The Beans of China, Maine

We had a beautiful day for a bike ride in Lincolnville and Camden on Sunday, and Tammy led us out on a great route that shares many of the scenic back roads on the northern stretch of the BCM Lobster Ride and the East Coast Greenway. We topped off the ride with a stop at the Cellardoor Winery - always a nice treat. Our thanks to the winery staff for accommodating us and for Tammy for leading.  This Saturday we return to Vassalboro for a nicely brewed tour around China Lake and environs, including a potential stop at the Green Bean! Hope to see you on Saturday...

Saturday, August 27th - VASSALBORO

"Hills and Beans" - a scenic tour around China and Vassalboro.

START:  9am  at the home of David and Laura Lipman.  Condo is after Natanis Golf Course at 6 Arrowhead Drive heading north. (Not to be confused with Fairway Drive. Use Barrows Road on your GPS and we are the next road on the  left after that)  Please park after the garages in the large dirt parking lot after the condo buildings.

DISTANCE: approx. 27 miles.

TERRAIN:  Moderate to Hilly, with some short, steep hills

HIGHLIGHTS: an assortment of fine back roads in China and Vassalboro, views of China Lake, and a possible stop at the Green Bean, a fine local coffee shop.

LEADER:  David Lipman.

LINK to RIDE MAP (2105): http://gmap-pedometer.com/?r=6793255

For more information on the Kennebec Valley Bicycle Club, contact Jim Merrick at 293-3784, hjmerrick@gmail.com, or check out our club blog, "Posted Roads" at http://postedroads.blogspot.com, or keep up to date via our Facebook page.

The Cellar Door

Come join us this Sunday for a special Kennebec Valley Bicycle Club ride in Camden and Lincolnville.  This is one of several superb rides scoped out and led by KVBC member Ray Giglio, and it is part of our tribute to Ray that we continue to celebrate his many contributions to the club.  Described as a little bit of French wine country in mid-coast Maine, the ride will feature a stop at the Cellardoor Winery, and some back roads in a area that we don't get a chance to ride in (as a group) that often.  Part of the route will trace part of the East Coast Greenway, and the ride will have other treats in store.  Hope to see you on Sunday!

August 21st, Sunday:  Lincolnville

“Out Through the Cellar Door” – a circuit of Megunticook Lake, including Camden and the Cellardoor Winery and vineyard in Youngtown (Lincolnville).  

START:  10:00 A.M., at the Cellardoor Winery, 367 Youngtown Rd, one mile east of Route 52.  Please park along the winery driveway leading up the hill across from the store, and not in the customer parking lot behind the winery store. 

DIRECTIONS:  From Camden, take Rt. 52 north for 5 miles and turn right onto the Youngtown Rd for one mile.  See the Cellardoor Winery website for map and detailed directions:  http://mainewine.com.

 DISTANCE:  25-30 miles, depending if a loop from Camden to Rockport is taken and if we return to the winery via Rt. 52 or via Rts. 1 and  173.  The route is moderately hilly, and some of the road surfaces are showing wear although many have been resurfaced recently. 

HIGHLIGHTS:  Visit the winery store and take a walk through the vineyards.  Numerous lake views during the ride.  Camden (& Rockport).  Part of the route is the official East Coast Greenway interim on-road coastal route. 

LUNCH:  The picnic tables outside the winery store are available for us to use after our ride.  We can bring a bag lunch, or they sell beverages, local cheeses, breads, and other goodies.  And of course, they sell wine and have wine tasting.

LEADERS:  Tammy Jones and Jeanine Libby..

LINK to RIDE MAP (2015): http://gmap-pedometer.com/?r=6800276

For more information about the Kennebec Valley Bicycle Club, contact Jim Merrick at 293-3784 or hjmerrick@gmail.com, and check out our Facebook page.

Wiscasset Treats

We had beautiful weather Sunday morning for the Century on Rt. 105 from Augusta. It did warm up, however, and the heat and the hills persuaded a number of the participants to cut the ride short. We still had fun though (at least people are still talking to me) and David Lipman has just the antidote with a splendid ride in store for this Sunday, as we ride from Richmond to Wiscasset. There will be a stop at Treats, too!  Hope you can join us!

Sunday, August 14 - RICHMOND

"Wheeling Down to Wiscasset" - a tour along the river through Richmond, Dresden, and Wiscasset.

START: 9 AM at the public landing in Richmond (also known as Fort Richmond Park) at the junction of Front Street (Rt.24) and Main Street (Rt.197). Park in the public lot next to the landing.

DISTANCE: approx. 35-40 miles.

TERRAIN: moderate with one or two significant hills.

HIGHLIGHTS: scenic views along the river and Wiscasset, with a possible stop at Treats in Wiscasset and the Richmond Coffee Shop at the ride's end.

LEADER:  David Lipman.

