Don't Grovel on Gravel

 

Fall has arrived with a sudden explosion of color!  We had some spectacular riding last weekend on Saturday in Livermore and Sunday in Norridgewock and Madison.  Our thanks to John, and Brian & Denise, for leading  a pair of great rides.  We are going to kick off October with a (mostly) gravel ride from New Sharon exploring the back roads of Vienna and Chesterville.  The route can be done on 28mm tires, but be sure to bring bikes with good rubber.  Even though we will be off in the woods away from civilization, please remember to bring masks, maintain pandemic distancing, and stay home if you are feeling sick.  Hope to see you Saturday!

Saturday, October 3rd - NEW SHARON

"Sandy River Gravitas" - a mostly gravel ride on back roads around New Sharon, Vienna, and Chesterville.

START: 9:00 am at the junction of Rt. 2 and Rt.134 in New Sharon. Park along the old bridge access road (now a dead end) that parallels Rt. 2. Additional parking a short distance up Rt. 134 at the Congregational Church.

DISTANCE: 20 miles, approx. 12.5 gravel and 7.5 pavement.

TERRAIN: varied with some moderate climbs and fast descents.

HIGHLIGHTS: a sampling of local gravel roads, ranging from delightful to decrepit, and lots of Fall foliage up close. Paved alternatives abound to avoid some of the gravel.

LEADER: Jim Merrick, 293-2784, hjmerrick@gmail.com.

LINK to ROUTE MAP: https://www.gmap-pedometer.com/?r=7528273

KVBC Rides for October

 The Fall cycling season has arrived! Here are the KVBC ride offerings for October!

Why a Bridge?

 

Sunday's KVBC ride (part 2 of our weekend doubleheader) will be a revision of our popular Fall ride out to the historic Wire Bridge in New Portland. The Long Ride (53 mi.) will start in Norridgewock at 9 am, and connect up with the Short Ride (37 mi.) starting in Madison. We will have ride leaders at both starting locations. Please remember that we are still diligently observing pandemic protocols, so bring masks and be prepared to use them in close quarters, keep a healthy distance apart both at the start and when stopping to regroup enroute, and stay home and get well if you are feeling sick. Hope to see you out on Saturday or Sunday or both!

Sunday, September 27 - NORRIDGEWOCK and MADISON

"The Wire Bridge Ride" - a Fall Foliage tour along the scenic Carrabassett River, through Norridgewock, Madison, Anson, New Portland and New Vineyard.

START: Long Ride - 9:00 AM at Mill Stream Elementary School on Rt.2 in Norridgewock; Short Ride - 9:45 AM at the parking lot across from the former Madison Mill on Main St. in Madison, just before the bridge over the Kennebec.

DISTANCE: Long Ride - approx 53 miles; Short Ride - approx. 37 miles.

TERRAIN: moderate with some hills

HIGHLIGHTS: Fall foliage along the Carrabassett River, and the historic Wire Bridge in New Portland, a civil engineering landmark built in 1866, perhaps the only one of its kind still in existence.

LEADERS: Brian Bowker, 485-6793, bbowk321@yahoo.com; and Denise Crowell, 213-8336, denisemcrowell@gmail.com.

Link to long route (53 miles) starting at Mill Stream Elementary School in Norridgewock

http://www.mappedometer.com/?maproute=837127

Link to short route (37 miles) starting from parking lot across the street from the former Madison Paper Mill, Madison

http://www.mappedometer.com/?maproute=837129

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.

An Apple a Day

 We had a beautiful, crisp, clear  Fall day for the ride in Augusta on Sunday. The ride saw a fine turnout, great scenery, and some sections of fresh new pavement. Many thanks to Duncan for leading and for reworking the start at a more spacious parking area. This weekend we will feature two popular rides: the first will be on Saturday in Livermore and will stop at Boothby's Apple Orchard. Sunday we will ride to the Wire Bridge in New Portland (details forthcoming). Remember that we are still observing pandemic protocols, and they are still concerned about a second surge of cases, so please bring masks and be prepared to use them, maintain social distancing, and please stay home if you are feeling sick. Hope you can join us!

