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

Eleven Ponds, Give or Take

 Conditions were rather dark and overcast and we had some wet roads at the start of the KVBC ride from Jefferson, but it cleared up and we had beautiful blue skies and sunshine and a fine ride around Damariscotta Lake.  Many thanks to David for leading and getting us out on a day that turned out much better than expected!  This Saturday we will start in West Mount Vernon for the Eleven Ponds tour out to Chesterville.  We hope you can join us, and for those of you riding the Trek, Bon Route! 

Saturday, June 15 - WEST MOUNT VERNON

"Eleven Ponds" - a tour past many of the hidden ponds and lakes in Mount Vernon, Fayette, Chesterville, and Vienna.

START:  9:00 AM, at the boat landings on Echo Lake and Taylor Pond on Rt. 41 at the junction of Sandy River Road; the nearest street address is 1156 ME-41. There is a bridge and a dam and a free-standing brick chimney as landmarks. Park in either boat landing lot on opposite sides of the road.

DISTANCE:  14 and 29 miles.

TERRAIN:  Rolling with a few good hills (and one memorable one).

HIGHLIGHTS:  rural back roads winding through many small ponds and lakes, and across the top of the Chesterville Esker.

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

LINK to RIDE MAP (Long): https://ridewithgps.com/routes/39591548

LINK to RIDE MAP (Short): https://ridewithgps.com/routes/39591616

 

Kennebec Valley Bicycle Club rides are open to members and to the cycling public.  Helmets are required of all riders at KVBC events.  In case of severe weather, scheduled rides may be postponed or designated as "show & go" rides at the discretion of the ride leader.  For ride updates and reports, check out the KVBC blog at http://postedroads.blogspot.com or follow us on Facebook.

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How Many Ponds in Eleven?

After a weekend of very wet weather we were finally able to get in a ride from Winslow on Monday, Juneteenth. Mostly cloudy - but dry! - and we did see some sun, and the roads were in fine shape.  Many thanks to Steve for leading and being flexible in rescheduling his ride, and to everyone who turned out on a Monday morning.  We are supposed to see warmer weather and the beginning of Summer this week as we plan for our last club ride in June on Saturday in West Mt. Vernon.  Hope to see you there!

Saturday, June 24 - WEST MOUNT VERNON

"Eleven Ponds" - a tour past many of the hidden ponds and lakes in Mount Vernon, Fayette, Chesterville, and Vienna.

START:  9:00 AM, at the boat landings on Echo Lake and Taylor Pond on Rt. 41 at the junction of Sandy River Road; the nearest street address is 1156 ME-41. There is a bridge and a dam and a free-standing brick chimney as landmarks. Park in either boat landing lot on opposite sides of the road.

DISTANCE:  14 and 29 miles.

TERRAIN:  Rolling with a few good hills (and one memorable one).

HIGHLIGHTS:  rural back roads winding through many small ponds and lakes, and across the top of the Chesterville Esker.

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

LINK to RIDE MAP (Long): https://ridewithgps.com/routes/39591548

LINK to RIDE MAP (Short): https://ridewithgps.com/routes/39591616

 

Kennebec Valley Bicycle Club rides are open to members and to the cycling public.  Helmets are required of all riders at KVBC events.  In case of severe weather, scheduled rides may be postponed or designated as "show & go" rides at the discretion of the ride leader.  For ride updates and reports, check out the KVBC blog at http://postedroads.blogspot.com or follow us on Facebook.

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Esker Me Anything

We had a nice, clear late-spring day for our ride Monday from Readfield - much warmer and sunnier than the regularly scheduled ride on Sunday.  The route was very pretty, traffic was modest perhaps due to the holiday, and though it was breezy we actually had some impressive tailwinds.  Our thanks to Lydia for rescheduling and leading on short notice!  This Saturday we will venture out of West Mount Vernon past many scenic ponds, over some challenging hills, and across the remarkably flat Chesterville Esker.  Hope you can join us!

Saturday, June 25 - WEST MOUNT VERNON

"Eleven Ponds" - a tour past many of the hidden ponds and lakes in Mount Vernon, Fayette, Chesterville, and Vienna.

START:  9:00 AM, at the boat landings on Echo Lake and Taylor Pond on Rt. 41 at the junction of Sandy River Road; the nearest street address is 1156 ME-41. There is a bridge and a dam and a free-standing brick chimney as landmarks. Park in either boat landing lot on opposite sides of the road.

DISTANCE:  14 and 29 miles.  Long route has approx. 1/4 mile of gravel surface.

