Not to be Bypassed

It was a great ride last Saturday around China Lake.  A fine group of 19 riders turned out in bright sunshine and good spirits, and we even found some tailwinds although we had to search for them.  Thanks again to Jeanine for another great ride!  This weekend we will shift over to Chesterville for the "Triple Bypass" (the local, homegrown one, not that one out in Colorado or wherever it is).  Hope you can join us!

Saturday, May 20 - CHESTERVILLE

"Triple Bypass" - an uplifting tour over three "hearty" climbs: Zion Hill, Cape Cod Hill, and Tower Road, in Chesterville, New Sharon, and Mount Vernon.

START: 9:00 am at 192 Hill Top Road in Chesterville; park along the side of the unpaved road.

DISTANCE: 29 miles

TERRAIN: pretty hilly, 2,200 feet of climbing

HIGHLIGHTS: some great hilltop views and fun descents

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

LINK to ROUTE MAP : https://www.strava.com/routes/3092157952958943100

 

All the Lakes in China

 

May has arrived with some much warmer weather, and we had a fine ride on Sunday from Jay to Livermore & Canton. The combination of clouds and winds made it feel cooler than forecast at times, but by the ride's end the thermometer was at 75 degrees.  Here's hoping for similar weather for Saturday's ride around China Lake.  Hope to see you then!

Saturday, May 13 - NORTH VASSALBORO

"Round About China Lake" - a bucolic tour around China Lake through Vassalboro & China.

START: 9:00 am at the North Vassalboro Town Office, 682 Main Street, Rt. 32.

DISTANCE: 25 miles.

TERRAIN: rolling with some hills.

HIGHLIGHTS: some delightful back roads and lakeside views with hidden histories.

LEADER: Jeanine Libby, jjlibby13@roadrunner.com

LINK to ROUTE MAP: https://www.mapmyride.com/routes/view/4348780987

We had a great turnout with nice weather for our ride over the Colby Loop on Saturday. The roads were in nice shape and the group managed to stay pretty much intact, despite some of the headwinds on the return.  Many thanks to Duncan for leading us!  We have made it into May, Bike Month, and we will start things off this Sunday in Jay for a ride along the Androscoggin.  Hope you can join us!

Sunday, May 7 - JAY

"May in Jay" - a scenic river ramble up and down the Androscoggin.

START: 9:30 am, Jay Plaza on Rt.4 near the junction of Rt.140. Park along the north end of the parking lot away from Hannaford's.

DISTANCE: 27 miles with a 37-mile option

TERRAIN: mostly flat with a few hills.

HIGHLIGHTS: scenic roads and farmland along the Androscoggin River, Norlands Living History Center, and an adventurous option.

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

LINK to ROUTE MAP: https://ridewithgps.com/routes/42704260

LINK to ROUTE MAP (Optional Loop): https://ridewithgps.com/routes/42734228 

 Here is the KVBC Ride Schedule for May - May is Bike Month!

Loopy Colby

We had fair weather for the Wake Up the Earth ride in Turner on Saturday. A bit cloudier and cooler than expected, but the roads were mostly in good shape, and the stop at the Nezinscot Farm store on Earth Day was a treat. This Saturday we will revisit a classic tour over the Colby Loop, starting at the same location as in pre-Covid days, although the location has since been transformed quite a bit, so we've included a drone's view of the ride start. Hope to see you there!

Saturday, April 29 - WATERVILLE

"Over the Colby Loop" - a classic circuit from Waterville to Oakland, Smithfield, and Norridgewock

START: 9:30 am at Colby College, visitor parking at the Lower Athletic Center Parking Lot, corner of Mayflower Hill and Campus Drive, adjacent to the new roundabout and across from the baseball field (see attached view).

DISTANCE: 34 miles.

TERRAIN: moderate with some hills

HIGHLIGHTS: scenic farmland, lakes and streams, and good roads with hopefully little traffic

LEADER: Duncan Tate, datateme@gmail.com

LINK to ROUTE MAP: https://www.gmap-pedometer.com/?r=7481935

LINK to GPS MAP: https://ridewithgps.com/routes/42640947

 

Earth Day Every Day!

 The abrupt onset of warm weather brought about a beautiful spring ride from Winslow last Saturday.  We had a fine turnout of 17 riders including some newcomers!  A number of folks went out and did some additional miles, while others gathered afterward for lunch at Big G's.  Many thanks to Jeanine for leading another great ride.  This weekend tops off Earth Week with our traditional "Wake Up the Earth" ride on Saturday in Turner.  We are hopeful that the forecast rains will hold off until later on Saturday, but if it is raining with temperatures in the 40s at the start we may postpone the ride.  Let's hope for good weather and we'll see you Saturday in Turner!

Saturday, April 22 - TURNER

"Wake Up the Earth" - an Earth Day ride celebrating the coming of Spring, parklands, local organic farm producers, and biking of course!

START: 10:30 am at the north parking lot of the Androscoggin Riverlands State Park on Center Bridge Road in Turner. Detailed directions (and a nifty downloadable map of the park) can be found on their website: https://www.maine.gov/cgi-bin/online/doc/parksearch/details.pl?park_id=98

DISTANCE: 22 or 24 miles

TERRAIN: moderate with several long hills

HIGHLIGHTS: a scenic ride along rivers and ridgetops through Turner and Leeds, celebrating Earth Week and the coming of Spring, with a stop at the Nezinscot Farm Store.

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

LINK to ROUTE MAP (longer): https://ridewithgps.com/routes/39005991

LINK to ROUTE MAP (shorter): https://ridewithgps.com/routes/39006194

For more information on the Kennebec Valley Bicycle Club, contact Jim at 293-3784, hjmerrick@gmail.com, find us on Facebook, or check out our blog at http://postedroads.blogspot.com.

How Big are Gs?

 

We had another fine ride last Saturday along the very smooth back roads of Windsor, China, and South Vassalboro.  Still rather blustery, but lots of good sunshine - and good company!. Many thanks to Paul for stepping up and offering a ride to get us out and about.  The weather is supposed to really warm up this week, just in time for our ride from Winslow on Saturday.  With any luck, we may be able to show up at Big Gs with bare knees (or those of us opting for a post-ride lunch). We may also have a collection of women's cycling kits to distribute before and after the ride.  Hope you can join us!

April 15th, Saturday - WINSLOW
"Big G's and Bare Knees" - a riverside tour through Winslow, Benton, and Clinton.
START: 11:00 AM at Winslow Elementary School, 285 Benton Avenue, Winslow.
DISTANCE: 25-30 miles.
TERRAIN: moderate.
HIGHLIGHTS: an early Spring ride along the Kennebec and Sebasticook rivers. Optional lunch stop at "Big G's" in Winslow.
LEADER: Jeanine Libby, jjlibby13@roadrunner.com.

LINK TO ROUTE MAP:  https://www.mapmyride.com/routes/view/4932699574