Almost Summer

April was rather windy and wet with two of our rides washed out completely. May is Bike Month and hopefully conditions will improve because we have some fine rides ahead. This Saturday we will gather in Augusta for a ride out through Summerhaven to Readfield, Wings Mills and Belgrade. Hope you can get out and join us! Saturday, May 3 - AUGUSTA "Almost Summer-Haven" - a pre-summer tour through the Summerhaven section of Augusta, and Readfield, Wings Mills, and Belgrade. START: 9:30 am at the parking lot by the Career Center at 2 Anthony Avenue, off of Darin Drive, across from the Great Wall Buffet. DISTANCE: about 34 miles TERRAIN: moderate with some hills; route includes about a quarter-mile of gravel HIGHLIGHTS: many pretty ponds and streams and little-traveled back roads west of the capital. LEADER: Cynthia Snow, cynthy817@gmail.com LINK TO ROUTE MAP: https://ridewithgps.com/routes/48764106

KVBC May Rides

Here is the KVBC Ride line-up for May!

Just Milling About

We had a very blustery ride through Turner and Leeds last Sunday. The Wind Advisory foretold gusts up to 40mph which we had no reason to question. The tail winds (when we had them) were quite remarkable, the cross winds were quite tricky, and the head winds were like pedaling through molasses. Still a very pretty day - a shout out to Patrick for giving me someone to ride with. This Sunday we will head out to Vassalboro for a ride through the mill towns of Windsor and China. See you then! Sunday, April 27 - SOUTH VASSALBORO "Through the Mills" - a tour through Windsor and So. China to Weeks Mills and Coopers Mills. START: 10:30 am at the ride leader's house at 700 Cross Hill Road, So. Vassalboro. Park in the turnout half-way up the driveway by the garage; please avoid parking on the water-saturated lawn, thank you! Additional parking available in the driveway opposite to 700 Cross Hill (across the street). DISTANCE: 26 or 30 mi. TERRAIN: somewhat hilly, roads recently paved. HIGHLIGHTS: some fine back roads through some venerable old mill villages. Possible post-ride get-together at the Sidereal Farm Brewery a half-mile north of the ride leader's house. LEADER: Paul Mitnik, pjmejm@gmail.com LINK to ROUTE MAP: https://ridewithgps.com/routes/42416871

Wake Up, Earth!

Although our KVBC ride scheduled for this past weekend was washed out, hopefully we have dryer weather ahead for next Sunday and our annual "Wake Up the Earth" ride in Turner. Traditionally, the club holds this ride on the closest day to Earth Day, and this year that falls on Easter Sunday. We have a planned stop at the Nezinscot Farm Store just a few miles from the ride's end, and they are not only open, they are serving Easter dinners for those who might want to indulge! Hope to see you Sunday! Sunday, April 20 - TURNER "Wake Up the Earth" - an Earth Day ride celebrating the coming of Spring, parklands, local organic farm producers, and biking of course! START: 10:30 am at the north parking lot of the Androscoggin Riverlands State Park on Center Bridge Road in Turner. Detailed directions (and a nifty downloadable map of the park) can be found on their website: https://www.maine.gov/cgi-bin/online/doc/parksearch/details.pl?park_id=98 DISTANCE: 22 miles TERRAIN: moderate with several long hills HIGHLIGHTS: a scenic ride along rivers and ridgetops through Turner and Leeds, celebrating Earth Week and the coming of Spring, with a stop at the Nezinscot Farm Store. LEADER: Jim Merrick, 293-3784, hjmerrick@gmail.com LINK to ROUTE MAP: https://ridewithgps.com/routes/39006194 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.

