Messalonskee Meander

There has definitely been a chill in the air lately, but that didn't stop us from having a fun ride last Saturday in Farmington.  Lets try for another ride this Sunday in Oakland and Sidney - if it is raining at the ride start the ride will likely be cancelled, although there will be an option to meet an hour or so before the ride for breakfast at the Early Bird Cafe in Oakland.  Lets hope the rains hold off and we can get another ride in!

Sunday, November 22 - OAKLAND

"The Messalonskee Meander" - a backroads tour through Oakland and Sidney.

START: 10:00 AM at the Oakland Post Office at the corner of Oakland Road and East School Street.

DISTANCE: 25 miles.

TERRAIN: flat to rolling, a short section of unpaved surface.

HIGHLIGHTS: quiet back roads along the shore of Messalonskee Lake and the Kennebec River.  Possible pre-ride and/or post-ride get-together at the Early Bird Cafe in Oakland.

LEADER: Jim Merrick.

LINK TO RIDE MAP: http://www.gmap-pedometer.com/?r=6753840

NOTE: in case of wet and cold weather conditions, the ride may be cancelled.

A Little Bit of Everything

We had a rather blustery ride last Saturday in Belgrade Lakes, but despite it being a bit colder than expected, we had some great tailwinds and a really nice ride. Most folks seemed open to riding again if the weather stayed favorable - this weekend looks cool and dry, so we'll meet in Farmington for a ride that will cover a little bit of everything: some hills, some back roads, maybe some short sections of gravel along the Sandy River and the Whistlestop Rail Trail. We'll also have the option of stopping for a bite to eat or just to warm up in Farmington near the ride's end.  Hope to see you then!

Saturday, November 14th - FARMINGTON

"The Everything Bagel Ride" - a tour featuring, well, a little bit of everything.

START: 10:00 AM at Hannaford's Plaza, Rt.s 2 & 4 in Farmington.

DISTANCE: 22 or 26 miles.

TERRAIN: moderate to moderately hilly.

HIGHLIGHTS: back roads along the Sandy River (possibly a mile or so of unpaved surface), the scenic ridge on Cape Cod Hill, possible stop in Farmington for lunch or a bagel, and maybe a stretch on the Whistlestop Rail Trail.

LEADER: Jim Merrick.

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

November Lakes

We had a really fine ride last Saturday in Wayne, making the rounds of the round cemeteries.  The weather was quite pleasant, and the forecast is for more of the same this Saturday!  Let's meet at the Belgrade Community Center in Belgrade Lakes for a tour around Great Pond and the Kennebec Highlands.  We may get together afterwards for lunch in the village.  There may even be some fall foliage left on some late-turning trees.  Hopefully we can keep turning out this late in the season ourselves.  See you Saturday!

November 7th, Saturday:  BELGRADE LAKES

"The Lakes in November" - a tour around Great Pond through Belgrade, Rome, and Smithfield.

START:  10:00 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.

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

HIGHLIGHTS:  post-peak foliage 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, contact Jim at hjmerrick@gmail.com, or find us on Facebook.

Wicked, Wicked Wayne

The Fall is still with us! We had a splendid (if chilly) ride last Saturday in Smithfield, with lots of bright sunshine and even brighter foliage. Don't know if it will continue this weekend, but we'll plan for a grim & ghoulish Halloween ride even if the roadsides look like something out of a Land's End catalog.  We'll meet in Wayne at the Elementary School and work our way past the historic "Wing Ring" cemetery and up to Kents Hill, scene of an unsolved murder many years past, and make a likely stop at the Apple Shed.  Costumes optional - we'll see you then!

 

Saturday, October 31st - WAYNE

"Wicked Wayne" - a Halloween ride featuring some historic cemeteries along some quiet back roads (maybe too quiet).

START:  10:00 AM at the Wayne Elementary School, 48 Pond Road, Wayne.

DISTANCE:  about 20 miles.

TERRAIN:  moderate, creepy in spots.

HIGHLIGHTS:  the Wing family cemetery, the Kents Hill orchard, perhaps a notorious historic crime scene, and other local haunts.

LEADER:  Jim Merrick, hjmerrick@gmail.com, 293-3784.

 

For more information about the Kennebec Valley Bicycle Club contact Jim Merrick at hjmerrick@gmail.com, 293-3784, or check out the club's Facebook page.

Smithfield - Looping the Lakes

While waiting in the rain at the start in Smithfield last Saturday, I was somewhat surprised to see the rain taper off and the clouds start to break up, and at precisely 9 am I'll be darned if the sun came out. Unfortunately no one else was there to see it, so the ride was postponed to this coming Saturday instead. This time we'll try for a 10:00 am start, considering how frosty the mornings have been this week. Hope you can come out and join us while we are still on Daylight Savings Time. See you Saturday!



