O Albion, O Yes

We had a beautiful ride from Augusta last Saturday, despite having a weather forecast anomaly. The morning fog and drizzle failed to clear out as promised - at least not until the ride was almost over.  The route itself was exceptional, and kudos for Cynthia, the ride leader, are well deserved.  Thanks, also, to Cynthia and Chris who thoughtfully brought cookies and muffins respectively - which were well-appreciated!  With August behind us we head straight into September and some fine Autumn rides, starting this Saturday in China and Albion.  Hope you can join us!

Saturday, September 3 - CHINA

"O Albion" - an early Fall tour through China, Palermo, and Albion.

START: 9:00 am at the China Primary School at 763 Lakeview Drive, Rt. 202, in China. The Primary School sits well in back of the Middle School that fronts on the road.

DISTANCE: 28 miles.

TERRAIN: Moderate to Rolling

HIGHLIGHTS: some really nice, scenic back roads through the China/Albion area

LEADER: Duncan Tate, datateme@gmail.com

LINK to ROUTE MAP: https://www.gmap-pedometer.com/?r=7565084 or https://ridewithgps.com/routes/40645364?privacy_code=Q7VlKGZ6tNDre1Ty

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.

September Rides

 Here is the KVBC ride lineup for September! Some great Fall rides ahead!

Endless Haven of Summer

 

Our string of fine weather continued for last Saturday's Tour de Whitefield.  The heat of the day was (mostly) mitigated by lots of shade, Bryan and Holly shepherded us along, keeping us (mostly) on track, passing cars & trucks kept a (mostly) legal distance, and we had a great ride (mostly and then some!).  Many thanks to our ride leaders!  This Saturday we will return to some classic cycling routes along Summerhaven, with some new twists here and there.  Hope to see you Saturday!

Saturday, August 27 - AUGUSTA

"Endless Summer-Haven" - a summery tour through the Summerhaven section of Augusta, and Readfield, Wings Mills, and Belgrade.

START: 9:00 am at the parking lot by the Career Center at 2 Anthony Avenue, off of Darin Drive, across from the Great Wall Buffet.

DISTANCE: about 35.5 miles

TERRAIN: moderate with some hills; route includes about a quarter-mile of gravel

HIGHLIGHTS: many pretty ponds and streams and little-traveled back roads west of the capital.

LEADER: Cynthia Snow, cynthy817@gmail.com

LINK TO ROUTE MAP: https://ridewithgps.com/routes/40589603

Amish Roads

The temperatures finally cooled off and gave us a beautiful summer day for our ride out of Oakland last Saturday.  A fine group of riders turned out to find lots of scenic back roads, some with new pavement, some with smooth gravel, and many with light traffic.  The ice cream stop afterwards was great, too!  Many thanks to Tammy for leading!  This Saturday will see the return of another popular ride, the Tour de Whitefield.  More great riding ahead, and we hope to see you on Saturday!

Saturday, August 20 - WHITEFIELD

"Tour de Whitefield" - a rural tour through the rolling hills and farms of Whitefield, Windsor, Somerville and Coopers Mills.

START: 9:00 am, at the Whitefield Elementary School, 164 Grand Army Road, Rt. 126

DISTANCE: about 34 miles.

TERRAIN: rolling hills.

HIGHLIGHTS: lots of scenic rural roads around the Sheepscot River Valley, possible sightings of local Amish families out at work, and a stop at the Sheepscot General Store.

LEADER: Bryan and Holly Griffin, bjgriffin@roadrunner.com, 207-332-1775 (cell).

LINK to ROUTE MAP (2020): https://ridewithgps.com/routes/37084569 or https://www.gmap-pedometer.com/?r=7605889 

Barrel Up!

The weather continued sunny, hot, and humid for the KVBC rides in Gardiner and Smithfield over the past weekend.  Not the most ideal conditions, but we did luck out with lots of shade, and the routes were both scenic and light on traffic and very enjoyable despite the heat.  Many thanks to Joe and Larry for leading their rides, and for taking the time to venture out and mark the routes!  We are anticipating a break in the heat wave for this weekend as we head out from Oakland north to Norridgewock and vicinity on Saturday.  As always, we hope you can join us!

Saturday, August 13 - OAKLAND

"Barreling through Oakland" - a tour around Oakland, Norridgewock, New Sharon, and Smithfield.

START: 9:00 am at the parking lot of the United Methodist Church at 20 West School Street in Oakland.

DISTANCE: about 38.5 miles or 40 miles with ice cream stop option

TERRAIN: moderate with some hills.

HIGHLIGHTS: fine back roads with lakeside views, a potential ice cream stop, and barrels of fun.

LEADER: Tammy Jones, tjjones@colby.edu.

LINK TO ROUTE MAPS:

Ride with a trip to the Ice Cream Place : https://connect.garmin.com/modern/course/74629012

Ride without the Ice Cream Stop:  https://connect.garmin.com/modern/course/74606596

 

Double Headers are Twice as Fun

We had a fine ride last Sunday out of Liberty over some very scenic back roads, including some spectacular vistas from Appleton Ridge. Our thanks to Paul for leading and to all who ventured out on yet another hot day.  This weekend we will kick off August with a double header featuring two of the club's traditional rides from Gardiner to Bowdoinham, and from Smithfield around the lakes.  Two days, two rides, too good to pass up!  We certainly hope you can join us on one or both!

Saturday, August 6th - GARDINER

"Biking to Bowdoinham" - a tour of the southern Kennebec Valley through Gardiner, Richmond and Bowdoinham.

START:  9:00 AM, at the Laura Richards School, Rt. 201 in Gardiner, 1.5 miles south of the junction of Rt. 201 and Rt.s 126/9 (the junction near the A-1 Diner).  The school is a modern brick building with a "spiked ball" sculpture, on the west side of Rt. 201, on the left past the Gardiner Armory (just as you enter the "thickly settled" area).  Park in the lot on the north side of the school.

DISTANCE:  40 miles.

TERRAIN:  Moderately hilly.

HIGHLIGHTS:  quiet back roads along streams and farmland south & west of Gardiner.

LEADERS:  Joe Renda, geologyjoe@gmail.com

LINK to ROUTE MAP: http://www.gmap-pedometer.com/?r=6654861, https://ridewithgps.com/routes/36860175

Sunday, August 7th - SMITHFIELD

"Looping the Lakes" - a scenic tour through Smithfield, Belgrade, Rome, and Mercer.

START: 9:00 AM, at Tri-Pond Variety (formerly Sweet Dreams) on Rt. 8 in Smithfield, at the junction of Rt. 8 and Rt. 137. Please park in the back along the northwest side of the lot away from the redemption center and store entrance..

DISTANCES: approx. 10, 17 or 30 miles. 

TERRAIN: moderate to moderately hilly.

HIGHLIGHTS: many scenic lake views, summer camps, and a possible stop at the Ice Cream Place in Smithfield.

LEADER: Larry Childs, lrchilds@roadrunner.com

LINK to ROUTE MAP: https://www.gmap-pedometer.com/?r=7295953

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.

 

KVBC Rides in August

Here is the KVBC ride lineup for August! The Summer is definitely heating up!