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.

Wake Up the Earth!

We had another beautiful day and a great turnout for our ride on the rail trail from Augusta last Sunday.  There was still a lot of work underway cleaning up and repairing winter storm damage, but the rail trail was mostly clear of debris and the ride went very smoothly.  Many thanks to Jeanine for leading and to all who turned out!  This Sunday we will venture out to Turner for Earth Day and our annual Wake Up the Earth ride, featuring a stop at the Nezinscot Farm.  Hope you can join us!

Sunday, April 21 - TURNER

"Wake Up the Earth" - an Earth Day ride celebrating the coming of Spring, parklands, local organic farm producers, and biking of course!

START: 10:00 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 or 24 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 (longer): https://ridewithgps.com/routes/39005991

LINK to ROUTE MAP (shorter): 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.

Earth Day Every Day!

 The abrupt onset of warm weather brought about a beautiful spring ride from Winslow last Saturday.  We had a fine turnout of 17 riders including some newcomers!  A number of folks went out and did some additional miles, while others gathered afterward for lunch at Big G's.  Many thanks to Jeanine for leading another great ride.  This weekend tops off Earth Week with our traditional "Wake Up the Earth" ride on Saturday in Turner.  We are hopeful that the forecast rains will hold off until later on Saturday, but if it is raining with temperatures in the 40s at the start we may postpone the ride.  Let's hope for good weather and we'll see you Saturday in Turner!

Saturday, April 22 - 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 or 24 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 (longer): https://ridewithgps.com/routes/39005991

LINK to ROUTE MAP (shorter): 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.

Wake Up The Earth!

It's Earth Week!  And what better way to cap it off than with the KVBC "Wake Up The Earth Ride" in Belgrade Lakes!  We will explore a brand new route this year, meeting at the Belgrade Community Center for All Seasons at 10 am on Saturday (Rain Date, Sunday).  After a long, drawn out Winter with still some residual snow in spots, it will be a pleasure to welcome in Spring.  Hope you can join us - Wake Up the Earth!

April 27th, Saturday:  BELGRADE LAKES

"Wake Up The Earth Ride" - celebrate Earth Week and the arrival of Spring with a ride through Belgrade, Mount Vernon, and Wings Mills.

START:  10:00 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).

DISTANCE:  26 miles.

TERRAIN:  rolling to "moderately" hilly (translation: there are hills on this ride).

HIGHLIGHTS: views of the Belgrade Lakes, some roller coaster hills, Wings Mills - possible post-ride stop at Hello Good Pie bakery in Belgrade Lakes Village.

LEADER:  Jim Floyd, jimfloyd@fairpoint.net..

LINK to ROUTE MAP: https://www.gmap-pedometer.com/?r=7359714
 

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.

Bike Earth Day!

The weather did not cooperate for last Sunday's ride, and even took a turn for the worse to start off the week - at least for those of us for whom visions of Spring involve flowers, not ice pellets. The forecast for next Sunday, on the other hand, is mostly sunny and in the 50s - to which we say, "Yes! Sign us up!" Join us this Sunday, Earth Day, in Augusta at the Rail Trail for our annual "Wake Up the Earth Ride!" We may have to get a bit creative passing through the construction in Downtown Hallowell, but we hope to make a stop at Slate's bakery and congregate in their outdoor patio. Hope you can join us!

April 22nd, Sunday - AUGUSTA
"Wake Up the Earth" - an early Spring/Earth Day ride along the Kennebec River Rail Trail through Augusta, Hallowell, and Gardiner.
START: 10:00 AM at the Augusta trail head of the rail trail - the municipal parking lot off of Water Street adjacent to the Maine State Housing Authority (353 Water St.) in the shadow of Memorial Bridge.
DISTANCE: 20+ miles
TERRAIN: flat (and we mean flat)
HIGHLIGHTS: EARTH DAY! 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 Floyd, jimfloyd@fairpoint.net

LINK TO ROUTE MAP (2016): http://gmap-pedometer.com/?r=6838283

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.

Wake Up!

Next weekend is Earth Day, and we have a double-header lined up!  Saturday will be our annual Wake Up The Earth Ride along the Kennebec River Rail Trail in Augusta, a reasonably flat, mostly off-road route that is a perfect warm-up if you haven't been able to get your bike out much - and it falls on Earth Day this year!  It is a fun ride and features a stop at Slate's Bakery in Hallowell.  Sunday we will head up river to Winslow for another popular early ride, Big G's and Bare Knees, intended to warm things up to shed some layers - plus an optional stop at Big G's for lunch.  Hope you can join us on one ride, or both!

April 22nd, Saturday - AUGUSTA
"Wake Up the Earth" - an early Spring/Earth Day ride along the Kennebec River Rail Trail through Augusta, Hallowell, and Gardiner.
START: 10:00 AM at the Augusta trail head of the rail trail - the municipal parking lot off of Water Street adjacent to the Maine State Housing Authority (353 Water St.) in the shadow of Memorial Bridge.
DISTANCE: 20+ miles
TERRAIN: flat (and we mean flat)
HIGHLIGHTS: EARTH DAY! 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 Floyd, jimfloyd@fairpoint.net.

