A Chance of Chainrings

We had great weather for the KVBC ride from Wayne on Sunday. Bright blue, cloudless skies with lots of sunshine which enhanced the many views of lakes, rivers, and hillsides. To top it off, we stopped at the Nezinscot Farm store and cafe on Open Farm Day. It was great to see some familiar faces, too! This Saturday we will return to Chelsea for a newly modified route over some of the best cycling roads in the Sheepscot River Valley. Hope to see you Saturday! Saturday, August 1 - CHELSEA "Chelsea Chainrings" - a rural tour through the rolling hills and farms of Chelsea, Whitefield, Pittston and Randolph. START: 9:00 am, at the Chelsea Town Office, 560 Togus Rd, Rt. 226 DISTANCE: about 30 miles TERRAIN: rolling hills. HIGHLIGHTS: lots of scenic rural roads in and around the scenic Sheepscot River Valley. LEADER: Fred McKinley, mkinleyf@gmail.com LINK to ROUTE MAP: https://connect.garmin.com/modern/activity/23708923699

August Rides

Here is the KVBC ride line-up for August! Spread the word: lots of great riding ahead! And don't forget this Sunday's ride in Wayne! See you on the road...

Great Scot, Nezinscot!

We had a fine ride last Saturday around Palermo despite the rather cloudy weather. The roads were in good shape, including some sections of new pavement, and they stayed dry as the afternoon rains held off. We also welcomed a number of newcomers who added to a great turnout. Thanks to Paul for leading and to everyone who rode! This Sunday we will meet in Wayne for a ride out through Turner and Leeds with a potential stop at the popular Nezinscot Farm Store. Hope you can join us! Sunday, July 26 - WAYNE "A Nezinscot Necessary" - a tour across the Androscoggin to the Nezinscot, through Wayne, Turner and Leeds. START: 9:00 am at the Wayne Elementary School on 48 Pond Road. DISTANCE: 30 miles. TERRAIN: some flat, some hilly. HIGHLIGHTS: scenic riversheds and ridgetop views, Androscoggin Riverlands State Park, and an optional stop at the Nezinscot Farm Store. LEADER: Jim Merrick, 293-3784, hjmerrick@gmail.com. LINK to ROUTE MAP: https://ridewithgps.com/routes/56041546

Montville the Pale

We had a near perfect day for our ride from Damariscotta to Pemaquid on Saturday. Beautiful sunshine, spectacular coastlines, great sea breezes, and more! Many thanks to David for leading us! This Saturday we will head out to Liberty and Palermo for a ride featuring options up Appleton Ridge and a possible post-ride stop at a renowned local ice cream parlor. Hope you can join us! Saturday, July 18 - LIBERTY "Palermo, Beyond the Pale" - an adventurous ride through Liberty, Palermo, Appleton and Searsmont. START: 9:30 am at the parking lot of ReVision Energy on Rt. 3 near the Liberty/Montville line, about a half mile east of the junction of Rt.s 3 & 220 (about 1.5 miles past the entrance to Liberty State Park). ReVision Energy is on the left, east-bound. DISTANCE: 31 or 34 miles. TERRAIN: rolling to hilly; the Appleton Ridge option is partially unpaved. HIGHLIGHTS: exceptional rural back roads and small hamlets, including the option of traversing Appleton Ridge with its spectacular vistas. Possible post-ride stop at John's Ice Cream in Liberty. LEADER: Paul Mitnik, pjmejm@gmail.com. LINK to ROUTE MAP: https://connect.garmin.com/modern/course/484177261 https://ridewithgps.com/routes/36795930 LINK to ROUTE MAP with Appleton Ridge Option: https://connect.garmin.com/modern/course/484176802 https://ridewithgps.com/routes/36795947

