Saturday, December 24, 2016
Friday, December 2, 2016
The Merry Roads of Nottingham
Welcome to December! If the
long-range forecasts are right, it appears as though December will be a
lot colder and nowhere near as mild as it was last year. So we may not
have many opportunities to ride, but this weekend is looking dry, at
least, with lots of sun on Sunday. I have a 26-mile ride planned from
Readfield Center that can be shortened if need be, and we'll stop at the
Apple Shed in any case. Perhaps we'll see you then!
Sunday, December 4 - READFIELD
Tuesday, November 15, 2016
Down China Way
We lucked out with some really mild weather on last
Sunday's ride in Oakland and Sidney, and we had a great group of 15 riders turn
out - a welcome diversion from the turbulent week prior. Will we have further
respite this Sunday in Vassalboro and China? Well we will certainly get to ride
with friends! (Unless it's raining - rain cancels in November. Watch for a
follow-up email on Sunday morning around 8 am if the weather is questionable.)
Hopefully the weather holds and we'll see you on Sunday!
SUNDAY, November 20th, EAST VASSALBORO
"All the Tea (or Coffee) in China" - a delightful
tour over the hills and dells of Vassalboro and
China.
START: 10:00 AM at the Vassalboro Historical Society parking lot just north of
the China Lake boat landing on Rt. 32 in East Vassalboro (not the boat landing in South
China).
DISTANCE: approx. 20-25 miles.
TERRAIN: moderate, with some hills and flat
sections.
HIGHLIGHTS: a selection of great, scenic rural
Maine roads with great views of China Lake and surroundings, and a possible stop
at the Green Bean Coffee Shop.
LEADER: Jeanine Libby.
LINK to ROUTE MAP (2015): http://gmap-pedometer.com/?r=6815798
For
more information on the Kennebec Valley Bicycle Club, contact Jim Merrick at
293-3784 or hjmerrick@gmail.com, and check out the club's Facebook page at
https://www.facebook.com/Tuesday, November 1, 2016
Falling Leaves
We
had a great time riding about the local haunts on our pre-Halloween
cemetery ride in Wayne on Sunday, with lots of colorful foliage and
costumes. Speaking of costumes - I'm pleased to report that the second
batch of KVBC jerseys have been shipped and may actually arrive in time
for the ride on Saturday! The ride on Saturday? Oh, yes - we will meet
at the Belgrade Center for all Seasons on Saturday for our last ride in
Daylight Savings Time for the year. If the weather holds in the weeks
ahead we'll check out Standard Time, too, but for those of you looking
forward to KVBC long-sleeve jerseys (and the other assorted jerseys on
order) this Saturday may be your lucky day! Those of you who can't make
Saturday's ride, fear not - I'll get your jerseys to you one way or
another. Stay warm!
November 5th, Saturday: BELGRADE LAKES
"Take It or Leaf It" - a tour around the lakes through Belgrade, Rome, and Mount Vernon.
START: 10:00 A.M., at the Belgrade Community
Center on Rt. 27, a half mile south of the Village of Belgrade Lakes, on
the right (northbound) just past the Great Pond Marina. Park in the community
center parking lot nearest the street (just as you turn in).
DISTANCE: 28 miles.
TERRAIN: rolling to "moderately" hilly
(translation: there are hills on this ride).
HIGHLIGHTS: post-peak foliage views of the Belgrade
Lakes, some roller coaster hills, Castle Island, Blueberry
Hill, and a possible stop at the cafe in Mount Vernon.
LEADER: Jim Merrick, hjmerrick@gmail.com, 293-3784.
LINK to ROUTE MAP: http://www.gmap-pedometer.com/
For more information on the Kennebec Valley Bicycle
Club, contact Jim at 293-3784, hjmerrick@gmail.com, or find us on Facebook.
Monday, October 24, 2016
Round About the Cemeteries
We had a rather cold, damp, blustery ride from Farmington to
Industry last Sunday, but we saw some great Fall scenery on Cape Cod
Hill and around Clearwater Pond, and we had some fun exploring the
Whistle Stop Rail Trail. We'll close out October this Sunday with a
pre-Halloween ride in Wayne, and hope that the chills will only be
supernatural and not meteorological. Hope to see you then!
