Showing posts with label Norridgewock. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Norridgewock. Show all posts
Sunday, May 3, 2026
Naughty Knotty
Sunday, July 13, 2025
Adjust Your Cones
Sunday, June 15, 2025
Ride, Don't Wock
Monday, October 7, 2024
Gravel By Half
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The weather was quite damp at the start of the KVBC ride from
Waterville to Canaan on Saturday. In weather parlance, the expression
that rain will end "mostly" by 9am should actually be "mostly (but not
all)" - but eventually end it did, and once the roads dried up we had a
fine ride. This Sunday we will set off from Norridgewock for a ride
over both paved and unpaved roads - about a 50/50 mix of each. Wide
tires are recommended - the route is a great introduction to gravel
riding! Please note the 10:00am start, and hope to see you Sunday!
Sunday, October 13th - NORRIDGEWOCK
"Indigenous Gravel" - a mixed surface ride exploring the back roads of Mercer, Rome and Norridgewock
START: 10:00 AM at 434 Fredericks Corner Road, about two miles from the junction of Rt.2 in Norridgewock. Please park along the driveway.
DISTANCE: 24 miles
TERRAIN: moderate; the route is about half gravel (despite what the route map indicates)
HIGHLIGHTS: lots of adventurous back roads, paved and unpaved, with Amish enclaves and Fall foliage
LEADERS: Brian Bowker, bbowk321@yahoo.com; and Denise Crowell, denisemcrowell@gmail.com.
LINK TO ROUTE MAP: https://ridewithgps.com/
Sunday, August 18, 2024
A Tercentennial
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Despite some overcast skies, we had a fine ride from
Richmond to Wiscasset on Saturday. The route was scenic with roads in
pretty good shape, including some new pavement, and the stop at Treats
was, as usual, a real treat! Thank you to David for another great
ride! This Saturday we will head north to Norridgewock and Madison for a
popular ride along the Sandy River on Father Rasle Road, including a
stop at the Father Rasle memorial on the 300th anniversary of the
massacre. We'll hope that history doesn't repeat itself, and we'll see
you on Saturday!
Saturday, August 24 - SMITHFIELD
"Father Rasle Ride" - a tour from Smithfield to Norridgewock, Madison, Starks, New Sharon and Mercer.
START: 9:00am at the Smithfield Baptist Church, 25 Lake View Drive (Rt.137). Please park in the lot behind the church.
DISTANCE: 28 or 43 miles
TERRAIN: flat to rolling with some hills
HIGHLIGHTS:
some nice roads along the Kennebec and Sandy Rivers, a stop at the
Father Rasle Memorial in Madison, possible ice cream stop post-ride in
Smithfield.
LEADER: Jim Merrick, hjmerrick@gmail.com, 293-3784.
LINK TO ROUTE MAP (Short): https://ridewithgps.com/
LINK TO ROUTE MAP (Long): https://ridewithgps.com/
Monday, July 8, 2024
A Dish or A Cone?
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We had a great turnout for the KVBC Independence Ride from
Sidney last Sunday. It was a bit hot and humid, and we had some road
construction to contend with, but that didn't seem to slow down the
group setting a fast pace! This week's ride will feature another great
ride with an optional ice cream stop in Oakland, should the summer heat
carry through to next Saturday. Hope you can join us!
Saturday, July 13 - OAKLAND
"A Cone or a Dish" - a rewarding tour around Oakland, Norridgewock, New Sharon, and Smithfield.
START: 9:00 am at the parking lot of the Atwood Elementary School at 19 Heath Street in Oakland.
DISTANCE: about 38.5 miles or 40 miles with ice cream stop option
TERRAIN: moderate with some hills.
HIGHLIGHTS: fine back roads with lakeside views and a potential ice cream stop with many options.
LEADER: Tammy Jones, tjjones@colby.edu.
LINK TO ROUTE MAPS:
Ride with a trip to the Ice Cream Place:
Ride without the Ice Cream Stop: https://connect.
Tuesday, May 14, 2024
Colby is Blue
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We were fortunate to miss the rain once again on last Saturday's ride from Jay. Lots of clouds and a little sun, but some pleasant river views along the Androscoggin without too many bugs. This week's ride on Sunday will traverse part of the traditional "Colby Loop" but due to road construction we will be starting in Smithfield instead of Waterville and we will bypass Colby altogether. Hope you can join us on Sunday!
"The Colby Loop (sans Colby)" - a tour through Smithfield, Mercer, Norridgewock, and Oakland.
