KVBC 2020 Ride Calendar

Here is the preliminary, draft, not-written-in-stone, Kennebec Valley Bicycle Club Ride Calendar for 2020!  Subject to change, other options might apply, not responsible for misrepresentations, void where prohibited by law.  And a heck of a lot of fun, by the looks of it.  Thanks again to all of our intrepid ride leaders!  Our first ride is less than two weeks away - the Leap Day Ride on Saturday, February 29.  See you then!

KVBC 2020 Ride Calendar

February 29 – HALLOWELL: Leap Day Ride (Jim Merrick)

March 22 – OAKLAND: Maine Maple Sidney (Jim Merrick)

April 19 – AUGUSTA: Wake Up the Earth Ride (Jim Merrick)

April 26 – WATERVILLE: Retro Ride (Larry Childs)

May 3 – EAST VASSALBORO: China Surprise (Jeanine Libby)

May 9 – READFIELD: Maranacook Meander (Lydia Leimbach)

May 17 – NORRIDGEWOCK: Bigelow by Bike (Denise Crowell and Brian Bowker)

May 23 – JAY: May in Jay (Jim Merrick)

May 30 – VASSALBORO: Velo Vassalboro (David Lipman)

June 7 – WATERVILLE: The Colby Loop (Duncan Tate)

June 14 – JEFFERSON: Lupine the Lakes (Bryan and Holly Griffin)

June 21 – MOUNT VERNON: Eleven Ponds (Jim Merrick)

June 26-28 – GREENVILLE: Greenville Bike and Boat (Jeanine Libby)

July 4 – SIDNEY: Independence Day Ride (Jim Putnam)

July 11 – KENTS HILL: Ken(t)’s Hill Hotdog Ride (Jim Merrick)

July 18 – VASSALBORO: The Martyrs’ Ride (Peggy Horner)

July 26 – GARDINER: Biking to Bowdoinham (Joe Renda)

August 1 – RICHMOND: Wheeling to Wiscassett (David Lipman)

August 2 – SMITHFIELD: Looping the Lakes (Larry Childs)

August 8 – WHITEFIELD: Tour de Whitefield (Bryan and Holly Griffin)

August 23 – LINCOLNVILLE: Out Through the Cellar Door (David Chiappetta)

August 30 – OAKLAND: Barreling Through Oakland (Tammy Jones)

September 6 – WAYNE: Which Way to Wayne? (Fritz and Susan Onion)

September 12 – DAMARISCOTTA: Drafting to Damariscotta (David Lipman)

September 20 – AUGUSTA: Capitol Breakfast Ride (Duncan Tate)

September 27 – NORRIDGEWOCK: The Wire Bridge Ride (Denise Crowell and Brian Bowker)

October 3 – LIVERMORE FALLS: Boothby’s Apple Ride (John Lanoue)

October 11 – WINSLOW: Winsome Winslow (Tom Michaud)

October 18 – WATERVILLE: Somerset Sortie (Camille Chamberland)

October 25 – FARMINGTON: Ups and Downs of Industry (Jim Merrick)

October 31 – WAYNE: Wicked Wayne (Jim Merrick)

Spin Those Ride Plans

REMINDER - we are one week away from the KVBC Ride Planning Meeting on Wednesday, Feb. 12! If you would like to come to check out their up-to-date spinning equipment and the free spin session, you are more than welcome to.  You need not stay to help us eat pizza afterwards, but you're welcome to do that as well!

The Kennebec Valley Bicycle Club 2020 Ride Planning Meeting is scheduled for Wednesday, February 12 (snow date Feb. 26). We will meet at the Alfond Youth and Community Center, 126 North Street, in Waterville to plan out the KVBC Ride Calendar for the year. Jeanine Libby has offered to lead a free spin class to all interested members from 5 to 6 pm, followed by pizza and our ride planning meeting from 6 to 8 pm. To top it off, Jeanine will give us all a tour of the AYCC following the meeting. All are welcome, and if you cannot make the meeting but you would still like to lead a ride, please let me know all the details (if you have any).  Hope to see many of you there!

