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!

Vassalboro Ride Switched from Saturday to SUNDAY

Hello Everyone, due to unfavorable weather forecasts for Saturday, tomorrow's scheduled ride in Vassalboro has been rescheduled for SUNDAY instead. If you have forwarded the original ride info to others, please let them know of the changes. Thank you, and see you Sunday! Sunday, May 31 - VASSALBORO "Velo Vassalboro" - a scenic tour around the China Lake region START: 9:00am at the parking lot at the end of Arrowhead Drive next to the Natanis Golf Course off of Webber Pond Road heading north. (Not to be confused with Fairway Drive. Use Barrows Road on your GPS and it is the next road on the left after that.) Please park at the end of the road, beyond the garages in the large dirt parking lot after the condo buildings. DISTANCE: approx. 33 miles TERRAIN: Moderate to Hilly HIGHLIGHTS: Views of China Lake and Webber Pond, gentleman farms and country homes along the Neck Road. LEADER: David Lipman, dlipman@lipmankatz.com LINK TO RIDE MAP: https://ridewithgps.com/trips/290344826 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.

Vassaboro Isn't Hassleboro

The weather turned a bit cooler for our ride last Saturday in Winslow, but we had nice bright sunshine and a fine turnout. Our thanks to Tom for leading the ride and to all who turned out! This Saturday we will return to Vassalboro for another popular ride taking us around Webber Pond and China Lake. Hope to see you Saturday! Saturday, May 30 - VASSALBORO "Velo Vassalboro" - a scenic tour around the China Lake region START: 9:00am at the parking lot at the end of Arrowhead Drive next to the Natanis Golf Course off of Webber Pond Road heading north. (Not to be confused with Fairway Drive. Use Barrows Road on your GPS and it is the next road on the left after that.) Please park at the end of the road, beyond the garages in the large dirt parking lot after the condo buildings. DISTANCE: approx. 33 miles TERRAIN: Moderate to Hilly HIGHLIGHTS: Views of China Lake and Webber Pond, gentleman farms and country homes along the Neck Road. LEADER: David Lipman, dlipman@lipmankatz.com LINK TO RIDE MAP: https://ridewithgps.com/trips/290344826 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.