Pemaquid by the Sea

We had a rather hot ride from Sidney on the Fourth of July. The worst of the heat wave had passed but we were still seeking shelter in the shade where we could find it. The worst of the predicted air quality (wildfire smoke from out west) also held off, except for one ill-mannered truck driver who tried to "roll coal" on us in North Augusta. Otherwise we had great company and a great Fourth of July ride! If the heat is still getting you down, it should be a lot cooler along the coast, and fortuitously we will be riding down to Pemaquid on Saturday! Hope to see you then! Saturday, July 11; DAMARISCOTTA "To Pemaquid Point" - a tour through Bristol, Bremen, Pemaquid and Damariscotta. START: 9:30 AM at Hannaford's supermarket, 469 Main Street (Business Rt. 1) in Damariscotta. DISTANCE: approx. 39 miles. TERRAIN: Moderate to rolling with no major hills. HIGHLIGHTS: scenic roads within the Pemaquid Peninsula, fresh and salt water views abound. LEADER: David Lipman, davidlipman1948@gmail.com LINK TO RIDE MAP: https://ridewithgps.com/routes/37338970

July Rides

Here is the KVBC ride line up for July! Lots of fine riding ahead!

Go Forth on the Fourth

We had a fine ride from Manchester to Litchfield on Saturday. Despite predictions of clouds and possible showers, we had mostly clear skies, little wind, and mild temperatures. We also had a few newcomers which is most welcome! This Saturday we will have one of our traditional club rides in Sidney on the Fourth of July. The ride is in two parts, with the first half ending back at the start after 16 miles for those who have to cut the ride short for holiday gatherings; the rest of us will continue on for about 30 miles. Hope to see you Saturday, and if not, have a wonderful (and safe) holiday! Saturday, July 4, SIDNEY: "Independence by Bike" - the traditional KVBC 4th of July tour through Sidney, Augusta and Waterville. START: 9:00 AM at the James H. Bean Elementary School on 2896 Middle Road in Sidney. Directions to the Bean School: From south: I-95 North exit #120. Turn right at end of exit ramp onto Lyons Rd. From the north: I-95 South exit #120. Turn left at end of exit ramp onto Lyons Rd. Follow Lyons Rd. to stop sign. Turn left onto Middle Rd. Bean School is approximately one mile on the right. DISTANCE: 16 or 29 Miles. TERRAIN: moderate with a few hills. HIGHLIGHTS: some fine back roads and Kennebec River views, and some Fourth of July paraphernalia, most likely. LEADER: Jim Merrick, hjmerrick@gmail.com, 293-3784. LINK TO RIDE MAP: https://ridewithgps.com/routes/39964070 For more information on the Kennebec Valley Bicycle Club, contact Jim Merrick at hjmerrick@gmail.com, check out our blog, Posted Roads at http://postedroads.blogspot.com, or follow us on Facebook. Memberships in the Kennebec Valley Bicycle Club provide funds for our club insurance, enabling us to hold rides and events. Membership funds also ensure our club memberships supporting the Bicycle Coalition of Maine and the League of American Bicyclists. Membership forms can be obtained at most club rides, and also via email by contacting Jim Merrick (email above) or Brian Bowker, bbowk321@yahoo.com, or Denise Crowell, denisemcrowell@gmail.com. Thank you!

To See the Cobbossee

Despite some questionable weather we managed to get in a club ride from Richmond to Wiscasset on Saturday. In amidst sun and clouds we had considerable wind, a few sprinkles and some drizzle, but for the most part the roads were dry, the prospect of rain never materialized, and we had a nice stop at Treats in Wiscasset. Thanks to David for putting the ride together, and to everyone, including some newcomers, for turning out! Summer has officially arrived, and we will kick it off this weekend in Manchester for one of our popular routes around Cobbosseecontee Lake and a possible ice cream stop at the end. Hope you can join us! Saturday, June 27th - 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.