KVBC Ride Planning for 2020

The Kennebec Valley Bicycle Club 2020 Ride Planning Meeting is scheduled for Wednesday, February 12 (snow date Feb. 26). We will meet at the Alfond Youth and Community Center, 126 North Street, in Waterville to plan out the KVBC Ride Calendar for the year. Jeanine Libby has offered to lead a free spin class to all interested members from 5 to 6 pm, followed by pizza and our ride planning meeting from 6 to 8 pm. To top it off, Jeanine will give us all a tour of the AYCC following the meeting. All are welcome, and if you cannot make the meeting but you would still like to lead a ride, please let me know all the details (if you have any).  Hope to see many of you there!

KVBC Ride Planning for 2020

Greetings to all!  With the weather turning a bit milder of late, indications are that it is time to start planning the 2020 KVBC Ride Calendar.  In years past, we have met in February to sit down over pizza and lay out rides for the coming year.  For the past couple of years we have met in Waterville, at Miller Library at Colby (where I work), and I can certainly arrange for a meeting room there again.  I know that for some people, Waterville is not convenient, so I am open to suggestions for another meeting place.  I'd also like to know what weekday evening or weekend works best for people who would like to attend.  As always, if you cannot attend and would still like to sign up to lead a ride, please feel free to contact me with the date(s) and ride info, and I will reserve a spot for you.  In addition to arranging the ride calendar, I'd also like some feedback on route mapping as best appropriate for GPS navigation.  We are probably not going to dispense with paper maps right away, but I do note that some other bike clubs have decided to stop marking routes altogether, now that many riders have access to GPS units and digital maps.  I am also happy to discuss any other matters members would like addressed.  Let me know your preferences for meeting times and places, and don't forget the upcoming ride (weather permitting) on Leap Day, Saturday, Feb, 29, in Hallowell.  Think Spring!

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

KVBC Ride Planning Meeting Postponed Again

The Winter weather is not being kind or cooperative, and with another storm heading in on Thursday and a number of people saying they cannot make the scheduled meeting that night, we are once again postponing the KVBC Ride Planning Meeting.  Our meeting has been rescheduled for Wednesday, February 27, at the same time and place, 6:00 pm, Miller Library Room 208, at Colby College.  Sorry for the shifting of dates - let's hope that "third time's the charm" and hopefully we'll see you on Wednesday the 27th.  Meanwhile here is a very tentative, preliminary ride calendar of 2019 events, from what we know (or think we know):

2019 Potential Rides and Other Club’s Events

March 23/24: Maine Maple Sunday, Oakland/Sidney

April 14: BCM Bike Swap, Portland

April 21: Wake Up the Earth Ride, Belgrade (tentative)

May 11: Maranacook Meander, Readfield (tentative)

June 1: Velo Vassalboro, Vassalboro (tentative)

June 8: Millinocket 100, Millinocket

June 9: Colby Loop, Norridgewock

June 14-16: TREK Across Maine

June 15: Jefferson Jaunt, Jefferson (tentative)

June 22/23: Property Pedal Tour (joint ride with Kennebec Land Trust)

June 29/30: Greenville Bike and Boat

July 6: Independence Ride, Sidney

July 13: Drafting Through Damariscotta, Damariscotta (tentative)

July 20: Tour de Whitefield, Whitefield (tentative)

August 10: Which Way to Wayne?, Wayne (tentative)

August 10/11: Bike MS

September 7: Maine Lighthouse Ride

September 8: Pedal Penobscot

September 7-14: Bike Maine

September 14/15: Boothby’s Apple Ride, Livermore Falls (tentative)

September 20-22: Seacoast Century

September 28: Share the Road with Carol, Windsor (tentative)

September 28/29: Dempsey Challenge

October 6: Cadillac Challenge

October 12: Three Peaks and a Pontoon, Chesterville

October 19: Bicycle Repairman (TBD)

October 27: Wicked Wayne, Wayne

KVBC Ride Planning Meeting Postponed to Thursday Feb. 21

Due to the forecast of snow, sleet, and what-have-you on this Wednesday, we have decided to postpone our Ride Planning Meeting until the following week.  The meeting has been rescheduled to Thursday, Feb. 21, at 6:00pm - same location: Colby College, Miller Library, Room 208.  My apologies for any inconvenience, but travel on this Wednesday does not look good, and there may be parking restrictions due to snow removal.  So we will meet the following Thursday when the room is available again.  Once again, if you cannot make the rescheduled meeting but would like to lead a ride, please let me know the particulars and I'll work it into the calendar.  And if you would like to participate in the meeting remotely, let me know and I'll set up the conference call. Also, if you might be interested in a new KVBC jersey, let me know.

