The Lakes Are Full Of It

Blueberry Hill, Belgrade Lakes

We managed to dodge the worst of last weekend's storm, and we were able to work in a really nice ride around Lake Maranacook.  Many thanks to Ray Giglio for leading the ride despite the stormy forecast.  The weather looks like it will finally break this weekend - "Bon Route!" to all you Trek riders!  For the rest of us, we'll check out how high the lakes are, as we ride from Belgrade Lakes.  Hopefully we will find dry pavement and visible arrows from last fall.  See you then!

 

 

 

June 15th, Saturday:  BELGRADE LAKES

"Belgrade Lakes and Highlands" - a tour around Great Pond through Belgrade, Rome, and Smithfield.

START:  9:00 A.M., at the Belgrade Community Center on Rt. 27, a half mile south of the Village of Belgrade Lakes, on the right (northbound) just past the Great Pond Marina.  Park in the community center parking lot nearest the street (just as you turn in).

DISTANCE:  23 or 30 miles, with a short option of 15 miles (all arrowed).

TERRAIN:  rolling to "moderately" hilly (translation: there are hills on this ride).

HIGHLIGHTS:  views of the Belgrade Lakes, some roller coaster hills, Castle Island, and Blueberry Hill.

LEADER:  Jim Merrick, hjmerrick@gmail.com.

 

For more information on the Kennebec Valley Bicycle Club, check our page on Facebook.

Tomorrow's Ride in Readfield Doubful

From the Sorcerer's Apprentice, Walt Disney Productions

Hi Gang - the forecast for Saturday's Ride in Readfield does not look promising (unless the promise of 100% rain can be considered promising).  If it is raining buckets tomorrow at the scheduled 9 AM ride start we probably won't ride.  If it is raining thimbles or (praise be heaven) not raining at all, we may have a short ride around to Wayne and back.  Otherwise, we'll once again hope for better weather and try to reschedule (Sunday is out due to prior commitments).  We may try to rerun one of our washouts next weekend.  Details to follow.  Stay dry!

Readfield Roundabout

Along the shore of Echo Lake

Summer arrived early, and with determination this past Saturday, as we saw temperatures soar into the 90s during a splendid ride around Vassalboro and China, topped off by a great post-ride party!  Kudos and thanks to our hosts, the Lipmans, for putting together a great ride and a fine post-ride spread in a delightful air-conditioned setting.  Many thanks from all of us!  This Saturday's ride will return to another of our favorite scenic areas - the pastoral lands around Readfield, Wayne and Winthrop.  Hopefully the weather will be fine (and perhaps a bit cooler) and lets hope for another great turn-out!

 

 

Saturday, June 8th; READFIELD

"Readfield Roundabout" - a tour in and around the scenic byways of Readfield or thereabout.

START:  9:00 AM, at the Readfield Post Office, at the junction of Rt. 17 and Rt. 41 in Readfield Center.

DISTANCE:  25 miles.

TERRAIN:  Rolling with a few hills.

HIGHLIGHTS:  Readfield and its surrounding towns are interwoven with fine cycling roads and scenery, and this ride will scope out a good selection of both.

LEADER:  Ray Giglio.

 

For more information on the Kennebec Valley Bicycle Club, contact Jim Merrick at hjmerrick@gmail.com, or keep up to date via our Facebook page.

Velo Vassalboro

Round and About in Vassalboro

Nothing short of dismal to cancel a ride on Memorial Day weekend due to nasty weather. And a great ride, too. Bummer. Our thanks and sympathies to Leanne for putting the ride together, only to have it called off - maybe we can reschedule it later this summer on an open date. Hopefully the sun will come out, things will dry out a bit, and we'll meet in Vassalboro on Saturday to kick off the rides for the month of June. The Lipmans have arranged for a post-ride gathering, much appreciated - and they'd appreciate RSVPs so they can get a head count. If the sun will RSVP we'll be in great shape! See you Saturday!