START: 9:00 am at Tri-Pond Variety near the junction of Rt.s 8, 137, & 225. Park along the north end of the parking lot away from the bottle redemption center.
DISTANCE: 36 miles.
TERRAIN: rolling with some hills
HIGHLIGHTS: rural back roads with some scenic lakeside runs and hilltop ridges.
LEADERS: Denise Crowell, denisemcrowell@gmail.com, and Brian Bowker, bbowk321@yahoo.com.
LINK TO ROUTE MAP: https://ridewithgps.com/
Monday, September 25, 2023
The Bridge is Wired
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We had a very pleasant apple-centric ride last Saturday in
Livermore. Save for an unfortunate flat for one rider right at the
ride's beginning, the ride went well (and perhaps it was luck that the
flat didn't occur mid-ride). The roads were in good shape, with some
fine new pavement in sections, and it was a great day for apple picking
at the orchard at the ride's end! Our thanks to John for leading! This
Saturday we will revisit our classic Fall ride to the Wire Bridge in
New Portland. Note that the long ride starts at 9:00am in Norridgewock
and the short ride starts a half-hour later in Madison. Sunday marks
the annual "Share the Road with Carol" ride in Windsor, and you can
still pre-register up till Sept. 28 (or at the day of the event),
details here: https://www.bikereg.com/share-
Saturday, September 30 - NORRIDGEWOCK and MADISON
"The Wire Bridge Ride"
- a Fall Foliage tour along the scenic Carrabassett River,
through Norridgewock, Madison, Anson, New Portland and New Vineyard.
START:
Long Ride - 9:00 AM at 434 Frederick's Corner Road in Norridgewock;
Short Ride - 9:30 AM at the municipal parking lot behind Reny's on Main St. in Madison (access to the lot is via Maple St.)
DISTANCE: Long Ride - approx 64 miles; Short Ride - approx. 37 miles.
TERRAIN: moderate with some hills
HIGHLIGHTS: Fall foliage along the Carrabassett River, and the historic Wire Bridge in
New Portland, a civil engineering landmark built in 1866, perhaps the
only one of its kind still in existence; and post-ride treats at the ride leaders' house!
LEADERS: Brian Bowker, 485-6793, bbowk321@yahoo.com; and Denise Crowell, 213-8336, denisemcrowell@
Link to long route (64 miles) starting at 434 Fredericks Corner Road in Norridgewock: https://ridewithgps.com/
Link to short route (37 miles) starting from parking lot behind Reny's, Madison: https://ridewithgps.com/
Sunday, July 23, 2023
Dreaming of Ice Cream
We had a nice ride over the back roads of Whitefield on Saturday.
The potential rains forecast dwindled down to some light spotty drizzle,
and we had plenty of dry pavement (and even a little gravel), and a
great stop at the Sheepscot General Store. There were 8 of us at the
start, including several newcomers who were very welcome! Many thanks
to Holly for revising the route and leading us. This Saturday KVBC
riders will be faced with many decisions: a cone or a dish?; soft serve
or hard serve?; jimmies or sprinkles? (On second thought, forget about
the sprinkles.) Hope to see you Saturday!
Saturday, July 29 - OAKLAND
"A Cone or a Dish" - a rewarding tour around Oakland, Norridgewock, New Sharon, and Smithfield.
START:
9:00 am at the parking lot of the United Methodist Church at 20 West School Street in Oakland.
DISTANCE: about 38.5 miles or 40 miles with ice cream stop option
TERRAIN: moderate with some hills.
HIGHLIGHTS: fine back roads with lakeside views and a potential ice cream stop with many options.
LEADER: Tammy Jones, tjjones@colby.edu.
LINK TO ROUTE MAPS:
Ride with a trip to the Ice Cream Place : https://connect.garmin.com/
Ride without the Ice Cream Stop: https://connect.
Sunday, April 23, 2023
Loopy Colby
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We had fair weather for the Wake Up the Earth
ride in Turner on Saturday. A bit cloudier and cooler than expected, but
the roads were mostly in good shape, and the stop at the Nezinscot Farm
store on Earth Day was a treat. This Saturday we will revisit a classic
tour over the Colby Loop,
starting at the same location as in pre-Covid days, although the
location has since been transformed quite a bit, so we've included a
drone's view of the ride start. Hope to see you there!
