Breakfast on Sunday

 More fine riding weather with temperatures in the 60s marked Saturday's KVBC ride from South Vassalboro.  The route explored many of the back roads to Wings Mills, Coopers Mills, and a few lesser known mills.  Many thanks to Paul for leading us again!  This Sunday is Cinco de Mayo, and although we may not be able to promise you any authentic Mexican cuisine, the KVBC ride from Augusta will feature an optional breakfast stop as we have in years past.  Hope you can join us as we kick off May, National Bike Month!

Sunday, May 5th - AUGUSTA

"Capital Breakfast Ride" - a tour through the stately residential areas and outlying farms of our capital city, ending with an optional breakfast stop.

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; possible stop at the Countryside Diner for breakfast (or lunch).

LEADER: Jim Merrick, hjmerrick@gmail.com
LINK to ROUTE MAP: https://ridewithgps.com/routes/43362790

 

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.

May Rides

 Here is the KVBC ride lineup for May!

Miles of Mills

We had another fine day for our KVBC ride from Turner on Sunday, pre-Earth Day. The roads were in great shape and traffic was minimal. While riding sweep I somehow lost track of everyone's whereabouts, but everyone got back to the start OK (I think). Our ride this Saturday will start in South Vassalboro at the ride leader's as we close out the month of April. Hope to see you Saturday!

Saturday, April 27 - SOUTH VASSALBORO

"Through the Mills" - a tour through Windsor and So. China  to Weeks Mills and Coopers Mills.

START: 10:00 am at the ride leader's house at 700 Cross Hill Road, So. Vassalboro. Park in the turnout half-way up the driveway by the garage; please avoid parking on the water-saturated lawn, thank you!

DISTANCE: 26 or 30 mi.

TERRAIN: somewhat hilly, roads recently paved.

HIGHLIGHTS: some fine back roads through some venerable old mill villages. Possible post-ride get-together at the Sidereal Farm Brewery a half-mile north of the ride leader's house.

LEADER: Paul Mitnik, pjmejm@gmail.com

LINK to ROUTE MAP: https://ridewithgps.com/routes/42416871

 

Wake Up the Earth!

We had another beautiful day and a great turnout for our ride on the rail trail from Augusta last Sunday.  There was still a lot of work underway cleaning up and repairing winter storm damage, but the rail trail was mostly clear of debris and the ride went very smoothly.  Many thanks to Jeanine for leading and to all who turned out!  This Sunday we will venture out to Turner for Earth Day and our annual Wake Up the Earth ride, featuring a stop at the Nezinscot Farm.  Hope you can join us!

Sunday, April 21 - TURNER

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

START: 10:00 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.

Sunday's KVBC Ride in Chesterville CANCELLED

Do to storm damage, ongoing cleanup efforts, power outages, poor road conditions, and the fact that it won't friggin' stop coming down, the "Pishou's Sucrerie" maple syrup ride in Chesterville on Sunday is regrettably cancelled.  John has hinted that he may be bringing maple syrup samples to a future ride, so all is not lost, and we'll get a chance to thank John soon enough.  Monday's solar eclipse ride is still on, and predictions call for clear skies and temperatures in the 50s, which will be welcome regardless of celestial  phenomena.  Hope to see you soon!

Hello Darkness My Old Friend

Here is the latest ride info on the Total Solar Eclipse next Monday afternoon, April 8. Initial plans were to ride to view the eclipse from the Wire Bridge in New Portland, but thanks to one of our members who knows a thing or two about Physics & Astronomy (Hi Duncan!) we've learned that the Wire Bridge falls just outside the Path of Totality. We are going to start in New Portland - be advised that there are at least four villages or hamlets known as "New Portland" - we are starting at the one Google Maps calls "The Town of New Portland" (some other maps may call this "East New Portland.")

We will ride over the Wire Bridge and head 11 miles to Kingfield over a scenic back road along the Carrabasset River. The road is unpaved for 4.5 miles; if it is really muddy we may opt to take Rt. 27 instead.

In Kingfield we will regroup at the Stanley Museum on School Street. I will open the building for folks to use the restrooms and , if there is time, a private tour. Folks opting to drive directly to Kingfield due to time constraints can park in front of the Museum or in the larger lot in back just off Summer Street and join us around 3:00pm.