Saturday, June 1st - VASSALBORO
"Velo Vassalboro" - a scenic tour around the China Lake region
Start: 9:00 am at the home of David and Laura Lipman. Condo is after Natanis Golf Course on Fairway View Drive 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 after the garages in the large dirt parking lot after the condo buildings.
Distance: 28 miles
Terrain: Moderate to Hilly
Highlights: Views of China Lake and Webber Pond, gentleman farms and country homes along the Neck Road. Stay afterwards for lunch and to socialize with fellow bikers. Please RVSP so we can get an idea of how many will be staying for lunch.
Leader: David Lipman.

For more information on the Kennebec Valley Bicycle Club, contact Jim Merrick hjmerrick@gmail.com, or keep up to date via our Facebook page.

Windsor Ride Postponed

Scrapped bicycle in a lake, Germany © Thomas Wolke/UNEP/Hard Rain Picture Library

Tomorrow's KVBC ride scheduled for 10 am in Windsor is CANCELED due to the forecast for cold & rain. If the weather should change, or if you should want to ride anyway, there is the option of a Show & Go leaderless ride leaving from the Windsor Fairgrounds at 10 am. We may be able to reschedule the ride later on an open date. Hopefully we will have dryer weather soon.

Tour of the Back 40

A stop along the Sheepscot River

We had another fine ride on Saturday in Winthrop and Monmouth, with 15 riders taking part.  It was cool, but sunny, and we weren't plagued with black flies when we stopped and regrouped.  Many thanks to Denise, who treated us to a great route and a great batch of "healthy" cookies at the ride's end.  We'll take "healthy" cookies like those any day!  This Saturday's ride will return to Windsor for a "Tour of the Back Forty."  Just the thing to kick off the long weekend.  Hope to see you then!

 

 

May 25th, Saturday:  WINDSOR

"Tour of the Back 40":  a tour up and down the banks of the Sheepscot River from Windsor to Alna.

START:  10:00 A.M., at the Windsor Fair Grounds on Rt. 32, about a half mile north from the junction of Rt. 17 and Rt. 32.  Park in the lot across from the entrance.

DISTANCE:  40 miles.

TERRAIN:  moderate to hilly.

HIGHLIGHTS:  scenic back roads with fine straight runs (definitely), the R. Majorowitz Sculpture Garden in Alna (maybe), and nice views of the Sheepscot (for sure), one of the most pristine rivers in the Northeast.

LEADER:  Leanne Moll.

 

For more information on the Kennebec Valley Bicycle Club, contact Jim Merrick at hjmerrick@gmail.com, or keep up to date via our Facebook page.

 

 

Back for the Big Lakes Tour

Heading Out from East Winthrop

It was raining about as hard at the ride start in Vassalboro last Saturday as on the start of any bike ride I've seen - no doubt the weathermen who forecast "100% chance of rain" were muttering, "I told you so." But as the 10 o'clock ride start rolled in, so did Marty and Scott (who rode from Waterville, no less) so Jeanine and I decided we had a quorum, and off we went.  Within 4 miles the rains tapered off, the skies cleared a bit, and the pavement started to dry out.  Not quite trusting our good fortune (and with a nod to our co-riders who had to ride back to Waterville) we cut the ride short to about 15 miles after a fascinating tour of some historic graveyards.  Many thanks to Jeanine for leading the ride (and making the rains hold off for the better part of the tour).  This Saturday we will hope for a bit dryer conditions when we meet in East Winthrop for the Big Lakes Tour at 9:30 AM.  It's another great ride and I hope you can join us!

Saturday, May 18th - EAST WINTHROP

"The Big Lakes Tour" - a ride along the shorelines of Lakes Maranacook, Annabessacook, and Cobbosseecontee.

START: 9:30 AM at the parking lot of Tom's Bike Boutique, 2208 Rt.202 in East Winthrop, across from D.R Struck's Nursery.

DISTANCE: 25-30 miles.

TERRAIN: moderate with some hills.

HIGHLIGHTS: Some nice lakeside runs along backroads in Winthrop, Monmouth, and Manchester.

LEADER: Denise Crowell.

For more information on the Kennebec Valley Bicycle Club, contact Jim Merrick, hjmerrick@gmail.com or check us out on Facebook.