KVBC Ride Planning Meeting

Spring will be upon us before you know it, so it is time to start planning our ride calendar for 2019!  Our annual Kennebec Valley Bicycle Club Ride Planning Meeting is scheduled for  Wednesday, February 13 at 6 pm.  We will meet in Waterville, at Colby College, Miller Library, Room 208 (also known as the second floor conference room, if you are asking for directions at the main desk). Directions: http://libguides.colby.edu/c.php?g=98548&p=638088.  The best parking will be in the Roberts Lot, near the Colby Art Museum.  If you cannot make the meeting in person but would like to take part via a conference call, let me know before the meeting and I will send you the phone number and opt in code.  And if you would prefer to just send me your ride information - date, start location and start time, distance, and any features of note (ice cream, pastry shops, etc.) - I'll be happy to take it down.  All are welcome at the meeting, and we will likely order pizza to help with the planning.  Hope to see you Wednesday!

Don't Forget the KVBC Ride Planning Meeting

Don't forget the KVBC Ride Planning Meeting, Monday, February 27, at 6:00 PM, at the Law Offices of Lipman & Katz, 5 Community Drive, Augusta. Directions: https://www.google.com/maps/place/5+Community+Dr,+Augusta,+ME+04330/@44.3407139,-69.7955117,17z/data=!3m1!4b1!4m5!3m4!1s0x4cb203da4028afb5:0x5eb06bd00c933dae!8m2!3d44.3407139!4d-69.793323?hl=en-US

The days are getting longer and Mud Season is practically upon us, so it is time for our annual KVBC Ride Planning Meeting! The Agenda: we will order out for pizza, discuss routes, and organize the ride calendar for the year. This is a group volunteer effort. We welcome input, and if you can't make the meeting but still have a ride you would like to lead (or help lead) or an unexplored ride you would like to do, let me know. We will meet at 6 PM Monday in Augusta near the Civic Center at the Law Offices of Lipman & Katz, courtesy of David Lipman, at 5 Community Drive.

 

Don't Forget! (Pants would help, too.)

Jim Merrick, 293-2784, hjmerrick@gmail.com

Plan Those Rides!

Hi Folks, we will be having our annual KVBC Ride Calendar planning meeting on Monday, February 27, at 6 pm, at the Law Offices of Lipman and Katz, 5 Community Drive, Augusta (thank you to David Lipman!).  We will plan out the 2017 Ride Calendar over pizza, and discuss other possible events as we enter our 15th year.  If you cannot make the meeting but have a ride in mind that you would like to lead, please let me know so I can add it to the calendar.  I will have more details as we get closer to the meeting.

The Bicycle Coalition of Maine's 2017 Kick-Off Party is coming up Thursday, February 2, in Waterville: http://www.bikemaine.org/events-old/kickoff.  Perhaps I'll see some of you there!  If not, see you in February in any case!

Jim Merrick

hjmerrick@gmail.com
293-3784

KVBC Ride Planning Meeting

Hope you are all enjoying the sudden onset of spring-like weather (soon to be followed by another arctic blast, no doubt). Before everything turns to solid ice again, I want to let you know that plans are underway to hold our annual KVBC Ride Planning Pizza Party!  David Lipman has graciously offered once again to let us use his office in Augusta (actually his new office, as he has moved from Water Street to 5 Community Drive).  The best available dates are during the week of February 27 to March 3.  If you would like to attend, please let me know what evening during that week would work best for you, and I will figure out the day that suits most.  The KVBC will turn 15 this year, so we may try to draw up some special rides to reflect on that milestone, or some similar lame excuse.  Ride leaders, be creative!  And meanwhile, mind the ice - I'm hoping my bones heal before the first KVBC ride, and who knows?  That might be close to our ride planning meeting!