Saturday, April 29 - WATERVILLE
"Over the Colby Loop" - a classic circuit from Waterville to Oakland, Smithfield, and Norridgewock
START: 9:30 am at Colby College,
visitor parking at the Lower Athletic Center Parking Lot, corner of
Mayflower Hill and Campus Drive, adjacent to the new roundabout and
across from the baseball field (see attached view).
DISTANCE: 34 miles.
TERRAIN: moderate with some hills
HIGHLIGHTS: scenic farmland, lakes and streams, and good roads with hopefully little traffic
LEADER: Duncan Tate, datateme@gmail.com
LINK to ROUTE MAP: https://www.gmap-
LINK to GPS MAP: https://ridewithgps.com/
Tuesday, September 20, 2022
Is This Bridge Wired?
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We have reportedly some fine riding weather coming up this weekend
for our end-of-September KVBC double header. Saturday, as previously
announced, we will ride from the Readfield Elementary School to
Winthrop, Monmouth, and Wales, stopping at the Monmouth Apple Festival.
Here are the ride details for Sunday's ride from either Norridgewock or
Madison to the historic Wire Bridge in New Portland. Please join us on
either ride, or both!
Sunday, September 25 - NORRIDGEWOCK and MADISON
"The Wire Bridge Ride"
- a Fall Foliage tour along the scenic Carrabassett River,
through Norridgewock, Madison, Anson, New Portland and New Vineyard.
START:
Long Ride - 9:00 AM at the Mill Stream Elementary School, 26 Mercer Road (Rt. 2) in Norridgewock;
Short Ride - 9:30 AM at the parking lot across from the former Madison
Mill on Main St. in Madison, just before the bridge over the Kennebec.
DISTANCE: Long Ride - approx 53 miles; Short Ride - approx. 37 miles.
TERRAIN: moderate with some hills
HIGHLIGHTS: Fall foliage along the Carrabassett River, and the historic Wire Bridge in
New Portland, a civil engineering landmark built in 1866, perhaps the
only one of its kind still in existence.
LEADERS: Brian Bowker, 485-6793, bbowk321@yahoo.com; and David Chiappetta, dlchiappetta@aol.com
Link to long route (53 miles) starting at the Mill Stream Elementary School in Norridgewock:
https://ridewithgps.com/
Link to short route (37 miles) starting from parking lot across the street from the former Madison Paper Mill, Madison
Monday, August 8, 2022
Barrel Up!
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The weather continued sunny, hot, and humid for the KVBC rides in
Gardiner and Smithfield over the past weekend. Not the most ideal
conditions, but we did luck out with lots of shade, and the routes were
both scenic and light on traffic and very enjoyable despite the heat.
Many thanks to Joe and Larry for leading their rides, and for taking the
time to venture out and mark the routes! We are anticipating a break
in the heat wave for this weekend as we head out from Oakland north to
Norridgewock and vicinity on Saturday. As always, we hope you can join
us!
Saturday, August 13 - OAKLAND
"Barreling through Oakland" - a tour around Oakland, Norridgewock, New Sharon, and Smithfield.
START:
9:00 am at the parking lot of the United Methodist Church at 20 West School Street in Oakland.
DISTANCE: about 38.5 miles or 40 miles with ice cream stop option
TERRAIN: moderate with some hills.
HIGHLIGHTS: fine back roads with lakeside views, a potential ice cream stop, and barrels of fun.
LEADER: Tammy Jones, tjjones@colby.edu.
LINK TO ROUTE MAPS:
Ride with a trip to the Ice Cream Place : https://connect.garmin.com/
Ride without the Ice Cream Stop: https://connect.
Sunday, April 24, 2022
Looping Colby
We had a nice sunny day for the Wake Up the Earth ride in Turner on Saturday. We took on some early season hill climbing. and were rewarded with some spectacular views of distant snow-capped mountains. This Saturday we will revisit a classic tour over the Colby Loop, starting at the same location as in pre-Covid days, although the location has since been transformed quite a bit, so we've included a drone's view of the ride start. Hope to see you there!
Saturday, April 30 - WATERVILLE
"Over the Colby Loop" - a classic circuit from Waterville to Oakland, Smithfield, and Norridgewock
START: 9:00 am at Colby College, visitor parking at the Lower Athletic Center Parking Lot, corner of Mayflower Hill and Campus Drive, adjacent to the new roundabout and across from the baseball field (see attached view).
DISTANCES: 34 miles.
