Biking by the Bushel

We had a great ride last Saturday from Readfield to the Monmouth Apple Festival. Great weather, great turnout, and great apple pie!
This Saturday we will return to another apple-themed ride as we head out from Livermore to Boothby's Apple Orchard, and kick off the month of October! And a number of us plan to venture up to Bar Harbor on Sunday for the annual Cadillac Challenge. A great weekend of riding ahead!

We have added a short ride to this Saturday's KVBC ride in Livermore Falls, and the links to both of the route maps are added below. See you Saturday!

Saturday, October 5th - LIVERMORE FALLS
"Boothby's Apple Ride" - a tour of the ponds and ridges around Livermore and Chesterville, with an apple orchard stop.
START: 9:00 am at the store formerly known as Pike's Corner Oasis (now Mallard Mart) at the junction of Rt.s 106, 133, and Campground Road in Livermore.
DISTANCE: 27 or 39 miles.
TERRAIN: moderately hilly with several good hills.
HIGHLIGHTS: great back roads with numerous scenic views, and a stop at Boothby's Orchard, a family-owned farm for seven generations going back to 1865. We plan to have a vehicle at the orchard to transport any apples you buy back to the start!
LEADER: John Lanoue, john.lanoue@avid.com.
LINK to ROUTE MAP (long): https://www.gmap-pedometer.com/?r=6799282
LINK to ROUTE MAP (short): https://www.gmap-pedometer.com/?r=7415978
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.

Or a Slice of Cheddar

The weather is looking very good for tomorrow's ride from Readfield to the Monmouth Apple Festival.  To mix things up a bit and avoid some road construction I have modified the route of the long ride and added about six miles so it is now about 39 miles long (and if you stop for pie at the festival you'll probably need the extra miles).  I know some of you like to download the route maps prior to the ride so I have updated the online route map below.  Hope to see you tomorrow!

Saturday, September 28th - READFIELD

"Monmouth a la Mode" - a tour through Readfield and Winthrop to the Monmouth Apple Festival.

START: 9:00 AM at the Readfield Elementary School, 84 South Road, Readfield.
DISTANCE: 29 or 39 Miles.
TERRAIN: Rolling, with a few stiff hills.
HIGHLIGHTS: Back roads beside rolling orchards, lakeside summer camps, small hidden hamlets... and the Monmouth Apple Festival: a great little small town festival devoted to celebrating all things pomological in one of Maine’s classic apple towns. The festival features lots of hot, baked apple pies and other apple treats, yard sales and open houses, fun and games, and self-guided tours of the Monmouth Historical Society’s many unique museum buildings and shops.
LEADER: Jim Merrick, hjmerrick@gmail.com.
LINK to ROUTE MAP (long):  https://www.gmap-pedometer.com/?r=7414674
LINK to ROUTE MAP (short): https://www.gmap-pedometer.com/?r=7413905

For more information about the Kennebec Valley Bicycle Club, contact Jim Merrick at hjmerrick@gmail.com, and check out the KVBC blog, Posted Roads, at http://postedroads.blogspot.com.

A La Mode

We had a great ride on the last day of Summer from Waterville last Sunday.  It was a bit foggy at first, but turned out to be a fine day as the long ride ventured out to Canaan, and the shorter ride out to Benton and Fairfield.  Our thanks to Camille who arranged the ride on short notice and put together a memorable route.  This Saturday we head out from Readfield to the Monmouth Apple Festival for the first ride for Fall.  Hope you can join us!

Saturday, September 28th - READFIELD

"Monmouth a la Mode" - a tour through Readfield and Winthrop to the Monmouth Apple Festival.

START: 9:00 AM at the Readfield Elementary School, 84 South Road, Readfield.
DISTANCE: 29 or 33.5 Miles.
TERRAIN: Rolling, with a few stiff hills.
HIGHLIGHTS: Back roads beside rolling orchards, lakeside summer camps, small hidden hamlets... and the Monmouth Apple Festival: a great little small town festival devoted to celebrating all things pomological in one of Maine’s classic apple towns. The festival features lots of hot, baked apple pies and other apple treats, yard sales and open houses, fun and games, and self-guided tours of the Monmouth Historical Society’s many unique museum buildings and shops.
LEADER: Jim Merrick, hjmerrick@gmail.com.
LINK to ROUTE MAP (long): https://www.gmap-pedometer.com/?r=7411865
LINK to ROUTE MAP (short): https://www.gmap-pedometer.com/?r=7413905

For more information about the Kennebec Valley Bicycle Club, contact Jim Merrick at hjmerrick@gmail.com, and check out the KVBC blog, Posted Roads, at http://postedroads.blogspot.com.

Summer Sets

We had a great pair of rides last weekend. Joe Renda led the KVBC ride on Saturday over some adventurous mixed road surfaces in Pittston and Dresden, which we all proudly survived - and we would've even beaten the rains had it not been for one slow rider riding sweep. Many thanks to Joe! On Sunday a group of us took part in the 3rd annual Share the Road with Carol commemorative ride, which took place in Windsor and Whitefield in near perfect weather with a near record turnout. Our thanks to all the ride organizers and volunteers! This weekend looks to have more summer-like weather as we head out on a new end-of-Summer ride from Waterville to Canaan, and welcome in the start of Autumn. Hope to see you Sunday!