Jim Merrick
293-3784
hjmerrick@gmail.com

Ride Planning Meeting

HiFolks!  We will have our annual KVBC Ride Planning Meeting this Saturday, January 23, at 11 am, at the offices of Lipman & Katz (thank you, David Lipman!) at 227 Water Street in Augusta. A scientifically-conducted opinion poll of our members with opinions revealed that Saturday was preferable if the Patriots were still playing, and that an earlier time in the day would work best.  Hey, we're flexible.  There is some on-street parking on Water Street, and a public parking lot not far away as you come off the circle; the number at the office is 207-622-3711. We'll meet at 11 am and order pizza for lunch.  We'll also put together a ride schedule and discuss some potential special events, possible overnight trips, a club jersey, and any other business.  If you are unable to make the meeting Saturday, but you have a ride you'd like to lead, please let me know so I can fit it into the schedule.  We have some extra leeway this year, as the Bicycle Coalition of Maine is phasing out their print calendar, so we don't have to meet their early publication deadline as in years past.  If you have any questions or concerns or ideas regarding the Kennebec Valley Bicycle Club, the meeting in January is a good time to sound them out.  I can also bring them up if you can't make the meeting.  Hope to see you Saturday!

Jim Merrick
207-293-3784

hjmerrick@gmail.com

Safe to Go Back in the Woods?

Tomorrow, Dec. 13, is the last official day of hunting season, so those who are apprehensive of riding in the woods or even in wooded areas, might relax and get out (if the stormy weather ever breaks) and fit in some more riding perhaps. Looking ahead to January, we will be having our annual ride planning meeting - more details to come. Enjoy the holiday season!

KVBC Preliminary Ride Calendar for 2014

Leaning into another great riding season

We had a productive ride planning meeting last Sunday in Augusta.  Many thanks to all who showed up and offered to lead rides, and particularly to David Lipman who kindly provided his office and pizza for us.  We all appreciated his warmth and hospitality - especially the warmth, considering how cold it was when we met last year.  The preliminary dates for the KVBC Ride Calendar are below - there are still a number of open weekends, and if you couldn't make it to the meeting and would still like to lead a ride, check over the open dates and let me know if you can fill one of them.  Many of the dates are still tentative (or will be for the next week or two), so some switching around might be possible, too.  As always, we may have some last-minute, spur-of-the-moment, impromptu rides if we happen to get some unexpectedly fine weather in early Spring or late, late Fall.  Keep your chain oiled and your tires pumped up!  If this weather continues I won't have to urge anyone to Think Spring!

April 19, Saturday, 10 am: Augusta "Wake Up the Earth Ride" - Jim Floyd

April 26, Saturday, 10 am: Wayne "The Wayne Way" - Jim Merrick

May 3 or 4: OPEN

May 10, Saturday, 9:30 am: East Vassalboro "China Surprise" - Jeanine Libby

May 17, Saturday, 9:30 am: Clinton "A Fish With(out) a Bicycle" [Benton Alwife Festival] - Jeanine Libby

May 24 or 25: OPEN

May 31, Saturday, 9 am: Vassalboro "Velo Vassalboro" - David Lipman

June 7 or 8: OPEN

June 15, Sunday, 9 am: Mount Vernon "Eleven Ponds Ride" - Jim Merrick

June 21 or 22: OPEN

June 29, Sunday, 9 am: Damariscotta "A Pedaling Purview of Pemaquid Point" - David Lipman

July 5, Saturday, 9 am: Sidney "Independence Day Ride" - Jim Putnam

July 13, Sunday, 9 am: Wings Mills (Mt. Vernon) "Ken's Hot Dog Ride" - Ken Louis

July 19, Saturday, 8 am: Augusta "Capitol Breakfast Ride" - Jim Merrick

July 26, Saturday, 9 am: Gardiner "Back Roads to Bowdoinham" - Roger Rocque

August 2, Saturday, 8:30 am: Wilton "Blueberry Metric" [Wilton Blueberry Festival] - Jim Merrick