LINK TO BCM CALENDAR: http://www.bikemaine.org/event2/kvbc-wake-up-the-earth-ride-2

LINK TO ROUTE MAP (2016): http://gmap-pedometer.com/?r=6838283

 

 

April 23rd, Sunday - WINSLOW
"Big G's and Bare Knees" - a riverside tour through Winslow, Benton, and Clinton.
START: 9:30 AM at Winslow Elementary School, 285 Benton Avenue, Winslow.
DISTANCE: 25-30 miles.
TERRAIN: moderate.
HIGHLIGHTS: an early Spring ride along the Kennebec and Sebasticook rivers. Optional lunch stop at "Big G's" in Winslow.
LEADER: Jeanine Libby, jjlibby13@roadrunner.com.

LINK TO BCM CALENDAR: http://www.bikemaine.org/event2/kvbc-big-gs-and-bare-knees-2

LINK TO ROUTE MAP (2015): http://gmap-pedometer.com/?r=6799300

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.

WAKE UP THE EARTH BIKE RIDE

Yes indeed! The weather is finally turning spring-like, and we are one week away from the first KVBC ride of the season, the Wake Up The Earth Ride along the Kennebec River Rail Trail in Augusta! It has been a very long winter, and it is definitely time to wake things up and get out and ride!  Hope to see everyone next Saturday in Augusta at 10:30 am!

April 18th, Saturday - AUGUSTA
"Wake Up the Earth" - an early Spring/Earth Day 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 Maine State Housing Authority (353 Water St.) in the shadow of Memorial Bridge.
DISTANCE: 20+ miles
TERRAIN: flat (and we mean flat)
HIGHLIGHTS: 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 Floyd.
 
A special note: the CMCC is planning a ride and potluck tomorrow, Saturday, April 11, in Vassalboro - details on their Facebook page.

Wake Up the Earth 2014

We had a great warm-up ride last Saturday in North Augusta thanks to Jim Floyd and David Lipman.  They picked a perfect day, and we had a nice turn-out of twelve riders on short notice.  We didn't lose anyone (we think) and the roads were a lot better than expected.  This Saturday's ride will be our first official ride of the season - the "Wake Up the Earth" ride along the Kennebec River Rail Trail, with a possible stop at Slates Bakery in Hallowell (actually two possible stops, as we pass by it twice, and it's hard to pass by).  The ride will be on gentle, mostly flat terrain, and will be moderately paced - perfect if you haven't been out much as yet this year.  Hope you can join us as we kick off another great year of cycling!

April 19th, Saturday - AUGUSTA

"Wake Up the Earth" - an early Spring/Earth Day ride along the Kennebec River Rail Trail through Augusta, Hallowell, and Gardiner.

START:  10:00 AM at the Augusta trail head of the rail trail - the municipal parking lot off of Water Street adjacent to the Maine State Housing Authority (353 Water St.) in the shadow of Memorial Bridge:

http://maps.google.com/maps?f=q&source=s_q&hl=en&geocode=&q=kennebec+river+rail+trail&sll=44.311274,-69.77447&sspn=0.028006,0.055189&ie=UTF8&hq=&hnear=Kennebec+River+Rail+Trail,+Kennebec,+Maine&ll=44.311497,-69.774309&spn=0.003501,0.006899&t=h&z=17&lci=bike

DISTANCE: 20-25 miles

TERRAIN:  flat (and we mean flat, unless of course we take a detour to add on more miles)

HIGHLIGHTS:  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; possible stop at Slates Bakery in Hallowell, too!

LEADER:  Jim Floyd.

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

Wake Up The Earth - 2013

 

 

Hello everyone!  While we are waiting to see what this latest "storm" will bring, don't forget the Bicycle Coalition's Great Maine Bike Swaps and see what they will bring!  The Orono Swap is this Sunday, April 14, and the Portland Swap is Sunday, April 28.  Details on the BCM website.

 

 And we are only 8 days away from the first official KVBC ride of the season - the Wake Up The Earth ramble along the Kennebec River Rail Trail from Augusta to Gardiner and back - including a stop at Slate's Bakery in Hallowell - all happening Saturday, April 20!

 

For up-to-date information on KVBC rides be sure to check in on the KVBC page on Facebook!

 

 

 

April 20th, Saturday - AUGUSTA

"Wake Up the Earth" - an early Spring/Earth Day ride along the Kennebec River Rail Trail through Augusta, Hallowell, and Gardiner.

START:  10:00 AM at the Augusta trail head of the rail trail - the municipal parking lot off of Water Street adjacent to the Maine State Housing Authority (353 Water St.) in the shadow of Memorial Bridge.

DISTANCE: 20 miles

TERRAIN:  flat (and we mean flat)

HIGHLIGHTS:  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. Possible ride stop at Slate's Bakery in Hallowell.

LEADER:  Jim Floyd.

 

Wake Up The Earth - Manchester

Yes, it's time to begin! The first Kennebec Valley Bicycle Club ride of the season is this Saturday. Hopefully we've seen the last of the Winter's snows, the days will get longer, temperatures will be closer to normal, and everything will start turning green again. Let's Wake up the Earth! Hope to see all of you in Manchester at the start!

Saturday, April 24th - MANCHESTER

"Wake up the Earth Ride" - a posted roads tour from Manchester to Wings Mills.

START: 10:00 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 next to the fire station just after you turn off Rt. 202 onto Rt. 17 West.

DISTANCE: 23 miles.

TERRAIN: moderate, with one long hill.

HIGHLIGHTS: Hopefully some dry pavement, and hold the pot-holes! We'll ride some paved (albeit sandy) back roads along some streams in and out of Wings Mills, take in some pre-foliage hilltop views, and celebrate the 40th anniversary of Earth Day (on Thursday this year) and the coming of Spring.

LEADER: Jim Merrick.