Saturday, September 26 - 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: 40 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 may 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 (2016): https://www.gmap-pedometer.com/?r=6799282

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.

A Capital A

 Don't want to jinx things, but we have had some wonderful riding weather of late, and last Saturday's ride from Damariscotta was a fine example. The ride down the Pemaquid Peninsula was exceptionally pretty, the winds were calm and the ocean was sparkling in the bright sun. The burned out shell of the old Sea Gull Restaurant where we normally stop for lunch was a bit jarring, but it was uplifting to see the staff out selling baked goods and coffee in the parking lot, determined to rebuild. Many thanks to David & Laura for another memorable ride! This Sunday we will head out of Cony H.S. for our annual "breakfast" ride, although due to the pandemic, a breakfast stop will be totally optional. Please remember to bring masks to wear when in close quarters, maintain social distancing, and please stay home and get well if you are feeling sick. Hope to see you Sunday!

Sunday, September 20th - AUGUSTA

"Capital Breakfast Ride" - a tour through the stately residential areas and outlying farms of our capital city.

START: 9:00 AM at the parking lot of Cony High School, 60 Pierce Street off of Rt. 105, Augusta

DISTANCE: approx. 30 miles.

TERRAIN: moderate with a few good hills.

HIGHLIGHTS: An optional breakfast stop (TBD), and some really fine touring roads east of the capital.

LEADER: Duncan Tate, datateme@gmail.com
LINK to ROUTE MAP: https://www.gmap-pedometer.com/?r=7524009

 

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

Down to "Scotti"

 We had gorgeous weather for the ride from Wayne on Sunday. Another fine turnout got to enjoy some great back roads, some with new pavement, and some closed to motor vehicles due to bridge construction that had a bike and pedestrian pathway in place!  Many thanks to Fritz and Susan for another fine ride in Wayne!  This Saturday we will venture to the coast for what's become an annual KVBC tour from Damariscotta down to Pemaquid.  Please remember to bring masks and be prepared to use them as need arises, stay well apart, clean those hands, and join us some other time if you are feeling sick.  Hope to see you on Saturday!

Saturday, September 12th; DAMARISCOTTA

"Drafting Through Damariscotta" - a tour through Bristol, Bremen, Pemaquid and Damariscotta.

START:  10:00 AM at Hannaford's supermarket, 469 Main Street (Business Rt. 1) in Damariscotta.

DISTANCE:  approx. 38 miles.

TERRAIN:  Moderate to rolling with no major hills.

HIGHLIGHTS: scenic roads within the Pemaquid Peninsula, fresh and salt water views abound.

LEADER:  David Lipman,  dlipman@lipmankatz.com.
LINK TO RIDE MAP (2015): http://gmap-pedometer.com/?r=6791021

Whither Wayne?

 We had another fine ride last Sunday from Oakland. The weather cooperated for the most part - we had some stiff headwinds at times (and some wicked tailwinds at times) and the roads were really nice. Many thanks to Tammy for leading and for the winery/cycling related keepsakes she made for everyone! This Sunday we will explore the many ways to Wayne. We've made it to September, so stick to your precautions and make sure to bring masks and be prepared to use them.  Stay a good distance apart, wash your hands, and please stay at home if you are not feeling well.  Hope to see you Sunday!

Sunday, September 6th - WAYNE

"Which Way to Wayne?" - an early Fall tour from Wayne to Fayette, Livermore, Leeds, and Winthrop.

START: 9 am at the Wayne Elementary School, 48 Pond Road, Wayne. DISTANCE: 37 or 36 miles.

TERRAIN: flat to moderately hilly; an optional route with some gravel riding.

HIGHLIGHTS: scenic back roads with some great views. 

LEADER: Fritz Onion, fritz-onion@pluralsight.com

LINKS to ROUTE MAPS:

Road option: https://www.strava.com/routes/4011324

Gravel option: https://www.strava.com/routes/20819709

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.