Up and Down the River

Fall is definitely in the air! We had a crisp, blustery day on the Tour de Litchfield last Saturday, but we took advantage of the conditions to break out jackets and tights and other cold weather gear, and we had a great ride. More fine riding in store for this weekend!  On Saturday the 2nd annual "Share the Road With Carol" ride is planned to set off from the Windsor Town Office at 9 am - for more info and preregistration follow this link: https://www.bikereg.com/39398. A number of us took part in this ride last year and we hope there is a nice turn-out again on Saturday.  On Sunday, the KVBC club ride will head north from Norridgewock to Bingham and into Arnold Expedition territory.  Hope to see you this weekend!

Sunday, September 30th - NORRIDGEWOCK

"By Bike or Bateau" - an early Fall tour to Bingham, up and down both sides of the Kennebec River.

START: 9:00 AM at 434 Fredericks Corner Road, about two miles from the junction of Rt.2 in Norridgewock.

DISTANCE: approx 50 or 65 miles

TERRAIN: moderate with some hills

HIGHLIGHTS: great river views biking along both sides of the Kennebec (unless you want to go the Arnold Expedition route, in which case bateaus are optional)

LEADERS: Brian Bowker, 485-6793, bbowk321@yahoo.com; and Denise Crowell, 213-8336, denisemcrowell@gmail.com.

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.

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.

Not Quite Cinco de Mayo

We had a fine ride around Lake Cobbossee last Sunday to kick off May and Bike Month. Many thanks to John Lanoue for leading, and for leading this Saturday's ride from the Oak Pond Brewery in Skowhegan on Siete de Mayo, which is not-quite Cinco de Mayo, but there is an optional microbrewery tour on tap, so maybe that's close enough. The weather forecast is for sunny skies and mid-60s, which sounds close enough for Anything de Mayo!  Please note the 10:00 am start.

Saturday, May 7 - SKOWHEGAN

"Ales and Acorns" - a not-quite Cinco de Mayo ride through Canaan, Skowhegan, Waterville and Hinckley.

START: 10:00 am at the Oak Pond Brewery, 101 Oak Pond Road, near the Skowhegan/Canaan town line. Directions at their website: http://www.oakpondbrewery.com/contact.asp.

DISTANCE: approx 38 miles

TERRAIN: moderate to hilly

HIGHLIGHTS: some little-traveled back roads, river views, and an optional brewery tour at the ride's end.

LEADER: John Lanoue, john.lanoue@avid.com.

LINK TO RIDE MAP: https://www.strava.com/routes/4024964

BCM Calendar Link: http://www.bikemaine.org/event2/kennebec-valley-bicycle-club-acorns-and-ales

From Richmond to the Sea

Despite the morning showers, an intrepid group of riders had a splendid ride around Damariscotta Lake on Saturday, and a welcome stop at the OxBow Brewery at the ride's end.  Many thanks to Leanne for organizing an all-new ride for us, and to the folks at Oxbow Brewery for their hospitality.  This Sunday's ride will also travel some new roads for us, thanks to David Lipman, as we will venture from Richmond to Wiscasset with possible stops at a couple of great local bakeries.  As always, hope you can join us!

 

Sunday, August 10 - RICHMOND

"The Richmond Roundabout" - 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 or Peacock Beach State Park, depending on what map you're looking at) at the junction of Front Street (Rt.24) and Main Street (Rt.197). Park in the public lot next to the landing.

DISTANCE: approx. 35 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 and the Richmond Coffee Shop at the ride's end.

LEADER:  David Lipman.

 

Kennebec Valley Bicycle Club rides are open to members and to the cycling public.  Helmets are required of all riders at KVBC events.  It is also recommended that you bring with you on KVBC rides:  a map of the area in case you stray off route; tools for simple roadside repairs, especially a tire pump, spare tube and/or patch kit; water bottles or hydration systems; personal ID and a small first aid kit; and money for purchasing snacks & drinks en-route.  In case of severe weather, scheduled rides may be postponed or designated as "show & go" rides at the discretion of the ride leader.

 

We welcome suggestions for improving our rides and encourage active participation of all members.  For more information, contact Jim Merrick at hjmerrick@gmail.com or check out the KVBC Facebook page.