Bike May Day!

May Day!  Time to kick off Bike Month straight off on May 1st with a challenging route around Lake Cobbossee next Sunday.  In spite of the chilly April weather we had a great ride in Hinckley last Sunday - thanks to Jeanine and all the folks, new and old, who came out to L.C. Bates to ride and picnic afterward.  Forecast is for the weather to turn warmer and more May-like this weekend, which is fortunate, as the ride starts and ends right next to Fielder's Choice Ice Cream.  See you Sunday!

Sunday, May 1st - 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:  27.5 miles.

TERRAIN:  rolling with some challenging hills.

HIGHLIGHTS:  views of Cobbossee Lake, back roads of Winthrop, Manchester, West Gardiner, Litchfield, and Monmouth, and an ice cream stop conveniently at the end!

LEADER:  John Lanoue.

BCM Calendar Link: http://www.bikemaine.org/event2/cobbossee-odyssey

Link to Ride Map (2015): http://gmap-pedometer.com/?r=6801528

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

Wake Up the Earth!

Greetings!  We are approaching Earth Day 2016, which means Spring should be arriving any day now (assuming we haven't missed it already).  And that means it is time for the annual KVBC Wake Up the Earth Ride!  We'll meet on Sunday, April 17th, at 10 am at the Augusta End of the Kennebec River Rail Trail, riding to Gardiner and perhaps a bit beyond, stopping in Hallowell at Slate's Bakery on the way back.  Certainly hope you can join us!

April 17th, Sunday - AUGUSTA
"Wake Up the Earth" - an early Spring/Earth Day ride along the Kennebec River Rail Trail through Augusta, Hallowell, and Gardiner.
START: 10:00 AM at the Augusta trail head of the rail trail - the municipal parking lot off of Water Street adjacent to the Maine State Housing Authority (353 Water St.) in the shadow of Memorial Bridge.
DISTANCE: 20+ miles
TERRAIN: flat (and we mean flat)
HIGHLIGHTS: the first ride of the season, a pleasant run along the Kennebec River, with some great natural scenery mixed with some urban vistas, kicking off another great year of cycling. Probable stop at Slate's Bakery in Hallowell!
LEADER: Jim Floyd.

NOTE: if you are looking for a new bike, or selling an old one (or both), the Bicycle Coalition of Maine is holding their first of two Bike Swaps in Orono tomorrow, April 10; the second swap is in Portland on May 1.  Details at their website, Bikemaine.org.

Maine Maple Sidney

The weathermen swear they didn't take Spring away - that it will be back this weekend, just in time for Maine Maple Sunday! Which is also Easter Sunday, so many of the sugar houses are also open on Saturday, so Saturday it is! We'll start from the Bean Elementary School on Middle Road in Sidney on Saturday for a 20-mile ride, with an optional stop at the Bacon Farm Maple House. I don't know if they carry those fancy maple syrup energy packs for cyclists, but they do have maple whoopie pies, and those should do the trick. See you Saturday!

Saturday, March 26th, SIDNEY:

"Maine Maple Sidney" - an early Spring ride to a Maple Syrup House.START:  10:30 AM at the James H. Bean Elementary School on Middle Road in Sidney.
Directions to the Bean School:
From south: I-95 North exit #120. Turn right at end of exit ramp onto Lyons Rd. Follow Lyons Rd. to stop sign. Turn left onto Middle Rd. Bean School is approximately one mile on the right.
From the north: I-95 South exit #120. Turn left at end of exit ramp onto Lyons Rd. Follow Lyons Rd. to stop sign. Turn left onto Middle Rd. Bean
School is approximately one mile on the right.

DISTANCE:  20 Miles.
TERRAIN:  moderate with a few hills.
HIGHLIGHTS:  some fine back roads and Kennebec River views, and a stop at a local Maple Sap House for some syrup sampling.
LEADER:  Jim Merrick.

RIDE MAP LINK: http://www.gmap-pedometer.com/?r=6813917

Celebrating Charles E. Pratt in Vassalboro

Charles Eadward Pratt, a cycling pioneer said to be the Father of American Cycling, was born in Vassalboro, Maine, March 13, 1845. Pratt organized one of the earliest bicycling rallies, a two-day group invitational ride around Boston in the Fall of 1879, called the "Wheel Around the Hub." The ride was written up (by Pratt himself) in the Feb. 1880 issue of Scribner's magazine, illustrated by a number of detailed drawings, including the one above featuring all the cyclists who took part. Chas. E. Pratt is shown as the first cyclist on the right,

Are you already tired of early Mud Season?  With sunny forecasts and temperatures in the mid-50s, time for another special KVBC pre-season ride!  This weekend marks the birthday of cycling pioneer Charles E. Pratt, first president of the League of American Wheelmen, born in Vassalboro, March 13, 1845.  To celebrate, lets have a ride in Vassalboro this Saturday! (Which is the 12th, I know, but I'd want to factor in a stop at the Green Bean Coffee Shop, as well as opening day at Back's Dairy Bar, both nearby in So. China Village.  I think old Chas. E. would approve.)  See you then!

