Ride Planning Meeting

HiFolks!  We will have our annual KVBC Ride Planning Meeting this Saturday, January 23, at 11 am, at the offices of Lipman & Katz (thank you, David Lipman!) at 227 Water Street in Augusta. A scientifically-conducted opinion poll of our members with opinions revealed that Saturday was preferable if the Patriots were still playing, and that an earlier time in the day would work best.  Hey, we're flexible.  There is some on-street parking on Water Street, and a public parking lot not far away as you come off the circle; the number at the office is 207-622-3711. We'll meet at 11 am and order pizza for lunch.  We'll also put together a ride schedule and discuss some potential special events, possible overnight trips, a club jersey, and any other business.  If you are unable to make the meeting Saturday, but you have a ride you'd like to lead, please let me know so I can fit it into the schedule.  We have some extra leeway this year, as the Bicycle Coalition of Maine is phasing out their print calendar, so we don't have to meet their early publication deadline as in years past.  If you have any questions or concerns or ideas regarding the Kennebec Valley Bicycle Club, the meeting in January is a good time to sound them out.  I can also bring them up if you can't make the meeting.  Hope to see you Saturday!

Jim Merrick
207-293-3784

hjmerrick@gmail.com

Happy New Year!

Happy New Year! Thanks to all of our intrepid Ride Leaders, and to all who came out on our rides even in less-than-ideal conditions, and to everyone who helped host or organize a post-ride gathering. Thanks to you, 2015 was a great year, and we look forward to 2016!
Stay tuned for our annual ride planning meeting sometime next month. Our next anticipated ride will be on February 29 - Leap Day!

Happy Holidays!

Best Wishes for the Holidays to all of you! May you all have another great season of cycling ahead!

Over Hill and Hall-Dale

So, you know, Winter doesn't officially begin until December 21st, and it looks like the weather gods have decided to do things officially this year.  Which means we have more mild weather in store for this weekend - partly sunny and temperatures near 50 degrees - two weeks running!  Can't turn up another opportunity to ride in beautiful late-season weather.  Let's meet Saturday morning in Hallowell at the Hall-Dale Elementary School for a 23-mile ride to Slate's Bakery - a possible preview of the Leap Day Ride next Feb. 29.  Think it'll be 50 degrees in February?  At this rate, you never know, but we'll take advantage of it while we can.

Saturday, December 12 - HALLOWELL

"Over Hill and Hall-Dale" - a December ride through Hallowell, Litchfield, and West Gardiner.

START: 10:00 am at the Hall-Dale Elementary School at 26 Garden Lane off of Winthrop Street in Hallowell.

DISTANCE: 23 miles.

TERRAIN: rolling with some good climbs; flat along the rail trail.

HIGHLIGHTS: riding in December with only a few layers; the Kennebec Rail Trail; possible stop at Slate's Bakery.

LEADER: Jim Merrick.

LINK TO RIDE MAP: http://gmap-pedometer.com/?r=6763231

Yuletide by Lakeside

It's December in Maine, and for this Sunday the forecasters are predicting sunshine and temperatures nearing 50 degrees with light winds - better than most of our rides in November!  Well, who are we to argue with gifts in December?  Lets take advantage of the mild weather and meet in Manchester at the Elementary School this Sunday.  Hope you can join us!

Sunday, December 6th - MANCHESTER

"Lakeside Yuletide" - a late season tour from Manchester to Wings Mills.

START:  10:00 AM, at the Manchester Elementary School parking lot on Rt. 17, near the junction of Rt. 17 & Rt. 202.  The school is on the left just after you turn off Rt. 202 onto Rt. 17 West.

DISTANCE:  23 miles.

TERRAIN:  moderate, with one long hill.

HIGHLIGHTS:  We'll ride past Lakeside Orchards over back roads along some streams in and out of Wings Mills and take in some December hilltop views.

LEADER:  Jim Merrick.

 

Messalonskee Meander

There has definitely been a chill in the air lately, but that didn't stop us from having a fun ride last Saturday in Farmington.  Lets try for another ride this Sunday in Oakland and Sidney - if it is raining at the ride start the ride will likely be cancelled, although there will be an option to meet an hour or so before the ride for breakfast at the Early Bird Cafe in Oakland.  Lets hope the rains hold off and we can get another ride in!

Sunday, November 22 - OAKLAND

"The Messalonskee Meander" - a backroads tour through Oakland and Sidney.

START: 10:00 AM at the Oakland Post Office at the corner of Oakland Road and East School Street.

DISTANCE: 25 miles.

TERRAIN: flat to rolling, a short section of unpaved surface.

HIGHLIGHTS: quiet back roads along the shore of Messalonskee Lake and the Kennebec River.  Possible pre-ride and/or post-ride get-together at the Early Bird Cafe in Oakland.

LEADER: Jim Merrick.

LINK TO RIDE MAP: http://www.gmap-pedometer.com/?r=6753840

NOTE: in case of wet and cold weather conditions, the ride may be cancelled.

A Little Bit of Everything

We had a rather blustery ride last Saturday in Belgrade Lakes, but despite it being a bit colder than expected, we had some great tailwinds and a really nice ride. Most folks seemed open to riding again if the weather stayed favorable - this weekend looks cool and dry, so we'll meet in Farmington for a ride that will cover a little bit of everything: some hills, some back roads, maybe some short sections of gravel along the Sandy River and the Whistlestop Rail Trail. We'll also have the option of stopping for a bite to eat or just to warm up in Farmington near the ride's end.  Hope to see you then!

Saturday, November 14th - FARMINGTON

"The Everything Bagel Ride" - a tour featuring, well, a little bit of everything.

START: 10:00 AM at Hannaford's Plaza, Rt.s 2 & 4 in Farmington.

DISTANCE: 22 or 26 miles.

TERRAIN: moderate to moderately hilly.

HIGHLIGHTS: back roads along the Sandy River (possibly a mile or so of unpaved surface), the scenic ridge on Cape Cod Hill, possible stop in Farmington for lunch or a bagel, and maybe a stretch on the Whistlestop Rail Trail.

LEADER: Jim Merrick.

For more information on the Kennebec Valley Bicycle Club contact Jim Merrick at hjmerrick@gmail.com, or follow us on Facebook.