TERRAIN:  Rolling with a few good hills (and one memorable one).

HIGHLIGHTS:  rural back roads winding through many small ponds and lakes, and across the top of the Chesterville Esker.

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

LINK to RIDE MAP (Long): https://ridewithgps.com/routes/39591548

LINK to RIDE MAP (Short): https://ridewithgps.com/routes/39591616

 

Kennebec Valley Bicycle Club rides are open to members and to the cycling public.  Helmets are required of all riders at KVBC events.  In case of severe weather, scheduled rides may be postponed or designated as "show & go" rides at the discretion of the ride leader.  For ride updates and reports, check out the KVBC blog at http://postedroads.blogspot.com or follow us on Facebook. 

The Esker Awaits

 

We had a very, VERY hot, toasty ride last Saturday to commemorate the KVBC's 20th year. It seems bizarre that we were riding in snow flurries just weeks ago, and now, in mid-May, hunting for shade when the trees haven't even filled out yet. Many thanks to those who braved the heat and turned out!  This Sunday we shift over to the shores of Parker Pond and the verdant Chesterville Esker, where hopefully there will be an abundance of shade and temperatures on the cooler side of 90 degrees.  A reminder: if you haven't filled out a current membership form for this year to send in with your dues, you still have to sign a release waiver before each ride until you do.  I will post the KVBC membership form this week and I will try to bring copies with me to each ride.  In addition to signed releases, please remember that helmets are required at all KVBC rides.  Thank you!  And see you Sunday!

Sunday, May 22 - CHESTERVILLE

"The Tour de Chesterville" - a tour around Chesterville, Farmington Falls, New Sharon and Vienna.

START: 9:00 am at the ride leader's home at 192 Hilltop Road (aka Hill Top or Hill-Top) in Chesterville. Please park along the roadside.

DISTANCE: 28 miles.

TERRAIN: flat to rolling with some significant hills.

HIGHLIGHTS: the scenic Chesterville Esker, Zion Hill, Cape Cod Hill, and a bunch of no-name hills. Possible post-ride get-together at the ride leader's house and/or enroute.

LEADER: John Lanoue, john.lanoue@avid.com.

LINK to ROUTE MAP: https://www.strava.com/routes/2821566370865323008

Gravel On

 We had another fine ride from Damariscotta to Pemaquid on Sunday. It was overcast and cool until the very end of the ride, but the views of surf pounding on the shoreline rocks and the quiet roads along the Pemaquid peninsula were delightful. This Sunday we will venture off-pavement for a (mostly) gravel ride from New Sharon exploring the back roads of Vienna and Chesterville.  The route can be done on 28mm tires, but be sure to bring bikes with good rubber, and given the recent rains, be prepared to negotiate some mud.  Even though we will be off in the woods away from civilization, please remember to bring masks, maintain pandemic distancing, and stay home if you are feeling sick.  Hope to see you Sunday!

Sunday, September 12 - NEW SHARON

"Sandy River Gravitas" - a mostly gravel ride on back roads around New Sharon, Vienna, and Chesterville.

START: 9:00 am at the New Sharon Town Office on School St. near the junction of Rt. 2 and Rt.134 in New Sharon. Park in the gravel area behind the town office (not in front of the fire station).

DISTANCE: 20 miles, approx. 12.5 gravel and 7.5 pavement.

TERRAIN: varied with some moderate climbs and fast descents.

HIGHLIGHTS: a sampling of local gravel roads, ranging from delightful to decrepit, and lots of pre-Fall foliage up close. Paved alternatives abound to avoid some of the gravel.