Saturday, March 12, EAST VASSALBORO

"A Wheel Around the Lake" - a celebration of American Bicycler, Charles E. Pratt, of Vassalboro.

START: 10:30 AM at the Vassalboro Historical Society on Rt. 32 in East Vassalboro, just north of the China Lake Boat Landing (not the boat landing in South China.)

DISTANCE: about 20 miles

TERRAIN: moderate with some hills and flat sections

HIGHLIGHTS: more spring-like weather, scenic views of China Lake, a stop at the Green Bean, ranked in the top ten coffee shops in Maine, and a possible ice cream stop, too!

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

LINK to RIDE MAP: http://www.gmap-pedometer.com/?r=6815798

For more information on the Kennebec Valley Bicycle Club, contact Jim Merrick at 293-3784 or hjmerrick@gmail.com, and check out the club's Facebook page at https://www.facebook.com/KennebecValleyBicycleClub.

4th Quadrennial Leap Day Ride

Hi Gang!  It's a Leap Year, which means we have an extra day to ride bikes, and we all have bikes, so that means it's time for the KVBC Fourth Quadrennial Leap Day Ride!  (I think there's a logical progression in there somewhere.)  We will meet on Monday, February 29, at 11 am at the Hallowell Boat Landing at 226 Water Street - there's also some parking spots across the street.  Depending on the weather and road conditions, we'll do about a 20-mile ride down the rail trail to Gardiner and return on some back roads and stop in at Slate's Bakery at the end.  If the weather is really questionable we may alter these plans drastically, so stay tuned for further updates.  Who knows?  We rode in 50-degree weather back in December, so you never know - it might turn out to be a great day for riding, and if it isn't, there's always Slate's!

Monday, February 29 - HALLOWELL

"Take a Leap" - the fourth Quadrennial KVBC Leap Day Ride!

START: 11:00 am at the Hallowell Public Boat Landing at 226 Water Street, riverside.  There's another small parking lot almost directly across the street.

DISTANCE: about 20 miles, conditions permitting.

TERRAIN: flat along the rail trail, moderate otherwise.

HIGHLIGHTS: a Bike Ride!  In February!  On Leap Day!  Also, a post-ride stop at Slate's bakery.

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

LINK TO ROUTE MAP: http://www.gmap-pedometer.com/?r=6793592

Happy Valentine's Day!

Happy Valentine's Day! While it may be a bit chilly to contemplate right now, we have a ride planned just two weeks from tomorrow - the "Leap Day Ride" on Monday, February 29th, at 11 am in Hallowell. Perhaps we'll see you then! Meanwhile, stay warm!

The 2016 KVBC Ride Calendar

Here it is, folks - the Kennebec Valley Bicycle Club Ride Calendar for 2016!  We have a great season of rides planned, starting with our fourth Quadrennial Leap Day Ride coming up on February 29th - only a few weeks away!  As we get into the season we will have some of your favorite rides as well as some new ones, including an all-new century route.  Not to mention all of the great post-ride events planned by our volunteers that make the rides really special.  Many, many THANKS to everyone who volunteered to lead rides this year!  Once again, please check your ride listing(s) to make sure I have the particulars correct (ride listings are subject to modifications).  We'll see you out on the road!

Kennebec Valley Bicycle Club 2016 Ride Calendar

February 29, Monday – Hallowell: “Take a Leap” (Leap Day Ride); 11 am, Hallowell Boat Landing on Main Street; Jim Merrick, 293-3784, hjmerrick@gmail.com.

April 17, Sunday – Augusta or TBD: “Wake Up the Earth Ride”; 10 am, Augusta KRRT parking lot off of Water Street or TBD; Jim Floyd, jimfloyd@fairpoint.net.

April 24, Sunday – Hinckley: “The Goodwill Gruppo”; 9 am, L.C. Bates Museum on Rt.201; Jeanine Libby, jjlibby13@roadrunner.com.

May 1, Sunday – Manchester: “Cobbossee Odyssey”; 9 am, adjacent to Fielders’ Choice Ice Cream on Rt.202; John Lanoue, john.lanoue@avid.com.

May 7, Saturday – Skowhegan: “Acorns and Ales”; 10 am, Oak Pond Brewery, 101 Oak Pond Road, Skowhegan; John Lanoue, john.lanoue@avid.com.