August 9 or 10: OPEN

August 16, Saturday, 8 am: Waterville "The Colby Loop" - Jeanine Libby

August 24, Sunday, 9 am: Vassalboro "Hills and Beans" - David Lipman

August 30 or 31: OPEN

September 6 or 7: OPEN (although we may opt to field a team at Pedal Penobscot in Bangor on the 7th)

September 14, Sunday, 9 am: Farmington "The Ups and Downs of Industry" - Larry Childs

September 20 or 21: OPEN

September 27, Saturday, 9 am: Winthrop "Monmouth a la Mode" [Monmouth Apple Festival] - Jim Merrick

October: all weekends OPEN

Note to Ride Leaders - if I have any information wrong, please let me know.  I will check to verify dates, times, ride starting locations, distances - and any objections to my fanciful ride nomenclature.

Jim Merrick

293-3784

hjmerrick@gmail.com

KVBC Ride Planning Meeting

It's time for our annual KVBC Ride Planning Meeting!  We will meet in Augusta on Sunday, January 19th, at 6 pm, at the offices of Lipman & Katz at 227 Water Street, thanks to a kind offer from David Lipman.  There is a public parking lot on Water Street just as you come off the circle.  The phone number at the office is 622-3711, though I don't know if someone will be there to answer it, but if you get lost it's worth a shot.

The agenda: ride planning, pizza, then followed by more ride planning.  It's fun!  Honest.  We will do our best to put together a full calendar of rides for the new season, and you can help!  If you can't make the meeting, and there is a ride you'd like to lead (or suggest) just let me know.

There is still a possibility for people interested to meet earlier for snowshoeing or x-country skiing in the Arboretum before the meeting, although right now it looks like conditions might not be optimum.  Let me know if you might be interested, and I'll try and set something up.  Hope to see you Sunday!

2013 Ride Planning Meeting

From Photo-Manipulations by Erik Johansson

Kennebec Valley Bicycle Club Planning Meeting

Monday, January 28, 2013, 7:00-8:30 PM

 

Location: Bicycle Coalition of Maine Headquarters

341 Water Street (2nd Floor), Augusta

 

The BCM Offices are at the beginning of Water Street as you come off the circle, and there is a free parking lot across the street.  Map & directions can be found at the BCM website: www.BikeMaine.org, 623-4511.

 

Purpose of meeting is to put together the KVBC ride calendar for the year.  We will also discuss holding other events and get-togethers, possible joint events with other clubs, and other KVBC issues - including a new vacancy for the Club Treasurer/Membership Coordinator position.

 

Pizza and other refreshments will be served.  All members and interested individuals are welcome to attend.

 

The Kennebec Valley Bicycle Club (KVBC) is a recreational road riding club located in the central Maine capital district.  An all-volunteer club, the KVBC offers weekend rides on scenic local cycling routes designed by its members.  Most of the club's rides start within a 30-mile radius of Augusta, with some further afield.  KVBC rides vary in distance and terrain, and are intended to offer regional day tours that will appeal to riders of different abilities.  Riders are free to ride at their own pace - non-members and newcomers are welcome.  Helmets and signed waivers are required for all participants at KVBC cycling events.  Annual membership dues - $10 for individuals, $15 for households - are collected in early April (we can take dues at the ride planning meeting if you wish) to raise funds for the club's liability insurance and its affiliate membership in support of the Bicycle Coalition of Maine (BCM).  KVBC rides and events are posted on the BCM's events calendar (both on-line and hard copy versions), with further details distributed by e-mail to everyone on the club's free contact list.  If you are in our area and are interested in participating in a KVBC scheduled ride, please feel free to join us!