TERRAIN: moderate with some hills
HIGHLIGHTS: scenic farmland, lakes and streams, and good roads with hopefully little traffic
LEADER: Duncan Tate, datateme@gmail.com
LINK to ROUTE MAP: https://www.gmap-
Monday, September 20, 2021
Wire That Bridge, Grill Up Those Hotdogs
Sunday's KVBC ride (part 2 of our weekend doubleheader) will be a revision of our popular Fall ride out to the historic Wire Bridge in New Portland. The Long Ride (62 mi.) will start in Norridgewock at 9 am, and connect up with the Short Ride (37 mi.) starting in Madison at 9:30 am. We will have ride leaders at both starting locations. At the end of the ride we will pay homage to the traditions of Ken's Hot Dog Ride with a post-ride get together. Hope you can join us!
Sunday, September 26 - NORRIDGEWOCK and MADISON
"The Wire Bridge Ride" - a Fall Foliage tour along the scenic Carrabassett River, through Norridgewock, Madison, Anson, New Portland and New Vineyard.
START: Long Ride - 9:00 AM at 434 Frederick's Corner Road in Norridgewock; Short Ride - 9:30 AM at the parking lot across from the former Madison Mill on Main St. in Madison, just before the bridge over the Kennebec.
DISTANCE: Long Ride - approx 62 miles; Short Ride - approx. 37 miles.
TERRAIN: moderate with some hills
HIGHLIGHTS: Fall foliage along the Carrabassett River, and the historic Wire Bridge in New Portland, a civil engineering landmark built in 1866, perhaps the only one of its kind still in existence; and a post-ride gathering with hotdogs at the ride leaders' house!
LEADERS: Brian Bowker, 485-6793, bbowk321@yahoo.com; and Denise Crowell, 213-8336, denisemcrowell@
Link to long route (62 miles) starting at 434 Fredericks Corner Road in Norridgewock https://www.
Link to short route (37 miles) starting from parking lot across the street from the former Madison Paper Mill, Madison
Monday, August 23, 2021
Roll Out Around Those Barrels
We had a fine ride last Saturday in Smithfield, despite it being a bit humid and overcast. It was quite a bit wetter for Sunday's ride in Lincolnville, but we still had a number of intrepid riders turn out and we got both rides in despite the threatening weather. Many thanks to Larry and David for leading, and to all the folks (including some newcomers) who joined us. This Sunday we hope to return to dry, sunny conditions for our ride in Oakland. Remember to stay well apart and bring a mask, especially when stopping in stores. Hope you can join us!
Sunday, August 29 - OAKLAND
"Barreling through Oakland" - a tour around Oakland, Norridgewock, New Sharon, and Smithfield.
START:
9:00 am at the Oakland Post Office at the corner of Oakland Road
and East School Street.
DISTANCE: about 38.5 miles.
TERRAIN: moderate with some hills.
HIGHLIGHTS: fine back roads with lakeside views and barrels of fun.
LEADER: Tammy Jones, tjjones@colby.edu.
LINK to ROUTE MAP : https://ridewithgps.com/
Tuesday, June 1, 2021
Not for Naught
Tuesday, September 22, 2020
Why a Bridge?
Sunday's KVBC ride (part 2 of our weekend doubleheader) will be a revision of our popular Fall ride out to the historic Wire Bridge in New Portland. The Long Ride (53 mi.) will start in Norridgewock at 9 am, and connect up with the Short Ride (37 mi.) starting in Madison. We will have ride leaders at both starting locations. Please remember that we are still diligently observing pandemic protocols, so bring masks and be prepared to use them in close quarters, keep a healthy distance apart both at the start and when stopping to regroup enroute, and stay home and get well if you are feeling sick. Hope to see you out on Saturday or Sunday or both!
Sunday, September 27 - NORRIDGEWOCK and MADISON
"The Wire Bridge Ride" - a Fall Foliage tour along the scenic Carrabassett River, through Norridgewock, Madison, Anson, New Portland and New Vineyard.
START: Long Ride - 9:00 AM at Mill Stream Elementary School on Rt.2 in Norridgewock; Short Ride - 9:45 AM at the parking lot across from the former Madison Mill on Main St. in Madison, just before the bridge over the Kennebec.
DISTANCE: Long Ride - approx 53 miles; Short Ride - approx. 37 miles.
TERRAIN: moderate with some hills
HIGHLIGHTS: Fall foliage along the Carrabassett River, and the historic Wire Bridge in New Portland, a civil engineering landmark built in 1866, perhaps the only one of its kind still in existence.
