Back to Vassalboro

We had a fine ride around the Colby Loop on Saturday. There were 15 of us, so we broke into two riding groups, and the weather and the roads were better than expected.  Many thanks to Duncan, who was leading his first KVBC ride, although hardly anyone would've noticed.  This Saturday we have rescheduled one of our favorite club rides in Vassalboro.  We are permitted to ride in larger numbers, but pandemic protocols are still in effect.  Maintain social distancing, bring a mask for use in close quarters, and do not attend if you are feeling sick or have recently been in contact with anyone who has. There will be an opportunity for distant socializing outside after the ride - please bring a lawn chair and your own beverages.  Hope to see you behind your mask Saturday!

Saturday, June 6th- VASSALBORO

"Velo Vassalboro" -  a scenic tour around the China Lake region

START:  9 am  at the home of David and Laura Lipman.  Condo is after Natanis Golf Course on ARROWHEAD DRIVE off of Webber Pond Road 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 wide apart after the garages in the large dirt parking lot after the condo buildings.

DISTANCE: approx. 18 or 31 miles, with 1,200 or 2,000 feet of climbing respectively

TERRAIN:  Moderate to Hilly

HIGHLIGHTS: Views of China Lake and Webber Pond,  gentleman farms and country homes along the Neck Road.  If desired, stay afterwards to socialize (distantly) with fellow bikers over light snacks.  Please bring a lawn chair and your own beverages.

LEADER:  David Lipman, dlipman@lipmankatz.com

LINK to ROUTE MAP (2018): https://www.gmap-pedometer.com/?r=7254750

Accelerating through the Loop

We have rescheduled the planned KVBC ride in Vassalboro to June 6, switching places with the ride from Waterville which will now take place this Saturday, and we will close out May with the classic Colby Loop.  Pandemic Protocols are still in effect and groups are still restricted to ten riders (hopefully not for much longer).  You must sign up with the ride leader in advance.  Maintain distancing, bring a mask for use in close quarters, carry enough water and snacks to avoid having to stop, and please do not attend if you are sick or have recently been in contact with anyone who has been sick.  See you Saturday!

Saturday, May 30 - WATERVILLE

"Over the Colby Loop" - a classic circuit from Waterville to Oakland, Smithfield, and Norridgewock

START: 9:00 am at Colby College, visitor parking at the Lower Athletic Center Parking Lot, corner of Mayflower Hill and Campus Drive, beside the Alfond Athletic Center and across from the baseball fields. YOU MUST PREREGISTER WITH THE RIDE LEADER TO PARTICIPATE.  THE SIGN-UP SHEET CAN BE FOUND HERE: https://docs.google.com/spreadsheets/d/1Q7BwHw_yOOOx9xbaXloKYIufF6RsdbrsUp5ksXg9SMU/edit?usp=sharing 

DISTANCE: 34 miles.

TERRAIN: moderate with some hills; some recent road construction on Rt. 139

HIGHLIGHTS: scenic farmland, lakes and streams, and good roads with hopefully little traffic

LEADER: Duncan Tate, datateme@gmail.com

LINK to ROUTE MAP: https://www.gmap-pedometer.com/?r=7481935

Mind the Gap

We had another fine ride last Saturday out of Jay under clear blue skies.  Traffic was fairly light, temperatures cool, air quality excellent, and there was an abundance of spring flowers and greenery.  We did have some relentless head winds and some tire trouble on some rough spots, but all-in-all, a very nice day.  This Saturday we will return to a favorite club ride in Vassalboro.  You must preregister in advance with the ride leader - groups are restricted to ten riders - and pandemic protocols are in effect.  Maintain social distancing, bring a mask for use in close quarters, and do not attend if you are feeling sick or have recently been in contact with anyone who has.  There will be an opportunity for distant socializing outside after the ride - please bring a lawn chair and your own beverages.  Hope to see you behind your mask Saturday!

Saturday, May 30th- VASSALBORO

"Velo Vassalboro a l'ecart" - ("Bike Vassalboro at a gap") a scenic tour around the China Lake region

START:  9am  at the home of David and Laura Lipman.  Condo is after Natanis Golf Course on ARROWHEAD DRIVE off of Webber Pond Road 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 wide apart after the garages in the large dirt parking lot after the condo buildings. YOU MUST SIGN UP IN ADVANCE WITH THE RIDE LEADER. GROUPS ARE LIMITED TO TEN RIDERS.

DISTANCE: approx. 18 or 31 miles, with 1,200 or 2,000 feet of climbing respectively

TERRAIN:  Moderate to Hilly

HIGHLIGHTS: Views of China Lake and Webber Pond,  gentleman farms and country homes along the Neck Road.  If desired, stay afterwards to socialize (distantly) with fellow bikers over light snacks.  Please bring a lawn chair and your own beverages.

LEADER:  David Lipman, dlipman@lipmankatz.com

LINK to ROUTE MAP (2018): https://www.gmap-pedometer.com/?r=7254750

The Play's the Thing

We had a great ride last Sunday out of Norridgewock, with nice weather and some fine new pavement, and a number of familiar faces we hadn't seen in a while. Our thanks for Denise & Brian for revising their planned ride to better follow pandemic protocols, and a special thanks to Cynthia for handing out some homemade masks. This Saturday we will head out from Jay, and it looks like the weather will finally be warming up. Please remember we are still following social distancing and all the pandemic protocols; you must pre-register with the ride leader by Friday evening; bring masks for when in close quarters, enough water & snacks for the distance (there may be a convenience store en route); and do not come if you are feeling sick or have been in recent contact with anyone who has. Stay well, and see you Saturday!

