Back Road Whitefield

We had a very pleasant ride down to Bowdoinham from Gardiner on Sunday. A bit breezy, but not as hot as some of the weather lately. The route was well-marked, thanks to our leader, Joe, who also kindly provided water and snacks in Bowdoinham, and also accommodated another group who opted to ride on Saturday. Thanks, Joe, for going above and beyond! This Saturday we will close out the month of August with a very scenic rural ride starting in Whitefield, which mixes in some hard-packed gravel and an optional stop at the Sheepscot General Store. Hope to see you Saturday! Saturday, August 30 - WHITEFIELD "Whitefield Backroads" - a rural tour through the rolling hills and farms of Whitefield, Windsor, Somerville and Coopers Mills. START: 9:00 am, at the Whitefield Elementary School, 164 Grand Army Road, Rt. 126 DISTANCE: about 28 miles. TERRAIN: rolling hills; the route includes a gravel section of about 1.3 miles HIGHLIGHTS: lots of scenic rural roads around the Sheepscot River Valley, possible sightings of local Amish families out at work, and a stop at the Sheepscot General Store. LEADER: Jim Merrick, hjmerrick@gmail.com LINK to ROUTE MAP: https://ridewithgps.com/routes/43754874

Bowdoinhamlets

Saturday's KVBC ride from South China saw lots of hills, some ambiguous detours, bright blue skies, and lots and lots of splendid vistas. We also got to see some old friends who hadn't ridden with us in a while, including our leader, Paul, who decided he had recuperated enough to venture out and lead us on another fine ride. Thanks to Paul and everyone who turned out! This Sunday we will head out from Gardiner on one of our popular and traditional club rides to Bowdoinham, on a marked route no less! Hope you can join us! Sunday, August 24th - GARDINER "Biking to Bowdoinham" - a tour of the southern Kennebec Valley through Gardiner, Richmond and Bowdoinham. START: 9:00 AM, at the Laura Richards School, Rt. 201 in Gardiner, 1.5 miles south of the junction of Rt. 201 and Rt.s 126/9 (the junction near the A-1 Diner). The school is a modern brick building with a "spiked ball" sculpture, on the west side of Rt. 201, on the left past the Gardiner Armory (just as you enter the "thickly settled" area). Park in the lot on the north side of the school. DISTANCE: 40 miles. TERRAIN: Moderately hilly. HIGHLIGHTS: quiet back roads along streams and farmland south & west of Gardiner. LEADERS: Joe Renda, geologyjoe@gmail.com LINK to ROUTE MAP: https://ridewithgps.com/routes/36860175

Mo' Bettah Hills

We had beautiful weather for our ride last Saturday from Manchester to Litchfield. The roads were in "OK" condition but could use some resurfacing soon. Maybe they can smooth out some of the hills while they're at it. And there was a nice ice cream stop at the end. This Saturday we will venture out to the hill country around South China, Palermo and Albion. The weather looks like it will continue to be in our favor, so we hope you can join us Saturday! Saturday, August 16 - SOUTH CHINA "China and Palermo Hills" - a challenging tour over scenic vistas in Palermo, Albion, and South China START: 9:00 am at Tobey's Grocery at the junction of Rt. 3 and Branch Mills Road in South China DISTANCE: 34 miles TERRAIN: Hilly HIGHLIGHTS: many scenic vistas and some challenging back roads LEADER: Paul Mitnik, pjmejm@gmail.com LINK TO REVISED ROUTE MAP: https://connect.garmin.com/modern/course/391413512 or https://ridewithgps.com/routes/43616992

See the Cobb

It was a beautiful summer day for our ride from Chelsea on Saturday. We rode over a new route on some exceptionally nice back roads. Many thanks to Fred for leading and scoping out such a nice route! The fine weather looks like it will continue into next Saturday when we will meet in Manchester for one of our traditional club rides around Cobbossee Lake. Hope you can join us! Saturday, August 9th - MANCHESTER "A Cobbossee Odyssey": a tour around Cobbosseecontee Lake. START: 9:00 A.M., at the parking lot on McArdle Street, just off Rt. 202W past the junction of Rt. 202 & Rt.17, between the Manchester Grange Hall and Fielders' Choice Ice Cream Stand. The parking lot is the first right after you turn on McArdle Street. DISTANCE: 28.8 miles. TERRAIN: rolling with some challenging hills. HIGHLIGHTS: views of Cobbossee Lake, back roads of Winthrop, Manchester, West Gardiner, Litchfield, and Monmouth, and a potential ice cream stop conveniently at the end! LEADER: Jim Merrick, hjmerrick@gmail.com Link to Ride Map: https://ridewithgps.com/routes/39591667 For more info on the Kennebec Valley Bicycle Club contact Jim Merrick at hjmerrick@gmail.com, check out the club blog at http://postedroads.blogspot.com, or follow us on Facebook.

August Rides

Here is the KVBC ride line-up for thew month of August! Lots of summertime riding ahead!

Down to Scotty

We had a beautiful day for our KVBC ride from Oakland on Saturday. The bright sun warmed things up to the point where we were thankful for any shade we could find, and the post-ride stop for ice cream was much appreciated. Our thanks to Tammy for another great ride (and some creative snacks!). Next Sunday we will meet at Hannaford's in Damariscotta (note 9:30 am start) for our annual ride down the coast to Pemaquid. Hope to see you all on Sunday! Sunday, July 27; DAMARISCOTTA "To Pemaquid Point" - a tour through Bristol, Bremen, Pemaquid and Damariscotta. START: 9:30 AM at Hannaford's supermarket, 469 Main Street (Business Rt. 1) in Damariscotta. DISTANCE: approx. 39 miles. TERRAIN: Moderate to rolling with no major hills. HIGHLIGHTS: scenic roads within the Pemaquid Peninsula, fresh and salt water views abound. LEADER: David Lipman, dlipman@lkblawmaine.com LINK TO RIDE MAP: https://ridewithgps.com/routes/37338970

Adjust Your Cones

We had a fine ride from Liberty on Saturday despite some overcast skies and some fog and drizzle. The route traversed some really pretty back roads with little traffic over some scenic and challenging terrain. This Saturday's ride starts in Oakland and features an optional ice cream stop near the end. Hope to see you on Saturday! Saturday, July 19 - OAKLAND "A Cone or a Dish" - a rewarding tour around Oakland, Norridgewock, New Sharon, and Smithfield. START: 9:00 am at the parking lot of the Atwood Elementary School at 19 Heath Street in Oakland. DISTANCE: about 38.5 miles or 40 miles with ice cream stop option TERRAIN: moderate with some hills; some short sections of well-maintained gravel. HIGHLIGHTS: fine back roads with lakeside views and a potential ice cream stop with many options. LEADER: Tammy Jones, tjjones@colby.edu. LINK TO ROUTE MAPS: Ride with a trip to the Ice Cream Place: https://connect.garmin.com/modern/course/181031119 Ride without the Ice Cream Stop: https://connect.garmin.com/modern/course/74606596