eBikes and eCyclists?

“It’s not what I expected,” muttered Rolland Peters, describing his reaction to an AI experiment he oversaw recently. Pressed for cash, Peters was hoping to acquire a new eBike to keep up with his cycling friends, but was resigned to picking up a used model as the best he could afford. Then he got an idea: why not direct an AI program to design an affordable eBike made from everyday objects? And then challenge the AI program to craft a finished model using 3-D printers? At first, Peters rejected the idea as too far-fetched, but he eventually warmed to the concept, thinking that it was worth a try. To his wonder, the AI program responded by creating a creditable, working eBike. Rolland thought his problems were solved! But that wasn’t the end of it. The AI got so immersed in the project that it also designed and constructed an eCyclist so that it could ride, too. Peters watched in dismay as the eCyclist rode off on his eBike, leaving him behind to join his friends. His hopes were further crushed when he learned that his cycling buddies preferred to ride with the eCyclist than with him. “He’s really a cool dude,” they said. “He knows where all the best cafes and bike shops are.” At last report, Peters had apparently shifted his attention to working on an AI design of an ePedal Kayak.

KVBC 2026 Ride Calendar

The days are getting longer, the snows are melting into mud season, and here is the preliminary Kennebec Valley Bicycle Club Ride Calendar for 2026! We have a number of openings in the calendar which will hopefully fill up as our ride leaders get their schedules squared away (and to those recuperating from injuries, get well soon!). We have many club favorites as well as some new rides planned! The KVBC Calendar is meant to be flexible and the following rides and ride dates are subject to change. Ride leaders: if I have missed your ride or if you see an open date you can fill, please let me know. Many thanks to all our volunteers! Looking forward to another great season of riding with you all! Kennebec Valley Bicycle Club 2026 Calendar April 19: Turner, “Wake Up the Earth Ride” April 25: Vassaboro, “Through the Mills” - Mitnik May 2: Readfield, “Around Annabessacook” - Chiappetta May 9: OPEN May 16: Manchester, “Manchester United” – Snow May 23: Winslow, “Winsome Winslow” – Michaud May 30: Vassalboro, “Velo Vassalboro” – Lipman June 6: Jefferson?, “Lupine the Lakes” June 13: Chesterville, “Triple Bypass” – Lanoue June 20: Richmond, “Richmond to the Sea” – Lipman June 27: Manchester, “A Cobbossey Odyssey” – Snow July 4: Sidney, “Independence Day Ride” – Merrick July 11: Damariscotta, “To Pemaquid Point” – Lipman July 18: Liberty, “Palermo Beyond the Pale” - Mitnik July 28: OPEN August 1: Chelsea, “Chelsea Chainrings” - McKinley August 8: Readfield, “Maranacook Meander” – Leimbach August 15: Belfast, “Breaking Away to Belfast” – Lipman August 22: OPEN August 29: OPEN September 5: China, “China & Palermo Hills” - Mitnik September 12: Wayne, “Which Way to Wayne?” – Onion September 19: North Augusta, “Summerhaven” – Snow September 28: Readfield?, “Monmouth a la Mode” October 3: Livermore Falls, “Boothby’s Apple Ride” – Lanoue October 10: OPEN October 17: OPEN October 24: OPEN October 31: Wayne, “Wicked Wayne” – Merrick November TBD: North Belgrade, “Ugly Sweater Ride” – Uecker (rides and ride dates subject to change)

KVBC Ride in Chesterville Cancelled

Due to poor road conditions the scheduled KVBC ride this morning in Chesterville has been postponed. We may revisit the ride later in the season, and John has offered to bring maple syrup to a future ride start! Watch for future ride announcements soon!

It May be Maple in March

Yes, once again it is that time of year when maple sugaring enters its seasonal cycle, and so shall we! This weekend brings in Maine Maple Sunday so we will meet in Chesterville on Saturday, weather permitting (stay tuned for updates) for our first ride of Spring past scenic back roads along numerous stands of sugar bush. John has been hard at his work and bottling it to distribute as a sweet start to the riding season. Hope to see you on Saturday! Saturday, March 21: CHESTERVILLE "Maine Maple Sunday (on Saturday)" - an early Spring syrup cycling ride in Chesterville. START: Saturday, 10:30am 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 the route map below for a further guide. DISTANCE: approx. 27 miles TERRAIN: mostly flat with one significant hill, roads may be in late winter condition LEADER: John Lanoue, johnlanoue@hotmail.com HIGHLIGHTS: Zion Hill, the Chesterville Esker, and some local maple syrup, of course! LINK TO ROUTE MAP: https://ridewithgps.com/routes/54223794

UPDATE: We are still on for our scheduled "Ugly Sweater Ride" in North Belgrade this weekend but due to blustery conditions around the lake forecast for Saturday we will switch the ride to Sunday, November 2. This Sunday we will meet in North Belgrade at 10:30am for a ride around McGrath Pond with stops at sights along Great Pond including a post-ride get-together at a cabin site on the shore of the lake. Dress warmly, and dig out your ugliest sweater if you have one. Hope you can join us on the last scheduled ride of the year! Sunday, November 2 - NORTH BELGRADE "Ugly Sweater Ride" - a questionably-stylish ride around North Belgrade and Oakland. START: 10:30 am at the North Belgrade Community Center, 508 Smithfield Road, Route 8. (Not to be confused with the Belgrade Community Center on Rt. 27.) DISTANCE: 17+ miles TERRAIN: flat to rolling; some short gravel sections to sights along Great Pond. HIGHLIGHTS: a possible stop at an unusual WWI memorial on Great Pond near Armistice Day, and a post-ride get-together around a campfire at the lakeside, with refreshments! Feel free to bring something to share if you wish, as this may be our last gathering of the year. LEADER: Anne Uecker, anuecker@gmail.com. LINK to ROUTE MAP: https://ridewithgps.com/routes/44924531

The Ugliness of Sweaters

Cycles of Industry

It was a little cooler than forecast at the start of the KVBC ride from Winslow on Saturday. But the clouds eventually parted, the day warmed up in the sun, and we had a very nice ride. Many thanks to Tom for leading his ride that was washed out earlier in the year, and to everyone who turned out. This Saturday we will go in search of some Fall foliage up in Farmington, New Sharon and Industry. Take advantage of the great Fall weather, and hope to see you on Saturday! Saturday, October 11: FARMINGTON "The Ups and Downs of Industry": a Fall foliage ride through the picturesque hills and hollows of Farmington, New Sharon, and Industry. START: 10:00 A.M., at the Farmington Parking Lot for the Whistle Stop Rail Trail off of Oakes Street, the entrance is just south of the junction of Oakes Street and Bridge Street. DISTANCE: 28-30 miles. TERRAIN: rolling to hilly; approx. 5 miles of flat gravel along the rail trail and other roads, and an optional climb up Mosher Hill HIGHLIGHTS: quiet back roads along the Sandy River, spectacular panoramic views from the ridgetops of New Sharon & Industry, Clearwater Pond at Allens Mills, and a possible stop at the Orange Cat Cafe in Farmington. LEADER: Jim Merrick, 293-3784, hjmerrick@gmail.com. LINK to ROUTE MAP (including Mosher Hill): https://ridewithgps.com/routes/52886453 LINK TO ROUTE MAP (without Mosher Hill): https://ridewithgps.com/routes/52940229 For more information on the Kennebec Valley Bicycle Club and its rides contact Jim Merrick, 293-3784, hjmerrick@gmail.com, or check out the KVBC blog, "Posted Roads" at http://postedroads.blogspot.com.