Hillier than Thou

We had a splendid turnout for the KVBC ride Sunday from Gardiner to Bowdoinham. A suburb route, despite a few miles of inevitable road construction, and it was great to see the newly reopened store at the midpoint in Bowdoinham again. Many thanks to Joe for leading us! We also had a few members show up and do the ride on Saturday due to some confusion as to the date of the ride start. My apologies, and I will try to be clearer in the future. We all wish Jim Linker a speedy recovery from his crash on Saturday. This coming Saturday we will meet at the Palermo Town Office for a challenging ride over and around the hills of China and Palermo. Please join us - on Saturday - for our first club ride in September! Saturday, September 5 - PALERMO "China and Palermo Hills" - a challenging tour over scenic vistas in Palermo, Albion, and South China START: 9:00 am at the Palermo Town Office, 45 North Palermo Road DISTANCE: 28 miles TERRAIN: Hilly HIGHLIGHTS: many scenic vistas and some challenging back roads LEADER: Paul Mitnik, pjmejm@gmail.com LINK TO ROUTE MAP: https://connect.garmin.com/modern/course/509663173 , https://ridewithgps.com/routes/56951557

Mo' Bettah Hills

We had beautiful weather for our ride last Saturday from Manchester to Litchfield. The roads were in "OK" condition but could use some resurfacing soon. Maybe they can smooth out some of the hills while they're at it. And there was a nice ice cream stop at the end. This Saturday we will venture out to the hill country around South China, Palermo and Albion. The weather looks like it will continue to be in our favor, so we hope you can join us Saturday! Saturday, August 16 - SOUTH CHINA "China and Palermo Hills" - a challenging tour over scenic vistas in Palermo, Albion, and South China START: 9:00 am at Tobey's Grocery at the junction of Rt. 3 and Branch Mills Road in South China DISTANCE: 34 miles TERRAIN: Hilly HIGHLIGHTS: many scenic vistas and some challenging back roads LEADER: Paul Mitnik, pjmejm@gmail.com LINK TO REVISED ROUTE MAP: https://connect.garmin.com/modern/course/391413512 or https://ridewithgps.com/routes/43616992

Albion My Best

UPDATE: due to forecasts of cold, rainy conditions on Saturday, the KVBC ride from China to Albion has been rescheduled to Sunday, May 11 (Mothers' Day). Please note the 9:30 am start time, and we'll hope to see you on the ride Sunday! Sunday, May 11 - CHINA "O Albion" - a Spring tour through China, Palermo, and Albion. START: 9:30 am at the China Primary School at 763 Lakeview Drive, Rt. 202, in China. DISTANCE: 24 miles. TERRAIN: Moderate to Rolling HIGHLIGHTS: some really nice, scenic back roads for group cycling. LEADER: Duncan Tate, datateme@gmail.com LINK to ROUTE MAP: https://ridewithgps.com/routes/50436982 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.

Albion My May

We had wonderful luck with the weather for the Summerhaven ride on Saturday. Despite forecasts of showers, thunderstorms, and overcast skies, we instead found lots of blue skies, sunshine and fair weather. It turned out to be a great day! Our thanks to Cynthia for leading, and for providing some great cookies after the ride. This Saturday we will meet at the China Primary School (the one in the rear of the campus) and we will venture out to Palermo and Albion. The route this year has been updated so be sure to download the new route map below, and we'll see you Saturday! Saturday, May 10 - CHINA "O Albion" - a Spring tour through China, Palermo, and Albion. START: 9:00 am at the China Primary School at 763 Lakeview Drive, Rt. 202, in China. DISTANCE: 24 miles. TERRAIN: Moderate to Rolling HIGHLIGHTS: some really nice, scenic back roads for group cycling. LEADER: Duncan Tate, datateme@gmail.com LINK to ROUTE MAP: https://ridewithgps.com/routes/50436982 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.

Albion by way of Palermo

RIDE UPDATE: New Starting Location!  We will be meeting Saturday at the Palermo Town Office instead of Tobey's Grocery in South China.  The new starting location is about 3/4 mile away.  Take Branch Mills Road off of Rt. 3 in So. China and turn onto North Palermo Road; the Town Office will be just on the right.

Saturday, August 19 - SOUTH CHINA

"Ambling Towards Albion" - a challenging tour over scenic vistas in Palermo, Albion, and South China

START: 9:00 am at the Palermo Town Office, 45 North Palermo Road off Branch Mills Road in Palermo

DISTANCE: 30 or 31 miles

TERRAIN: Hilly

HIGHLIGHTS: many scenic vistas and some challenging back roads

LEADER: Paul Mitnik, pjmejm@gmail.com

LINK TO ROUTE MAP: https://ridewithgps.com/routes/43616992 

Albion My Way

We had more splendid weather for our ride down the coast from Damariscotta to Pemaquid on Saturday.  Lots of great ocean views, salty sea breezes, and even a local parade!  Many thanks to David for leading the ride, and to all who took part.  This Saturday we have a new ride in store, starting in South China and exploring the hills around Palermo and Albion.  Hope you can join us!

