Boros and Burros

We had another fine turnout on Father's Day in Mount Vernon for our first official ride of the summer.  The weather was hot, but mitigated by cooling shades lakeside, and on some fine descents.  This Sunday we have a new ride in Vassalboro to substitute for the annual event in Greenville that was postponed this year.  We are still observing social distancing and we strongly recommend riders bring and use masks when close together, spread out on the road, and please stay home if you are feeling sick.  Cycling is great medicine, so long as you take precautions.  Hope to see you Sunday! 

Sunday, June 28 - VASSALBORO

"The Five Boros of Vassalboro" - a thoroughly enjoyable tour of the boroughs of Vassalborough

START: 9:00 am at the Vassalboro Town Office Building, 642 Main Street (Rt. 32) in Vassalboro.

DISTANCE: approx. 30 miles.

TERRAIN: flat to rolling

HIGHLIGHTS: scenic summertime views east of the Kennebec over some fine back roads in Vassalboro.

LEADER: Jeanine Libby, jjlibby13@roadrunner.com.  

Back to Vassalboro

We had a fine ride around the Colby Loop on Saturday. There were 15 of us, so we broke into two riding groups, and the weather and the roads were better than expected.  Many thanks to Duncan, who was leading his first KVBC ride, although hardly anyone would've noticed.  This Saturday we have rescheduled one of our favorite club rides in Vassalboro.  We are permitted to ride in larger numbers, but pandemic protocols are still in effect.  Maintain social distancing, bring a mask for use in close quarters, and do not attend if you are feeling sick or have recently been in contact with anyone who has. There will be an opportunity for distant socializing outside after the ride - please bring a lawn chair and your own beverages.  Hope to see you behind your mask Saturday!

Saturday, June 6th- VASSALBORO

"Velo Vassalboro" -  a scenic tour around the China Lake region

START:  9 am  at the home of David and Laura Lipman.  Condo is after Natanis Golf Course on ARROWHEAD DRIVE off of Webber Pond Road heading north. (Not to be confused with Fairway Drive. Use Barrows Road on your GPS and we are the next road on the  left after that)  Please park wide apart after the garages in the large dirt parking lot after the condo buildings.

DISTANCE: approx. 18 or 31 miles, with 1,200 or 2,000 feet of climbing respectively

TERRAIN:  Moderate to Hilly

HIGHLIGHTS: Views of China Lake and Webber Pond,  gentleman farms and country homes along the Neck Road.  If desired, stay afterwards to socialize (distantly) with fellow bikers over light snacks.  Please bring a lawn chair and your own beverages.

LEADER:  David Lipman, dlipman@lipmankatz.com

LINK to ROUTE MAP (2018): https://www.gmap-pedometer.com/?r=7254750

Accelerating through the Loop

We have rescheduled the planned KVBC ride in Vassalboro to June 6, switching places with the ride from Waterville which will now take place this Saturday, and we will close out May with the classic Colby Loop.  Pandemic Protocols are still in effect and groups are still restricted to ten riders (hopefully not for much longer).  You must sign up with the ride leader in advance.  Maintain distancing, bring a mask for use in close quarters, carry enough water and snacks to avoid having to stop, and please do not attend if you are sick or have recently been in contact with anyone who has been sick.  See you Saturday!

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/spreadsheets/d/1Q7BwHw_yOOOx9xbaXloKYIufF6RsdbrsUp5ksXg9SMU/edit?usp=sharing 

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-pedometer.com/?r=7481935

Cycling Distances in a Pandemic

A cyclist practicing at the Shangfa Acrobatic School with 5 very adept passengers - not exactly social distancing, but still in a group less than ten!

A Note on Cycling Distances in this Pandemic: one well-publicized, recent study has recommended avoiding pacelines or close riding directly behind anyone, but rather cycling side by side or staggered in more of an echelon formation. Riding at a moderate pace, it suggests that you should maintain a 30-foot distance between you and the rider in front of you (think of a large UPS delivery truck or school bus in between) and a 60-foot distance when riding at a fast clip (more the length of a tractor-trailer). The study focused mainly on runners and the risk of exposure (not the risk of infection), and it relied extensively on modelling and there are many real world conditions that may have effects the study did not account for. But the recommendations are still worth considering. The full paper can be found here: http://www.urbanphysics.net/Social%20Distancing%20v20_White_Paper.pdf and one critical response to the article can be found here: https://www.wired.com/story/are-running-or-cycling-actually-risks-for-spreading-covid-19/

Both articles emphasize the importance and benefits of exercise. Stay Safe and Be Well!