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

LINK to ROUTE MAP: https://ridewithgps.com/routes/36359083

Eleven Plus Two

Last Sunday's ride from Gardiner to Bowdoinham was postponed due to heavy rain, despite the ride leader's best efforts to arrange a delayed start and an alternate route, and venturing out to the start in a downpour to check to see if anyone showed up. Thanks to Joe for his efforts - we hope to reschedule the ride later in the season. This Saturday we will gather in West Mount Vernon at "The Chimney" (a free-standing brick chimney from an old tannery - a local landmark) for an expanded version of the old Eleven (now Thirteen) Ponds route. Hope you can join us as we close out the month of July! Saturday, July 31st - WEST MOUNT VERNON "Thirteen Ponds" - a tour past many of the hidden ponds and lakes in Mount Vernon, Fayette, Chesterville, and Vienna. START: 9:00 AM, at the boat landings on Echo Lake and Taylor Pond on Rt. 41 at the junction of Sandy River Road; the nearest street address is 1156 ME-41. There is a bridge and a dam and a free-standing brick chimney as landmarks. Park in either boat landing lot on opposite sides of the road. DISTANCE: 13.5 and 36.5 miles. TERRAIN: Flat to rolling with a few good hills (and one memorable one). HIGHLIGHTS: rural back roads winding through many small ponds and lakes, and across the top of the Chesterville Esker. LEADER: Jim Merrick, hjmerrick@gmail.com, 293-3784. LINK to RIDE MAP (Long): https://www.gmap-pedometer.com/?r=7600572 or https://ridewithgps.com/routes/36840577 LINK to RIDE MAP (Short): https://www.gmap-pedometer.com/?r=7601045 Kennebec Valley Bicycle Club rides are open to members and to the cycling public. Helmets are required of all riders at KVBC events. In case of severe weather, scheduled rides may be postponed or designated as "show & go" rides at the discretion of the ride leader. For ride updates and reports, check out the KVBC blog at http://postedroads.blogspot.com or follow us on Facebook.

Hill Topping

We had a really nice ride out to the Nezinscot Farm on Sunday, with a near record turnout of 28 riders, about a half-dozen or so actually stayed on the planned route, but everyone got back OK and in good spirits. Thanks to all who came out and kept their cool in the face of going astray and dealing with hostile truckers (dealt with admirably, I should note).. With luck, we will have more fine riding in store for this Saturday in Chesterville. Please remember that we are still in an on-going pandemic, despite mixed signals from public health authorities, so keep up with social distancing and bring a mask for times when you can't (especially if you are still waiting on vaccination), and please stay home if you are feeling unwell. Hope to see you Saturday! Saturday, May 22 - CHESTERVILLE "There's No Place Like Home" - a tour around Chesterville, Farmington Falls, New Sharon and Vienna. START: 9:00 am at the ride leader's new home at 192 Hilltop Road (aka Hill Top or Hill-Top) in Chesterville. Please park along the roadside. DISTANCE: 28 miles. TERRAIN: flat to rolling with some significant hills. HIGHLIGHTS: the scenic Chesterville Esker, Zion Hill, Cape Cod Hill, and a bunch of no-name hills. Possible post-ride get-together at the ride leader's house. LEADER: John Lanoue, john.lanoue@avid.com. LINK to ROUTE MAP: https://www.strava.com/routes/2821566370865323008

Don't Grovel on Gravel

 

Fall has arrived with a sudden explosion of color!  We had some spectacular riding last weekend on Saturday in Livermore and Sunday in Norridgewock and Madison.  Our thanks to John, and Brian & Denise, for leading  a pair of great rides.  We are going to kick off October with a (mostly) gravel ride from New Sharon exploring the back roads of Vienna and Chesterville.  The route can be done on 28mm tires, but be sure to bring bikes with good rubber.  Even though we will be off in the woods away from civilization, please remember to bring masks, maintain pandemic distancing, and stay home if you are feeling sick.  Hope to see you Saturday!

Saturday, October 3rd - NEW SHARON

"Sandy River Gravitas" - a mostly gravel ride on back roads around New Sharon, Vienna, and Chesterville.

START: 9:00 am at the junction of Rt. 2 and Rt.134 in New Sharon. Park along the old bridge access road (now a dead end) that parallels Rt. 2. Additional parking a short distance up Rt. 134 at the Congregational Church.

DISTANCE: 20 miles, approx. 12.5 gravel and 7.5 pavement.

TERRAIN: varied with some moderate climbs and fast descents.

HIGHLIGHTS: a sampling of local gravel roads, ranging from delightful to decrepit, and lots of Fall foliage up close. Paved alternatives abound to avoid some of the gravel.

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

LINK to ROUTE MAP: https://www.gmap-pedometer.com/?r=7528273

One Summer Solstice, Eleven Ponds

We had a record turnout and a superb ride last Sunday from Jefferson around Damariscotta Lake, with great weather and spectacular views, and fields full of lupines. Our thanks to Bryan and Holly for another great ride. The weather is heating up as summer officially approaches (5:44pm Saturday) and our first ride of the summer will be on Sunday, starting at a new location in West Mount Vernon. In case you have forgotten, we are still contending with a pandemic, so please remember to maintain distancing, bring a mask and use it in close quarters especially if you have to stop at a store, and stay home if you are feeling sick. Hope to see you Sunday!

Sunday, June 21st - WEST MOUNT VERNON

"Eleven Ponds" - a tour past many of the hidden ponds and lakes in Mount Vernon, Fayette, Chesterville, and Vienna.