Sunday, September 22 - WATERVILLE
"A Somerset Sortie" - a tour through Somerset County on the last full day of Summer. START: 9:00am at Colby College, visitor parking at the Lower Athletic Center Parking Lot, corner of Mayflower Hill and Campus Drive, beside the Alfond Athletic Center and across from the baseball fields. DISTANCES: 29 or 39 miles. TERRAIN: moderate with some hills. HIGHLIGHTS: country roads up and down the Kennebec and inland from Canaan to Benton, ushering the Fall season. LEADER: Camille Chamberland, camillec@gwi.net. LINK to ROUTE MAP (Long):https://connect.garmin.com/modern/course/27657814 LINK to ROUTE MAP (Short):https://connect.garmin.com/modern/course/28033074

Share the Road with Carol

This Sunday, Sept. 15, is the annual "Share the Road with Carol" ride in Windsor and Whitefield, and we like to have as many KVBC folks turn out that can. Tomorrow, Sept. 12, is the last day for pre-registration: https://www.bikereg.com/43246  (there will be day-of-the-event registration available, too).

Also a reminder: if you are interested in ordering a new KVBC jersey (and/or cycling cap) you have one week left to get your order in: https://teamstore.ascendsportswear.com/…/kennebec-valley-b…/. So far, about half of you who expressed interest have submitted orders, so don't miss out!

Gravel Benedict

We had an outstanding turn-out for a fine ride and an exceptional post-ride gathering on Sunday, as one of our club ride leaders and faithful ride attendees, Jim Floyd, is relocating northward. Many thanks to the Mitchells for both ride leading and offering their lakeside cottage for the post-ride festivities, and to all who turned out and brought great food to the potluck to share.  This Saturday we will tackle an all-new ride from Pittston that includes some mixed road riding over gravel and pavement, so bikes with wide tires are recommended.  If there is heavy rain on Saturday the ride may be postponed to Sunday - we will have updates later in the week.  See you then!

Saturday, September 14 - PITTSTON

"Benedictine Pathways" - an introduction to mixed road riding, both pavement and gravel, along scenic back roads in Pittston and Dresden.

START: 9:00 AM at the Pittston Consolidated School, 1023 Pittston School Street off of Rt.126 in Pittston.

DISTANCE: about 33 miles.

TERRAIN: moderate; includes approx. 7 or 8 sections of gravel roads, averaging a mile or so (more or less) in length; bikes with low gearing and 28c or 32c tires recommended.

HIGHLIGHTS: an expedition over scenic, mostly paved back roads with well-maintained gravel sections; the route passes by the historic Reuben Colburn House, once Benedict Arnold's HQ.

LEADER: Joe Renda, geologyjoe@gmail.com

LINK to ROUTE MAP: https://www.gmap-pedometer.com/?r=7356166

New Jerseys! And Caps!

The new Kennebec Valley Bicycle Club jerseys - and caps! - are available for ordering online, now through September 17.  Here is the link to the KVBC store: https://teamstore.ascendsportswear.com/store/kennebec-valley-bicycle-club/

The jerseys are available in what they call the "Elevate" style, in a full range of sizes and in both a "Club" and "Sport" fit, in long-sleeve, short-sleeve, and sleeveless jersey styles.  Check their sizing and style charts carefully before ordering.

The store will also carry KVBC cycling caps as an accessory.  The caps are apparently made from the same material as the jerseys, rated at a UPF factor of 25+.  We may have additional accessories offered at some future date, but for now, the "store" has only jerseys and caps.

Ordering from the store is said to be similar to ordering from Amazon.  There are options of having your purchases sent directly to you (at an additional shipping charge) or to the club (and we will distribute them when they come in).  The "store" is open for ordering for two weeks, so if you plan to order a jersey, get your order in by September 16 to be on the safe side.  Any questions, send them along and we'll try to get answers for you promptly.  Many thanks to Jake for working on the design and ordering details!

Fare-Thee-Well Floyd

We have a special treat in store for the ride this Sunday at the Belgrade Community Center. One of our club ride leaders, Jim Floyd, is moving to Pembroke, down Eastport way. While we try to figure out a way to get him back down here to lead the annual "Wake Up the Earth" ride to start our season every spring as he's done for many years, we're planning a send off ride and party for him this Sunday just a few miles away at the ride leader's house. More details from Lynn Mitchell: "Social at Lynn's house will follow the ride. We'll throw some chicken on the grill. Bring your favorite dish to share and feel free to bring your favorite water toys....kayaks, paddle boards & swimsuits. And spouses! I live a short distance from the start at 316 Timberpoint, on Long Pond. From the BCC after the ride turn left on Rt 27, take first right onto Castle Island road, take first left onto West road, go approximately 1 mile then turn right onto Timberpoint. Timberpoint is a dirt camp road. 316 is approximately 1.4 miles down on the left." See you all Sunday!

September 8th, Sunday:  BELGRADE LAKES

"Jim's Send Off Spin and Social" - a tour through Belgrade Lakes, Readfield, and Wings Mills.

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:  29 miles.

TERRAIN:  rolling to hilly.

HIGHLIGHTS: views of the Belgrade Lakes, some roller coaster hills, quiet back roads through Wings Mills - and a post-ride gathering at the ride leader's.

LEADER:  Lynn Mitchell, mitchell.lynn222@gmail.com

LINK to ROUTE MAP: https://www.gmap-pedometer.com/?r=7407151
 

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.

More September Rides!

Here is a revised KVBC ride schedule for September, just in time for, well, September!
Also, Bike Maine starts this weekend from Waterville (always gratifying to see them pass through our stomping grounds) and we are told they can use some volunteers for flagging duties on Sunday. If available and interested, contact the BikeMaine office at BCM.