The ECLIPSE: partial eclipse begins in Kingfield at about 2:18pm with totality at 3:30:30pm. Totality will last for one minute and 33.5 seconds. Think cloud-free thoughts. There is a large open field behind the Museum for unobstructed viewing, with Mt. Abram, a white-capped 4,000 footer as an imposing backdrop. If you plan to take photos remember to have an appropriate eclipse filter for your phone or camera. If you don't have eclipse viewing glasses you may need to make a pin-hole viewer: https://www.jpl.nasa.gov/edu/learn/project/how-to-make-a-pinhole-camera/. As a last option, the Webster Public Library just down the street is open at 3:00pm and they may have eclipse glasses to distribute.

There is a remote chance we may get to see Chimney Swifts diving to their roosts in the Stanley Museum's central chimney during the total eclipse. A fascinating sight to see through the summer, it may be too early for the swifts to arrive this far north. But we'll watch for them.

Sorry for this long-winded ride announcement. Don't forget the maple syrup ride in Chesterville on Sunday, and hope to see you either Sunday and/or Monday!

Monday, April 8 - NEW PORTLAND

"Totally Eclipsed" - a special ride to view the total eclipse from New Portland to Kingfield.

START: 1:30 pm at the New Portland Town Offices & Community Library, 901 River Road (Rt. 146) about 4.3 miles east of the jct. of Rt. 27 and Rt. 146. Additional parking next door at the New Portland Fire Department.

DISTANCE: 21 miles, with about 4.5 miles of gravel. There are paved options.

TERRAIN: flat to rolling, with poor lighting at times.

HIGHLIGHTS: the Wire Bridge, a tour of the Stanley Museum, views of the Carrabasset River, and a Total Eclipse of the Sun.

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

LINK to ROUTE MAP: https://ridewithgps.com/routes/46056671

You Must Lead a Charming Life

We've had some beautiful Spring days of late - to be followed by... more snow?  Ah well, it can't keep doing this forever (we hope) and here's hoping that the third time is the charm as we plan to run the maple syrup ride once again, on Sunday this time.  We are still putting some finishing touches on the special Total Eclipse ride for next Monday afternoon.  If you are planning to join in on Monday, please remember to pick up some eclipse glasses if you haven't already.  They can be ordered on line, or purchased at the gift shop of the L.C. Bates Museum in Hinkley, and many local public libraries are distributing eclipse shades.  More info to follow.  Hope to see you Sunday and/or Monday!

Sunday, April 7 - CHESTERVILLE

"Pishou's Sucrerie" - a sweet syrup-sampling ride from Chesterville to Farmington Falls.

START: 11:00 am at the junction of Egypt Pond Road and Main Road (about a mile from the junction of Egypt Pond Road and Tower Road).  As you turn onto Main Road (unpaved) there is a small parking area next to a small green dumpster; additional parking roadside. Signs say No Trespassing except with permission - John says we have his permission.

DISTANCE: 23.5 miles.

TERRAIN: flat to hilly; sandy road conditions call for caution on descents.

HIGHLIGHTS: a post-ride gathering at the ride leader's house for sap boiling and sugar sampling!

LEADER: John Lanoue, johnlanoue@hotmail.com

LINK TO ROUTE MAP: https://ridewithgps.com/routes/45880277

Beware of Greek Bikes

ANCIENT MYTH EXPOSED! The Trojan “Horse” was actually a Bicycle! Scholars from the Institut d’ Columbia today announced a radical new interpretation of the ancient Homeric text that sheds new light on the Fall of Troy. Instead of a large wooden horse, the ancient Greeks fooled their Trojan enemies with a large custom-made bicycle. Professors Vittoria Schwinn and Bianchi Colnago together announced their new discovery at a press conference today. “We had it wrong all these years,” said Prof. Schwinn. “Yes,” agreed Prof. Colnago, who explained that the reinterpretation of the original text, “proves that the clever Greeks constructed an enormous bicycle and left it leaning against the main city gate of Troy.” According to Prof. Schwinn, “the Greek soldiers were secretly hidden inside the top tube.” The two scholars marveled at the Greeks’ brilliance. “No one thinks of looking in the top tube,” said Prof. Colnago. “The seat tube, maybe, but the top tube? Nah.” “Yes,” Prof. Schwinn agreed, “and it appears they also fitted the Trojan Bike with secret hatches in the wheels as they had been setup for tubeless.” Prof. Albert Bontrager of Cannondale College, who was not involved in the new study, was impressed with the new findings. “We’ve always thought the horse story was a bit sketchy,” he said. “This makes much more sense. There’s no way the Trojans would pass up a free bike – n+1, you know.”