Assert Your Independence

We had a very pleasant mixed surface ride from Readfield on Sunday. The recent rain kept the dust down on the gravel sections, and the paved roads dried up nicely in the sunshine. As an added plus, we had another stop at the Apple Shed Bakery near the end of the ride. Many thanks to David for leading us on a fine route! This week we will head into July and we will gather in Sidney for our annual Independence Day ride on Saturday. Please join us as we go Fourth on the Fifth! See you then! Saturday, July 5, SIDNEY: "Independence by Bike" - the traditional KVBC 4th of July tour through Sidney, Augusta and Waterville. START: 9:00 AM at the James H. Bean Elementary School on Middle Road in Sidney. Directions to the Bean School: From south: I-95 North exit #120. Turn right at end of exit ramp onto Lyons Rd. Follow Lyons Rd. to stop sign. Turn left onto Middle Rd. Bean School is approximately one mile on the right. From the north: I-95 South exit #120. Turn left at end of exit ramp onto Lyons Rd. Follow Lyons Rd. to stop sign. Turn left onto Middle Rd. Bean School is approximately one mile on the right. DISTANCE: 16 or 29 Miles. TERRAIN: moderate with a few hills. HIGHLIGHTS: some fine back roads and Kennebec River views, and some Fourth of July paraphernalia, most likely. LEADER: Jim Merrick, hjmerrick@gmail.com, 293-3784. LINK TO RIDE MAP: https://ridewithgps.com/routes/39964070 For more information on the Kennebec Valley Bicycle Club, contact Jim Merrick at hjmerrick@gmail.com, check out our blog, Posted Roads at http://postedroads.blogspot.com, or follow us on Facebook. Memberships in the Kennebec Valley Bicycle Club provide funds for our club insurance, enabling us to hold rides and events. Membership funds also ensure our club memberships supporting the Bicycle Coalition of Maine and the League of American Bicyclists. Membership forms can be obtained at most club rides, and also via email by contacting Jim Merrick (email above) or Brian Bowker, bbowk321@yahoo.com, or Denise Crowell, denisemcrowell@gmail.com. Thank you!

July with Bikes

Here is the KVBC Ride Lineup for July!

At Least Four Different Grinds

We had a fine ride from Norridgewock on Sunday despite threatening skies and a few sprinkles. Fittingly for our first club ride of summer, the sun came out and temperatures climbed past 80 degrees by the ride's end. Many thanks to Denise and Brian for leading, and for the great cookies to finish the day! This Saturday we will have a new "gravel grinder" ride starting in Readfield that will take us over some roads that are normally closed in winter and have only recently opened for travel and should be in great shape. The route features some great pavement as well, and a potential local coffee/bakery stop. Hope you can join us! Saturday, June 28 - READFIELD "Readfield Fresh Ground" - a backroads tour over paved and unpaved roads around Readfield, Mt. Vernon and vicinity, with a potential coffee/bakery stop in Kents Hill. START: 9:00 AM at the Maranacook School Superintendent's Lot, Millard Harrison Drive off of Rt. 17 across from the Readfield Town Beach. DISTANCE: about 23 miles TERRAIN: Hilly, with at least four sections of gravel roads, mostly well-maintained, but with some uneven portions of washboard. Wide tires (32-42mm) and low gearing recommended. HIGHLIGHTS: some great back roads off the beaten track, with a potential stop at the Apple Shed Bakery in Kents Hill. LEADER: David Chiappetta, davidchiappetta5@gmail.com LINK TO ROUTE MAP: ttps://connect.garmin.com/modern/course/371461923

Ride, Don't Wock

We had more fine weather for our ride Sunday from Mount Vernon, cool and dry with calm winds. We also got to ride over some fresh new pavement on some roads that sorely needed it, as well as others where it was lacking altogether. Still a fine day, thanks to all who turned out. This coming Sunday we will head up to Norridgewock for the first KVBC ride of Summer! Hope to see you there! Sunday, June 22 - NORRIDGEWOCK "Not for Naught, Norridgewock" - a tour through Norridgewock, Smithfield, and Mercer. START: 9:00 am at the ride leaders' house at 434 Fredericks Corner Road, about two miles from the junction of Rt.2 in Norridgewock. Please park on either side of the driveway. DISTANCE: about 32 miles. TERRAIN: rolling with a few hills. HIGHLIGHTS: scenic roads around North and East Ponds in Smithfield, and the not to be undone wiles of Norridgewock. LEADERS: Denise Crowell, denisemcrowell@gmail.com, and Brian Bowker, bbowk321@yahoo.com. LINK TO ROUTE MAP: https://ridewithgps.com/routes/51257952 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.

Mount Vernon Revised

We finally got a break from all the recent wet weather and we had a beautiful day for our KVBC ride Sunday in Readfield. Lots of sunshine, good roads, little traffic, and great company. And a welcome stop at the Apple Shed Bakery in Kents Hill! Many thanks to Lydia for leading! This Sunday's ride will start in Mount Vernon Village and travel over a revised route, bypassing some poor roads and infamous climbs while still featuring some popular sections along the Chesterville Esker and a potential stop at the cafe in Mount Vernon Village. Hope to see you Sunday! Sunday, June 15: MOUNT VERNON "Eleven Ponds (More or Less)" - a tour past many lakes and ponds in Mount Vernon, Fayette, Chesterville, Vienna and Farmington Falls START: 9:00 am at the village park on Main St. in Mount Vernon. Parking available in the public lot behind the Vernon Valley Lodge on the corner of Main St. & Rt. 41, and also along Main St. along the town beach on the lakeside. DISTANCE(S): 26.5 or 34 miles TERRAIN: Moderate to Hilly. HIGHLIGHTS: little-traveled scenic roads, including a fine stretch along the Chesterville Esker, with a potential stop at the cafe in Mount Vernon LEADER: Jim Merrick, hjmerrick@gmail.com. LINK to ROUTE MAP (Long): https://ridewithgps.com/routes/51159304 LINK to ROUTE MAP (Short): https://ridewithgps.com/routes/51068711

Meander On!

We had a rather damp start to our ride from Vassalboro on Sunday, despite an hour's delay based on updated rain forecasts. The rain did let up after threatening not to, the roads dried up quite nicely, and we had a great ride. Many thanks to David for leading us! For this Saturday we have another very popular ride lined up in Readfield, featuring some great back roads and a possible bakery stop. Hope you can join us! Saturday, June 7 - READFIELD "The Maranacook Meander" - a lakeside tour through Readfield, Winthrop, Wayne and Kents Hill START: 9:00 am at the Maranacook School Superintendent's parking lot, Millard Harrison Drive, off of Rt. 17 about one quarter mile north of Readfield Depot and across the street from the Readfield Town Beach. DISTANCE: about 27-30 miles. TERRAIN: moderate to hilly. HIGHLIGHTS: many lakeside and hill top views; optional stop at the Apple Shed Bakery in Kents Hill.. LEADER: Lydia Leimbach, lydialeimbach@gmail.com LINK to ROUTE MAP: https://ridewithgps.com/routes/39797033 For more information on the Kennebec Valley Bicycle Club, contact Jim Merrick at 293-3784 or hjmerrick@gmail.com, and check out the club's Facebook page at https://www.facebook.com/KennebecValleyBicycleClub and the KVBC blog at http://postedroads.blogspot.com.