LEADERS: Brian Bowker, 485-6793, bbowk321@yahoo.com; and Denise Crowell, 213-8336, denisemcrowell@
Link to long route (53 miles) starting at Mill Stream Elementary School in Norridgewock
Link to short route (37 miles) starting from parking lot across the street from the former Madison Paper Mill, Madison
Wednesday, August 26, 2020
Rolling Barrels
We had a great ride out of Lincolnville last Sunday. Due to coronavirus restrictions, we were unable to visit the Cellar Door Winery as in years past, but the roads were as scenic as ever. Many thanks to David for stepping in to lead the ride for us. This week we may have another winery tour following the ride from Oakland, although pandemic protocols are still in place: bringing masks is recommended and their use will occasionally be required; continue to maintain a healthy distance from others, and please stay home if you are feeling sick. Hope to see you Sunday!
Sunday, August 30 - OAKLAND
"Barreling through Oakland" - a tour around Oakland, Norridgewock, New Sharon, and Smithfield.
START: 9:00 am at Tree Spirits, 152 Fairfield Street (Rt.23) in Oakland (in case the parking area is full, additional parking can be found a short distance away at the Oakland Post Office at the corner of Oakland Road and East School Street).
DISTANCE: about 40 miles.
TERRAIN: moderate with some hills.
HIGHLIGHTS: fine back roads with lakeside views, and a stop at Tree Spirits winery in Oakland.
LEADER: Tammy Jones, tjjones@colby.edu.
LINK to ROUTE MAP (2017): https://www.gmap-
Wednesday, May 13, 2020
A Meter Squared is a Meter Spurned
We had a rather unseasonably cold day on last Sunday's ride from Readfield (snow flurries on Mother's Day? Seriously?) but it was a very nice ride. We were able to observe and follow distancing protocols - even with a stop (curbside) at the Apple Shed in Kents Hill. Many thanks to Lydia for leading and for picking the less snowy day on the weekend. This Sunday pre-registered riders will meet in groups of 10 (or fewer) in Norridgewock for a 30-mile ride around East and North Ponds in Smithfield. You must contact the ride leaders to reserve a spot. You should bring a mask for moments in close quarters, and all the water and snacks you might need. Please maintain proper distances, and forego attending if you feel ill or have recently been in contact with someone who has been sick. Hope to see some of you, distantly, fairly soon!
"Norridgewock by 1 meter squared" - a mid-May tour through Norridgewock, Smithfield, and Mercer.
START: 10:00 am at the Mill Stream Elementary School, 26 Mercer Road, Rt.2, in Norridgewock, approx. 1/4 mile west from the monument square at the junction of Rt.2 and Rt.8 and Rt.201a. Please park well apart at the ride start.
DISTANCE: about 31 miles.
TERRAIN: rolling with a few hills.
HIGHLIGHTS: scenic roads around North and East Ponds in Smithfield, and hopefully some springlike weather.
LEADERS: Denise Crowell, denisemcrowell@gmail.com, and Brian Bowker, bbowk321@yahoo.com. YOU MUST CONTACT THE RIDE LEADERS BY SATURDAY TO PRE-REGISTER FOR THE RIDE. GROUPS ARE LIMITED TO 10 RIDERS.
LINK TO ROUTE MAP: https://www.gmap-
Sunday, June 2, 2019
The Old Colby Loop
We had a wonderful ride last Saturday from Vassalboro to kick off
the month of June. Still rather cool - the long-sleeved club jerseys and
arm warmers came in handy - but we had a great turnout, and a great
post-ride lunch. Many thanks to David and Laura! This Sunday we will
head back up to Norridgewock for a popular training ride over the old
Trek Colby Loop. See you Sunday!
Sunday, June 9th - NORRIDGEWOCK
"Over the Colby Loop" - a seemingly impossible yet surely accomplished tour of Norridgewock, Fairfield, Waterville, Oakland and Smithfield.
START: 9:00 AM at 434 Fredericks Corner Road, about two miles from the junction of Rt.2 in Norridgewock.
DISTANCE: approx 40 miles
TERRAIN: moderate with some hills
HIGHLIGHTS: the old Colby Loop from the Trek Across Maine, and perhaps some of the ride leader's famous cookies!
LEADERS: Brian Bowker, bbowk321@yahoo.com; and Denise Crowell, denisemcrowell@gmail.com.
A Link to the Colby Loop Map (Waterville, 2012):
https://www.mapmyride.com/us/
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