Saturday, August 19 - SOUTH CHINA

"Ambling Towards Albion" - a challenging tour over scenic vistas in Palermo, Albion, and South China

START: 9:00 am at Tobey's Grocery at the junction of Rt. 3 and Branch Mills Road in South China

DISTANCE: 30 or 31 miles

TERRAIN: Hilly

HIGHLIGHTS: many scenic vistas and some challenging back roads

LEADER: Paul Mitnik, pjmejm@gmail.com

LINK TO ROUTE MAP: https://ridewithgps.com/routes/43616992

 

O Albion, O Yes

We had a beautiful ride from Augusta last Saturday, despite having a weather forecast anomaly. The morning fog and drizzle failed to clear out as promised - at least not until the ride was almost over.  The route itself was exceptional, and kudos for Cynthia, the ride leader, are well deserved.  Thanks, also, to Cynthia and Chris who thoughtfully brought cookies and muffins respectively - which were well-appreciated!  With August behind us we head straight into September and some fine Autumn rides, starting this Saturday in China and Albion.  Hope you can join us!

Saturday, September 3 - CHINA

"O Albion" - an early Fall tour through China, Palermo, and Albion.

START: 9:00 am at the China Primary School at 763 Lakeview Drive, Rt. 202, in China. The Primary School sits well in back of the Middle School that fronts on the road.

DISTANCE: 28 miles.

TERRAIN: Moderate to Rolling

HIGHLIGHTS: some really nice, scenic back roads through the China/Albion area

LEADER: Duncan Tate, datateme@gmail.com

LINK to ROUTE MAP: https://www.gmap-pedometer.com/?r=7565084 or https://ridewithgps.com/routes/40645364?privacy_code=Q7VlKGZ6tNDre1Ty

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.

Albion My Way

We had a great "Wake Up the Earth Ride" last Saturday in Belgrade Lakes with 23 riders turning out, many of whom rode the long (and hillier) route. Good show! This Saturday we are going to be treated with an all new ride from China out to Albion to start off the month of May. The CDC now says that fully vaccinated people (at least 2 weeks post-vaccination) can go maskless outside if they are not in large groups, but bring a mask anyway, especially at the ride start and anywhere on school grounds. Please maintain distancing, and join us another day if you are not feeling well. We have some great rides coming up this month and we hope we can all take part! See you Saturday! Saturday, May 1 - CHINA "Albion My Way" - a May Day tour through China, Palermo, and Albion. START: 9:00 am at the China Middle School at 773 Lakeview Drive, Rt. 202, in China. DISTANCE: 27 miles. TERRAIN: Moderate to Rolling HIGHLIGHTS: some really nice, scenic back roads on the first day of May. LEADER: Duncan Tate, datateme@gmail.com LINK to ROUTE MAP: https://www.gmap-pedometer.com/?r=7565084 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.

Ambling Martyrs

We had a fine ride around Lake Cobbossee on Sunday, with another great turn-out, despite the overcast and humid conditions - many thanks to all who turned out despite the late rescheduling, and my apologies to the rider who got lost. This Saturday we will head out on a new ride to Albion, birthplace of Elijah Parish Lovejoy, the early 19th century martyr to freedom of the press. Unless you aspire to martyrdom yourself, please remember that we are following pandemic protocols: maintain a healthy distance from others, bring and use a mask in close quarters, and please stay home and get well if you are feeling sick.  Stay well, and hope to see you Saturday!

Saturday, July 18th, EAST VASSALBORO

"Ambling to Albion" - a tour through China, Albion, and Vassalboro

START: 9:00 AM at Vassalboro Community School, 1116 Webber Pond Road near the junction with Bog Road, East Vassalboro.

DISTANCE: 34 miles, with a 50-option from an 8:30 am remote start at Paul Mitnick's - call him for directions at 923-3758

TERRAIN: moderate, with some hills and flat sections.

HIGHLIGHTS: scenic back country past lakes and streams to Albion, birthplace of martyrs

LEADER: Peggy Horner, phorner_1@yahoo.com

LINK TO ROUTE MAP: http://www.gmap-pedometer.com?r=7501646

On to Albion

"Cyclists and Yellow Field" by Andrew Macara

 

 

We had splendid weather for our end-to-end ride on the Whistle-Stop rail trail last Saturday, and despite some rather deep sand on parts of the trail we did manage to ride the entire distance.  Had a great stop at Dutch Treat in Wilton on the return trip, too - where the topic of an open date in this weekend's calendar came up - and Jeanine stepped up to remedy this situation.  Thus we will meet in Albion on Sunday for what promises to be a great ride.  See you then!

 

 

 

 

Sunday, August 25 - ALBION

"On to Albion" - a pretty country ride through Albion, Benton, and East Winslow.

START: 9:00 am at the Albion Town Office building on Main Street (Rt.s 9, 137,and 202)

DISTANCE: 30 Miles.

TERRAIN: moderately hilly

HIGHLIGHTS: hairy cows, ice cream, and home grown veggies (perhaps not all at once)

LEADER: Jeanine Libby.

 

For more information on the Kennebec Valley Bicycle Club and its rides contact Jim Merrick, hjmerrick@gmail.com, or check out the KVBC Facebook page.