The Merry Roads of Nottingham

Welcome to December!  If the long-range forecasts are right, it appears as though December will be a lot colder and nowhere near as mild as it was last year.  So we may not have many opportunities to ride, but this weekend is looking dry, at least, with lots of sun on Sunday.  I have a 26-mile ride planned from Readfield Center that can be shortened if need be, and we'll stop at the Apple Shed in any case.  Perhaps we'll see you then!

Sunday, December 4 - READFIELD

"The Wayfarers of Nottingham" - a prelude to winter for all you merry men and equally merry women.

START: 10 AM, at the Readfield Post Office in Readfield Center at the junction of Rt.s 17 and 41.

DISTANCE: 26 miles, more or less.

TERRAIN: moderate with some hills.

HIGHLIGHTS: a tour along little-known byways, including Nottingham Road, in Readfield, Wayne, Fayette, and Kents Hill, with a stop at the Apple Shed Bakery.

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

LINK to ROUTE MAP: https://www.gmap-pedometer.com/?r=6991798

Down China Way

We lucked out with some really mild weather on last Sunday's ride in Oakland and Sidney, and we had a great group of 15 riders turn out - a welcome diversion from the turbulent week prior. Will we have further respite this Sunday in Vassalboro and China? Well we will certainly get to ride with friends! (Unless it's raining - rain cancels in November. Watch for a follow-up email on Sunday morning around 8 am if the weather is questionable.) Hopefully the weather holds and we'll see you on Sunday!

SUNDAY, November 20th, EAST VASSALBORO

"All the Tea (or Coffee) in China" - a delightful tour over the hills and dells of Vassalboro and China.

START: 10:00 AM at the Vassalboro Historical Society parking lot just north of the China Lake boat landing on Rt. 32 in East Vassalboro (not the boat landing in South China).

DISTANCE: approx. 20-25 miles.

TERRAIN: moderate, with some hills and flat sections.

HIGHLIGHTS: a selection of great, scenic rural Maine roads with great views of China Lake and surroundings, and a possible stop at the Green Bean Coffee Shop.

LEADER: Jeanine Libby.

LINK to ROUTE MAP (2015): http://gmap-pedometer.com/?r=6815798
 

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.

Falling Leaves

We had a great time riding about the local haunts on our pre-Halloween cemetery ride in Wayne on Sunday, with lots of colorful foliage and costumes. Speaking of costumes - I'm pleased to report that the second batch of KVBC jerseys have been shipped and may actually arrive in time for the ride on Saturday! The ride on Saturday? Oh, yes - we will meet at the Belgrade Center for all Seasons on Saturday for our last ride in Daylight Savings Time for the year. If the weather holds in the weeks ahead we'll check out Standard Time, too, but for those of you looking forward to KVBC long-sleeve jerseys (and the other assorted jerseys on order) this Saturday may be your lucky day! Those of you who can't make Saturday's ride, fear not - I'll get your jerseys to you one way or another. Stay warm!

November 5th, Saturday:  BELGRADE LAKES

"Take It or Leaf It" - a tour around the lakes through Belgrade, Rome, and Mount Vernon.

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:  28 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, Blueberry Hill, and a possible stop at the cafe in Mount Vernon.

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

LINK to ROUTE MAP: http://www.gmap-pedometer.com/?r=6796306

 

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

Round About the Cemeteries

We had a rather cold, damp, blustery ride from Farmington to Industry last Sunday, but we saw some great Fall scenery on Cape Cod Hill and around Clearwater Pond, and we had some fun exploring the Whistle Stop Rail Trail. We'll close out October this Sunday with a pre-Halloween ride in Wayne, and hope that the chills will only be supernatural and not meteorological. Hope to see you then!

Sunday, October 30th - 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: at least five local cemeteries, including the circular Wing family cemetery and the Kent family cemetery; the Kents Hill orchard, a notorious, unsolved historic crime scene, and other local haunts. 

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

LINK to ROUTE MAP: http://www.gmap-pedometer.com/?r=6976062

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

Industrial Back Country

We had a fine ride last Sunday from Smithfield on roads flanked with great Fall foliage. Our thanks to Larry Childs for leading the ride, and to all who took part.  Hopefully the splendid Fall weather and scenery will continue into this weekend as we ride from Farmington to Industry.  Please note that with the weather turning cooler we will be starting a bit later, at 10 am, to give the morning more time to warm up.  See you Sunday!

Sunday, October 23rd:  FARMINGTON

"The Ups and Downs of Industry":  a ride through the picturesque hills and hollows of Farmington, New Sharon, and Industry.

START:  10:00 A.M., at the Hannaford Plaza on Rt. 4 in Farmington, about a mile south from the junction of Rt. 4 and Rt. 27, towards Wilton.  Park near the entrance to the shopping plaza.

DISTANCE:  25-30 miles.

TERRAIN:  rolling to hilly.

HIGHLIGHTS:  quiet back roads along the Sandy River, spectacular panoramic views from the ridgetops of New Sharon & Industry, Clearwater Pond at Allens Mills, and an optional run along the Whistlestop Rail Trail.

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

LINK to ROUTE MAP: http://www.gmap-pedometer.com/?r=6874732

 

For more information on the Kennebec Valley Bicycle Club and its rides contact Jim Merrick, 293-3784, hjmerrick@gmail.com, or check out the KVBC Facebook Page.

Eights, Figuratively

We are definitely into Fall with crisp temperatures and a sudden onset of colorful foliage - great riding weather! This Sunday Larry Childs will take us on a tour of Smithfield, touching on Belgrade, Rome and Mercer - a club favorite. Hope you can join us!

Sunday, October 16th - 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.

DISTANCES: approx. 15 and 30 miles. 

TERRAIN: moderate to moderately hilly.

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

LEADER: Larry Childs.  

LINK to ROUTE MAP (2015): http://www.gmap-pedometer.com/?r=6800182  

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 293-3784 or hjmerrick@gmail.com, and check out the KVBC Facebook page.

Paths, Off Beaten

We started off October a bit cold and damp on the ride in Chesterville on Saturday and on the Cadillac Challenge on Sunday. Both rides were quite nice, regardless, and special thanks are due to John Lanoue for leading Saturday's ride and hosting a post-ride gathering after he and his compatriots finished the first leg of a lengthy tour the previous day. Kudos also to the nine (count 'em, nine) KVBC members on the Cadillac contingent - a fine showing for so far afield. The tentatively planned KVBC ride this weekend in Freeport has had to be postponed due to the unexpected absence of the leader (Get Well Ken!) and may be rescheduled at another time. Thanks to David Lipman, we have a new KVBC ride this Saturday in Vassalboro - please note the 10 am start to allow an extra hour for the morning to warm up. Hopefully the weather will follow suit, and we can all warm up to some great Fall cycling!

Saturday, October 8th - VASSALBORO

"Off the Beaten Path, or, The Paths that Can't be Beat" - a hitherto unexplored (by us) tour around Vassalboro and environs.  

START: 10 am at the home of David and Laura Lipman. Condo is after Natanis Golf Course at 6 Arrowhead 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: approx. 25 miles.

TERRAIN: Moderate hills  

HIGHLIGHTS: Fall foliage along an assortment of fine back roads in and around Vassalboro, including a mile-long descent.  

LEADER: David Lipman.

For more information on the Kennebec Valley Bicycle Club, contact Jim Merrick at 293-3784, hjmerrick@gmail.com, or keep up to date via our Facebook page.