Bigelow Big or Low

We had a terrific ride last Saturday in Readfield, despite the cooler than expected "Spring" weather. We had a really fine turnout, with some new faces - Welcome! Thanks again to Lydia for leading and sweeping the ride. This Saturday we head north to Norridgewock for a route that runs along both banks of the Kennebec, crossing the river twice, and adds a possible stop at Bigelow Brewery on the way back. Due to insurance reasons, we ask that riders not consume any alcoholic beverages enroute, but you can still purchase some for later if you wish - we will have a vehicle to shuttle purchases from the brewery back to the ride start. Hope you can join us!

Saturday, May 18th - NORRIDGEWOCK

"Bigelow by Bike" - an early Spring tour through Norridgewock, Madison, and Skowhegan.

START: 10:00 AM at 434 Fredericks Corner Road, about two miles from the junction of Rt.2 in Norridgewock.

DISTANCE: approx 38 miles, with some shorter options available

TERRAIN: moderate with some hills

HIGHLIGHTS: some great riding along country roads, river crossings in Norridgewock and Skowhegan, and a possible stop at the Bigelow Brewery.

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

LINK to ROUTE MAP: https://www.gmap-pedometer.com/?r=7371230

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.

What's Brewing on the Kennebec?

Despite some overcast skies and a few raindrops we had a really fine ride from Readfield last Sunday. We had 23 riders set out on some of the best cycling roads in central Maine, culminating with a stop at the Apple Shed Bakery in Kents Hill. Thanks go to Lydia for leading us on another fine ride!  This Saturday we will venture north to Skowhegan to see what's brewing on the Kennebec. Hope you can join us!

Saturday, May 12 - SKOWHEGAN
"Acorns and Ales" - a skillfully fermented ride that hops 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. Please park in the area behind the brewery.
DISTANCE: approx 39 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 (2016): http://gmap-pedometer.com/?r=7061836

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.

Saturday's Ride Rescheduled for Sunday

Saturday's Ride from the Oak Pond Brewery in Skowhegan POSTPONED to SUNDAY instead due to rain.
Message from John Lanoue:
Unfortunately tomorrow’s forecast is for rain, so we’re going to switch the ride to Sunday, 10:00am at the same location, Oak Pond Brewery. I called and they’re closed on Sunday, so it’s unlikely we can get a tour… however, I do need to run in and stock up on beer on Saturday for my annual 500 miler, so please email me off-list if you want me to get a few growlers filled for you and I can bring them with me on Sunday. A few hours in the car won’t hurt the beer.

Oak Pond Brewery: http://www.oakpondbrewery.com/default.asp
Selection: http://www.oakpondbrewery.com/products.asp
Thanks, and see you Sunday!

Sunday, May 7 - SKOWHEGAN
"Acorns, no Ales" - 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. Please park in the area behind the brewery.
DISTANCE: approx 39 miles
TERRAIN: moderate to hilly
HIGHLIGHTS: some little-traveled back roads and river views.
LEADER: John Lanoue, john.lanoue@avid.com.
LINK TO RIDE MAP (2016): http://gmap-pedometer.com/?r=7061836

From Little Acorns

We had a great ride in China last Sunday with bright sunshine and a fine turnout of 20 riders - thanks to Jeanine for leading, and to Jim Floyd who had some extra maple syrup to hand out to anyone who missed out the week before. May is Bike Month, and we have more great riding in store, starting this Saturday in Skowhegan. Although it isn't exactly Cinco de Mayo, we may still have a tour of the Oak Pond Brewery after the ride. Please note the 10:00 am start. Hope to see you then!

Saturday, May 6 - 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. Please park in the area behind the brewery.
DISTANCE: approx 39 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 (2016): http://gmap-pedometer.com/?r=7061836
BCM Calendar Link: http://www.bikemaine.org/event2/kvbc-acorns-and-ales

You Say Tomato, I Say Tommaso (or maybe Tiramisu)

We had a fine ride down the Pemaquid Peninsula on Saturday, despite some wet weather to start the ride off. Many thanks to David Lipman for leading, and for the undeterred folks who braved the weather and turned out. The rains returned in force on Sunday, washing out the 2nd ride planned for the weekend, but we were grateful to David for getting one of the rides in. This Saturday we will venture north to Norridgewock for a tour through Somerset County followed by an ice cream social at the ride leaders' house! Please join us!

 

Saturday, July 16 - NORRIDGEWOCK

"Cycle Somerset" - a tour through Norridgewock, Madison, Solon, Cornville, and Skowhegan.

START: 9 am at Brian Bowker & Denise Crowell's house, 434 Frederick Corner Road, Norridgewock.

DISTANCE: 50-55 miles

TERRAIN: moderately hilly

SYNOPSIS: Norridgewock to Madison via Father Rasle Rd. past sprawling tomato greenhouses, then along the Kennebec River to Solon (where we will stop at a store in case provisions are needed). We will proceed to Cornville, down the West Ridge Road to Skowhegan and back to Norridgewock.

HIGHLIGHTS: Ice Cream Social to follow the ride at Brian and Denise's house. Spouses, significant others, or families are welcome to join us for the post ride Ice Cream Social. Approximately 3pm?

LEADERS: Brian Bowker, bbowk321@yahoo.com, and Denise Crowell, denisemcrowell@gmail.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