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!

To See the Cobbossee

Despite some questionable weather we managed to get in a club ride from Richmond to Wiscasset on Saturday. In amidst sun and clouds we had considerable wind, a few sprinkles and some drizzle, but for the most part the roads were dry, the prospect of rain never materialized, and we had a nice stop at Treats in Wiscasset. Thanks to David for putting the ride together, and to everyone, including some newcomers, for turning out! Summer has officially arrived, and we will kick it off this weekend in Manchester for one of our popular routes around Cobbosseecontee Lake and a possible ice cream stop at the end. Hope you can join us! Saturday, June 27th - MANCHESTER "A Cobbossee Odyssey": a tour around Cobbosseecontee Lake. START: 9:00 A.M., at the parking lot on McArdle Street, just off Rt. 202W past the junction of Rt. 202 & Rt.17, between the Manchester Grange Hall and Fielders' Choice Ice Cream Stand. The parking lot is the first right after you turn on McArdle Street. DISTANCE: 28.8 miles. TERRAIN: rolling with some challenging hills. HIGHLIGHTS: views of Cobbossee Lake, back roads of Winthrop, Manchester, West Gardiner, Litchfield, and Monmouth, and a potential ice cream stop conveniently at the end! LEADER: Jim Merrick, hjmerrick@gmail.com Link to Ride Map: https://ridewithgps.com/routes/39591667 For more info on the Kennebec Valley Bicycle Club contact Jim Merrick at hjmerrick@gmail.com, check out the club blog at http://postedroads.blogspot.com, or follow us on Facebook.

Richmond to the Sea

We had quite a few ups and downs on our ride from Chesterville last Saturday. But the weather was superb, the roads were dry, and we had a fine turnout. Many thanks to John for leading, and for introducing us to the Root Down Market in New Sharon, a new old stop! This Saturday we will gather in Richmond at the boat landing for our march to the sea, not to mention potential "Treats" in store in Wiscasset! See you Saturday! Saturday, June 20th - RICHMOND "Wheeling to Wiscasset" - a tour along the river through Richmond, Dresden, and Wiscasset. START: 9 AM at the public landing in Richmond (also known as Fort Richmond Park) at 315 Front Street (Rt.24). Park in the public lot next to the landing. DISTANCE: approx. 35-40 miles. TERRAIN: moderate with one or two significant hills. HIGHLIGHTS: scenic views along the river and Wiscasset, with a possible stop at Treats in Wiscasset. LEADER: David Lipman, davidlipman1948@gmail.com LINK to RIDE MAP: https://ridewithgps.com/routes/37008486

Don't Bypass the Bypass

We had cloudy, overcast skies and occasional sprinkles for our ride from Jefferson on Saturday, but the rain held off and the lupines were out in force! The post-ride stop for ice cream nearby was also appreciated! This week's ride will set out from Chesterville over several of the significant hills separating Kennebec and Franklin Counties with lots of great roads in between. Hope you can join us! Saturday, June 13 - 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 the Sand Pond parking area in Chesterville. Follow Borough Road west from its junction with Zion Hill Road for about 1.5 miles and turn right on Sand Pond Road (may be unmarked). The parking area by the beach is about .7 mi down Sand Pond Road with a turnout on the left. See route map below for additional detail. DISTANCE: 32 miles TERRAIN: pretty hilly, 2,270 feet of climbing HIGHLIGHTS: some great hilltop views and fun descents, possible mid-ride stop at the Root Down Market in New Sharon. LEADER: John Lanoue, johnlanoue@hotmail.com LINK to ROUTE MAP: https://ridewithgps.com/routes/55537223

Bring Out Your Lupines

Sunday's weather turned out to be much better than Saturday's for our hastily rescheduled ride from Vassalboro yesterday. We had a fine turnout and enjoyed blue skies and sunshine as well as some great roads. Many thanks to David for leading us and for the hot pizza at the ride's end! This Saturday we will kick off the month of June with a popular ride around Damariscotta Lake, known for the fields of Lupines in bloom, and a possible post-ride stop for ice cream at the Jefferson Scoop. Hope you can join us! Saturday, June 6 - JEFFERSON "Lupine Damariscotta Lake" - a most colorful circumnavigation of Damariscotta Lake. START: 9:00 am at the Jefferson Village School, 48 Washington Road, Jefferson. DISTANCE: 28 miles. TERRAIN: moderate with some hills. HIGHLIGHTS: scenic back roads in full flower (hopefully) passing by the Damariscotta Mills Fish Ladder and the Bunker Hill Church overlook of the lake, with a possible ice cream stop at the end LEADER: Jim Merrick, hjmerrick@gmail.com LINK TO ROUTE MAP: https://ridewithgps.com/routes/55237100 https://connect.garmin.com/modern/course/275724675

June Rides

Here is the KVBC ride line-up for June! Hope you can join in as we set out into Summer! And don't forget tomorrow's ride in Vassalboro as we close out Bike Month!