Odysseus Liked Ice Cream

 

We had an exceptionally beautiful day for our ride in Vassalboro last Sunday.  The routes were wonderful, the weather was superb, and the post-ride repast was, as always, first rate!  Many thanks to our leaders and hosts, David & Laura!  The Lipmans have also stepped up to lead this Saturday's Women's Ride on the Kennebec River Rail Trail from Augusta to Gardiner, part of BCM's Women's Ride series, the Augusta offering co-sponsored by the KVBC. For more information and registration, go to https://www.bikemaine.org/2022-augusta-womens-ride/.  Sunday we will meet in Manchester by Fielder's Choice Ice Cream for one of our traditional rides around Cobbossee Lake.  Hope you can join us as we kick off the month of June!

Sunday, June 5th - 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.

The Women's Ride Returns

Next Saturday, June 4, the Bicycle Coalition of Maine's Women's Ride co-sponsored by the Kennebec Valley Bicycle Club returns to Augusta for a 20-mile ride on the Kennebec River Rail Trail. For more information and to register, go to bikemaine.org/2022-augusta-womens-ride

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June Rides!

 Here is the KVBC ride line-up for June! Quite a few of our traditional, popular rides coming up! Remember, this Sunday's ride is in Vassalboro, and if you plan to attend the post-ride lunch please let Laura know at Laura.Lipman@roadrunner.com so she can get a head count. Thank you! And see you tomorrow, or if not, in June!

The Vassals Will Velo

The KVBC ride Sunday was much cooler than the previous week, thanks to overcast skies that kept the heat down. An intrepid group of riders kept moving to avoid ravenous insects, especially on the three (or four) significant climbs on the route. Many thanks to John for leading so soon after knee surgery. At the ride's end we were treated to welcome coffee, muffins and snacks by our hosts. Thank you from all of us! 

This Sunday we will return to Vassalboro for a ride around one of our club's favorite areas. Please note that there will be a post-ride luncheon at the ride leaders' so an RSVP (as detailed below) to let them get a head count would be much appreciated. Hope you can join us!

Sunday, May 29 - VASSALBORO

"Velo Vassalboro" - a scenic tour around the China Lake region

START:  9am  at the home of David and Laura Lipman.  Condo is after Natanis Golf Course on ARROWHEAD DRIVE off of Webber Pond Road 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 at the end of the road, beyond the garages in the large dirt parking lot after the condo buildings.

DISTANCE: approx. 19 or 31 miles

TERRAIN:  Moderate to Hilly

HIGHLIGHTS: Views of China Lake and Webber Pond,  gentleman farms and country homes along the Neck Road.   Stay afterwards for a light lunch and to socialize with fellow bikers.  Please RVSP to laura.lipman@roadrunner.com so Laura can get an idea of how many will be staying for lunch.

LEADER:  David Lipman, dlipman@lipmankatz.com

LINK TO RIDE MAP: https://ridewithgps.com/routes/36421718

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,   

The Esker Awaits

 

We had a very, VERY hot, toasty ride last Saturday to commemorate the KVBC's 20th year. It seems bizarre that we were riding in snow flurries just weeks ago, and now, in mid-May, hunting for shade when the trees haven't even filled out yet. Many thanks to those who braved the heat and turned out!  This Sunday we shift over to the shores of Parker Pond and the verdant Chesterville Esker, where hopefully there will be an abundance of shade and temperatures on the cooler side of 90 degrees.  A reminder: if you haven't filled out a current membership form for this year to send in with your dues, you still have to sign a release waiver before each ride until you do.  I will post the KVBC membership form this week and I will try to bring copies with me to each ride.  In addition to signed releases, please remember that helmets are required at all KVBC rides.  Thank you!  And see you Sunday!

Sunday, May 22 - CHESTERVILLE

"The Tour de Chesterville" - a tour around Chesterville, Farmington Falls, New Sharon and Vienna.

START: 9:00 am at the ride leader's home at 192 Hilltop Road (aka Hill Top or Hill-Top) in Chesterville. Please park along the roadside.

DISTANCE: 28 miles.

TERRAIN: flat to rolling with some significant hills.

HIGHLIGHTS: the scenic Chesterville Esker, Zion Hill, Cape Cod Hill, and a bunch of no-name hills. Possible post-ride get-together at the ride leader's house and/or enroute.

LEADER: John Lanoue, john.lanoue@avid.com.

LINK to ROUTE MAP: https://www.strava.com/routes/2821566370865323008

Yes, We're Twenty!

 We had another fine sunny day for the ride around China Lake from Vassalboro on Mother's Day. It was nice to see China Lake with a calm surface without white caps, and many of the roads were in great shape making a really nice loop. Many Thanks to Jeanine for leading and for the fine group that turned out. This Saturday we will return to Belgrade Lakes to revisit the very first KVBC ride from 20 years ago. You do not need to show up at the ride start with a bike that is 20 years old, but if you have a vintage bike in riding condition this might be a good occasion to dust it off! Otherwise, bring what you have to celebrate 20 years of cycling in Central Maine, and we'll see you Saturday!

May 14th, Saturday:  BELGRADE LAKES

"KVBC 20th Anniversary Ride" - a traditional tour through Castle Island, Belgrade, and Rome.

START:  9:00 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).

DISTANCES:  15 or 24 or 30 miles.

TERRAIN:  rolling to hilly.

HIGHLIGHTS: views of the Belgrade Lakes, some roller coaster hills, Castle Island, and Blueberry Hill - possible post-ride stop at the bakery in Belgrade Lakes Village.

LEADER:  Jim Merrick, hjmerrick@gmail.com, 293-3784.

LINK to ROUTE MAPS (short loop): https://ridewithgps.com/routes/39364542
(longer loop): https://ridewithgps.com/routes/39364462

(petite loop): https://ridewithgps.com/routes/39364514
 

For more information on the Kennebec Valley Bicycle Club, contact Jim at 293-3784, hjmerrick@gmail.com, find us on Facebook, or check out our blog at http://postedroads.blogspot.com.

China is Finah.

 We had a fine ride last Saturday over the Colby Loop. The morning started out blustery and rather chilly, with wind chills in the low 30s that felt even lower. We warmed up quite a bit on the outbound section, climbing some good hills in the sunshine, and adding some stiff headwinds in the bargain. The day warmed up and we had some great tailwinds on the return route. Many thanks to Duncan for leading! This Sunday we will venture out on a classic ride around China Lake for Mothers' Day, and hopefully we will have delightful early May riding conditions (pre-Black Flies). Hope you can join us!

Sunday, May 8 - NORTH VASSALBORO

"Round About China Lake" - a bucolic tour around China Lake through Vassalboro & China.

START: 9:00 am at the North Vassalboro Town Office, 682 Main Street, Rt. 32.

DISTANCE: 25 miles.

TERRAIN: rolling with some hills.

HIGHLIGHTS: some delightful back roads and lakeside views with hidden histories.

LEADER: Jeanine Libby, jjlibby13@roadrunner.com

LINK to ROUTE MAP: https://www.mapmyride.com/routes/view/4348780987

 What a splendid May Day to start off the month! We hope it's just a taste of what's to come! Here is the KVBC ride line up for May!