Saturday, May 23rd - JAY

"May in Jay with Room to Play" - a scenic river ramble up and down the Androscoggin.

START: 9:30 am, Jay Plaza on Rt.4 near the junction of Rt.140. Park along the north end of the parking lot away from Hannaford's.

DISTANCE: 27 or 47 miles.

TERRAIN: mostly flat with a few hills.

HIGHLIGHTS: scenic roads and farmland along the Androscoggin River, Norlands Living History Center, and an adventurous option.

LEADER: Jim Merrick, hjmerrick@gmail.com, 293-3784. YOU MUST CONTACT THE RIDE LEADER TO SIGN UP IN ADVANCE AND RESERVE A SPOT ON THE RIDE. GROUPS ARE LIMITED TO TEN RIDERS.

LINK to ROUTE MAP (Long Ride): https://www.gmap-pedometer.com/?r=7340593

LINK to ROUTE MAP (Short Ride): https://www.gmap-pedometer.com/?r=7347142

Cycling Distances in a Pandemic

A cyclist practicing at the Shangfa Acrobatic School with 5 very adept passengers - not exactly social distancing, but still in a group less than ten!

A Note on Cycling Distances in this Pandemic: one well-publicized, recent study has recommended avoiding pacelines or close riding directly behind anyone, but rather cycling side by side or staggered in more of an echelon formation. Riding at a moderate pace, it suggests that you should maintain a 30-foot distance between you and the rider in front of you (think of a large UPS delivery truck or school bus in between) and a 60-foot distance when riding at a fast clip (more the length of a tractor-trailer). The study focused mainly on runners and the risk of exposure (not the risk of infection), and it relied extensively on modelling and there are many real world conditions that may have effects the study did not account for. But the recommendations are still worth considering. The full paper can be found here: http://www.urbanphysics.net/Social%20Distancing%20v20_White_Paper.pdf and one critical response to the article can be found here: https://www.wired.com/story/are-running-or-cycling-actually-risks-for-spreading-covid-19/

Both articles emphasize the importance and benefits of exercise. Stay Safe and Be Well!

A Meter Squared is a Meter Spurned

We had a rather unseasonably cold day on last Sunday's ride from Readfield (snow flurries on Mother's Day? Seriously?) but it was a very nice ride.  We were able to observe and follow distancing protocols - even with a stop (curbside) at the Apple Shed in Kents Hill.  Many thanks to Lydia for leading and for picking the less snowy day on the weekend. This Sunday pre-registered riders will meet in groups of 10 (or fewer) in Norridgewock for a 30-mile ride around East and North Ponds in Smithfield. You must contact the ride leaders to reserve a spot. You should bring a mask for moments in close quarters, and all the water and snacks you might need.  Please maintain proper distances, and forego attending if you feel ill or have recently been in contact with someone who has been sick. Hope to see some of you, distantly, fairly soon!

Sunday, May 17 - NORRIDGEWOCK

"Norridgewock by 1 meter squared" - a mid-May tour through Norridgewock, Smithfield, and Mercer.

START: 10:00 am at the Mill Stream Elementary School, 26 Mercer Road, Rt.2, in Norridgewock, approx. 1/4 mile west from the monument square at the junction of Rt.2 and Rt.8 and Rt.201a. Please park well apart at the ride start.

DISTANCE: about 31 miles.

TERRAIN: rolling with a few hills.

HIGHLIGHTS: scenic roads around North and East Ponds in Smithfield, and hopefully some springlike weather.

LEADERS: Denise Crowell, denisemcrowell@gmail.com, and Brian Bowker, bbowk321@yahoo.com. YOU MUST CONTACT THE RIDE LEADERS BY SATURDAY TO PRE-REGISTER FOR THE RIDE. GROUPS ARE LIMITED TO 10 RIDERS.

LINK TO ROUTE MAP: https://www.gmap-pedometer.com/?r=7477029

Aloof in Maranacook

We had a successful ride from Vassalboro last Sunday, observing pandemic protocols and riding in a small group of less than ten riders. Many thanks to Jeanine and everyone who helped us work out the logistics of the ride.  This week we will again follow the social distancing rules on Sunday's ride from either Readfield or Wayne, limited to groups of no more than ten preregistered riders.  You can find a sign-up sheet here: Maranacook Meander Sign Up.  Please remember to stay at least six feet apart from others, bring a mask (which you don't have to wear while riding, only in close quarters) and all the water and snacks you need.  Please do not come if you are feeling unwell, or if you have recently been in contact with anyone who has.  If you cannot make the ride, by all means go for a ride on your own, and hopefully we will see you on the road soon!

Sunday, May 10th - READFIELD - WAYNE

"The Maranacook Meander, Adroitly Aloof" - a lakeside tour through Readfield, Winthrop, Wayne and Kents Hill
START: 10:00 am, preregistration required, park well apart and bring masks 

Ride Start One: Maranacook Middle School parking lot, 45 Millard Harrison Drive, off of Rt. 17 about one quarter mile north of Readfield Depot.

Ride Start Two: Wayne Elementary School, 40 Pond Road, Wayne.
DISTANCE: about 27 miles.
TERRAIN: moderate to hilly.
HIGHLIGHTS: many lakeside and hill top views; optional stop at the Apple Shed in Kents Hill (curbside pickup only).
LEADER: Lydia Leimbach, mrsl330@yahoo.com. YOU MUST SIGN UP IN ADVANCE BY SATURDAY EVENING VIA THIS LINK:  Maranacook Meander Sign Up.  Each group is limited to 10 riders.

LINK to ROUTE MAP: http://gmap-pedometer.com/?r=6864286