KVBC Ride in Chesterville Cancelled

Due to poor road conditions the scheduled KVBC ride this morning in Chesterville has been postponed. We may revisit the ride later in the season, and John has offered to bring maple syrup to a future ride start! Watch for future ride announcements soon!

Albion My Best

UPDATE: due to forecasts of cold, rainy conditions on Saturday, the KVBC ride from China to Albion has been rescheduled to Sunday, May 11 (Mothers' Day). Please note the 9:30 am start time, and we'll hope to see you on the ride Sunday! Sunday, May 11 - CHINA "O Albion" - a Spring tour through China, Palermo, and Albion. START: 9:30 am at the China Primary School at 763 Lakeview Drive, Rt. 202, in China. DISTANCE: 24 miles. TERRAIN: Moderate to Rolling HIGHLIGHTS: some really nice, scenic back roads for group cycling. LEADER: Duncan Tate, datateme@gmail.com LINK to ROUTE MAP: https://ridewithgps.com/routes/50436982 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.com.

Cycling Heritage the Day After

It looks likely that Tropical Storm Debby is going to wash out the first part of the weekend, but Sunday looks to be sunny and dry so we will switch our ride from Readfield to Sunday.  See you then!

Again, a Reminder to those who expressed interest in ordering KVBC original style jerseys that this opportunity closes on Saturday, August 10.  The link for ordering is here: Store Link: https://custom2.champ-sys.com/teamstore/?KVBCJerseyReorderJuly2024

Sunday, August 11th - READFIELD

"Cycling Through Wales" - a tour through Readfield, Winthrop, Monmouth and Wales.

START: 9:00 AM at the Readfield Elementary School, 84 South Road, Readfield.

DISTANCE: 29 or 39 Miles.

TERRAIN: Rolling, with a few stiff hills. The long ride includes approx. 3/4 mile of gravel.

HIGHLIGHTS: Back roads beside rolling orchards, lakeside summer camps, small hidden hamlets, and coinciding with events at Readfield Heritage Days.

LEADER: Jim Merrick, hjmerrick@gmail.com.

LINK to ROUTE MAP (long): https://ridewithgps.com/routes/47864393

LINK to ROUTE MAP (short): https://ridewithgps.com/routes/47866439

For more information about the Kennebec Valley Bicycle Club, contact Jim Merrick at hjmerrick@gmail.com, and check out the KVBC blog, Posted Roads, at http://postedroads.blogspot.com.

And Depends - Another Update - Saturday's Ride Switched to SUNDAY

Due to the updated forecast for rain on Saturday the KVBC ride has been rescheduled for Sunday, July 7.  Hope to see you Sunday!

Sunday, July 7, SIDNEY:

"Independence by Bike" - the traditional KVBC 4th of July tour through Sidney, Augusta and Waterville.
START:  9:00 AM at the James H. Bean Elementary School on Middle Road in Sidney. Please park in the lot at the south end of the school.
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.

LINK TO RIDE MAP (includes approx. 1 mile of road construction gravel): https://ridewithgps.com/routes/39964070

LINK TO ALTERNATE ROUTE MAP (bypassing construction, no gravel): https://ridewithgps.com/routes/47379567

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.blogspot.com, or follow us on Facebook. Memberships in the Kennebec Valley Bicycle Club provide funds for our club insurance, enabling us to hold rides and events. Membership funds also ensure our club memberships supporting the Bicycle Coalition of Maine and the League of American Bicyclists.  Membership forms can be obtained at most club rides, and also online on our club blog: https://www.blogger.com/blog/post/edit/7325223564827626545/1849360075373598671.  If you have difficulty accessing the forms, please contact Jim Merrick (email above) or Brian Bowker, bbowk321@yahoo.com, or Denise Crowell, denisemcrowell@gmail.com. Thank you!

 

Independence Depends

Here are a few updates for the KVBC ride Saturday in Sidney.  One of the parking lots at the school is currently torn up, so please park in the lot at the south end of the school.  The south end of Middle Road (called Bog Road) in North Augusta is also undergoing construction with approx. one mile of rough gravel, so note below a new link to an alternate paved route for those who wish to avoid the gravel section.  The distances for both routes are the same, and the remaining roads are in fine shape.  See you Saturday!