Richmond to the Sea

We had quite a few ups and downs on our ride from Chesterville last Saturday. But the weather was superb, the roads were dry, and we had a fine turnout. Many thanks to John for leading, and for introducing us to the Root Down Market in New Sharon, a new old stop! This Saturday we will gather in Richmond at the boat landing for our march to the sea, not to mention potential "Treats" in store in Wiscasset! See you Saturday! Saturday, June 20th - RICHMOND "Wheeling 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 315 Front Street (Rt.24). 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. LEADER: David Lipman, davidlipman1948@gmail.com LINK to RIDE MAP: https://ridewithgps.com/routes/37008486

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

June Rides

Here is the KVBC ride line-up for June! Hope you can join in as we set out into Summer! And don't forget tomorrow's ride in Vassalboro as we close out Bike Month!

Vassalboro Ride Switched from Saturday to SUNDAY

Hello Everyone, due to unfavorable weather forecasts for Saturday, tomorrow's scheduled ride in Vassalboro has been rescheduled for SUNDAY instead. If you have forwarded the original ride info to others, please let them know of the changes. Thank you, and see you Sunday! Sunday, May 31 - VASSALBORO "Velo Vassalboro" - a scenic tour around the China Lake region START: 9:00am at the parking lot at the end of Arrowhead Drive next to the Natanis Golf Course off of Webber Pond Road heading north. (Not to be confused with Fairway Drive. Use Barrows Road on your GPS and it is 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. 33 miles TERRAIN: Moderate to Hilly HIGHLIGHTS: Views of China Lake and Webber Pond, gentleman farms and country homes along the Neck Road. LEADER: David Lipman, dlipman@lipmankatz.com LINK TO RIDE MAP: https://ridewithgps.com/trips/290344826 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, or keep up to date via our Facebook page.

Vassaboro Isn't Hassleboro

The weather turned a bit cooler for our ride last Saturday in Winslow, but we had nice bright sunshine and a fine turnout. Our thanks to Tom for leading the ride and to all who turned out! This Saturday we will return to Vassalboro for another popular ride taking us around Webber Pond and China Lake. Hope to see you Saturday! Saturday, May 30 - VASSALBORO "Velo Vassalboro" - a scenic tour around the China Lake region START: 9:00am at the parking lot at the end of Arrowhead Drive next to the Natanis Golf Course off of Webber Pond Road heading north. (Not to be confused with Fairway Drive. Use Barrows Road on your GPS and it is 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. 33 miles TERRAIN: Moderate to Hilly HIGHLIGHTS: Views of China Lake and Webber Pond, gentleman farms and country homes along the Neck Road. LEADER: David Lipman, dlipman@lipmankatz.com LINK TO RIDE MAP: https://ridewithgps.com/trips/290344826 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, or keep up to date via our Facebook page.

United in Manchester

We had a fine group of riders set out in bright sunshine on Saturday's KVBC ride in Norridgewock. We broke into three paced groups, and even the slow-paced group managed to finish before it clouded up, and everyone missed the rain. Many thanks to Denise and Brian for leading and for their post-ride hospitality, especially the home-baked cookies! This Saturday we will venture out on one of our early, venerable club rides starting in Manchester. Hope to see you Saturday! Saturday, May 16 - MANCHESTER "Manchester United" - a Spring tour from Manchester to Wings Mills. START: 9:30 AM, at the Manchester Elementary School parking lot on Rt. 17, near the junction of Rt. 17 & Rt. 202. The school is on the left just after you turn off Rt. 202 onto Rt. 17 West. DISTANCE: 12, 19 or 23 miles. TERRAIN: moderate, with one long hill. HIGHLIGHTS: We'll ride past Lakeside Orchards over back roads along some streams in and out of Wings Mills and take in some hilltop views. LEADER: Cynthia Snow, cynthy817@gmail.com LINK to ROUTE MAP: https://ridewithgps.com/routes/38931464