Sunday, October 30th - WAYNE
"Wicked Wayne" - a Halloween ride featuring some historic cemeteries along some quiet back roads (maybe too quiet).
START: 10:00 AM at the Wayne Elementary School, 48 Pond Road, Wayne.
DISTANCE: about 20 miles.
TERRAIN: moderate, creepy in spots.
HIGHLIGHTS: at least five local cemeteries, including the
circular Wing family cemetery and the Kent family cemetery; the Kents
Hill orchard, a notorious, unsolved historic crime scene, and other
local haunts.
LEADER: Jim Merrick, hjmerrick@gmail.com, 293-3784.
LINK to ROUTE MAP: http://www.gmap-
Tuesday, October 18, 2016
Industrial Back Country
We had a fine ride last Sunday from
Smithfield on roads flanked with great Fall foliage. Our thanks to Larry Childs
for leading the ride, and to all who took part. Hopefully the splendid Fall
weather and scenery will continue into this weekend as we ride from Farmington
to Industry. Please note that with the weather turning cooler we will be
starting a bit later, at 10 am, to give the morning more time to warm up. See
you Sunday!
Sunday, October 23rd: FARMINGTON
Sunday, October 23rd: FARMINGTON
"The Ups and Downs of Industry": a ride through
the picturesque hills and hollows of Farmington, New
Sharon, and Industry.
START: 10:00 A.M., at the Hannaford Plaza on Rt. 4
in Farmington, about a mile south from the junction
of Rt. 4 and Rt. 27, towards Wilton. Park near the entrance to the shopping
plaza.
DISTANCE: 25-30 miles.
TERRAIN: rolling to hilly.
HIGHLIGHTS: quiet
back roads along the Sandy River, spectacular panoramic views from the ridgetops
of New Sharon & Industry, Clearwater Pond at Allens Mills, and an optional
run along the Whistlestop Rail Trail.
LEADER: Jim Merrick, 293-3784, hjmerrick@gmail.com.
LINK to ROUTE MAP: http://www.gmap-pedometer.com/?r=6874732
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 Facebook Page.
Tuesday, October 11, 2016
Eights, Figuratively
We are definitely into Fall with crisp temperatures and a sudden onset of
colorful foliage - great riding weather! This Sunday Larry Childs will take us
on a tour of Smithfield, touching on Belgrade, Rome and Mercer - a club
favorite. Hope you can join us!
Sunday, October 16th - SMITHFIELD
"Route 8 Figure 8" - a scenic tour through Smithfield, Belgrade, Rome, and
Mercer.
START: 9:00 AM, at the new Smithfield Fire Station on Rt. 8 in Smithfield,
about a quarter-mile north of the junction of Rt. 8 and Rt. 137.
DISTANCES: approx. 15 and 30 miles.
TERRAIN: moderate to moderately hilly.
HIGHLIGHTS: many scenic lake views and back roads with lots of Fall
foliage.
LEADER: Larry Childs.
LINK to ROUTE MAP (2015): http://www.gmap-pedometer.com/?r=6800182
Kennebec Valley Bicycle Club rides are open to members and to the cycling
public. Helmets are required of all riders at KVBC events. It is also
recommended that you bring with you on KVBC rides: a map of the area in case you
stray off route; tools for simple roadside repairs, especially a tire pump,
spare tube and/or patch kit; water bottles or hydration systems; personal ID and
a small first aid kit; and money for purchasing snacks & drinks en-route. In
case of severe weather, scheduled rides may be postponed or designated as "show
& go" rides at the discretion of the ride leader. We welcome suggestions for
improving our rides and encourage active participation of all members. For more
information, contact Jim Merrick at 293-3784 or hjmerrick@gmail.com, and check out the
KVBC Facebook page.
