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.

Augusta, Scrambled, Poached, or Fried

We had a really nice ride on the Tour de Whitefield on Sunday. It was cloudy but cool, the rains held off, and we had some great food at the ride leaders' afterwards. Many thanks to the Griffins for another fine ride! This Saturday we will meet early for a mostly scenic 27-mile ride before enjoying a Capital Breakfast in Augusta. And don't forget: this Sunday is the BCM Lobster Ride at the Camden Snow Bowl - the last year that BCM will be organizing the ride. They are also looking for volunteers, if you would like to help out and take part in the food and festivities. Either way, hope to see you this Weekend!

Saturday, July 21st - AUGUSTA

"Capital Breakfast Ride" - a tour through the stately residential areas and outlying farms of our capital city.

START: 8:30 AM at the parking lot of the Hussey Elementary School on Quimby Street in Augusta. Quimby is right off Rt. 100 at the traffic light across from Auclair's Cycle heading north. The school is up the hill about a quarter mile on the left. 

DISTANCE: 27 miles. 

TERRAIN: moderate with a few hills.

HIGHLIGHTS: An optional breakfast stop at Rebecca's on Rt.17, some really fine touring roads east of the capital, some interesting and unexpected farm scenery - and did we mention breakfast?

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

LINK to RIDE MAP: https://www.gmap-pedometer.com/?r=7270679

 

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.

Firemen's Breakfast

The weather for both days this weekend is looking excellent, so we have added a ride in Readfield Saturday to take advantage of the Readfield Fire Department's annual Breakfast, which has a reputation for being really first-rate.  You don't have to take part in the breakfast (although you may regret it) as we will be starting the ride at 9 am just down the road at the Elementary School on South Road (not the Maranacook Schools on Rt 17).  Sunday's ride will be in Vassalboro - hope to see you this weekend!

Saturday, June 2 - READFIELD

"Firemen's Breakfast Ride" - a breakfast supporting First Respondors, followed by a ride through Readfield, Winthrop, Wayne, and Fayette.

START: 9 am at the Readfield Elementary School, 84 South Road. Breakfast is from 7 to 9 am before the ride at the Readfield Fire Dept. at 1154 Main Street in the center of Readfield.

DISTANCE: about 29 miles, may include a mile or more on gravel, which can probably be bypassed.

TERRAIN: flat to rolling.

HIGHLIGHTS: a pre-ride Firemen's Breakfast ($8) to benefit the local Fire Dept. and a tour of the many lakes and ponds in the area.

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

LINK to ROUTE MAP: https://www.gmap-pedometer.com/?r=7247828

And don't forget the KVBC Ride Sunday in Vassalboro:

Sunday, June 3rd - VASSALBORO

"Velo Vassalboro" - a scenic tour around the China Lake region

START:  9am  at the home of David and Laura Lipman.  Condo is after Natanis Golf Course on ARROWHEAD DRIVE off of Webber Pond Road heading north. (Not to be confused with Fairway Drive. Use Barrows Road on your GPS and we are the next road on the  left after that)  Please park after the garages in the large dirt parking lot after the condo buildings.

DISTANCE: approx. 19 or 31 miles

TERRAIN:  Moderate to Hilly

HIGHLIGHTS: Views of China Lake and Webber Pond,  gentleman farms and country homes along the Neck Road.   Stay afterwards for a light lunch and to socialize with fellow bikers.  Please RVSP to laura.lipman@roadrunner.com so Laura can get an idea of how many will be staying for lunch.

LEADER:  David Lipman, dlipman@lipmankatz.com

LINK TO RIDE MAP (2015): http://www.gmap-pedometer.com/?r=6796302

For more information on the Kennebec Valley Bicycle Club, contact Jim Merrick at 293-3784, hjmerrick@gmail.com, or check out our club blog, "Posted Roads" at http://postedroads.blogspot.com, or keep up to date via our Facebook page.

A GUSTAtorial Adventure

We had a terrific ride from Norridgewock on Sunday, exploring some roads that many of us had not ridden before. In keeping with tradition, we also had a fine hot dog roast after the ride - many thanks to Denise and Brian for hosting, and for the various culinary contributions by other riders. It was all greatly appreciated! This Saturday we will do breakfast, meeting in Augusta at the Hussey Elementary School at 8:30 am for a 27-mile ride through the rural side of Augusta and Chelsea, stopping at Rebecca's on Rt. 17. Should be a nice tune-up for those doing the BCM Lobster Ride on Sunday. Hope you can join us!