Damp but not Waterlogged

It all began, they say, when three friends took refuge in a torrential downpour while on a bike ride. Ana, a marine biologist, complained about her worn out raingear. Her friend Sharon, a biomedical researcher, agreed and groused about how expensive new raingear had become. Peter, their bicycle advocate friend, lamented that convincing new cyclists to take up bike commuting was often stymied by the need to ride in inclement weather. “It’s not like you can just turn cyclists into amphibians,” he joked. His friends paused and exchanged glances. Two years later “Wheeling Webfeet” ™ was born. Today, cyclists who fit the bio profile can sign up for the two-week transformation process to eliminate forever the need for any raingear. The process begins by immersion in a special chemical solution in the company’s patented “heptabaric chamber” where the patient undergoes robotic microsurgery, supplemented by frog DNA, “similar to that used in that Jurassic movie,” explained Ana, “only a lot safer. Really.” Two weeks later the rejuvenated cyclist “just slips out of the chamber and begins jumping on and off bikes to check them out,” said Peter. Within days the new amphibian cyclists are off on all kinds of biking: road, gravel, cyclocross, eroica… “you name it,” Peter continued. “For some strange reason they all seem very fond of ‘tweed rides’; we haven’t quite figured out why.” “At first we thought that they might need some special kits,” agreed Sharon, “but they seem to be happy just shopping at Goodwill.” The team at “Wheeling Webfeet” ™ did concoct a new energy bar made of crushed flies, meal worms, and assorted insects. “We knew that cyclists would eat anything,” said Sharon, “but those were a big hit.” The company quickly added those to its product line. Yes, cyclists today can now look forward to a time when riding in the rain will seem as natural as can be. The fender and raingear manufacturers will no doubt be disappointed, but cyclists will once again take their place as the leaders of the green revolution.

Along the Rail Trail

One of the KVBC's traditional early season rides is our annual out & back ride along the Kennebec River Rail Trail from Augusta to Gardiner with a stop at Slate's Bakery in Hallowell. This ride offers a group ride opportunity for those of us who haven't ridden with the club, or who haven't been out with the KVBC recently, or who have yet to get their bikes out for the season. The weather for Saturday looks good, and while there is a rally at the State House at noon, we should miss most of the traffic from it (and still have the option to attend part of the rally for those who wish to). Hope to see you Saturday! April 5th, Saturday - AUGUSTA "Down the Rail Trail" - an early Spring ride along the Kennebec River Rail Trail through Augusta, Hallowell, and Gardiner. START: 10:30 AM at the Augusta trail head of the rail trail - the municipal parking lot off of Water Street adjacent to the offices of Inland Fisheries and Wildlife (353 Water St.) in the shadow of Memorial Bridge. DISTANCE: 20+ miles TERRAIN: flat (and we mean flat) HIGHLIGHTS: For many of us, the first ride of the season, a pleasant run along the Kennebec River, with some great natural scenery mixed with some urban vistas, kicking off another great year of cycling. Probable stop at Slate's Bakery in Hallowell! LEADER: Jim Merrick, 293-3784, hjmerrick@gmail.com. LINK TO ROUTE MAP: https://ridewithgps.com/routes/46143780 For more information on the Kennebec Valley Bicycle Club, contact Jim Merrick, 293-3784, hjmerrick@gmail.com, check out our Facebook page or our club blog, "Posted Roads" - http://postedroads.blogspot.com.

April Rides

Here is the KVBC ride lineup for April! The Augusta ride along the Kennebec River Rail Trail has been switched to Saturday to avoid poor weather forecast for Sunday. It is one of our traditional early season club rides so we hope we can get it in!

