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 in Hallowell

Yes, it's April, and yes, it's still snowing - but hey, Sunday is supposed to be sunny and maybe in the 50s, so lets try for another early season ride, starting in Hallowell at the Hall Dale School.  We'll head out toward Litchfield and West Gardiner and return via the Kennebec Rail Trail with a potential stop at Slate's Bakery!  See you Sunday!

Sunday, April 7 - HALLOWELL

"Over Hill and Hall-Dale" - an early Spring ride through Hallowell, Litchfield, and West Gardiner.
START: 10:00 am at the Hall-Dale Elementary School at 26 Garden Lane off of Winthrop Street in Hallowell.
DISTANCE: 23 miles.
TERRAIN: rolling with some good climbs; flat along the rail trail.
HIGHLIGHTS: a bike ride in April; the Kennebec Rail Trail; possible stop at Slate's Bakery.
LEADER: Jim Merrick, 293-3784, hjmerrick@gmail.com.
LINK TO RIDE MAP: http://gmap-pedometer.com/?r=6763231

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!

Greetings!  We are approaching Earth Day 2016, which means Spring should be arriving any day now (assuming we haven't missed it already).  And that means it is time for the annual KVBC Wake Up the Earth Ride!  We'll meet on Sunday, April 17th, at 10 am at the Augusta End of the Kennebec River Rail Trail, riding to Gardiner and perhaps a bit beyond, stopping in Hallowell at Slate's Bakery on the way back.  Certainly hope you can join us!

April 17th, 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: 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.

NOTE: if you are looking for a new bike, or selling an old one (or both), the Bicycle Coalition of Maine is holding their first of two Bike Swaps in Orono tomorrow, April 10; the second swap is in Portland on May 1.  Details at their website, Bikemaine.org.

4th Quadrennial Leap Day Ride

Hi Gang!  It's a Leap Year, which means we have an extra day to ride bikes, and we all have bikes, so that means it's time for the KVBC Fourth Quadrennial Leap Day Ride!  (I think there's a logical progression in there somewhere.)  We will meet on Monday, February 29, at 11 am at the Hallowell Boat Landing at 226 Water Street - there's also some parking spots across the street.  Depending on the weather and road conditions, we'll do about a 20-mile ride down the rail trail to Gardiner and return on some back roads and stop in at Slate's Bakery at the end.  If the weather is really questionable we may alter these plans drastically, so stay tuned for further updates.  Who knows?  We rode in 50-degree weather back in December, so you never know - it might turn out to be a great day for riding, and if it isn't, there's always Slate's!

Monday, February 29 - HALLOWELL

"Take a Leap" - the fourth Quadrennial KVBC Leap Day Ride!

START: 11:00 am at the Hallowell Public Boat Landing at 226 Water Street, riverside.  There's another small parking lot almost directly across the street.

DISTANCE: about 20 miles, conditions permitting.

TERRAIN: flat along the rail trail, moderate otherwise.

HIGHLIGHTS: a Bike Ride!  In February!  On Leap Day!  Also, a post-ride stop at Slate's bakery.

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

LINK TO ROUTE MAP: http://www.gmap-pedometer.com/?r=6793592

Over Hill and Hall-Dale

So, you know, Winter doesn't officially begin until December 21st, and it looks like the weather gods have decided to do things officially this year.  Which means we have more mild weather in store for this weekend - partly sunny and temperatures near 50 degrees - two weeks running!  Can't turn up another opportunity to ride in beautiful late-season weather.  Let's meet Saturday morning in Hallowell at the Hall-Dale Elementary School for a 23-mile ride to Slate's Bakery - a possible preview of the Leap Day Ride next Feb. 29.  Think it'll be 50 degrees in February?  At this rate, you never know, but we'll take advantage of it while we can.

Saturday, December 12 - HALLOWELL

"Over Hill and Hall-Dale" - a December ride through Hallowell, Litchfield, and West Gardiner.

START: 10:00 am at the Hall-Dale Elementary School at 26 Garden Lane off of Winthrop Street in Hallowell.

DISTANCE: 23 miles.

TERRAIN: rolling with some good climbs; flat along the rail trail.

HIGHLIGHTS: riding in December with only a few layers; the Kennebec Rail Trail; possible stop at Slate's Bakery.

LEADER: Jim Merrick.

LINK TO RIDE MAP: http://gmap-pedometer.com/?r=6763231

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 - Change of Date

Due to rain in the forecast on Saturday, we will change the start of the KVBC Wake Up the Earth Ride to Sunday, when it is forecast to be sunny and in the 50s! Please join us at the Augusta end of the Kennebec River Rail Trial on Sunday, April 21 at 10:00 AM!


