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.

Still Winsome in Winslow

We had a great apple ride from Livermore last Saturday. Our first "official" Fall ride featured some great weather, good roads, and some first-rate apple picking at the end! Many thanks to John for leading, and to everyone who turned out. This coming Saturday we will revisit a popular ride in Winslow that was rained out in the spring. Please note the 10:00 o'clock start. Hope you can join us! Saturday, October 4 - WINSLOW "Winsome Winslow" - a tour along the Kennebec through Winslow, Benton, Fairfield and Clinton START: 10:00 am at the Winslow Elementary School, 285 Benton Avenue, Winslow DISTANCE: 30.8 miles TERRAIN: Moderate with some hills HIGHLIGHTS: Scenic back roads with Kennebec River views in Fall colors LEADER: Tom Michaud, sdnytom@yahoo.com LINK TO RIDE MAP: https://ridewithgps.com/trips/70587004 https://connect.garmin.com/modern/course/65546974

Into October We Go!

Here is the KVBC ride line-up for October! Rides will be generally starting later, at 10:00am, unless otherwise noted, and this schedule is subject to change. Looking forward to some great Fall riding!

Apples, more apples!

We had a nice, crisp Fall day for our last ride of the summer in Smithfield on Saturday. Bright blue skies with full sun, and the temperature still didn't quite make it up to 60 - definitely Fall-like. About all that was needed was a stop at an apple orchard, and we'll take care of that this coming Saturday in Livermore as we kick off our actual Fall rides. Please note the 10:00 o'clock start, and we'll see you Saturday! Saturday, September 27 - LIVERMORE "Boothby's Apple Ride" - a tour of the ponds and ridges around Livermore and Chesterville, with an apple orchard stop. START: 10:00 am across from Boothby's Orchard, 366 Boothby Road (Rt. 108) in Livermore. Park in the field across from the orchard. DISTANCE: 39 miles with a 24-mile cut-off. TERRAIN: moderately hilly with several good hills. HIGHLIGHTS: great back roads with numerous scenic views, and a stop at Boothby's Orchard, a family-owned farm for seven generations going back to 1865. LEADER: John Lanoue, johnlanoue@hotmail.com LINK to ROUTE MAP: https://ridewithgps.com/routes/44501008 For more information on the Kennebec Valley Bicycle Club contact Jim Merrick at 293-3784, hjmerrick@gmail.com, and check out the KVBC blog at http://postedroads.blogspot.com, or the KVBC Facebook page.