Showing posts with label Oakland. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Oakland. Show all posts
Friday, October 31, 2025
Sunday, July 13, 2025
Adjust Your Cones
Sunday, November 3, 2024
For Sweater Frends
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It was quite November-like and cold for our cemetery ride around Wayne and Fayette on Saturday. It did warm up in the sun, which we actually saw for a few minutes, and we had a nice stop at the Apple Shed Bakery even though they had already stored their outdoor seating away. Such is life this late in the year. This Saturday at 11:00am we will see our last scheduled ride of the season as we head out to North Belgrade for a short ride to Great Pond where we hope to have a campfire with refreshments! If you have an ugly or seasonal sweater, feel free to model it for everyone! If you or someone you know would prefer not to ride, we could use a volunteer to get the campfire going - let Anne or Jim know. Hope to see you Saturday!
Saturday, November 9 - NORTH BELGRADE
"Ugly Sweater Ride" - a questionably-stylish ride around North Belgrade and Oakland.
START: 11:00 am at the North Belgrade Community Center, 508 Smithfield Road, Route 8. (Not to be confused with the Belgrade Community Center on Rt. 27.)
DISTANCE: 17 miles.
TERRAIN: flat to rolling; some short gravel sections to sights along Great Pond.
HIGHLIGHTS: a possible stop at an unusual WWI memorial on Great Pond, and a post-ride get-together around a campfire at the lakeside, with refreshments! Feel free to bring something to share if you wish, as this may be our last gathering of the year.
LEADER: Anne Uecker, anuecker@gmail.com
LINK to ROUTE MAP: 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, November 6, 2023
The Warmth of an Ugly Sweater
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We had a nice, hilly ride over the seven hills of
Rome last Saturday. We did see some moments of sunshine, although none
that could be interpreted at the "Stonehenge" on Mercer Road in Rome,
but the views from Wooster Hill and Blueberry Hill were worth the
climbing. This Saturday we will meet in North Belgrade at 10:30am for a
ride around McGrath Pond with stops at sights along Great Pond
including a post-ride get-together at a cabin site on the shore of the
lake. Dress warmly, and dig out your ugliest sweater if you have one.
Hope you can join us on the last scheduled ride of the year!
Saturday, November 11 - NORTH BELGRADE
"Ugly Sweater Ride" - a questionably-stylish ride around North Belgrade and Oakland.
START:
10:30 am at the North Belgrade Community Center, 508 Smithfield Road,
Route 8. (Not to be confused with the Belgrade Community Center on Rt.
27.)
DISTANCE: 17 miles.
TERRAIN: flat to rolling; some short gravel sections to sights along Great Pond.
HIGHLIGHTS:
a possible stop at an unusual WWI memorial on Great Pond on Armistice
Day, and a post-ride get-together around a campfire at the lakeside,
with refreshments! Feel free to bring something to share if you wish, as
this may be our last gathering of the year.
LEADER: Jim Merrick, 293-3784, hjmerrick@gmail.com.
LINK to ROUTE MAP: https://ridewithgps.com/
Thursday, July 27, 2023
New Start and Date for the Oakland Ride
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We are shifting the Saturday ride in Oakland to SUNDAY due to weather, and we will be starting nearby from the Atwood Elementary School on 19 Heath Street (please do not use the church parking lot on Sunday). See you Sunday!
Sunday, July 30 - 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 : https://connect.garmin.com/
Ride without the Ice Cream Stop: https://connect.
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.
Monday, June 12, 2023
Calling Bike Veterans
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We had a nice sunny day for a ride on Sunday - finally. We
had a nice group of riders for our circumnavigation of Damariscotta Lake
from Jefferson, with lush fields of lupines in abundance, and a fine
ice cream stop at the end. Many thanks to David for leading the ride
put together by Bryan & Holly, who we hope to have back with us
soon. We would also like to see more of our stalwart ride members turn
out - some of you we haven't seen since the pandemic outbreak (and we
really hope you're still with us). We are always thrilled to see old
familiar faces (and bikes). This Saturday we have an all new ride from
the Winslow VFW Hall, and as always, we hope you can join us!
Saturday, June 17 - WINSLOW
"Trek Across the Kennebec" - a scenic backroads tour from Winslow through Waterville, Oakland, and Sidney
START:
9:00 am at the Winslow VFW, 175 Veteran Drive, about a quarter-mile off
Rt. 32 just south of the junction of Rt.s 32 & 137.
