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