The Warmth of an Ugly Sweater

We had a nice, hilly ride over the seven hills of Rome last Saturday.  We did see some moments of sunshine, although none that could be interpreted at the "Stonehenge" on Mercer Road in Rome, but the views from Wooster Hill and Blueberry Hill were worth the climbing.  This Saturday we will meet in North Belgrade at 10:30am for a ride around McGrath Pond with stops at sights along Great Pond including a post-ride get-together at a cabin site on the shore of the lake.  Dress warmly, and dig out your ugliest sweater if you have one.  Hope you can join us on the last scheduled ride of the year!

Saturday, November 11 - NORTH BELGRADE

"Ugly Sweater Ride" - a questionably-stylish ride around North Belgrade and Oakland.

START: 10:30 am at the North Belgrade Community Center, 508 Smithfield Road, Route 8. (Not to be confused with the Belgrade Community Center on Rt. 27.)

DISTANCE: 17 miles.

TERRAIN: flat to rolling; some short gravel sections to sights along Great Pond.

HIGHLIGHTS: a possible stop at an unusual WWI memorial on Great Pond on Armistice Day, and a post-ride get-together around a campfire at the lakeside, with refreshments! Feel free to bring something to share if you wish, as this may be our last gathering of the year.

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

LINK to ROUTE MAP: https://ridewithgps.com/routes/44924531

You Sure There's Seven Hills?

We had a sublime Autumn day last Saturday for our ride from Wayne. Bright sunshine, temps hovering around 70, lots of late Fall foliage, and a stop at the Apple Shed Bakery.  Add in some unique cemeteries and Halloween decorations, and it was a memorable ride.  The weather will be a lot cooler as we move into November, but this Saturday looks to be sunny and in the 50s, so we will try to fit in a ride around Rome with a possible bakery stop in Belgrade Lakes.  Hope you can be there!

Saturday, November 4th: ROME

"The Seven Hills of Rome" - a roadside tour of the many hillside trails through Rome and Belgrade.

START: 10:00 AM, Rome Park & Ride near the junction of Rt. 27 and Rt. 225.

DISTANCE: 20 miles.

TERRAIN: Moderately Hilly to Hilly.

HIGHLIGHTS: the route passes 5 trailheads, Blueberry Hill and the Kennebec Highlands.  There is an optional short gravel ride up Blueberry Hill to a spectacular scenic vista. Possible stop at Hello Good Pie Bakery in Belgrade Lakes

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

LINK to ROUTE MAP: https://ridewithgps.com/routes/44864048

The Usual Haunts

The weather was not very cooperative for our scheduled ride in Farmington last Sunday.  Most of us were sane enough to stay somewhere dry. One who was neither ventured a short ride in solitude along the Whistlestop Rail Trail, which I would not describe as "mud luscious and puddle wonderful" (despite an old English teacher who really, really tried to get us to appreciate e.e. cummings). Anyway, we got a ride in the books.

Seems hard to believe but we are coming to the end of October so it is time for our annual Halloween/Cemetery ride in Wayne on Saturday - please note the 10:00 am start. As in past years, costumes are optional - just remember to include helmets and clothing appropriate for the weather, which, if the forecast is to be believed, may reach 70 degrees!  Hope to see you on our next-to-last scheduled ride of the year!

Saturday, October 28th - 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 22 miles.

TERRAIN: moderate, creepy in spots.

HIGHLIGHTS: at least five local cemeteries, including the circular Wing family cemetery and the Kent family cemetery; the Apple Shed on Kents Hill, a notorious, unsolved historic crime scene, and other local haunts. 

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

LINK to ROUTE MAP: https://ridewithgps.com/routes/37867944

For more information about the Kennebec Valley Bicycle Club contact Jim Merrick at hjmerrick@gmail.com, 293-3784, or check out the club blog at http://postedroads.blogspot.com.

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Industrious Riding

We had a fine ride last Saturday from Mount Vernon.  Lots of sun to start out as we tackled hills and gravel to reach a trio of local bakeries (or two, for those on the shorter ride) and it was definitely worth the trip.  This Sunday we will meet in Farmington for a Fall ride out to Industry; please note the 10:00 o'clock start. Hope to see you Sunday!

Sunday, October 22:  FARMINGTON

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

START:  10:00 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 the Orange Cat Cafe 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; https://ridewithgps.com/routes/44757878

 

 

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.