Saturday, July 22nd - AUGUSTA

"Capital Breakfast Ride" - a tour through the stately residential areas and outlying farms of our capital city.

START: 8:30 AM at the parking lot of the Hussey Elementary School on Quimby Street in Augusta. Quimby is right off Rt. 100 at the traffic light across from Auclair's Cycle heading north. The school is up the hill about a quarter mile on the left. 

DISTANCE: 27 miles. 

TERRAIN: moderate with a few hills.

HIGHLIGHTS: An optional breakfast stop at Rebecca's on Rt.17, some really fine touring roads east of the capital, new and intriguing routes - and did we mention breakfast?

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

LINK to RIDE MAP: http://www.gmap-pedometer.com/?r=6793245

LINK to BCM CALENDAR: http://www.bikemaine.org/event2/kvbc-capitol-breakfast-ride-2

 

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.

Capital, Capital!

We had another fine ride last Sunday from Wings Mills, cool and dry (despite threatening rain) and a great post-ride gathering at the ride leader's. Thanks to the Louis household for the ride and the best hot dogs in West Mount Vernon! This Saturday we will do breakfast in Augusta (note the 8:30 am start) following the ride, which is a great country tour on some superb back roads. Please note that we have switched rides the next two weeks from those scheduled in the early club calendar because the BCM Women's Ride is Sunday in Freeport, and we didn't want to create a conflict with the Mount Vernon ride which has now been rescheduled for Father's Day. We may have club jerseys by then! Lets hope for good weather on Saturday and we'll see you then!

Saturday, June 11th - AUGUSTA

"Capital Breakfast Ride" - a tour through the stately residential areas and outlying farms of our capital city.

START: 8:30 AM at the parking lot of the Hussey Elementary School on Quimby Street in Augusta.  Quimby is right off Rt. 100 at the traffic light across from Auclair's Cycle heading north; detailed directions here: http://www.augustaschools.org/schools/hussey_elementary_school/directions.php

DISTANCE: 27 miles.

TERRAIN: moderate with a few hills.

HIGHLIGHTS: An optional breakfast stop at Rebecca's on Rt.17, some really fine touring roads east of the capital, new and intriguing routes - and did we mention breakfast?

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

LINK to RIDE MAP: http://www.gmap-pedometer.com/?r=6793245

 

For more information on the Kennebec Valley Bicycle Club, contact Jim Merrick at 293-3784, hjmerrick@gmail.com, or follow us on Facebook.

Breakfast on the Kennebec

We had a great ride Sunday on Ken's Hot Dog Ride in Wings Mills.  We had 24 cyclists at the ride start - a new record for the ride, and possibly for the club as well!  The weather was again remarkable - in that regard, we seem to be on a roll of late.  Ken's route was scenic and varied, and the post-ride cookout was lots of fun.  Our thanks to Louis household for their hospitality in opening up their home for the club, and for being great hosts.  Join us this Saturday in Augusta (note the 8 am start) for a breakfast ride over the back roads of the capital.  And for those of you doing the Trek, Bonne Route!

Saturday, June 20th - AUGUSTA

"Capital Breakfast Ride" - a tour through the stately residential areas and outlying farms of our capital city.

START: 8:00 AM at the parking lot of the Hussey Elementary School on Quimby Street in Augusta.  Quimby is right off Rt. 100 at the traffic light across from Auclair's Cycle heading north; detailed directions here: http://www.augustaschools.org/schools/hussey_elementary_school/directions.php

DISTANCE: 27 miles.

TERRAIN: moderate with a few hills.

HIGHLIGHTS: An optional breakfast stop (TBD), some really fine touring roads east of the capital, new and intriguing routes - and did we mention breakfast?

LEADER: Jim Merrick, hjmerrick@gmail.com.

BCM Calendar link: http://www.bikemaine.org/event2/kvbc-capitol-breakfast-ride

 

For more information on the Kennebec Valley Bicycle Club, contact Jim Merrick hjmerrick@gmail.com, or follow us on Facebook.