Naughty Knotty

Saturday, May 9 - NORRIDGEWOCK "Not for Naught, Norridgewock" - a tour through Norridgewock, Smithfield, and Mercer. START: 9:30 am at the ride leaders' house at 434 Fredericks Corner Road, about two miles from the junction of Rt.2 in Norridgewock. Please park on either side of the driveway. DISTANCE: 29 or 32 miles. TERRAIN: rolling with a few hills. HIGHLIGHTS: scenic roads around North and East Ponds in Smithfield, and the not to be undone wiles of Norridgewock. LEADERS: Denise Crowell, denisemcrowell@gmail.com, and Brian Bowker, bbowk321@yahoo.com. LINK TO ROUTE MAP (Long): https://ridewithgps.com/routes/51257952 LINK TO ROUTE MAP (Short): https://ridewithgps.com/routes/54945572 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.

Anna and Bessa Can Cook

We had a beautiful spring day for our KVBC ride from South China last Saturday. We had a few mechanical issues which shortened the ride for some folks, but for everyone else the ride was enjoyable and trouble-free. Paul had set out a route from a new starting location that worked out very well - many thanks to Paul!. This Saturday we will kick off the month of May when we revisit a popular route from Readfield that travels over some fine cycling roads around the big lakes. Due to popular demand, we may split the ride group into "fast" and "not-so-fast" groups so that more people will be comfortable with the pace (and Jim has someone to ride with). Hope to see you Saturday! Saturday, May 2 - READFIELD "Around Annabessacook" - a tour around some of the major lakes in Readfield, Winthrop, and Monmouth. START: 9:30 am at the Maranacook School Superintendent's Parking Lot, 45 Millard Harrison Drive off of Rt. 17 in Readfield, across from the town beach. DISTANCE: 29.5 miles TERRAIN: moderate with a few hills HIGHLIGHTS: some pleasant back roads around Annabessacook Lake, with lots of scenic, rural views. LEADER: David Chiappetta, davidchiappetta5@gmail.com LINK TO ROUTE MAP: https://connect.garmin.com/modern/course/117343541, https://ridewithgps.com/routes/53935004

May Rides

Here is the KVBC ride line up for May!

Miles of Mills

We had a small but hardy group that turned out for the Wake Up the Earth ride in Turner on Saturday, despite the mis-forecast of overcast and drizzly conditions. Fortunately the skies cleared up, the sun came out, the Nezinscot Farm Store was a welcoming stop, and we had a nice ride! This Saturday we will head out to South China for a ride through the mill towns of Windsor and China. See you then! Saturday, April 25 - SOUTH CHINA "Through the Mills" - a tour through Windsor and So. China to Weeks Mills and Coopers Mills. START: 10:00 am at Hannaford's in South China, near the junction of Rt. 32 and Rt.s 3 & 202 DISTANCE: 26 or 30 mi. TERRAIN: somewhat hilly HIGHLIGHTS: some fine back roads through some venerable old mill villages. Possible pre-ride breakfast gathering at "Greg's Place" near the ride start. LEADER: Paul Mitnik, pjmejm@gmail.com LINK to LONG RIDE ROUTE: https://connect.garmin.com/modern/course/449757948 LINK TO SHORT RIDE ROUTE: https://connect.garmin.com/modern/course/449759505 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.

Wake Up, Wake Up!

We had another fine turnout for our KVBC ride last Saturday in Kents Hill, despite the fact that it was blustery and a lot cooler than forecast. The ride leader was testing out a new bike and had a few technical issues finishing well off the pace, but hopefully everyone had a nice ride. The folks at the bakery were happy that we stopped by, and I assume the feeling was mutual! We are approaching Earth Day so it is once again time for our "Wake Up the Earth" ride this Saturday in Turner, featuring some scenic roads along the river and over ridgetops, followed by a potential stop at the Nezinscot Farm Store Cafe. Hope to see you Saturday! Saturday, April 18 - 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 parking lot of the Turner Public Schools on Matthews Way off of RT. 117 in Turner 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/54364858 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.