DISTANCE: 31.5 miles
TERRAIN: rolling with hills & valleys
HIGHLIGHTS: smooth pavement on back roads with river & lakeside views
LEADER: Steve Hall, ridehills@gmail.com
LINK TO ROUTE MAP: https://ridewithgps.com/trips/
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/
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.
Monday, June 27, 2022
Assert Your Independence!
Last Saturday's KVBC ride from Mt. Vernon was sunny and hot, befitting the first club ride of summer. We did, however, have some nice shady sections along the Chesterville Esker and many of the ponds & lakes enroute, and we finished the ride before the worst heat of the day. We are now coming into July, which means we start off with one of our traditional rides out of Sidney for the Fourth of July weekend. Assert your independence! And see you on Sunday!
"Independence by Bike" - a Middle Road tour through the middle of Sidney & the middle of the Fourth of July weekend.
START: 9:00 AM at the James H. Bean Elementary School on Middle Road in Sidney.
Directions to the Bean School:
From south: I-95 North exit #120. Turn right at end of exit ramp onto Lyons Rd. Follow Lyons Rd. to stop sign. Turn left onto Middle Rd. Bean School is approximately one mile on the right.
From the north: I-95 South exit #120. Turn left at end of exit ramp onto Lyons Rd. Follow Lyons Rd. to stop sign. Turn left onto Middle Rd. Bean School is approximately one mile on the right.
DISTANCE: 16 or 29 Miles.
TERRAIN: moderate with a few hills.
HIGHLIGHTS: some fine back roads and Kennebec River views, and some Fourth of July paraphernalia, most likely.
LEADER: Jim Merrick, hjmerrick@gmail.com, 293-3784.
TERRAIN: moderate with a few hills.
HIGHLIGHTS: some fine back roads and Kennebec River views, and some Fourth of July paraphernalia, most likely.
LEADER: Jim Merrick, hjmerrick@gmail.com, 293-3784.
LINK TO RIDE MAP: https://ridewithgps.com/
For more information on the Kennebec Valley Bicycle Club, contact Jim Merrick at hjmerrick@gmail.com, check out our blog, Posted Roads at http://postedroads.
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, 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/
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 27, 2020
Accelerating through the Loop
Saturday, May 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, beside the Alfond Athletic Center and across from the baseball fields. YOU MUST PREREGISTER WITH THE RIDE LEADER TO PARTICIPATE. THE SIGN-UP SHEET CAN BE FOUND HERE: https://docs.google.com/
DISTANCE: 34 miles.
TERRAIN: moderate with some hills; some recent road construction on Rt. 139
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-
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/
Sunday, March 17, 2019
Maine Maple Sidney
Sunday, March 24 - OAKLAND
"Maine Maple Sidney" - a sweet, spring ride from Oakland to Sidney.
START: 10:00 am at the Oakland Post Office at the corner of Water Street (Rt.11) and East School Street.
DISTANCE: about 20 miles.
TERRAIN: moderate with some hills.
HIGHLIGHTS: fine back roads with lakeside views and a stop at a Maple Sugar shack on Maine Maple Sunday..
LEADER: Jim Merrick, 293-3784, hjmerrick@gmail.com.
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.
Wednesday, October 10, 2018
Roll Out the Barrels
Our thanks to David Lipman for leading the ride last Saturday in Augusta, and kudos to the KVBC contingent who tackled the Cadillac Challenge on Sunday. The Fall foliage is really starting to come out locally, and what better way to experience it than revisiting a splendid ride from Oakland this Sunday! Meet at the Oakland Post Office at 9:30 am. There is lots of great Fall riding ahead!
Sunday, October 14 - OAKLAND
"Barreling through Oakland" - a tour around Oakland, Norridgewock, New Sharon, and Smithfield.
START: 9:30 am 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 near peak foliage.
LEADER: Tammy Jones, tjjones@colby.edu.
LINK to ROUTE MAP (2017): https://www.gmap-
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.
Tuesday, March 20, 2018
Saturday, March 24 - SIDNEY
"Maine Maple Sidney" - a sweet ride to mark the alleged arrival of Spring and Maine Maple Sunday with a stop at a Sugar House on Goodhue Road in Sidney.
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