Ride Leaders Wanted.

RIDE LEADERS WANTED. (Photo courtesy Boston Public Library, Leslie Jones Collection.)

We have some open dates in the KVBC Ride Calendar coming up, but first some additional info on this Saturday's Capitol Breakfast Ride in Augusta:

The ride will be arrowed - the arrows are straight blue arrows with a horizontal base. Post-ride breakfast options in the vicinity are Lisa's Restaurant at 15 Bangor Street: http://www.lisasrestaurantandcatering.com/ or Rebecca's Place at 434 Eastern Ave. (Rt. 17): http://www.rebeccasrestaurant.net/. Does anyone have a preference or a recommendation? Last year we stopped at Rebecca's, which is a little bit off the route. Here again is the ride info for Saturday's ride (weather looks nice!):

Saturday, July 19th - AUGUSTA
"Capitol Breakfast Ride" - a tour through the stately residential areas and outlying farms of our capitol city.
START: 8:00 AM at the parking lot of the Hussey Elementary School on Quimby Street in Augusta. Quimby is right off Rt. 100 at the traffic light across from Auclair's Cycle heading north; detailed directions here: http://www.augustaschools.org/schools/hussey_elementary_school/directions.php
DISTANCE: 27 miles, arrowed.
TERRAIN: moderate with a few hills.
HIGHLIGHTS: An optional breakfast stop (TBD), some really fine touring roads east of the capitol, new and intriguing routes - and did we mention breakfast?
LEADER: Jim Merrick, hjmerrick@gmail.com.

RIDE LEADERS WANTED. We have openings coming up in August, as we have had to cancel the scheduled Blueberry Metric in Wilton on August 2 due to unforeseen logistical problems associated with the Blueberry Festival parade. The open dates are: Aug. 2 or 3, 9 or 10, and 30 or 31. If you can lead a ride on any of those weekends please let me know. Looking ahead to September, the open dates are Sept. 6 or 7, and 20 or 21. In October we have openings on Oct. 4 or 5, 18 or 19, and 24 or 25. So far we have had a great season of riding and I hope we can continue right into the fall. If you have a ride you would like to lead or help lead, let me know at hjmerrick@gmail.com. And hope to see you Saturday!

A Capitol Breakfast

Just exceptional weather this past weekend, and lots of great cycling opportunities.  While Leanne stepped forward to lead the KVBC ride from So. China (Thanks, Leanne!) I opted to "Make mine Moxie" and ventured down to Lisbon Falls to check out the 1st Moxie Bike Rally - nice route, well marked, but not so well attended, perhaps due to it being the first.  The only rider I recognized was Scott Bennington, who I ran into at the rest stop.  The organizers will no doubt get over their "learning curve" and it may become a popular event.  This Saturday's ride will have additional opportunities including breakfast in Augusta after the ride, which is a really nice route on some first rate roads east of the Kennebec, originally laid out by Connie Brown.  We have some options for breakfast, to be determined when we get together Saturday.  This will be an arrowed route in case you can't make the 8 am start - but we hope you can ride with us!

Saturday, July 19th - AUGUSTA

"Capitol Breakfast Ride" - a tour through the stately residential areas and outlying farms of our capitol city.

START: 8:00 AM at the parking lot of the Hussey Elementary School on Quimby Street in Augusta.  Quimby is right off Rt. 100 at the traffic light across from Auclair's Cycle heading north; detailed directions here: http://www.augustaschools.org/schools/hussey_elementary_school/directions.php 

DISTANCE: 27 miles, arrowed.

TERRAIN: moderate with a few hills.

HIGHLIGHTS: An optional breakfast stop (TBD), some really fine touring roads east of the capitol, new and intriguing routes - and did we mention breakfast?

LEADER: Jim Merrick.

For more information on the Kennebec Valley Bicycle Club, contact Jim Merrick at hjmerrick@gmail.com, or follow us on Facebook.

