On to Industry

Fall has definitely arrived, and with luck and Paxlovid (insert PSA re: latest Covid bivalent booster here) we will have a ride this Sunday!  We will meet at the Hannaford Plaza in Farmington (note 9:30 start) and ride along some scenic ridgetops in New Sharon & Industry out to Clearwater Pond.  The ride includes some optional gravel stretches along the Sandy River and the hard-packed sections of the Whistlestop Rail Trail.  There are few stores along the route, but many in Farmington - masks are once again recommended for stopping in stores.  Hope to see you Sunday!

Sunday, October 16:  FARMINGTON

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

START:  9:30 A.M., at the Hannaford Plaza on Rt.s 2 & 4 in Farmington, about a mile south from the junction of Rt.s 2 & 4 and Rt. 41, towards Wilton.  Park near the entrance to the shopping plaza.

DISTANCE:  25-30 miles.

TERRAIN:  rolling to hilly; approx. one mile plus of gravel along the Sandy River, and 3 miles of cinder on the Rail Trail (optional)

HIGHLIGHTS:  quiet back roads along the Sandy River, spectacular panoramic views from the ridgetops of New Sharon & Industry, Clearwater Pond at Allens Mills, a possible stop at Java Joe's in Farmington, 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 blog, "Posted Roads" at http://postedroads.blogspot.com.

 

More Apples!

We had some crisp, Fall weather for our rides from Readfield on Saturday and from Norridgewock & Madison on Sunday. Saturday featured a stop at the Monmouth Apple Festival where we sampled numerous apple treats (the apple pie was sublime). Sunday was less windy and warmer, and we stopped at two historic landmarks: the Wire Bridge in New Portland, and the Bailey Farm Windmill in North Anson. Many thanks to our ride leaders (and their stand-ins), Brian, David, & Jim, and to all who turned out! This Saturday we will return to Livermore for our annual ride to Boothby's Apple Orchard. Hope you can join us as we roll into the month of October!

Saturday, October 1 - LIVERMORE FALLS

"Boothby's Apple Ride" - a tour of the ponds and ridges around Livermore and Chesterville, with an apple orchard stop.

START: 10:00 am at the store formerly known as Pike's Corner Oasis (now Rusty Lantern) at the junction of Rt.s 106, 133, and Campground Road in Livermore.

DISTANCE: 39 miles with a 24-mile cut-off.

TERRAIN: moderately hilly with several good hills.

HIGHLIGHTS: great back roads with numerous scenic views, and a stop at Boothby's Orchard, a family-owned farm for seven generations going back to 1865. We may have a vehicle at the orchard to transport any apples you buy back to the start.

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

LINK to ROUTE MAP (2016): https://www.gmap-pedometer.com/?r=6799282

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. 

October Rides

Here is the KVBC Ride Line-up for October! More great Fall riding ahead!

Is This Bridge Wired?

We have reportedly some fine riding weather coming up this weekend for our end-of-September KVBC double header.  Saturday, as previously announced, we will ride from the Readfield Elementary School to Winthrop, Monmouth, and Wales, stopping at the Monmouth Apple Festival.  Here are the ride details for Sunday's ride from either Norridgewock or Madison to the historic Wire Bridge in New Portland.  Please join us on either ride, or both!

Sunday, September 25 - NORRIDGEWOCK and MADISON

"The Wire Bridge Ride" - a Fall Foliage tour along the scenic Carrabassett River, through Norridgewock, Madison, Anson, New Portland and New Vineyard.

START: Long Ride - 9:00 AM at the Mill Stream Elementary School, 26 Mercer Road (Rt. 2) in Norridgewock; Short Ride - 9:30 AM at the parking lot across from the former Madison Mill on Main St. in Madison, just before the bridge over the Kennebec.

DISTANCE: Long Ride - approx 53 miles; Short Ride - approx. 37 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, 485-6793, bbowk321@yahoo.com; and David Chiappetta, dlchiappetta@aol.com

Link to long route (53 miles) starting at the Mill Stream Elementary School in Norridgewock: https://ridewithgps.com/routes/40981768

Link to short route (37 miles) starting from parking lot across the street from the former Madison Paper Mill, Madison

http://www.mappedometer.com/?maproute=837129

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.

 

Apple Pie!