Monday, October 3, 2016
Paths, Off Beaten
We started off October a bit cold and damp on the ride in Chesterville on
Saturday and on the Cadillac Challenge on Sunday. Both rides were quite nice,
regardless, and special thanks are due to John Lanoue for leading Saturday's
ride and hosting a post-ride gathering after he and his compatriots finished the
first leg of a lengthy tour the previous day. Kudos also to the nine (count 'em,
nine) KVBC members on the Cadillac contingent - a fine showing for so far
afield. The tentatively planned KVBC ride this weekend in Freeport has had to be
postponed due to the unexpected absence of the leader (Get Well Ken!) and may be
rescheduled at another time. Thanks to David Lipman, we have a new KVBC ride
this Saturday in Vassalboro - please note the 10 am start to allow an extra hour
for the morning to warm up. Hopefully the weather will follow suit, and we can
all warm up to some great Fall cycling!
Saturday, October 8th - VASSALBORO
"Off the Beaten Path, or, The Paths that Can't be Beat" - a hitherto
unexplored (by us) tour around Vassalboro and environs.
START: 10 am at the home of David and Laura Lipman. Condo is after Natanis
Golf Course at 6 Arrowhead Drive heading north. (Not to be confused with Fairway
Drive. Use Barrows Road on your GPS and we are the next road on the left after
that) Please park after the garages in the large dirt parking lot after the
condo buildings.
DISTANCE: approx. 25 miles.
TERRAIN: Moderate hills
HIGHLIGHTS: Fall foliage along an assortment of fine back roads in and
around Vassalboro, including a mile-long descent.
LEADER: David Lipman.
For more information on the Kennebec Valley Bicycle Club, contact Jim
Merrick at 293-3784, hjmerrick@gmail.com, or
keep up to date via our Facebook page.
Monday, September 26, 2016
Pontoon or Poutine?
We had a beautiful Fall
day for the ride last Saturday from Winthrop to the Monmouth Apple Fest.
Crisp temperatures, bright sunshine, and some superb apple pie,
doughnuts, and other treats at the festival in Monmouth. And the ride
wasn't too bad, either! Hopefully we'll have more of the same this
Saturday as John will take us into October with another great ride in Chesterville. Hope to see you Saturday!
Saturday, October 1st - CHESTERVILLE
"Three Peaks and a Pontoon" - an early fall
foliage tour of the ponds and ridges around Livermore, Fayette, and
Chesterville.
START: 9:00 am at the Sand Pond Parking Lot; from
Chesterville Center (by the Chesterville Corner Store at the junction of Ridge Rd,
Dutch Gap Rd, and Zions Hill Rd) take Zions Hill Rd north for 1/4 mile,
turn left on Borough Rd for approx. one mile, then turn right on Sand Pond Rd;
the parking lot is about 1/2 mile in.
DISTANCE: 30-35 miles.
TERRAIN: moderately hilly with several good
hills.
HIGHLIGHTS: some fall foliage viewpoints on scenic
back roads including the famed Ridge Road along the Chesterville Esker, and a
post-ride gathering at the ride leader's camp, followed by a potential pontoon
boat ride on the lake.
LEADER: John Lanoue, john.lanoue@avid.com.
Here’s the route: http://bikeroutetoaster.com/BR
For more information on the Kennebec Valley Bicycle Club find us on Facebook, or contact Jim Merrick at hjmerrick@gmail.com or
293-3784.
Sunday, September 18, 2016
Apple Fest!
We had a great ride on Saturday in Livermore that
featured a stop at Boothby's Apple Orchard. Many thanks to John Lanoue
for leading the ride and arranging for an "apple shuttle" to carry bags
of purchased apples back to the start. Sunday's ride ventured out to the
Wire Bridge in New Portland, where we were treated to cider and apple
cake thanks to Diane & John Macdonald, and we were all pleased to
see John up and about just a week from his accident. Thanks also to
Denise & Brian for another great ride! We continue with the apple
theme on this Saturday's ride which a stop at the Monmouth Apple
Festival - apple pies, apple turnovers, apple donuts, apple everything!
Hope you can join us!
Saturday, September 24th - WINTHROP
"Monmouth a la Mode" - a tour through Winthrop to the Monmouth Apple Festival.
START: 9:00 AM at the Winthrop Town Boat Landing on Maranacook Lake, near the gazebo on Coady Street, off of Memorial Drive. If the boat landing parking lot is full, there are additional spaces around the corner on Summer Street, lakeside.