Saturday, July 6, SIDNEY:

"Independence by Bike" - the traditional KVBC 4th of July tour through Sidney, Augusta and Waterville.
START:  9:00 AM at the James H. Bean Elementary School on Middle Road in Sidney. Please park in the lot at the south end of the school.
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.

LINK TO RIDE MAP (includes approx. 1 mile of road construction gravel): https://ridewithgps.com/routes/39964070

LINK TO ALTERNATE ROUTE MAP (bypassing construction, no gravel): https://ridewithgps.com/routes/47379567

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.blogspot.com, or follow us on Facebook. Memberships in the Kennebec Valley Bicycle Club provide funds for our club insurance, enabling us to hold rides and events. Membership funds also ensure our club memberships supporting the Bicycle Coalition of Maine and the League of American Bicyclists.  Membership forms can be obtained at most club rides, and also online on our club blog: https://www.blogger.com/blog/post/edit/7325223564827626545/1849360075373598671.  If you have difficulty accessing the forms, please contact Jim Merrick (email above) or Brian Bowker, bbowk321@yahoo.com, or Denise Crowell, denisemcrowell@gmail.com. Thank you!

UPDATE: Saturday's Ride in Chesterville Switched to SUNDAY

 Hi Folks, it is Spring on the calendar but Winter is not quite finished with us yet, so we are switching the Maine Maple Sunday ride in Chesterville from Saturday to a Sunday start to try and avoid Saturday's storm.  If conditions are poor on Sunday we may postpone the ride.  But keep your fingers crossed and your tires pumped, and hope to see you Sunday in Chesterville!

Sunday, March 24 - CHESTERVILLE

"Pishou's Sucrerie" - a sweet syrup-sampling ride from Chesterville to Farmington Falls.

START: 11:00 am at the junction of Egypt Pond Road and Main Road (about a mile from the junction of Egypt Pond Road and Tower Road).  As you turn onto Main Road (unpaved) there is a small parking area next to a small green dumpster; additional parking roadside. Signs say No Trespassing except with permission - John says we have his permission.

DISTANCE: 23.5 miles.

TERRAIN: flat to hilly; sandy road conditions call for caution on descents.

HIGHLIGHTS: a postride gathering at the ride leader's house for sap boiling and sugar sampling on Maine Maple Sunday weekend.

LEADER: John Lanoue, johnlanoue@hotmail.com

LINK TO ROUTE MAP: https://ridewithgps.com/routes/45880277

Yet Another Sortie

Due to a poor weather forecast for Saturday we are switching the KVBC ride start in Waterville to Sunday, hoping for better weather.  If it is raining at the start the ride may be "show & go."  Keep your fingers crossed, and perhaps we'll see you Sunday!

Sunday, October 8 - WATERVILLE

"A Somerset Sortie" - a scenic tour through Somerset County in early Fall season.

START: 9:00am at the Alfond Youth & Community Center, 126 North Street, Waterville.

DISTANCES: 29 or 39 miles.

TERRAIN: moderate with some hills.

HIGHLIGHTS: country roads along the Kennebec and inland from Canaan to Benton, with some fine ridge-top views.

LEADER: David Chiappetta, dlchiappetta@aol.com.

LINK to ROUTE MAP (Short Ride) https://www.gmap-pedometer.com/?r=7528326

LINK to ROUTE MAP (Long Ride): https://ridewithgps.com/routes/41172993

When's Wayne? (Sunday)

 KVBC Ride Saturday in Wayne has been Switched to SUNDAY.

Due to the updated weather forecast we have decided to switch the KVBC ride in Wayne from Saturday to SUNDAY to take advantage of better weather. See you on Sunday!

Sunday, September 17th - WAYNE
"Which Way to Wayne?" - an early Fall tour from Wayne to Fayette, Livermore, Leeds, and Winthrop.
START: 9 am at the Wayne Elementary School, 48 Pond Road, Wayne.
DISTANCE: 37 or 25 miles.
TERRAIN: flat to moderately hilly; with some optional routes with some gravel riding.
HIGHLIGHTS: scenic back roads with some great views and an optional stop at Tubby's Ice Cream in Wayne
LEADER: Fritz Onion, fritzonion@gmail.com
LINK to ROUTE MAP: https://www.strava.com/routes/4011324

For more information on the Kennebec Valley Bicycle Club, contact Jim Merrick at 293-3784, hjmerrick@gmail.com,

Albion by way of Palermo

RIDE UPDATE: New Starting Location!  We will be meeting Saturday at the Palermo Town Office instead of Tobey's Grocery in South China.  The new starting location is about 3/4 mile away.  Take Branch Mills Road off of Rt. 3 in So. China and turn onto North Palermo Road; the Town Office will be just on the right.

