Looping Colby

We had a nice sunny day for the Wake Up the Earth ride in Turner on Saturday. We took on some early season hill climbing. and were rewarded with some spectacular views of distant snow-capped mountains. This Saturday we will revisit a classic tour over the Colby Loop, starting at the same location as in pre-Covid days, although the location has since been transformed quite a bit, so we've included a drone's view of the ride start. Hope to see you there!

Saturday, April 30 - WATERVILLE

"Over the Colby Loop" - a classic circuit from Waterville to Oakland, Smithfield, and Norridgewock

START: 9:00 am at Colby College, visitor parking at the Lower Athletic Center Parking Lot, corner of Mayflower Hill and Campus Drive, adjacent to the new roundabout and across from the baseball field (see attached view).

DISTANCES: 34 miles.

TERRAIN: moderate with some hills

HIGHLIGHTS: scenic farmland, lakes and streams, and good roads with hopefully little traffic

LEADER: Duncan Tate, datateme@gmail.com

LINK to ROUTE MAP: https://www.gmap-pedometer.com/?r=7481935 

Wake Up the Earth!

 We got lucky on last Saturday's KVBC ride from Augusta. The rains held off until we were packing up and leaving, and the six of us who gambled a bit with conflicting forecasts managed to get in a fine ride. After a bit of snow early this week we should all be ready for Spring to make an appearance, and we will hold our annual Wake Up the Earth ride this Saturday to top off Earth Week! This year we will meet at the Androscoggin Riverlands State Park and ride to the Nezinscot Farm Store in Turner. Hope you can join us!

Saturday, April 23 - TURNER

"Wake Up the Earth" - an Earth Week ride celebrating the coming of Spring, parklands, local organic farm producers, and biking of course!

START: 10:30 am at the north parking lot of the Androscoggin Riverlands State Park on Center Bridge Road in Turner. Detailed directions (and a nifty downloadable map of the park) can be found on their website: https://www.maine.gov/cgi-bin/online/doc/parksearch/details.pl?park_id=98

DISTANCE: 22 or 24 miles

TERRAIN: moderate with several long hills

HIGHLIGHTS: a scenic ride along rivers and ridgetops through Turner and Leeds, celebrating Earth Week and the coming of Spring, with a stop at the Nezinscot Farm Store.

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

LINK to ROUTE MAP (longer): https://ridewithgps.com/routes/39005991

LINK to ROUTE MAP (shorter): https://ridewithgps.com/routes/39006194

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.

Big Knees

We had a really nice ride out of Manchester on Sunday, with an impressive turnout (for early April) of 19 riders. The day was sunnier than expected and the winds were calm, making for a very pleasant ride. It looks like we might have another nice forecast in store for this coming Sunday's ride in Winslow. Will it be warm enough for bare knees? Who knows, but we may have a post-ride get-together at Big Gs for lunch. Hope to see you then!

April 10th, Sunday - WINSLOW

"Big G's and Bare Knees" - a riverside tour through Winslow, Benton, and Clinton.

START: 10:30 AM at Winslow Elementary School, 285 Benton Avenue, Winslow.

DISTANCE: 25-30 miles.

TERRAIN: moderate.

HIGHLIGHTS: an early Spring ride along the Kennebec and Sebasticook rivers. Optional lunch stop at "Big G's" in Winslow.

LEADER: Jeanine Libby, jjlibby13@roadrunner.com.

LINK TO ROUTE MAP: https://www.mapmyride.com/routes/view/4932699574

(Bicycle Chain Sculpture: "Nirvana 180" by Seo Young Deok, 2018.)

The International Bike Swallowing competition is set to get underway today in Salisbury, UK, after a two-year hiatus due to the Covid outbreak. Eager contestants from more than 30 nations have gathered to vie for the coveted crown. Interest has been especially keen due to the relaxation of some of the contest’s earlier rules, and the organizers predict a lively contest.

Not all “bike swallowers” are happy with the new rules. Three-time former champion William “Deep Throat” Simpson could not hide his disdain. “You gotta be kidding me,” he declared. “No external cables? No rim brakes? No front derailleur? Tubeless tires?” He turned away and spat on the ground. “Man, these fellas would probably choke on a full Campy gruppo!”

The new rules did not dampen the enthusiasm of the spectators, however. After the first round of competition, some of the onlookers were ready for more. “I want to be a cyclist when I grow up,” vowed little Susie Wilkins of Salisbury. “Cyclists can eat anything!”