DISTANCE: 18 or 24 Miles.
TERRAIN: Rolling, with a few stiff hills.
HIGHLIGHTS: Back roads beside rolling orchards, lakeside summer camps, small hidden hamlets... and the Monmouth Apple Festival: a great little small town festival devoted to celebrating all things pomological in one of Maine’s classic apple towns. The festival features lots of hot, baked apple pies and other apple treats, yard sales and open houses, fun and games, and self-guided tours of the Monmouth Historical Society’s many unique museum buildings and shops.
LEADER: Jim Merrick, hjmerrick@gmail.com.
LINK to RIDE MAP: http://www.gmap-pedometer.com/
For more information about the Kennebec Valley Bicycle Club, contact Jim Merrick at hjmerrick@gmail.com, and check out the KVBC Facebook page.
Saturday, September 24th - WINTHROP
"Monmouth a la Mode" - a tour through Winthrop to the Monmouth Apple Festival.
START: 9:00 AM at the Winthrop Town Boat Landing on Maranacook Lake, near the gazebo on Coady Street, off of Memorial Drive. If the boat landing parking lot is full, there are additional spaces around the corner on Summer Street, lakeside.
DISTANCE: 18 or 24 Miles.
TERRAIN: Rolling, with a few stiff hills.
HIGHLIGHTS: Back roads beside rolling orchards, lakeside summer camps, small hidden hamlets... and the Monmouth Apple Festival: a great little small town festival devoted to celebrating all things pomological in one of Maine’s classic apple towns. The festival features lots of hot, baked apple pies and other apple treats, yard sales and open houses, fun and games, and self-guided tours of the Monmouth Historical Society’s many unique museum buildings and shops.
LEADER: Jim Merrick, hjmerrick@gmail.com.
LINK to RIDE MAP: http://www.gmap-pedometer.com/
For more information about the Kennebec Valley Bicycle Club, contact Jim Merrick at hjmerrick@gmail.com, and check out the KVBC Facebook page.
Monday, September 12, 2016
An Apple a Day - Wire Bridge in Play
We had another fine day for a ride on Saturday in Rome. We saw many
of the legendary hills (maybe seven) of Rome, and even a miniature
Stonehenge. The ancient aspects to the scenery were tempered by a
mid-ride accident that was unsettling but could've been worse. I'm glad
to report that John is back home recovering, with some new metal
hardware in his hip. Get well, John! This weekend we have a doubleheader
planned to coincide with the Great Maine Outdoor Weekend: Saturday we
will have a 40-mile ride from Pike's Oasis to Boothby's Orchard (circa 1865) in
Livermore, and Sunday we will venture out on a 65-mile ride from
Norridgewock to the Wire Bridge (circa 1866) in New Portland. Hope you can join us!
Saturday, September 17th - LIVERMORE
"Boothby"s Apple Ride" - a tour of the ponds and ridges around Livermore and Chesterville, with an apple orchard stop.
START: 9:00 am Pike's Corner Oasis at the junction of Rt.s 106, 133, and Campground Road in Livermore.
DISTANCE: 40 miles.
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. We plan to have a vehicle at the orchard to
transport any apples you buy back to the start!
LEADER: John Lanoue, john.lanoue@avid.com.
LINK to GMOW EVENT LISTING: http://www.
Sunday, September 18th - NORRIDGEWOCK
"The Wire Bridge Metric" - a Fall Foliage Metric Century
plus, along the scenic Carrabassett River, through Norridgewock,
Madison, Anson, New Portland and New Vineyard.
START: 9:00 AM at 434 Fredericks Corner Road, about two miles from the junction of Rt.2 in Norridgewock.
DISTANCE: approx 65 miles
TERRAIN: moderate with some hills
HIGHLIGHTS: Fall foliage along the Carrabassett River, and
the historic Wire Bridge in New Portland, a civil engineering landmark
built in 1866, perhaps the only one of its kind still in existence.
LEADERS: Brian Bowker, bbowk321@yahoo.com; and Denise Crowell, denisemcrowell@gmail.com.