START:  9:00 AM, at the boat landings on Echo Lake and Taylor Pond on Rt. 41 at the junction of Sandy River Road; the nearest street address is 1156 ME-41. There is a bridge and a dam and a free-standing brick chimney as landmarks. Park in either boat landing lot on opposite sides of the road.

DISTANCE:  14 and 29 miles.

TERRAIN:  Rolling with a few good hills (and one memorable one).

HIGHLIGHTS:  rural back roads winding through many small ponds and lakes, and across the top of the Chesterville Esker.

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

LINK to RIDE MAP: https://www.gmap-pedometer.com/?r=7490421

 

Kennebec Valley Bicycle Club rides are open to members and to the cycling public.  Helmets are required of all riders at KVBC events.  In case of severe weather, scheduled rides may be postponed or designated as "show & go" rides at the discretion of the ride leader.  For ride updates and reports, check out the KVBC blog at http://postedroads.blogspot.com or follow us on Facebook.

Property Pedal Tour with the Kennebec Land Trust

We had a superb ride from Brunswick to Cundy's Harbor last Sunday, with great scenery and an impressive turnout with really fine weather (turned out not as hot along the coast). We did have some adventure amidst the unmarked gravel roadways out on Cundy's Point, but everyone got back safely, and we had a great lunch stop at Wild Oats in Brunswick. Many thanks to Ken Louis for adapting the ride for us! This week we will explore many of the local conservation areas of the Kennebec Land Trust, expanding on the loops of the KVBC Eleven Ponds Ride. The KLT sponsors this free tour to publicize and promote their worthy conservation efforts - and they appreciate support in the form of new memberships. Hope you can join us!

Saturday, June 17 - FAYETTE

"Kennebec Land Trust Property Pedal" - a tour of some of the most scenic conservation properties of the Kennebec Land Trust.

START: 9 am at the KLT field at the corner of Sandy River Road and Fellows Farm Road in Fayette (see maps below).

DISTANCES: 13 and 35 miles.

TERRAIN: moderately hilly to hilly.

HIGHLIGHTS: scenic back roads of Fayette, Chesterville, Vienna, and Mount Vernon (with Readfield and Wayne added on the long route) passing by many conservation properties of the Kennebec Land Trust.

LEADERS: Jim Floyd, jimfloyd@fairpoint.net, and Jim Merrick, hjmerrick@gmail.com.

LINK To KLT Event Poster: https://drive.google.com/file/d/0B-cWvb4-ULeJRTdsdXlJV0FVaWc/view?usp=sharing

35-mile Route Map: http://gmap-pedometer.com/?r=7083577

13-mile Route Map: http://gmap-pedometer.com/?r=7083585

Ponds and Eskers

Weather is warming up nicely for August - with some storms thrown in - but hopefully the weekends will stay clear.  Hope everyone had a great ride last Sunday from Farmington to Industry, and thanks again to Larry Childs for leading.  This Sunday we will return to Mount Vernon for a nice flat ride along the Chesterville Esker, with some significant hills and downhills before and after!  We may regroup after the ride at the Post Office Cafe in Mount Vernon Village.  Hope you can join us!

Sunday, August 9th - MOUNT VERNON

"Eleven Ponds" - a tour past many of the hidden ponds and lakes in Mount Vernon, Fayette, Chesterville, and Vienna.

START:  9:00 AM, Mount Vernon Post Office, just off Rt. 41 on Main Street in Mount Vernon.

DISTANCE:  14 and 29 miles.

TERRAIN:  Rolling with a few good hills (and one memorable one).

HIGHLIGHTS:  rural back roads winding through many small ponds and lakes, and across the top of the Chesterville Esker.  Possible post-ride get-together at the cafe in Mt. Vernon village.

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

BCM CALENDAR LINK: http://www.bikemaine.org/event2/kvbc-eleven-ponds

 

Kennebec Valley Bicycle Club rides are open to members and to the cycling public.  Helmets are required of all riders at KVBC events.  In case of severe weather, scheduled rides may be postponed or designated as "show & go" rides at the discretion of the ride leader.  For ride updates and reports, follow us on Facebook.

Eleven Ponds, Three (or more) Hills

Finally, June has brought us some warm cycling weather!  It actually got a bit hot on Leanne's splendid "Tour of the Back 40" Saturday in Windsor, but the scenery on the ride is so spectacular, who could complain?  Many thanks to Leanne who had good luck with the weather for once. Sunday we will meet at the post office in the village of Mount Vernon, as we head out to Fayette and Chesterville for a nice ride along the Chesterville Esker (a really pretty route if you haven't ridden it yet).  Looks like we might have some nice weather for a stretch.  See you Sunday!  For all those doing the Trek this weekend, Bon Route! 

