we can dodge potential thunderstorms again, as we meet in Belgrade Lakes for a tour over newly completed road projects and long stretches of smooth pavement.  Should be a treat!

June 29th, Saturday:  BELGRADE LAKES

"Great Pond Go Round" - a new pavement tour through Castle Island, Belgrade, and Rome.

START:  9:00 A.M., at the Belgrade Community Center on Rt. 27, a half mile south of the Village of Belgrade Lakes, on the right (northbound) just past the Great Pond Marina.  Park in the community center parking lot nearest the street (just as you turn in).

DISTANCE:  15 or 24 miles.

TERRAIN:  rolling to hilly.

HIGHLIGHTS: views of the Belgrade Lakes, some roller coaster hills, Castle Island, and Blueberry Hill - possible post-ride stop at the bakery in Belgrade Lakes Village.

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

LINK to ROUTE MAP (short loop): https://www.gmap-pedometer.com/?r=7167541
(longer loop): https://www.gmap-pedometer.com/?r=7167543
 

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

Properly Pedal Pedal Properties

We had a great weather and a really fine ride last Saturday in Jefferson - lots of lupines and lake views!  Many thanks to Bryan and Holly, and the nice group that turned out.  It was great to have some newcomers along - hopefully they will come back for more!   This week we get to welcome the Summer Solstice, and to celebrate we will meet in West Gardiner for another adventurous tour of local conservation lands with the good folks from the Kennebec Land Trust.  Hope to see you Saturday!

Saturday, June 22 - WEST GARDINER

"Property Pedal Tour" - a joint ride with the Kennebec Land Trust, cycling over a tour of some of their most scenic conservation lands.

START: 9:00 am at the Helen Thompson School (West Gardiner Elementary), 309 Spears Corner Road, West Gardiner: Detailed directions: https://wego.here.com/directions/mix//Helen-Thompson-School,-309-Spears-Corner-Road,-04345-3507-Gardiner:e-eyJuYW1lIjoiSGVsZW4gVGhvbXBzb24gU2Nob29sIiwiYWRkcmVzcyI6IjMwOSBTcGVhcnMgQ29ybmVyIFJvYWQsIEdhcmRpbmVyLCBNYWluZSIsImxhdGl0dWRlIjo0NC4yMjU3ODY3NzA1MjksImxvbmdpdHVkZSI6LTY5Ljg3NjgwMDM2NjY4LCJwcm92aWRlck5hbWUiOiJmYWNlYm9vayIsInByb3ZpZGVySWQiOjE3Mjk2NzQ4NjA4MzM4N30=?map=44.22579,-69.8768,15,normal&fb_locale=en_US

DISTANCES: 17 or 36 miles.

TERRAIN: moderate - "suitable for all abilities"

HIGHLIGHTS: some great back roads with views of numerous local conservation properties with some of our dedicated experts who know them best.

LEADERS: Jean-Luc Theriault, jtheriault@tklt.org; Jim Floyd, jimfloyd@fairpoint.net

LINKS to ROUTE MAPS:
35 Mile loop - https://ridewithgps.com/routes/30144764

17 Mile loop - https://ridewithgps.com/routes/30144678

Those Looping Lupines

The weather is finally heating up!  We had a great turnout for the ride in Norridgewock last Sunday - again, many thanks to Brian and Denise for another great ride!  This Saturday we will start in Jefferson for a very pretty ride (even without lupines, which are anticipated to be in full bloom) as we explore the back roads around Damaricotta Lake.  See you Saturday, and for those of you doing the Trek, Bon Route!

Saturday, June 15 - JEFFERSON

"Lupine Damariscotta Lake" - a most colorful circumnavigation of Damariscotta Lake.

START: 9:00 am at the Jefferson Village School, 48 Washington Road, Jefferson.

DISTANCE: 27 miles.

TERRAIN: moderate with some hills.

HIGHLIGHTS: scenic back roads in full flower with a stop at the Damariscotta Mills Fish Ladder and the Bunker Hill Church overlook of the lake.

LEADER: Bryan Griffin, bjgriffin@roadrunner.com.

LINK to ROUTE MAP (2018): https://www.gmap-pedometer.com/?r=7254743

For more information on the Kennebec Valley Bicycle Club, contact Jim Merrick at 293-3784, hjmerrick@gmail.com, or check out our club blog, "Posted Roads" at http://postedroads.blogspot.com, or keep up to date via our Facebook page.

The Old Colby Loop

We had a wonderful ride last Saturday from Vassalboro to kick off the month of June. Still rather cool - the long-sleeved club jerseys and arm warmers came in handy - but we had a great turnout, and a great post-ride lunch. Many thanks to David and Laura! This Sunday we will head back up to Norridgewock for a popular training ride over the old Trek Colby Loop. See you Sunday!

Sunday, June 9th - NORRIDGEWOCK

"Over the Colby Loop" - a seemingly impossible yet surely accomplished tour of Norridgewock, Fairfield, Waterville, Oakland and Smithfield.

START: 9:00 AM at 434 Fredericks Corner Road, about two miles from the junction of Rt.2 in Norridgewock.

DISTANCE: approx 40 miles

TERRAIN: moderate with some hills

HIGHLIGHTS: the old Colby Loop from the Trek Across Maine, and perhaps some of the ride leader's famous cookies!

LEADERS: Brian Bowker, bbowk321@yahoo.com; and Denise Crowell, denisemcrowell@gmail.com.

A Link to the Colby Loop Map (Waterville, 2012): https://www.mapmyride.com/us/waterville-me/trek-across-maine-2012-colby-loop-route-103523017

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