LINK to GMOW EVENT LISTING: http://www.
Tuesday, September 6, 2016
Roaming Around Rome
We had a terrific ride Sunday in Wayne -
great weather, great turnout, great route - and a top notch post ride
gathering at the ride leaders'. Our thanks to Fritz and Susan for a
special day! There are a lot of cycling events going on this weekend,
with the Tour de Farms and the Maine Lighthouse Ride on Saturday, and
Pedal the Penobscot and BikeMaine highlighting Sunday. We will venture
out to Rome on Saturday for a scenic tour that is shorter and hillier
than usual. You may lose count of the hills, but there are at least
seven, and seven is an auspicious number. So they say. See you Saturday!
Saturday, September 10th: ROME
"The Seven Hills of Rome" - a roadside tour of the
many hillside trails through Rome and Belgrade.
START: 9:00 AM, Rome Town Hall at the corner of
Rt. 225 and Mercer Road, about 0.3 mi from the junction of Rt. 27 and Rt.
225.
DISTANCE: 20 miles.
TERRAIN: Moderately Hilly to Hilly.
HIGHLIGHTS: the route passes 5 trailheads,
Blueberry Hill and the Kennebec Highlands. There is an optional short hike up
French's Mountain to a spectacular scenic vista.
LEADER: Jim Merrick, 293-3784, hjmerrick@gmail.com.
LINK to ROUTE MAP: https://www.gmap-pedometer.Monday, August 22, 2016
The Beans of China, Maine
Saturday, August 27th - VASSALBORO
"Hills and Beans" - a
scenic tour around China and Vassalboro.
START: 9am at
the home of David and Laura Lipman. Condo is after Natanis Golf
Course at 6 Arrowhead Drive heading north. (Not to be confused with Fairway
Drive. Use Barrows Road on your GPS and we are the next road on the
left after that) Please park after the garages in
the large dirt parking lot after the condo buildings.
DISTANCE: approx. 27 miles.
TERRAIN: Moderate to Hilly,
with some short, steep hills
HIGHLIGHTS: an assortment of fine back roads
in China and Vassalboro, views of China Lake, and a possible stop at the Green
Bean, a fine local coffee shop.
LEADER: David Lipman.
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.
Monday, August 15, 2016
The Cellar Door
Come join us this Sunday for a
special Kennebec Valley Bicycle Club ride in Camden and Lincolnville. This is
one of several superb rides scoped out and led by KVBC member Ray Giglio, and it
is part of our tribute to Ray that we continue to celebrate his many
contributions to the club. Described as a little bit of French wine country in
mid-coast Maine, the ride will feature a stop at the Cellardoor Winery, and some
back roads in a area that we don't get a chance to ride in (as a group) that
often. Part of the route will trace part of the East Coast Greenway, and the
ride will have other treats in store. Hope to see you on
Sunday!
August 21st, Sunday:
Lincolnville
“Out Through the
Cellar Door” – a circuit of Megunticook Lake,
including Camden and the Cellardoor Winery and vineyard in Youngtown
(Lincolnville).
START: 10:00 A.M.,
at the Cellardoor
Winery, 367 Youngtown Rd, one mile east of Route 52. Please park along the
winery driveway leading up the hill across from the store, and not in the
customer parking lot behind the winery store.
DIRECTIONS:
From Camden, take
Rt. 52 north for 5 miles and turn right onto the Youngtown Rd for one mile. See
the Cellardoor Winery website for map and detailed directions: http://mainewine.com.
DISTANCE:
25-30
miles, depending if a loop from Camden to
Rockport is taken and if we return to the winery via Rt. 52 or via Rts. 1 and
173. The route is moderately hilly, and some of the road surfaces are showing
wear although many have been resurfaced recently.
HIGHLIGHTS:
Visit the winery
store and take a walk through the vineyards. Numerous lake views during the
ride. Camden (& Rockport). Part of the route is the official East Coast
Greenway interim on-road coastal route.
LUNCH:
The picnic tables
outside the winery store are available for us to use after our ride. We can
bring a bag lunch, or they sell beverages, local cheeses, breads, and other
goodies. And of course, they sell wine and have wine
tasting.