KVBC 2025 Ride Calendar

Hello Everyone! We had a wonderful ride in Chesterville last Saturday with a great turnout of 18 riders. Thanks are due to John, who gave everyone a great tour of his maple syrup operation after the ride, and the pancakes and syrup samples were a welcome treat! This weekend we have another return of Winter, but if the weather cooperates we will soon get back on track with our rides in April. Here is the tentative KVBC Ride Calendar for 2025! You will note that we still have some openings available for would-be ride leaders out there. Our thanks to all the folks who have volunteered to lead rides! They have lots of great riding for us ahead, and we hope to see everyone out in 2025! KENNEBEC VALLEY BICYCLE CLUB 2025 RIDE CALENDAR (Please Note: Dates & Locations May Be Subject to Change) March 15: Vassalboro, “Pratt’s Birthday Ride” March 22: Chesterville, “Pishou’s Sucrerie” April 6: Augusta, “Down the Rail Trail” April 12: Kents Hill, “Kents Hill to Watson Heights” April 19: Turner, “Wake Up the Earth” April 26: Vassalboro, “Through the Mills” May 3: Augusta, “Almost Summerhaven” May 10: China, “O Albion” May 17: Winslow, “Winsome Winslow” May 24: Jay, “May in Jay” June 1: Vassalboro, “Velo Vassalboro” June 7: Readfield, “Maranacook Meander” June 14: Mount Vernon, “Eleven Ponds” June 21: Norridgewock, “Not for Naught” June 28: Readfield, “Readfield Grinder” July 5: Sidney, “Independence Day Ride” July 12: Liberty, “Palermo Beyond the Pale” July 19: Oakland, “A Cone or a Dish” July 26: Damariscotta, “To Pemaquid Point” August 2: Chelsea, “Chelsea Chainrings” August 9 or 10: OPEN August 16: Palermo, “China and Palermo Hills” August 23: Gardiner, “Biking to Bowdoinham” August 30 or 31: OPEN September 6: Richmond, “Richmond to the Sea” September 13: Wayne, “Which Way to Wayne” September 20 or 21: OPEN September 27: Livermore Falls, “Boothby’s Apple Farm Ride” October 4 or 5: OPEN October 11 or 12: OPEN October 18 or 19: OPEN October 25 or 26: OPEN November 1: Wayne, “Wicked Wayne” November 8: Belgrade, “Ugly Sweater Ride”

Chesterville Ride Rescheduled from Sunday to SATURDAY

The KVBC ride in Chesterville scheduled for Sunday has been switched to SATURDAY to take advantage of the forecast for warmer ride conditions, which are predicted to be sunny and mild and sweet. Well, John says it will be sweet, so that's pretty authoritative. Hope to see you on Saturday! Saturday, March 22: CHESTERVILLE "Pishou's Sucrerie" - a sweet syrup-sampling ride from Chesterville to Farmington Falls. START: 11:00 am at the junction of Egypt Pond Road and Main Road (about a mile from the junction of Egypt Pond Road and Tower Road). As you turn onto Main Road (unpaved) there is a small parking area next to a small green dumpster; additional parking roadside. Signs say No Trespassing except with permission - John says we have his permission. DISTANCE: 23.5 miles. TERRAIN: flat to hilly; sandy road conditions call for caution on descents. HIGHLIGHTS: a post-ride gathering at the ride leader's house for sap boiling and sugar sampling! LEADER: John Lanoue, johnlanoue@hotmail.com LINK TO ROUTE MAP: https://ridewithgps.com/routes/45880277

Boiling Down Chesterville

We had a surprisingly nice, mild sunny day for our Pratt's Birthday Ride in Vassalboro on Saturday. The roads were in great shape, we didn't hit any headwinds until right at the very end, and we had a dozen riders including some newcomers! Welcome! A fine turnout for the Ides of March. This weekend looks to be sunny as well, so we will hope for a repeat as we gather on Maine Maple Sunday in Chesterville for a ride ending at John's sugaring operation with some sweet sampling! It all boils down to a great ride, so we will see you Sunday! Sunday, March 23: CHESTERVILLE "Pishou's Sucrerie" - a sweet syrup-sampling ride from Chesterville to Farmington Falls. START: 11:00 am at the junction of Egypt Pond Road and Main Road (about a mile from the junction of Egypt Pond Road and Tower Road). As you turn onto Main Road (unpaved) there is a small parking area next to a small green dumpster; additional parking roadside. Signs say No Trespassing except with permission - John says we have his permission. DISTANCE: 23.5 miles. TERRAIN: flat to hilly; sandy road conditions call for caution on descents. HIGHLIGHTS: a post-ride gathering at the ride leader's house for sap boiling and sugar sampling! LEADER: John Lanoue, johnlanoue@hotmail.com LINK TO ROUTE MAP: https://ridewithgps.com/routes/45880277

