Season's Greetings!

Season's Greetings to you all!

We had a terrific season of cycling in 2010. From Earth Day to Halloween, we had 23 rides scheduled over 28 weekends (with most of the rest filled in by major cycling events). Only one ride was canceled due to bad weather (thunderstorms); another was postponed but we substituted another in its place. I'm personally pleased that I made it to all but one of the rides! I want to thank all of the ride leaders who graciously offered to share one of their rides with us, and for all the folks who showed up to keep me company on the rides I led.
Thanks, too, to all those who welcomed us into their homes and shops for baked cookies and other treats. Thank you all!

Today I had my first "Posted Roads" placard sighting, which means it's already time to start planning for next year! Sometime in January we will have our annual ride calendar planning party and pizza fest. Those of you who would like to attend - either to plan rides or just socialize (yes, both are eminently acceptable and not necessarily exclusive) - drop me a line on what evenings are best for you (or not) and I will try to find a good day to meet. We have traditionally met at the Bicycle Coalition of Maine offices in Augusta, but I will entertain suggestions for another venue, if any entertaining options come to mind.

In the meantime, I hope to spend the rest of the Winter trying to catch up on my ride reports from this past summer, going back to Memorial Day, I think. Obviously, I was spending more time riding than blogging, but keep an eye (or a browser) on http://postedroads.blogspot.com and I will try to give you something to recall the roads of summer while you are waiting to be plowed out. I'll also resolve to try and figure out the intricacies of online mapping, Facebook, and all those things currently beyond my limited comprehension. I expect that by March I'll be more than ready to get out and ride. Perhaps I'll see you out there, too.

Thanks again, and Best Wishes for the Holidays!

Win Pizza in Tuscany

Win A Tuscan Bike Tour in Bicycle Coalition of Maine’s Super Raffle

Augusta – The Bicycle Coalition of Maine’s 2011 Super Raffle features a grand prize of a VBT Bicycling and Walking Vacations trip to Tuscany, Italy. Valued at as much as $3,145, the 10-day trip includes roundtrip airfare from New York to Italy plus accommodations, sightseeing and world-famous Italian cuisine.

The lucky winner will be able to join one of VBT’s 2011 Tuscan Coast or Tuscany by the Sea tours. Both trips feature:
· Small groups (14-20 people).
· Eight nights at comfortable hotels and unique accommodations such as a country resort or an agrihotel with a private wine cellar.
· Excursions to places such as an ancient castle, an olive oil mill or a pastry-making lesson.
· Free use of a VBT custom bicycle and helmet.

Both trips are rated as easy to moderate bike rides, with daily distances ranging from 15 to 45 miles. VBT provides bilingual guides, maps and a fully equipped support van. The raffle winner may choose departure dates between March and November 2011, subject to availability.

Everyone who purchases a raffle ticket will receive a T-shirt featuring the Bicycle Coalition’s new logo. Tickets may be purchased for $50 each at www.bikemaine.org/store/raffle-tickets or by phoning (207) 623-4511.

A total of no more than 200 tickets will be sold. The raffle will be held on the first day of spring, March 20, 2011. For more information, please visit www.BikeMaine.org.

All Hallows Tour

We had a brisk, colorful ride in Belgrade last week. Stayed dry, but cloudy and cold. We had some fine cycling weather this week, nonetheless. Perhaps it will carry into the weekend. We will meet in Wayne on Sunday for a special Halloween ride to some notable cemeteries, including the round Wing cemetery in Wayne. Costumes optional - anything from Elmira Gulch to Pee Wee Herman - with proper helmets, though. Don't let anything scare you away!

Sunday, October 31st - WAYNE

"All Hallows Tour" - a Halloween ride featuring some historic cemeteries.

START: 10:00 AM at the Wayne Elementary School, 48 Pond Road, Wayne.

DISTANCE: 15-20 miles.

TERRAIN: moderate, creepy in spots.

HIGHLIGHTS: the Wing family cemetery, the Kents Hill orchard, perhaps a notorious historic crime scene, and other local haunts.

LEADER: Jim Merrick.

Highland Fall Fling

We had a fine ride on Columbus Day weekend along the Sheepscot River, although it started out a bit blustery, overcast, and cold. Things actually warmed up nicely later in the day, so a later ride start may have been in order. The weather this Sunday looks favorable, and the fall colors are holding strong, so lets try for a ride in Belgrade Lakes - starting a bit later, at 10:00 am, to let things warm up a bit at the start. We may have a post-ride gathering at either the cafe or the grill in town. This may be one of the last chances to get a group ride in, and to enjoy the fall colors. Hope to see you there!

October 24th, Sunday: BELGRADE LAKES

"Highland Fling" - a tour around the Kennebec Highlands through Belgrade and Rome.

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: about 20 miles.

TERRAIN: rolling to "moderately" hilly (translation: there are hills on this ride).