LEADERS: Tammy
Jones
and Jeanine Libby..
For more information about the Kennebec Valley
Bicycle Club, contact Jim Merrick at 293-3784 or hjmerrick@gmail.com, and check out our Facebook page.
Monday, August 8, 2016
Wiscasset Treats
Sunday, August 14 - RICHMOND
"Wheeling Down 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 the junction of
Front Street (Rt.24) and Main Street (Rt.197). 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
and the Richmond Coffee Shop at the ride's end.
LEADER: David Lipman.
LINK to RIDE MAP (2015): http://gmap-pedometer.com/?r=6791013
Kennebec Valley Bicycle Club rides are open
to members and to the cycling public. Helmets are required of all riders at
KVBC events. It is also recommended that you bring with you on KVBC rides: a
map of the area in case you stray off route; tools for simple roadside repairs,
especially a tire pump, spare tube and/or patch kit; water bottles or hydration
systems; personal ID and a small first aid kit; and money for purchasing snacks
& drinks en-route. In case of severe weather, scheduled rides may be
postponed or designated as "show & go" rides at the discretion of the ride
leader.
We welcome suggestions for
improving our rides and encourage active participation of all members. For more
information, contact Jim Merrick at hjmerrick@gmail.com or check out the KVBC
Facebook page.
Thursday, August 4, 2016
Century RESCHEDULED for SUNDAY!
The first KVBC Century Ride will be held this SUNDAY, August 7, in Augusta. There will be options of 25, 50, 62, and 96 miles. The Century will follow Route 105 its entire distance from Augusta to Camden and back (with options to tack on some additional miles to make an even 100 or 105 miles). This is a self-supported out-and-back tour, over very quiet, scenic back roads - there is one traffic light on the entire route. There are four general stores spread out about ten miles apart over the course. The current weather forecast for SUNDAY is for sunny skies and temperatures in the 70s - we will be starting the Century and Metric Century rides at 8 am to take advantage of cooler morning temperatures; the other rides will start at 9 am, although you are free to start earlier (or later) if desired. Be advised that Route 105 is hilly and can be narrow and winding at times - you should only attempt to ride a distance that you are confident of completing, unless you have arranged to have someone meet you and shuttle you back to the start. Helmets and signed waivers are required. Please let the ride leader know in advance if you don't plan to return to the start. If you have any questions, please call Jim Merrick at 207-293-3784 (but not after 9 pm on Saturday) or email at hjmerrick@gmail.com. Hope to see you SUNDAY!
SUNDAY, August 7th - AUGUSTATuesday, August 2, 2016
105 on 105
The
first KVBC Century Ride will be held this Saturday, August 6, in
Augusta. There will be options of 25, 50, 62, and 96 miles. The
Century will follow Route 105 its entire distance from Augusta to Camden
and back (with options to tack on some additional miles to make an even
100 or 105 miles). This is a self-supported out-and-back tour, over
very quiet, scenic back roads - there is one traffic light on the entire
route. There are four general stores spread out about ten miles apart
over the course. The current weather forecast for Saturday is for sunny
skies and temperatures in the low 80s - we will be starting the Century
and Metric Century rides at 8 am to take advantage of cooler morning
temperatures; the other rides will start at 9 am, although you are free
to start earlier (or later) if desired. Be advised that Route 105 is
hilly and can be narrow and winding at times - you should only attempt
to ride a distance that you are confident of completing, unless you have
arranged to have someone meet you and shuttle you back to the start.
Helmets and signed waivers are required. Please let the ride leader
know in advance if you don't plan to return to the start. If you have
any questions, please call Jim Merrick at 207-293-3784 (but not after 9
pm on Friday) or email at hjmerrick@gmail.com. Hope to see you Saturday!
Saturday, August 6 - AUGUSTAMonday, July 25, 2016
Sunday in Bowdoinham
We had a nice, smooth ride
last Saturday, most of which on fresh new pavement, from Farmington
north to Strong and New Vineyard. Little traffic and great mountain and
river views - a real Maine tour! Many thanks to John MacDonald and his
"crew" for a great ride. This Sunday we will revisit a club favorite as
we ride from Gardiner to Bowdoinham. As always, we hope you can join
us!