May 14, Saturday – East Vassalboro: “Biking with the Alewives”; 9 am, Vassalboro Elementary School; Jeanine Libby, jjlibby13@roadrunner.com.

May 22, Sunday – Readfield: “The Maranacook Meander”; 10 am, Maranacook School Superintendent’s Office, Rt.17; Lydia Leimbach, mrsl330@yahoo.com.

May 29, Sunday – Vassalboro: “Velo Vassalboro”; 9 am, Arrowhead Drive, Vassalboro; David Lipman, dlipman@lipmankatz.com.

June 5, Sunday – Wings Mills: “Ken’s Hotdog Ride”; 9 am, Marble Point Lane, East Mount Vernon; Ken Louis, klouis17@hotmail.com.

June 12, Sunday – Mount Vernon: “Eleven Ponds Ride”; 9 am, Mount Vernon Post Office on Main Street; Jim Merrick, 293-3784, hjmerrick@gmail.com.

June 18, Saturday – Augusta: “Capitol Breakfast Ride”; 8:30 am, Hussey Elementary School off of Quimby Street; Connie Brown, cbrown@msmaweb.com.

June 24-26, Friday-Sunday, Greenville: “Hike, Bike and Boat”; 6 pm (Friday) at Gorman Chairback Lodge in Greenville (fee TBD), 10:30 am (Sunday) at Moosewood Maritime Museum for the Bike & Boat tour (fee: $25); Jeanine Libby, jjlibby13@roadrunner.com.

July 2, Saturday – Sidney: “Fourth of July Ride”; 9 am, Bean Elementary School, Middle Road, Sidney; Jim Putnam, put@roadrunner.com.

July 9, Saturday – Damariscotta: “Drafting through Damariscotta”; 10 am, Hannaford’s Plaza in Damariscotta; David Lipman, dlipman@lipmankatz.com.

July 10, Sunday – Boothbay: “Bicycling to Boothbay”; 9 am. Knickerbocker Boat Landing, Boothbay; David Lipman, dlipman@lipmankatz.com.

July 16, Saturday – Norridgewock: “Cycle Somerset”; 9 am, 434 Frederick Corner Road, Norridgewock; Denise Crowell and Brian Bowker, denisemcrowell@gmail.com. 

July 23, Saturday – Farmington: “Tour de Carrabassett”; 9 am, municipal lot adjacent to the gazebo opposite the court house; John MacDonald, stmac@somtelme.net.

July 31, Sunday – Gardiner: “Bowdoinham by Bike”; 9 am, Laura Richards Elementary School on Rt. 201; Joe Renda, geologyjoe@gmail.com.

August 6, Saturday – Augusta: “105 on 105”; 8 am (for the century route), old Cony High School at terminus of Rt.105; Jim Merrick, 293-2784, hjmerrick@gmail.com.

August 14, Sunday – Richmond: “Wheeling to Wiscassett”; 9 am, Town Boat Landing on River Street; David Lipman, dlipman@lipmankatz.com.

August 21, Sunday – Lincolnville: “Out through the Cellar Door”; 10 am, Cellar Door Winery; Tammy Jones, tjjones@colby.edu.

August 27, Saturday – Vassalboro: “Hills and Beans”; 9 am, Arrowhead Drive, Vassalboro; David Lipman, dlipman@lipmankatz.com.

September 4, Sunday – Wayne: “Which Way to Wayne?”; 9 am, Wayne Elementary School, Pond Road; Fritz Onion, fritz-onion@pluralsight.com.

September 10-11, OPEN (Maine Lighthouse Tour is the 10^th; Pedal the Penobscot is the 11^th)

September 17, Saturday – Livermore: “Boothby’s Apple Ride”; 9 am at Pike’s Oasis; John Lanoue, john.lanoue@avid.com.

September 24, Saturday – Winthrop: “Monmouth a la Mode”; 9 am at the Winthrop Town Boat Landing on Coady Street; Jim Merrick, 203-3784, hjmerrick@gmail.com.

October 1, Saturday – Chesterville: “Three Peaks and a Pontoon”; 9 am, Sand Pond Parking area; John Lanoue, john.lanoue@avid.com.

October 9, Sunday – Freeport: “Freewheeling around Freeport”; 10 am, Amtrac lot in Freeport or TBD; Ken Louis, klouis17@hotmail.com.

October 16, Sunday – Smithfield: “Route 8 Figure 8”; 9 am, Smithfield Town Office; Larry Childs, lrchilds@roadrunner.com.

October 22-23, OPEN

October 30, Sunday – Wayne: “Wicked Wayne”; 10 am, Wayne Elementary School on Pond Road; Jim Merrick, 293-3784, hjmerrick@gmail.com.