HIGHLIGHTS: fall foliage, views of the Belgrade Lakes, some roller coaster hills, Castle Island, and Blueberry Hill.

LEADER: Jim Merrick.

Be Prepared (to Change this Week's Ride Start)

NOTICE: KVBC RIDE START CHANGE. We will be meeting for the KVBC ride this Sunday at the Windsor Elementary School, about a half mile north of the Windsor Fairgrounds, as it has been pointed out to me that there is a major three-day event involving several thousand Boy Scouts scheduled at the fairgrounds this weekend. Everyone of them, I'm sure, is trustworthy, loyal, helpful, friendly, courteous, kind, obedient, cheerful, thrifty, brave, clean, and reverent. But they'll also be armed with lasers and fireworks, so to be on the safe side, we'll shift the start of the ride to the school instead. See you there!

OCTOBER 10th, Sunday: WINDSOR

"Sheepscot River - China Lake Tour": a tour up and down the banks of the Sheepscot River, through Windsor, Whitefield, Pittston, and Coopers Mills, plus an optional half-century or metric century around China Lake, adding the towns of China, Vassalboro, and Palermo.

START: 9:00 A.M., at the Windsor Elementary School on Rt. 32, about a mile north from the junction of Rt. 17 and Rt. 32. The school is on the left, northbound.

DISTANCE: 27, 56, or 63 miles.

TERRAIN: moderate with no big hills on the short ride; moderate to hilly on the long routes.

HIGHLIGHTS: scenic back roads with fine straight runs, the R. Majorowitz Sculpture Garden in Alna, and nice views of the Sheepscot, one of the most pristine rivers in the Northeast; the long routes include ridgetop vistas and views of China Lake. Also lots and lots of Boy Scouts. Be prepared.

LEADER: Jim Merrick (former Star Scout).

Windsor and the Guardians of Rust

We had a beautiful ride to Pemaquid the last weekend of September, thanks to Sandi Hodge, and last weekend the Dempsey & Cadillac Challenges had great weather, too. Can we make it three in a row? Why not? The weather this Sunday looks very nice, and may be one of the last weekends to get a good ride in, so come on out and join us on one of our favorite trips along the Sheepscot River. We'll meet at the Windsor Fairgrounds for the pretty Sheepscot loop, and I'll bring maps for the optional 56 and 63 mile routes. If you are not doing the Tour de Farmington, this is a great alternative to get in a great metric century with fall foliage. If you can't make it, have a great Columbus Day weekend, and as always, stay tuned for some further rides ahead.

October 10th, Sunday: WINDSOR

"Sheepscot River - China Lake Tour": a tour up and down the banks of the Sheepscot River, through Windsor, Whitefield, Pittston, and Coopers Mills, plus an optional half-century or metric century around China Lake, adding the towns of China, Vassalboro, and Palermo.

START: 9:00 A.M., at the Windsor Fair Grounds on Rt. 32, about a half mile north from the junction of Rt. 17 and Rt. 32. Park in the lot across from the entrance.

DISTANCE: 27, 56, or 63 miles.

TERRAIN: moderate with no big hills on the short ride; moderate to hilly on the long routes.

HIGHLIGHTS: scenic back roads with fine straight runs, the R. Majorowitz Sculpture Garden in Alna, and nice views of the Sheepscot, one of the most pristine rivers in the Northeast; the long routes include ridgetop vistas and views of China Lake.

LEADER: Jim Merrick.

Pemaquid, Pemaquid

We had a splendid ride last Saturday through Winthrop, Monmouth, and Manchester, and a delightful post-ride party with great food and company. Many thanks to Denise for leading the ride and opening up her house for us - and providing the great food afterwards. Thanks, Denise!

This Sunday's KVBC ride will return to the scenic Pemaquid Peninsula with a great ride along the shore. The route is not only scenic, but also a great trip to the ocean, and there are many great places to stop and see the sights. Hope you can join us! (Photo: Maine Office of Tourism.)

Sunday, September 26th; DAMARISCOTTA

"Drafting through Damariscotta, Pedalling to Pemaquid" - a tour through Bristol, Bremen, Pemaquid and Damariscotta.

START: 9:30 AM at the landing at the North end of Biscay pond. From the north, take Belvedere Road east off of Rt. 1. The Miles Hospital Hospice Building is on the corner. At the stop sign turn right onto Business Rt. 1 and at the traffic light by McDonald's turn left onto Biscay Road. From the south, turn off Rt. 1 onto Business Rt. 1, pass thru town & turn right at the light by McDonald's onto Biscay Road. Follow Biscay Road until you come to a small beach and landing on the right (the water is close to the road). Park on the wide shoulder on either side of the beach.

DISTANCE: 25-30 miles.

TERRAIN: Moderately hilly to Hilly.

HIGHLIGHTS: scenic roads within the Pemaquid Peninsula, fresh and salt water views abound.

LEADER: Sandi Hodge.