Sunday, July 31st - GARDINER
Sunday, July 31st - GARDINER
"Back Roads to Bowdoinham" - a tour of the southern
Kennebec Valley through Gardiner, Richmond and Bowdoinham.
START: 9:00 AM, at the Laura Richards School, Rt.
201 in Gardiner, 1.5 miles south of the junction of Rt. 201 and Rt.s 126/9 (the
junction near the A-1 Diner). The school is a new brick building with a "spiked
ball" sculpture, on the west side of Rt. 201, on the left past the Gardiner
Armory (just as you enter the "thickly settled" area). Park in the lot on the
north side of the school.
DISTANCE: 40 miles.
TERRAIN: Moderately hilly.
HIGHLIGHTS: quiet back roads along streams and
farmland south & west of Gardiner.
LEADER: Joe Renda.
LINK to ROUTE MAP (2015): http://www.gmap-pedometer.com/
Kennebec Valley Bicycle Club rides are open to
members and to the cycling public. Helmets are required of all riders at KVBC
events. It is also recommended that you bring with you on KVBC rides: a map of
the area in case you stray off route; tools for simple roadside repairs,
especially a tire pump, spare tube and/or patch kit; water bottles or hydration
systems; personal ID and a small first aid kit; and money for purchasing snacks
& drinks en-route. In case of severe weather, scheduled rides may be
postponed or designated as "show & go" rides at the discretion of the ride
leader.
We welcome suggestions for improving our rides and
encourage active participation of all members. For more information, contact
Jim Merrick at 293-3784 or hjmerrick@gmail.com, or follow us on
Facebook.
Monday, July 18, 2016
New Vineyards and White Elephants
We had a great ride last
Saturday from Norridgewock, thanks to Brian and Denise. A most enjoyable
route over roads many of us had not traveled, passing through towns we
hardly knew existed. It was hot in the sun, but we had some occasional
cloud cover and some shady roads. The ride was not without some
unintended drama, as we had some odd electro-mechanical problems, posing
a high-tech challenge solved by some low-tech ingenuity (read: sticks
and stones) and some gritty single-speed riding by one of the ride
leaders. We all made it back OK, in time for a splendid ice cream
social which really topped off a fine day. We have another northern
excursion this Saturday, heading up the Sandy River from Farmington to
Strong and New Vineyard. And Sunday is the BCM Lobster Ride in Camden.
Some fine riding ahead!
Saturday, July 23 - FARMINGTONSunday, July 10, 2016
You Say Tomato, I Say Tommaso (or maybe Tiramisu)
We had a fine ride down the Pemaquid Peninsula on Saturday, despite some wet
weather to start the ride off. Many thanks to David Lipman for leading, and for
the undeterred folks who braved the weather and turned out. The rains returned
in force on Sunday, washing out the 2nd ride planned for the weekend, but we
were grateful to David for getting one of the rides in. This Saturday we will
venture north to Norridgewock for a tour through Somerset County followed by an
ice cream social at the ride leaders' house! Please join us!
Saturday, July 16 - NORRIDGEWOCK
"Cycle Somerset" - a
tour through Norridgewock, Madison, Solon, Cornville, and Skowhegan.
START: 9 am at Brian Bowker &
Denise Crowell's house, 434 Frederick Corner Road, Norridgewock.
DISTANCE: 50-55 miles
TERRAIN: moderately hilly
SYNOPSIS: Norridgewock to Madison via Father Rasle Rd. past sprawling
tomato greenhouses, then along the Kennebec River to Solon (where we will stop
at a store in case provisions are needed). We will proceed to Cornville, down
the West Ridge Road to Skowhegan and back to Norridgewock.
HIGHLIGHTS: Ice Cream Social to follow the ride at Brian and Denise's
house. Spouses, significant others, or families are welcome to join us for the
post ride Ice Cream Social. Approximately 3pm?
LEADERS: Brian Bowker, bbowk321@yahoo.com, and Denise Crowell, denisemcrowell@gmail.com.
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)
