UPDATE: Saturday's Ride Still On - Sunday's Ride Postponed One Week

 Ride Updates: this Saturday's ride from Livermore Falls to Boothby's Apple Orchard is still on - 10:00 am start at the Mallard Mart at the junction of Rt.s 106 and 133.  Sunday's ride from Norridgewock & Madison to the Wire Bridge has been postponed a week to Sunday, Oct. 3.  Hope to see you tomorrow, and a week from Sunday!

Wire That Bridge, Grill Up Those Hotdogs

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 (62 mi.) will start in Norridgewock at 9 am, and connect up with the Short Ride (37 mi.) starting in Madison at 9:30 am. We will have ride leaders at both starting locations. At the end of the ride we will pay homage to the traditions of Ken's Hot Dog Ride with a post-ride get together. Hope you can join us!

Sunday, September 26 - 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 434 Frederick's Corner Road in Norridgewock; Short Ride - 9:30 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 62 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; and a post-ride gathering with hotdogs at the ride leaders' house!

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

Link to long route (62 miles) starting at 434 Fredericks Corner Road in Norridgewock https://www.mappedometer.com/?maproute=888453

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 mostly overcast day with Fall-like temperatures 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 all who turned out. This weekend we will feature two popular rides: the first will be on Saturday in Livermore and will stop at Boothby's Apple Orchard.  Please note the 10:00 am start. Sunday we will ride to the Wire Bridge in New Portland from both Norridgewock and Madison (details forthcoming). Please remember to bring masks and be prepared to use them when stopping at stores, maintain social distancing, and please stay home if you are feeling sick. Hope you can join us!

Saturday, September 25 - LIVERMORE FALLS

"Boothby's Apple Ride" - a tour of the ponds and ridges around Livermore and Chesterville, with an apple orchard stop.

START: 10:00 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. Plans are 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 (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.

Oh Capital

The KVBC gravel ride on Sunday went really well.  Despite the rains of late, the roads were not too muddy, although slippery enough to cause a few minor mishaps.  Everyone returned, mostly intact, and mostly mud free.  Thanks to all who turned out!  This Saturday we will return to pavement for our "Capital Ride" in Augusta, our last ride of the summer.  Fall officially begins on Sept. 22, and we have lots of great riding ahead.  Hope to see you Saturday!

Saturday, September 18th - AUGUSTA

"A Capital 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: 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.

Gravel On

 We had another fine ride from Damariscotta to Pemaquid on Sunday. It was overcast and cool until the very end of the ride, but the views of surf pounding on the shoreline rocks and the quiet roads along the Pemaquid peninsula were delightful. This Sunday we will venture off-pavement for 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, and given the recent rains, be prepared to negotiate some mud.  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 Sunday!

Sunday, September 12 - NEW SHARON

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

START: 9:00 am at the New Sharon Town Office on School St. near the junction of Rt. 2 and Rt.134 in New Sharon. Park in the gravel area behind the town office (not in front of the fire station).

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 pre-Fall foliage up close. Paved alternatives abound to avoid some of the gravel.

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

LINK to ROUTE MAP: https://ridewithgps.com/routes/36359083