 We had much cooler weather for our ride Saturday from Richmond, with many of us sporting tights, jackets, arm warmers, etc. Fortunately it was sunny, and we had a really beautiful ride to Wiscasset. About a half-dozen of us took part in the Share the Road with Carol ride on Sunday where we lucked out with more fine riding weather and met up with some old friends. This weekend we will return to the Monmouth Apple Festival on Saturday after a two-year hiatus due to the pandemic, followed by a popular tour to the Wire Bridge in New Portland on Sunday (details to come). More fine riding ahead!

Saturday, September 24th - READFIELD

"Monmouth a la Mode" - a tour through Readfield and Winthrop to the Monmouth Apple Festival.

START: 9:00 AM at the Readfield Elementary School, 84 South Road, Readfield.

DISTANCE: 29 or 33.5 Miles.

TERRAIN: Rolling, with a few stiff hills. The long ride includes approx. 1/2 mile of gravel.

HIGHLIGHTS: Back roads beside rolling orchards, lakeside summer camps, small hidden hamlets... and the Monmouth Apple Festival: a great little small town festival devoted to celebrating all things pomological in one of Maine’s classic apple towns. The festival features lots of hot, baked apple pies and other apple treats, yard sales and open houses, fun and games, and self-guided tours of the Monmouth Historical Society’s many unique museum buildings and shops.

LEADER: Jim Merrick, hjmerrick@gmail.com.

LINK to ROUTE MAP (long): https://www.gmap-pedometer.com/?r=7411865

LINK to ROUTE MAP (short): https://www.gmap-pedometer.com/?r=7413905

For more information about the Kennebec Valley Bicycle Club, contact Jim Merrick at hjmerrick@gmail.com, and check out the KVBC blog, Posted Roads, at http://postedroads.blogspot.com.

Richmond to the Sea

Cooler temperatures were the order of the day for the start of our ride Sunday in Wayne.  It warmed up fast when the sun broke through the clouds by late morning.  Fritz and Susan led us on a wonderful ride over many back roads, with a pair of short gravel options for those who wanted to explore the area further.  Many thanks to our leaders, and once again to Chris for warm home-made muffins at the start!  This Saturday's ride will head out from Richmond to the sea, with a likely stop at Treats in Wiscasset.  Sunday will bring the 6th annual "Share the Road with Carol" ride in Windsor.  Lots of things happening, and we hope you can join us!

Saturday, September 17th - RICHMOND

"Wheeling to Wiscasset" - a tour along the river through Richmond, Dresden, and Wiscasset.

START: 9 AM at the public landing in Richmond (also known as Fort Richmond Park) at 315 Front Street (Rt.24). Park in the public lot next to the landing.

DISTANCE: approx. 35-40 miles.

TERRAIN: moderate with one or two significant hills.

HIGHLIGHTS: scenic views along the river and Wiscasset, with a possible stop at Treats in Wiscasset.

LEADER:  David Lipman, dlipman@lkblawmaine.com.

LINK to RIDE MAP: https://ridewithgps.com/routes/37008486

 

 

We welcome suggestions for improving our rides and encourage active participation of all members.  For more information, contact Jim Merrick at hjmerrick@gmail.com or via the club blog, Posted Roads at http://postedroads.blogspot.com, or check out the KVBC Facebook page.  

Don't Let the Good Times Wayne

We had near perfect weather for our ride last Saturday from China to Albion, and it suited the ride very well. We also had a fine turnout of 19 riders, including some newcomers.  Many thanks to Duncan and Tammy for leading us on a great ride!  This Sunday we will head over to Wayne for an early Fall classic, and we have already started to see the leaves turn.  Hope to see you on Sunday!

Sunday, September 11th - WAYNE

"Which Way to Wayne?" - an early Fall tour from Wayne to Fayette, Livermore, Leeds, and Winthrop.

START: 9 am at the Wayne Elementary School, 48 Pond Road, Wayne. 

DISTANCE: 37 miles.

TERRAIN: flat to moderately hilly; with perhaps an optional route with some gravel riding.

HIGHLIGHTS: scenic back roads with some great views. 

LEADER: Fritz Onion, fritzonion@gmail.com

LINK to ROUTE MAP: https://www.strava.com/routes/4011324

For more information on the Kennebec Valley Bicycle Club, contact Jim Merrick at 293-3784, hjmerrick@gmail.com, or check out our club blog, "Posted Roads" at http://postedroads.blogspot.com, or keep up to date via our Facebook page.