KVBC Ride Planning Meeting and Pizza Fest

We had a wonderful New Year's Day ride last Saturday in Hallowell. The roads were clear and even dry in sections - not messy at all, and traffic was very light. With the clouds moving in, I'm not sure if the temperature actually got up to 50 degrees, but it was very pleasant for January 1st - even if I was overdressed. We rode out Town Farm Road towards Litchfield, and explored some back roads on our way back to Hallowell, just over 14 miles in all. It wasn't until we got back to Hallowell that I suddenly realized that we had to climb a very difficult hill up Winthrop Street back to the ride start at the Hall-Dale School. I had completely forgotten it. Oh, fudge. Turned out it wasn't as bad as I remembered it. It was worse. Oh well, at least Duane was very good natured about it. Have to remember to consider the entire route next time I make up a ride at the last minute.

We will have our annual KVBC ride planning get-together at the BCM's Augusta office on Thursday, January 20th, for pizza and planning. Let me know if you can come, and if you can't make it and have a ride in mind to lead, let me know as well. See you then!

Kennebec Valley Bicycle Club Planning Meeting

Thursday, January 20, 2011, 7:00-9:00 PM

Location: Bicycle Coalition of Maine Headquarters

341 Water Street (2nd Floor), Augusta

The BCM Offices are at the beginning of Water Street as you come off the circle, and there is a free parking lot across the street. Map & directions can be found at the BCM website: www.BikeMaine.org, 623-4511.

Purpose of meeting is to put together the KVBC ride calendar for the year. We will also discuss holding other events and get-togethers, possible joint events with other clubs, and other KVBC issues.

Pizza and other refreshments will be served. All members and interested individuals are welcome to attend.

The Kennebec Valley Bicycle Club (KVBC) is a recreational road riding club located in the central Maine capitol district. An all-volunteer club, the KVBC offers weekend rides on scenic local cycling routes designed by its members. Most of the club's rides start within a 30-mile radius of Augusta, with some further afield. KVBC rides vary in distance and terrain, and are intended to offer regional day tours that will appeal to riders of different abilities. Riders are free to ride at their own pace - non-members and newcomers are welcome. Helmets and signed waivers are required for all participants at KVBC cycling events. Annual membership dues - $10 for individuals, $15 for households - are collected in early April to raise funds for the club's liability insurance and its affiliate membership in support of the Bicycle Coalition of Maine (BCM). KVBC rides and events are posted on the BCM's events calendar (both on-line and hard copy versions), with further details distributed by e-mail to everyone on the club's free contact list. If you are in our area and are interested in participating in a KVBC scheduled ride, please feel free to join us!

Season's Greetings!

Season's Greetings to you all!

We had a terrific season of cycling in 2010. From Earth Day to Halloween, we had 23 rides scheduled over 28 weekends (with most of the rest filled in by major cycling events). Only one ride was canceled due to bad weather (thunderstorms); another was postponed but we substituted another in its place. I'm personally pleased that I made it to all but one of the rides! I want to thank all of the ride leaders who graciously offered to share one of their rides with us, and for all the folks who showed up to keep me company on the rides I led.
Thanks, too, to all those who welcomed us into their homes and shops for baked cookies and other treats. Thank you all!

Today I had my first "Posted Roads" placard sighting, which means it's already time to start planning for next year! Sometime in January we will have our annual ride calendar planning party and pizza fest. Those of you who would like to attend - either to plan rides or just socialize (yes, both are eminently acceptable and not necessarily exclusive) - drop me a line on what evenings are best for you (or not) and I will try to find a good day to meet. We have traditionally met at the Bicycle Coalition of Maine offices in Augusta, but I will entertain suggestions for another venue, if any entertaining options come to mind.

In the meantime, I hope to spend the rest of the Winter trying to catch up on my ride reports from this past summer, going back to Memorial Day, I think. Obviously, I was spending more time riding than blogging, but keep an eye (or a browser) on http://postedroads.blogspot.com and I will try to give you something to recall the roads of summer while you are waiting to be plowed out. I'll also resolve to try and figure out the intricacies of online mapping, Facebook, and all those things currently beyond my limited comprehension. I expect that by March I'll be more than ready to get out and ride. Perhaps I'll see you out there, too.

Thanks again, and Best Wishes for the Holidays!