Pastry Times 3

We had a rather wet, but a most satisfying ride last Sunday from Waterville.  We didn't have to deal with any major downpours, just some light rain, drizzle, & wet roads.  By the second half of the ride the sun came out, the roads eventually dried up, and we finished the ride in good form.  Our thanks to David for leading!  This week we will set out on a mixed-surface ride from Mount Vernon, with 3 separate routes with some challenging hills and gravel sections - topped off by potential stops at 3 different bakeries!  Hope you can join us!

Saturday, October 14: MOUNT VERNON

"Triple Pastry Ride" - a challenging mixed-surface ride past 1, 2, or 3 bakeries, through Mt. Vernon, Fayette, Kents Hill & Belgrade Lakes.

START: 9:00 am at the village park on Main St. in Mount Vernon. Parking available in the public lot behind the Vernon Valley Lodge on the corner of Main St. & Rt. 41, and also along Main St. along the town beach on the lakeside.

DISTANCE(S): Triple Pastry Ride: 39 miles (8.8 gravel); Double Pastry Ride: 26 miles (7.9 gravel); Single Pastry Ride: 16.5 miles (6.1 gravel).

TERRAIN: Hilly. Gravelly. Pastery. The gravel sections are on well-packed dirt roads. Triple cranksets and wide tires would be helpful, but not essential. The routes can be done on 28mm tires, and there are ways to bypass some gravel sections if desired.

HIGHLIGHTS: little-traveled scenic roads, including a fine stretch along Echo Lake, fall foliage, and potential stops at 3 local bakeries.

LEADER: Jim Merrick, hjmerrick@gmail.com.

LINKS TO ROUTE MAPS: Triple Pastry Ride: https://ridewithgps.com/routes/44271133

Double Pastry Ride: https://ridewithgps.com/routes/44306978

Single Pastry Ride: https://ridewithgps.com/routes/44394465

Yet Another Sortie

Due to a poor weather forecast for Saturday we are switching the KVBC ride start in Waterville to Sunday, hoping for better weather.  If it is raining at the start the ride may be "show & go."  Keep your fingers crossed, and perhaps we'll see you Sunday!

Sunday, October 8 - WATERVILLE

"A Somerset Sortie" - a scenic tour through Somerset County in early Fall season.

START: 9:00am at the Alfond Youth & Community Center, 126 North Street, Waterville.

DISTANCES: 29 or 39 miles.

TERRAIN: moderate with some hills.

HIGHLIGHTS: country roads along the Kennebec and inland from Canaan to Benton, with some fine ridge-top views.

LEADER: David Chiappetta, dlchiappetta@aol.com.

LINK to ROUTE MAP (Short Ride) https://www.gmap-pedometer.com/?r=7528326

LINK to ROUTE MAP (Long Ride): https://ridewithgps.com/routes/41172993

Another Sortie

 Gorgeous cycling weather of late!  Saturday's ride from Norridgewock & Madison was a bit foggy, and we had some issues with pavement on Rt. 201A which led to a shortened ride for a couple of us, but otherwise it was another delightful expedition to the Wire Bridge in New Portland, topped off by home-made cookies & brownies at the ride leaders' house!  Many thanks to Brian & Denise for rearranging their schedule to fit the ride in for us.  It was also great to see some old familiar faces at the "Share the Road with Carol" (and 50 or so other riders) in Windsor on Sunday!  This Saturday we will hope for even more Fall colors as we head out from Waterville to Canaan & vicinity for the Somerset Sortie.  Hope you can take advantage of the great weather and join us!

Saturday, October 7 - WATERVILLE

"A Somerset Sortie" - a scenic tour through Somerset County in early Fall season.

START: 9:00am at the Alfond Youth & Community Center, 126 North Street, Waterville.

DISTANCES: 33 or 39 miles.

TERRAIN: moderate with some hills.

HIGHLIGHTS: country roads along the Kennebec and inland from Canaan to Benton, with some fine ridge-top views.

LEADER: David Chiappetta, davidchiappetta5@gmail.com.

LINK to ROUTE MAP (Short Ride): https://ridewithgps.com/routes/41235305

LINK to ROUTE MAP (Long Ride): https://ridewithgps.com/routes/41172993