A Chance of Chainrings

We had great weather for the KVBC ride from Wayne on Sunday. Bright blue, cloudless skies with lots of sunshine which enhanced the many views of lakes, rivers, and hillsides. To top it off, we stopped at the Nezinscot Farm store and cafe on Open Farm Day. It was great to see some familiar faces, too! This Saturday we will return to Chelsea for a newly modified route over some of the best cycling roads in the Sheepscot River Valley. Hope to see you Saturday! Saturday, August 1 - CHELSEA "Chelsea Chainrings" - a rural tour through the rolling hills and farms of Chelsea, Whitefield, Pittston and Randolph. START: 9:00 am, at the Chelsea Town Office, 560 Togus Rd, Rt. 226 DISTANCE: about 30 miles TERRAIN: rolling hills. HIGHLIGHTS: lots of scenic rural roads in and around the scenic Sheepscot River Valley. LEADER: Fred McKinley, mkinleyf@gmail.com LINK to ROUTE MAP: https://connect.garmin.com/modern/activity/23708923699

August Rides

Here is the KVBC ride line-up for August! Spread the word: lots of great riding ahead! And don't forget this Sunday's ride in Wayne! See you on the road...

Great Scot, Nezinscot!

We had a fine ride last Saturday around Palermo despite the rather cloudy weather. The roads were in good shape, including some sections of new pavement, and they stayed dry as the afternoon rains held off. We also welcomed a number of newcomers who added to a great turnout. Thanks to Paul for leading and to everyone who rode! This Sunday we will meet in Wayne for a ride out through Turner and Leeds with a potential stop at the popular Nezinscot Farm Store. Hope you can join us! Sunday, July 26 - WAYNE "A Nezinscot Necessary" - a tour across the Androscoggin to the Nezinscot, through Wayne, Turner and Leeds. START: 9:00 am at the Wayne Elementary School on 48 Pond Road. DISTANCE: 30 miles. TERRAIN: some flat, some hilly. HIGHLIGHTS: scenic riversheds and ridgetop views, Androscoggin Riverlands State Park, and an optional stop at the Nezinscot Farm Store. LEADER: Jim Merrick, 293-3784, hjmerrick@gmail.com. LINK to ROUTE MAP: https://ridewithgps.com/routes/56041546

Montville the Pale

We had a near perfect day for our ride from Damariscotta to Pemaquid on Saturday. Beautiful sunshine, spectacular coastlines, great sea breezes, and more! Many thanks to David for leading us! This Saturday we will head out to Liberty and Palermo for a ride featuring options up Appleton Ridge and a possible post-ride stop at a renowned local ice cream parlor. Hope you can join us! Saturday, July 18 - LIBERTY "Palermo, Beyond the Pale" - an adventurous ride through Liberty, Palermo, Appleton and Searsmont. START: 9:30 am at the parking lot of ReVision Energy on Rt. 3 near the Liberty/Montville line, about a half mile east of the junction of Rt.s 3 & 220 (about 1.5 miles past the entrance to Liberty State Park). ReVision Energy is on the left, east-bound. DISTANCE: 31 or 34 miles. TERRAIN: rolling to hilly; the Appleton Ridge option is partially unpaved. HIGHLIGHTS: exceptional rural back roads and small hamlets, including the option of traversing Appleton Ridge with its spectacular vistas. Possible post-ride stop at John's Ice Cream in Liberty. LEADER: Paul Mitnik, pjmejm@gmail.com. LINK to ROUTE MAP: https://connect.garmin.com/modern/course/484177261 https://ridewithgps.com/routes/36795930 LINK to ROUTE MAP with Appleton Ridge Option: https://connect.garmin.com/modern/course/484176802 https://ridewithgps.com/routes/36795947

Pemaquid by the Sea

We had a rather hot ride from Sidney on the Fourth of July. The worst of the heat wave had passed but we were still seeking shelter in the shade where we could find it. The worst of the predicted air quality (wildfire smoke from out west) also held off, except for one ill-mannered truck driver who tried to "roll coal" on us in North Augusta. Otherwise we had great company and a great Fourth of July ride! If the heat is still getting you down, it should be a lot cooler along the coast, and fortuitously we will be riding down to Pemaquid on Saturday! Hope to see you then! Saturday, July 11; DAMARISCOTTA "To Pemaquid Point" - a tour through Bristol, Bremen, Pemaquid and Damariscotta. START: 9:30 AM at Hannaford's supermarket, 469 Main Street (Business Rt. 1) in Damariscotta. DISTANCE: approx. 39 miles. TERRAIN: Moderate to rolling with no major hills. HIGHLIGHTS: scenic roads within the Pemaquid Peninsula, fresh and salt water views abound. LEADER: David Lipman, davidlipman1948@gmail.com LINK TO RIDE MAP: https://ridewithgps.com/routes/37338970

July Rides

Here is the KVBC ride line up for July! Lots of fine riding ahead!

Go Forth on the Fourth

We had a fine ride from Manchester to Litchfield on Saturday. Despite predictions of clouds and possible showers, we had mostly clear skies, little wind, and mild temperatures. We also had a few newcomers which is most welcome! This Saturday we will have one of our traditional club rides in Sidney on the Fourth of July. The ride is in two parts, with the first half ending back at the start after 16 miles for those who have to cut the ride short for holiday gatherings; the rest of us will continue on for about 30 miles. Hope to see you Saturday, and if not, have a wonderful (and safe) holiday! Saturday, July 4, 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 2896 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. 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!