Sunday, June 15 - MOUNT VERNON

"Eleven Ponds" - a tour past many of the hidden ponds and lakes in Mount Vernon, Fayette, Chesterville, and Vienna.

START:  9:00 AM, Mount Vernon Post Office, just off Rt. 41 on Main Street in Mount Vernon.

DISTANCE:  14 and 29 miles.

TERRAIN:  Rolling with a few good hills (and one memorable one).

HIGHLIGHTS:  rural back roads winding through many small ponds and lakes, and across the top of the Chesterville Esker.  Possible post-ride get-together at the cafe in Mt. Vernon village.

LEADER:  Jim Merrick, hjmerrick@gmail.com.

Kennebec Valley Bicycle Club rides are open to members and to the cycling public.  Helmets are required of all riders at KVBC events.  In case of severe weather, scheduled rides may be postponed or designated as "show & go" rides at the discretion of the ride leader.  For ride updates and reports, follow us on Facebook.

 

Fall Foliage Bike & Hike

Norcross Hill, Mount Vernon

We had a very scenic ride last Saturday around Wayne, Leeds, and Monmouth on the Tour de Lacs.  Lots of great views and Fall foliage.  Many thanks to the ride originator, Ray Giglio, who was unable to join us - Get Well Ray!  There is still a lot of Fall cycling in store, so this Sunday we will reprise the Mount Vernon ride, featuring the Chesterville Esker - the roads that were torn up earlier this summer have been repaved, and the route should be much improved (promise!).  Jeanine has also offered to lead a short hike in the Kennebec Highlands following the ride to fully take in the seasonal foliage.  Bring along some trail climbing shoes.  See you Sunday!

 

Sunday, October 20th - MOUNT VERNON

"Fall foliage bike & hike" - a bike tour past many of the hidden ponds and lakes in Mount Vernon, Fayette, Chesterville, and Vienna; and a scenic hike in the Kennebec Highlands.

START:  9:00 AM, Mount Vernon Post Office, just off Rt. 41 on Main Street in Mount Vernon.

DISTANCE:  14 and 29 miles.

TERRAIN:  Rolling with a few good hills.

HIGHLIGHTS:  rural back roads winding through many small ponds and lakes, and across the top of the Chesterville Esker at near peak foliage.  Optional post-ride hike up Round Top or French's Mountain in the nearby Kennebec Highlands.  Possible get-together afterwards at the cafe in Mt. Vernon village.

LEADERS:  Jim Merrick and Jeanine Libby.

 

Kennebec Valley Bicycle Club rides are open to members and to the cycling public.  Helmets are required of all riders at KVBC events.  In case of severe weather, scheduled rides may be postponed or designated as "show & go" rides at the discretion of the ride leader.  For ride updates and reports, follow the KVBC blog or check out our Facebook page.

From Lakes to Ponds

Along the Chesterville Esker

We managed to dodge the raindrops last Saturday in Winthrop, and we had a fine ride thanks to Denise.  It was a great route, with great company, and great timing.  Since then we've had quite a few more raindrops, but if you're one of those who have been watching the puddles in your yard turn into ponds, we've got a ride for you! Please join us in Mount Vernon this Sunday to count ponds and have fun on multiple 50 mph descents (there are potentially three, road conditions permitting).  Whether that has any benefit to cardio-vascular training I'll leave for experts to judge.  I've been informed that this ride has 3,230 feet of climbing (by one rider's electronic calculations) and there are several 15% grades (short ones, though) on Sandy River Road.  The ride also has some unique scenery, with a delightful (and flat) run along the Chesterville Esker - a good part of the route was laid out by glacier!  We may also get together after the ride at the cafe in Mount Vernon.

Sunday, June 10th - MOUNT VERNON

"Eleven Ponds" - a tour past many of the hidden ponds and lakes in Mount Vernon, Fayette, Chesterville, and Vienna.

START:  9:00 AM, Mount Vernon Post Office, just off Rt. 41 on Main Street in Mount Vernon.

DISTANCE:  14 and 29 miles.

TERRAIN:  Rolling with a few good hills.

HIGHLIGHTS:  rural back roads winding through many small ponds and lakes, and across the top of the Chesterville Esker.  Possible post-ride get-together at the cafe in Mt. Vernon village.

LEADER:  Jim Merrick.