Livermore & the Single Chainring Tour

Heading Toward Chesterville on Valley Road

After our fine ride last Saturday from Gardiner to Bowdoinham (thanks, Joe!) this Saturday we will fill in an open date in the calendar with another great ride in Livermore through Leeds and Fayette - 25 miles, with an optional longer loop of about 41 miles, traversing the entire Chesterville Esker, out and back, as well as a extension into North Chesterville.  All of it on rather flat terrain, and the route has some great local eateries along the way, scoped out by the ride's originator, Frank Rosen.  Breakfast at the Lunch Pad restaurant is also optional: it's a nice little seasonal diner and ice cream shop - yep, you're covered pre- and post-ride - Frank thinks of everything.  We'd like to encourage those of our members who haven't ridden with us yet this year to come on out and join us.  Frank has moved to more temperate climes in Pennsylvania (everybody says "Hi" Frank!) so he's excused, but we'd like to see everyone else on Saturday!

Saturday, August 3rd - LIVERMORE

"Single Chainring Tour" - an exploration of the flatlands from Livermore to Leeds, through Fayette to the Chesterville Esker.

START: 8:30 AM at the Lunch Pad Restaurant (7:30 am if you want to join us for breakfast) at the junction of Rt.17 and Rt. 133 (Park Street) in Livermore, where Rt. 17 N comes into a "T" intersection just before downtown Livermore Falls.  Park in the Footware parking lot next to the diner.  We may have to shift parking into the nearby town park if the store is open, but we will figure that all out before the ride starts.

DISTANCE: 25 or 41 miles.

TERRAIN: mostly moderate with no big hills.

HIGHLIGHTS: Breakfast, beautiful roads and a nice flat run along the scenic Chesterville Esker.

LEADER: Jim Merrick, hjmerrick@gmail.com.
 

For More information on the Kennebec Valley Bicycle Club, check out our Facebook page!

Breakfast on 17

Heading up Rt. 201 to North Augusta

Despite some stormy weather forecast, a sizable group of diehards gathered at 8 am at the Hussey Elementary School in Augusta on June 23rd for the promise of a bike ride and the prospect of breakfast - enough to trump any forecast. The route took us out through residential neighborhoods and up Rt. 201 towards North Augusta. Normally busy during the week, traffic was quite calm early on a Saturday morning, and the wide shoulder made it easy to avoid any irregular pavement and broken glass.

No Traffic, Wide Shoulder

The route was copied from the original, designed by Connie Brown, who was unable to make the ride this year. I saw no reason to change any part of the route, although since I got lost on the ride the year before (and I can get lost just about anywhere, anytime) I decided to leave nothing to chance and went out and arrowed the route. I have been on an arrowing kick since I learned of the passing of the legendary Dan Henry, the patron saint of bicycle route marking, earlier this year in March. And I found some great paint cheap at Marden's.

One of Many Long Stretches

We soon left the numbered route and headed east on Stevens Road to Church Hill Road - both with nice, long stretches of low traffic and distant hills.

Climbing up Rt. 3 in Formation

To work up an appetite for breakfast the route took us up some long hills on Rt. 3, where we had to contend with some traffic, but once again had a wide shoulder to ride on. After a few miles we turned off onto Bolton Hill Road where we had a nice long descent.

A Back Road in Chelsea

Remarkably, most of the route, as rural as it was, remained within the city limits of Augusta with a short section in neighboring Chelsea. For a good part of the way we managed to stay together as a group until towards the end of the ride when we began to spread out. Plans were to detour up Rt. 17 for breakfast at Rebecca's Place, but the prospect of thunderstorms convinced many to simply return to the start.

 Rebecca's, as it turned out, was OK, but it definitely wasn't as nice as Connie's. If breakfast wasn't the highlight of the trip, the ride getting there certainly was. A Capitol ride in every respect.

Augusta, Arrowed

Riding past Augusta Farms

It's not often we get a string of great riding days in a row, and that it should fall on the Trek Weekend is really quite special.  We had a great ride from Kents Hill on Saturday, "Bloomsday," which seemed appropriate since our ride leaders, Ray & Jane Giglio, are soon to be off for a tour in the land of Joyce, where the weather can be even more fickle than it is here.  The weather on Saturday's ride was a lot dryer by Irish standards, but it was still rather cool and even clouded up a bit before the sun came out to stay.  Our thanks to Ray & Jane and best wishes on their trip.  As for the rest of us, the weather continues to look just splendid, and this Saturday we will meet at the Hussey Elementary School in Augusta at 8 AM for a "Capitol Breakfast."  This will be an arrowed ride, covering a beautiful route originally laid out by Connie Brown, who unfortunately can't make it this year.  Our optional breakfast stop will be at Rebecca's Place, at about 24 miles into the ride.  Those of you who rode the Trek and haven't had your fill of riding and eating, feel free to join us!