Saturday, October 24th - SMITHFIELD
"Looping the Lakes" - a scenic tour through Smithfield, Belgrade, Rome, and Mercer.
START:  10:00 AM, at the new Smithfield Fire Station on Rt. 8 in Smithfield, about a quarter-mile north of the junction of Rt. 8 and Rt. 137.
DISTANCE:  15 and 28 miles.
TERRAIN:  moderate to moderately hilly.
HIGHLIGHTS:  many scenic lake views and back roads with Fall foliage.
LEADER:  Jim Merrick, hjmerrick@gmail.com.

Kennebec Valley Bicycle Club rides are open to members and to the cycling public.  Helmets are required of all riders at KVBC events.  It is also recommended that you bring with you on KVBC rides:  a map of the area in case you stray off route; tools for simple roadside repairs, especially a tire pump, spare tube and/or patch kit; water bottles or hydration systems; personal ID and a small first aid kit; and money for purchasing snacks & drinks en-route.  In case of severe weather, scheduled rides may be postponed or designated as "show & go" rides at the discretion of the ride leader.

We welcome suggestions for improving our rides and encourage active participation of all members.  For more information, contact Jim Merrick at hjmerrick@gmail.com, and check out the KVBC Facebook page.

Crazy Eights

I'm told on good authority that the ride last Sunday from Norridgewock to the Wire Bridge in North New Portland was first rate in all respects!  Hats off to all who did the metric century in rather chilly conditions, and to Denise and Brian for leading the ride, and to Dianne who provided some refreshments midway through the ride.  This Saturday we have another popular Fall ride lined up in Smithfield - as always, we hope you can join us!  See you then!

Saturday, October 17th - SMITHFIELD

"Route 8 Figure 8" - a scenic tour through Smithfield, Belgrade, Rome, and Mercer.

START:  9:00 AM, at the new Smithfield Fire Station on Rt. 8 in Smithfield, about a quarter-mile north of the junction of Rt. 8 and Rt. 137.

DISTANCE:  15 and 28 miles.

TERRAIN:  moderate to moderately hilly.

HIGHLIGHTS:  many scenic lake views and back roads with lots of Fall foliage.

LEADER:  Dan Eccher.

BCM Calendar Link: http://www.bikemaine.org/event2/kvbc-route-8-figure-8

 

Kennebec Valley Bicycle Club rides are open to members and to the cycling public.  Helmets are required of all riders at KVBC events.  It is also recommended that you bring with you on KVBC rides:  a map of the area in case you stray off route; tools for simple roadside repairs, especially a tire pump, spare tube and/or patch kit; water bottles or hydration systems; personal ID and a small first aid kit; and money for purchasing snacks & drinks en-route.  In case of severe weather, scheduled rides may be postponed or designated as "show & go" rides at the discretion of the ride leader.

 

We welcome suggestions for improving our rides and encourage active participation of all members.  For more information, contact Jim Merrick at hjmerrick@gmail.com, and check out the KVBC Facebook page.

Why A Bridge?

19th Century stereoscopic view of the Wire Bridge in New Portland, by E.F. Locke (N.Y. Public Library).

Fall is here!  We had a fine introduction last Saturday in Chesterville, thanks to John Lanoue and company, and we have more in store for this Sunday, starting in Norridgewock.  Sunday's adventure will be a special 70-mile ride along the scenic Carrabassett River, and will feature a crossing over the historic Wire Bridge in New Portland, one of my favorite spots in all of Maine.  You won't want to miss it!

Sunday, October 11th - NORRIDGEWOCK

"A (Wire) Bridge Too Far" - a Fall Foliage Metric Century plus, along the scenic Carrabassett River, through Norridgewock, Madison, Anson, New Portland and New Vineyard.

START: 9:00 AM at 434 Fredericks Corner Road, about two miles from the junction of Rt.2 in Norridgewock.

DISTANCE: approx 70 miles

TERRAIN: moderate with some hills

HIGHLIGHTS: Fall foliage along the Carrabassett River, and the historic Wire Bridge in New Portland, a civil engineering landmark built in 1866, perhaps the only one of its kind still in existence.

LEADERS: Brian Bowker and Denise Crowell.

BCM Calendar Link: http://www.bikemaine.org/event2/kvbc-a-wire-bridge-too-far

For more information on the Kennebec Valley Bicycle Club contact Jim Merrick at hjmerrick@gmail.com, and check out the KVBC Facebook page.