Saturday, August 19 - SOUTH CHINA

"Ambling Towards Albion" - a challenging tour over scenic vistas in Palermo, Albion, and South China

START: 9:00 am at the Palermo Town Office, 45 North Palermo Road off Branch Mills Road in Palermo

DISTANCE: 30 or 31 miles

TERRAIN: Hilly

HIGHLIGHTS: many scenic vistas and some challenging back roads

LEADER: Paul Mitnik, pjmejm@gmail.com

LINK TO ROUTE MAP: https://ridewithgps.com/routes/43616992 

New Start and Date for the Oakland Ride

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/modern/course/74629012

Ride without the Ice Cream Stop:  https://connect.garmin.com/modern/course/74606596

Ride Update for Saturday in Whitefield

We are still on for our KVBC ride tomorrow in Whitefield, and we are hopeful of getting the ride in from the Whitefield Elementary School on Saturday.  Due to road construction, the route has been modified somewhat and shortened to about 28 miles.  You will find a link to the revised route below.  Hope to see you tomorrow!

Saturday, July 22 - WHITEFIELD

"Whitefield Backroads" - a rural tour through the rolling hills and farms of Whitefield, Windsor, Somerville and Coopers Mills.

START: 9:00 am, at the Whitefield Elementary School, 164 Grand Army Road, Rt. 126

DISTANCE: about 28 miles.

TERRAIN: rolling hills.

HIGHLIGHTS: lots of scenic rural roads around the Sheepscot River Valley, possible sightings of local Amish families out at work, and a stop at the Sheepscot General Store.

LEADER: Bryan (in absentia) and Holly Griffin, bjgriffin@roadrunner.com, yfshgriffin@hotmail.com.

LINK to REVISED ROUTE MAP: https://ridewithgps.com/routes/43754874

KVBC Ride Saturday in Winslow RESCHEDULED to MONDAY, June 19

The weather for this weekend is looking very wet if predictions are accurate, and since Monday is a holiday, Juneteenth, for many people, and is looking much more favorable, we have decided to reschedule Saturday's KVBC ride in Winslow to MONDAY, June 19. We hope that many of you can make it!

Monday, June 19 - 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/122882698

Meandering a Little Later

Due to forecasts of cold, wet conditions for Father's Day we have decided to take advantage of the holiday and shift the start of this weekend's KVBC ride to Monday, June 20, Juneteenth, at 10:00 am.  Please note the change in time and day, and pass this info along to anyone who may be planning to ride but is not on our email list.  Thanks to Lydia and everyone for being flexible, and see you Monday!

Monday, June 20th - READFIELD
"The Maranacook Meander" - a lakeside tour through Readfield, Winthrop, Wayne and Kents Hill
START: 10:00 am at the Maranacook Middle School, lower paved parking lot, Millard Harrison Drive, off of Rt. 17 about one quarter mile north of Readfield Depot.
DISTANCE: about 27-30 miles.
TERRAIN: moderate to hilly.
HIGHLIGHTS: many lakeside and hill top views; optional stop at the Apple Shed Bakery in Kents Hill..
LEADER: Lydia Leimbach, lydialeimbach@gmail.com.

LINK to ROUTE MAP: https://ridewithgps.com/routes/39797033

For more information on the Kennebec Valley Bicycle Club, contact Jim Merrick at 293-3784 or hjmerrick@gmail.com, and check out the club's Facebook page at https://www.facebook.com/KennebecValleyBicycleClub and the KVBC blog at http://postedroads.blogspot.com.

UPDATE: Saturday's Ride Still On - Sunday's Ride Postponed One Week

 Ride Updates: this Saturday's ride from Livermore Falls to Boothby's Apple Orchard is still on - 10:00 am start at the Mallard Mart at the junction of Rt.s 106 and 133.  Sunday's ride from Norridgewock & Madison to the Wire Bridge has been postponed a week to Sunday, Oct. 3.  Hope to see you tomorrow, and a week from Sunday!