In Pratt We Trust

Believe it or not, it's time to kick off the KVBC's pre-season rides!  This Saturday we hope to have a short ride in Vassalboro to celebrate the birth of Charles E. Pratt (on March 13, 1845 in Vassalboro) a prominent, influential cyclist and son of a Quaker minister in East Vassalboro. More on Pratt here: POSTED ROADS: Happy Birthday, Charles E. Pratt!  Saturday's weather forecast looks pretty nice, for March, with temperatures reaching 50, so we'll see if we can't get a short group ride in with Spring less than a week away!

Sunday, March 12 - VASSALBORO

"Pratt's Birthday Ride" - a ride around Vassalboro to celebrate the birthday of Charles E. Pratt, an early cycling visionary and "Father of the League of American Wheelmen."

START: 11:00 am at the Vassalboro Town Office Building, 682 Main Street (Rt. 32) in Vassalboro.

DISTANCE: 16 miles.

TERRAIN: flat to rolling

HIGHLIGHTS: a pre-Spring ride along some fine back roads in Vassalboro.

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

LINK to ROUTE MAP: https://ridewithgps.com/routes/38733279

 

March Rides, KVBC Dues Increase

 

Hello Everyone!  We are 19 days away from the start of Spring, even though it doesn't feel much like it yet.  If the weather permits we will have two, short, early preseason rides: one on Saturday, March 15 in Vassalboro to commemorate the birthday of Charles E. Pratt, the first president of the League of American Wheelmen (1880-1881) who was born in Vassalboro on March 13, 1845; followed the following week on Saturday, March 22 in Chesterville for Maine Maple Sunday weekend.  Stay tuned for additional details.

We also still have a number of openings in the 2025 KVBC Ride Calendar, so if you have been a ride leader and you haven't had a chance to sign up to lead a ride take a moment to check your calendar and sign up if you can.  We also welcome new ride leaders!  If you have a great ride you want to share with the club, let me know!

Our club treasurer, Brian Bowker, has submitted a Treasurer's Report, copied below.  Our club expenses have risen over the past few years and after some careful consideration, we have decided to raise our annual dues to $15.00 per year per person and $20.00 per year per household.  This is our first dues increase since our founding back in 2002.

Hope to see you all very soon! - Jim

KVBC Treasurer's Report 2024 Season

Hello to my fellow KVBC members.  I hope all of you are enjoying another chilly Maine winter.  As spring approaches surely many are gearing up for the cycling season.  I am looking forward to it but am in no hurry to put my skis away, surprise surprise!

Notes:

Our expenses last season were an annual contribution to the Bicycle Coalition of Maine (BCM) of $100.00, League of American Bicyclists (LAB) of $75.00 and to American Specialty Insurance (ASI) of $485.00.  A total of $660.00

Our joining LAB allows our participation in the group insurance rates with ASI.

Since I am not an accountant I would like to show some simple balances of the club checking account.

Beginning Balance         03/28/24              1012.15

Current Balance          03/01/25.                   887.15

We took in approximately $520.00 in dues and donations in 2024 (apx $420.00  in dues, including a little extra paid by a couple of members plus one donation).  That said with our expenses currently at $660.00 the club would be insolvent in about 6 years as long as there are no increases in expenses which is unlikely.  It would be my suggestion that the club increase the annual dues by at least $5.00 per membership which would almost cover annual expenses.

Individual member minimum annual dues:        $15.00

Family minimum annual dues:                           $20.00

Sincerely,

Brian Bowker

Treasurer