April 21st, 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: 20-25 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 Merrick (substituting for the injured Jim Floyd. Get Well, Jim!)

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.

 

Down By The River

The 2012 KVBC Wake Up The Earth ride started out overcast and cool. The weather forecast indicated that the rain would hold off until the afternoon, qualified by the actual conditions as "maybe." As for riding the Kennebec River Rail Trail, there was no "maybe" about it, and the ten of us took off.

In truth, there was more auto traffic on Earth Day than I would have liked, but for a stretch through Hallowell the way was fairly clear. Once back on the Rail Trail we were again car-free.

An Earth Day information booth crew welcomed us at the Gardiner end of the Rail Trail.

We continued down river to a private boat landing, then regrouped for the return - to Slate's Bakery.

As we returned, the skies began to clear and the sun broke out. We took our place out in the bakery's courtyard as the Earth woke up, and planned our rides to come.

Join us in Wayne on Saturday, April 28, for the next Kennebec Valley Bicycle Club ride!

Wake Up the Earth!

Time for our first ride of the year! (Well, actually our second ride, as Larry & I broke in the year early with a Leap Day Ride to Slate's Bakery in Hallowell in February.) We will likely have warmer weather this Saturday, if the remarkably Spring-like weather we've been having will hold for next weekend. Jim Floyd will be leading our "Wake Up the Earth" ride along the Kennebec River Rail Trail in Augusta as we kick off another year with the Kennebec Valley Bicycle Club. We might note that we should be passing by the Slate's Bakery on Saturday, too - in case you feel you missed out on something last February (which you did). In any case, I hope you can join us! And take note that this weekend the Bicycle Coalition of Maine will host the first of two Great Maine Bike Swaps: the first on Sunday, April 22 in Bangor; followed by one in Portland on Sunday, April 29. Let's get rolling!

Illustration: The Luckhursts on their tandem pass through downtown Hallowell on a KVBC breakfast ride along the Kennebec River Rail Trail. This particular rendering came out looking rather Mediterranean. Still, I have yet to hear from any Italian touring company seeking to use the image in their advertising.

April 21st, 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 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.

LEADER: Jim Floyd.

Down By The Riverside

We had about a dozen riders on the KVBC rail trail ride, Sunday, May 16th. Many thanks to Dave, who led the group out of the Augusta end of the rail trail. The weather was fine - a bit breezy, but sunny and dry.

The Kennebec River Rail Trail follows along the river and the existing RR tracks from Augusta to Hallowell, where it briefly merges with street traffic through the center of Hallowell. The trail then resumes off-road for the remaining stretch to Gardiner.




The trail is paved for most of its length - there is a short section of cinder-pack at the north end. There are narrow sections where signs direct cyclists to dismount and walk (although we didn't find that necessary with light trail traffic) and there are barriers or berms at street intersections. Two of us - Jim & I - rode tandems with our daughters, and we were able to negotiate the barriers and narrow sections without difficulty. We saw a number of young children riding solo as well, accompanied by their parents - there were two young lads who were likely not more than 4 years old.

Dave took us beyond the Gardiner terminus of the trail to the riverside park just beyond, where we took in a spectacular overview of the mighty Kennebec, running clean through its banks. Dave told us that years ago, no one would want to get this close to the river, but now that it is much cleaner thanks to the efforts of many communities and agencies (and activists spurring them on) the river is now a popular spot for all sorts of recreational activity.

Including ours, and we turned back and rode the trail back to the capitol. We could see first-hand why those who live nearby the trail would find it a real attraction.

KVBC on the KRRT

In spite of some threatening weather last Saturday, three of us did the Belgrade Lakes ride. The conditions were much better than expected, and we timed the 15 mile loop just right to avoid any serious rain. As much as we would prefer sunny, warm and dry conditions, sometimes riding in less than ideal weather with good friends can be just as much fun, and we were glad to get the ride in. This Sunday's ride will be much flatter - and hopefully dryer - as we explore the Kennebec River Rail Trail in Augusta. This will be a great ride for new cyclists and for those who have not gotten out much as yet this year. You can't find a route much flatter than this one in Central Maine.

May 16th, Sunday - AUGUSTA

"KVBC on the KRRT" - the Kennebec River Rail Trail through Augusta, Hallowell, and Gardiner.

START: 9:30 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: a pleasant run along the Kennebec River, with some great natural scenery mixed with some urban vistas, "the way cities are supposed to be."

LEADER: David Auclair.