Saturday, June 23rd - AUGUSTA

"Capitol Breakfast Ride" - a tour through the stately residential areas and outlying farms of our capitol city.

START: 8:00 AM at the parking lot of the Hussey Elementary School on Quimby Street in Augusta.  Quimby is right off Rt. 100 at the traffic light across from Auclair's Cycle heading north; detailed directions here: http://www.augustaschools.org/schools/hussey_elementary_school/directions.htm

DISTANCE: 27 miles, arrowed.

TERRAIN: moderate with a few hills.

HIGHLIGHTS: An optional breakfast stop at Rebecca's Place, some really fine touring roads east of the capitol, new and intriguing routes - and did we mention breakfast?

LEADER: Jim Merrick.

Breakfast in Livermore

Heading Towards Leeds

We had a really first rate ride along the Sheepscot River last Saturday.  Leanne put together a great route, taking us over some challenging terrain and some beautiful roads that I, for one, had never ridden down before.  The weather could not have been nicer.  It felt like the first ride of summer - definitely the first ride to break out the sunscreen - and we had a great group.  The ride had just about everything: we had sunshine, blue skies, art, country stores, metal sculpture, dams, alwives, llamas, prosperous dairy farms, and Cow Shit Corner (with everything, you get everything).  Our thanks again to Leanne for leading a great ride.  This Saturday, kick off your Memorial Day weekend with an adventure from Livermore to Leeds, as well as a great run along the Chesterville Esker.  Come early, and we'll have breakfast!

Saturday, May 26th - LIVERMORE

"Single Chainring Tour" - an exploration of the flatlands from Livermore to Leeds, through Fayette to the Chesterville Esker.

START: 8:30 AM at the Lunch Pad Restaurant (7:30 am if you want to join us for breakfast) at the junction of Rt.17 and Rt. 133 (Park Street) in Livermore, where Rt. 17 N comes into a "T" intersection just before downtown Livermore Falls.  Park in the Footware parking lot next to the diner.

DISTANCE: about 25 miles.

TERRAIN: mostly moderate with no big hills.

HIGHLIGHTS: Breakfast, beautiful roads and a nice flat run along the scenic Chesterville Esker.

LEADER: Jim Merrick.

A Capital Breakfast

We had a fine ride around Cobbossee Lake led by Cynthia Snow last June 11th. Despite another so-so forecast, eleven people showed up and were rewarded with a great ride. Many thanks to Cynthia!

I wasn't quite so lucky, as I was off in Vermont attempting two back-to-back centuries in the cold and rain. There was some great Vermont scenery, even wet as it was, but the Vermont roads have really taken a beating since the last time I was there. Their roads may even be worse than some of ours now, sorry to say, but still worth a trip.

Next Saturday's ride will be in Augusta, and it will include breakfast on the agenda! If you plan to come, please R.S.V.P. to Connie, the ride leader, ahead of time, so she can get an idea of the head count for breakfast after the ride. In year's past this event has been really well received, and you wouldn't want to miss it!

Saturday, June 25th - AUGUSTA

"Capital Breakfast Ride" - a tour through the streets and past the features of our capital city.

START: 8:00 AM at the parking lot of the Hussey Elementary School on Quimby Street in Augusta. Quimby is right off Rt. 100 at the traffic light across from Auclair's Cycle heading north; detailed directions here: http://www.augustaschools.org/schools/hussey_elementary_school/directions.htm

DISTANCE: 25 miles.

TERRAIN: moderate with some flat stretches riverside.

HIGHLIGHTS: breakfast, the capital, the Kennebec close up, new and intriguing routes - and did we mention breakfast?

LEADER: Connie Brown. Please R.S.V.P. if you plan to ride, so we can get a good head count for breakfast. Thanks!