Thw Wicked Time of Year

We spent the first part of Saturday's KVBC ride in Farmington muttering about the inconsistencies of weather forecasting, as it was a lot wetter than any meteorological source had predicted.  But the sun eventually came out, the roads dried up, and we had a nice ride - kudos to everyone who turned out!  This Saturday we will undertake our annual tour of cemeteries around Wayne.  Halloween falls on Thursday, but that's only a date on the calendar - the spirits don't need no dates.  See you Saturday!

Saturday, November 2 - WAYNE

"Wicked Wayne" - a post-Halloween ride featuring some historic cemeteries along some quiet back roads (maybe too quiet). 

START: 10:00 AM at the Wayne Elementary School, 48 Pond Road, Wayne.

DISTANCE: about 22 miles.

TERRAIN: moderate, creepy in spots.

HIGHLIGHTS: at least six local cemeteries, including the circular Wing family cemetery and the Kent family cemetery; the Apple Shed on Kents Hill, a notorious, unsolved historic crime scene, and other local haunts. 

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

LINK to ROUTE MAP: https://ridewithgps.com/routes/37867944

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

 

Putting the "in" in Industry

We've had some spectacular Fall weather for riding of late!  Last Saturday's ride in Augusta around Summerhaven was certainly first rate.  The club's thanks to Cynthia for mapping out the route for us!  This Saturday we will head north to see if we can catch some more Fall colors and explore the hills around Farmington, New Sharon, and Industry as we close out the month of October.  Hope you can join us!

Saturday, October 26:  FARMINGTON

"The Ups and Downs of Industry":  a Fall foliage ride through the picturesque hills and hollows of Farmington, New Sharon, and Industry.

START:  10:00 A.M., at the Hannaford Plaza on Rt.s 2 & 4 in Farmington, about a mile south from the junction of Rt.s 2 & 4 and Rt. 41, towards Wilton.  Park near the entrance to the shopping plaza.

DISTANCE:  25-30 miles.

TERRAIN:  rolling to hilly; approx. one mile plus of gravel along the Sandy River, and 3 miles of cinder on the Rail Trail (optional)

HIGHLIGHTS:  quiet back roads along the Sandy River, spectacular panoramic views from the ridgetops of New Sharon & Industry, Clearwater Pond at Allens Mills, a possible stop at the Orange Cat Cafe in Farmington, and an optional run along the Whistlestop Rail Trail.

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

LINK to ROUTE MAP: https://ridewithgps.com/routes/44757878

 

For more information on the Kennebec Valley Bicycle Club and its rides contact Jim Merrick, 293-3784, hjmerrick@gmail.com, or check out the KVBC blog, "Posted Roads" at http://postedroads.blogspot.com.

Still a Haven

 Sunday's KVBC ride from Norridgewock turned out to be sunnier and more pleasant weather-wise than expected. The 50/50 gravel route took us over some very pretty back roads with little traffic and lots of early foliage. And the ride leader's home-made cookies at the ride's end really hit the spot!  Many thanks to Denise & Brian for another fine ride!  This Saturday we will set off on another Fall tour around the Summerhaven section of Augusta.  Lots of great Fall riding ahead!

Saturday, October 19 - AUGUSTA

"Beyond Summer-Haven" - a post-summer tour through the Summerhaven section of Augusta, and Readfield, Wings Mills, and Belgrade.

START: 10:00 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 34 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: Jim Merrick, hjmerrick@gmail.com

LINK TO ROUTE MAP: https://ridewithgps.com/routes/48764106

Gravel By Half

 

The weather was quite damp at the start of the KVBC ride from Waterville to Canaan on Saturday. In weather parlance, the expression that rain will end "mostly" by 9am should actually be "mostly (but not all)" - but eventually end it did, and once the roads dried up we had a fine ride.  This Sunday we will set off from Norridgewock for a ride over both paved and unpaved roads - about a 50/50 mix of each.  Wide tires are recommended - the route is a great introduction to gravel riding!  Please note the 10:00am start, and hope to see you Sunday!

Sunday, October 13th - NORRIDGEWOCK

"Indigenous Gravel" - a mixed surface ride exploring the back roads of Mercer, Rome and Norridgewock

START: 10:00 AM at 434 Fredericks Corner Road, about two miles from the junction of Rt.2 in Norridgewock. Please park along the driveway.

DISTANCE: 24 miles

TERRAIN: moderate; the route is about half gravel (despite what the route map indicates)

HIGHLIGHTS: lots of adventurous back roads, paved and unpaved, with Amish enclaves and Fall foliage

LEADERS: Brian Bowker, bbowk321@yahoo.com; and Denise Crowell, denisemcrowell@gmail.com.

LINK TO ROUTE MAP: https://ridewithgps.com/routes/48493902

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.