LINK to RIDE MAP (2015): http://gmap-pedometer.com/?r=6791013

Kennebec Valley Bicycle Club rides are open to members and to the cycling public.  Helmets are required of all riders at KVBC events.  It is also recommended that you bring with you on KVBC rides:  a map of the area in case you stray off route; tools for simple roadside repairs, especially a tire pump, spare tube and/or patch kit; water bottles or hydration systems; personal ID and a small first aid kit; and money for purchasing snacks & drinks en-route.  In case of severe weather, scheduled rides may be postponed or designated as "show & go" rides at the discretion of the ride leader.

We welcome suggestions for improving our rides and encourage active participation of all members.  For more information, contact Jim Merrick at hjmerrick@gmail.com or check out the KVBC Facebook page.

Century RESCHEDULED for SUNDAY!

Due to the weather forecast for potentially fierce thunderstorms, rain, and otherwise hot and humid conditions for Saturday, we are RESCHEDULING the KVBC Century rides for SUNDAY, August 7. Sunday is forecast to be sunny and dry, and much cooler and less humid.  The ride start times and distances will remain the same for Sunday. Sorry for any inconvenience; if you have shared the previous ride info with others off-list please alert them to the change in schedule. Thanks, and see you SUNDAY!

The first KVBC Century Ride will be held this SUNDAY, August 7, in Augusta.  There will be options of 25, 50, 62, and 96 miles.  The Century will follow Route 105 its entire distance from Augusta to Camden and back (with options to tack on some additional miles to make an even 100 or 105 miles).  This is a self-supported out-and-back tour, over very quiet, scenic back roads - there is one traffic light on the entire route.  There are four general stores spread out about ten miles apart over the course.  The current weather forecast for SUNDAY is for sunny skies and temperatures in the 70s - we will be starting the Century and Metric Century rides at 8 am to take advantage of cooler morning temperatures; the other rides will start at 9 am, although you are free to start earlier (or later) if desired.  Be advised that Route 105 is hilly and can be narrow and winding at times - you should only attempt to ride a distance that you are confident of completing, unless you have arranged to have someone meet you and shuttle you back to the start.  Helmets and signed waivers are required.  Please let the ride leader know in advance if you don't plan to return to the start.  If you have any questions, please call Jim Merrick at 207-293-3784 (but not after 9 pm on Saturday) or email at hjmerrick@gmail.com.  Hope to see you SUNDAY!

SUNDAY, August 7th - AUGUSTA

"105 on 105" - a Century ride from Augusta to Camden and return.

START: 8 AM (for the Century and Metric Century), 9 AM (for the Half Century and Quarter Century), at Hannaford's off of Cony Circle in Augusta.  Please park in the far end of the lot away from the store entrance.

DISTANCES: 26, 50, 63, and 96 miles.  The longer three routes are out-and-back, so the distances can be shortened or lengthened if desired.

TERRAIN: rolling to hilly, especially near Camden.

HIGHLIGHTS: very nice back roads with some beautiful scenery, especially in Appleton and Camden; riding end-to-end on a single numbered route, considered one of Maine's most scenic.

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

LINK to ROUTE MAPS:

QUARTER CENTURY: http://www.gmap-pedometer.com/?r=6922171

HALF CENTURY: http://gmap-pedometer.com/?r=6922166

METRIC CENTURY: http://gmap-pedometer.com/?r=6922173

CENTURY (Outbound): http://gmap-pedometer.com/?r=6921825

CENTURY (Inbound): http://gmap-pedometer.com/?r=6921832

105 on 105

The first KVBC Century Ride will be held this Saturday, August 6, in Augusta.  There will be options of 25, 50, 62, and 96 miles.  The Century will follow Route 105 its entire distance from Augusta to Camden and back (with options to tack on some additional miles to make an even 100 or 105 miles).  This is a self-supported out-and-back tour, over very quiet, scenic back roads - there is one traffic light on the entire route.  There are four general stores spread out about ten miles apart over the course.  The current weather forecast for Saturday is for sunny skies and temperatures in the low 80s - we will be starting the Century and Metric Century rides at 8 am to take advantage of cooler morning temperatures; the other rides will start at 9 am, although you are free to start earlier (or later) if desired.  Be advised that Route 105 is hilly and can be narrow and winding at times - you should only attempt to ride a distance that you are confident of completing, unless you have arranged to have someone meet you and shuttle you back to the start.  Helmets and signed waivers are required.  Please let the ride leader know in advance if you don't plan to return to the start.  If you have any questions, please call Jim Merrick at 207-293-3784 (but not after 9 pm on Friday) or email at hjmerrick@gmail.com.  Hope to see you Saturday!

Saturday, August 6 - AUGUSTA

"105 on 105" - a Century ride from Augusta to Camden and return.

START: 8 AM (for the Century and Metric Century), 9 AM (for the Half Century and Quarter Century), at Hannaford's off of Cony Circle in Augusta.  Please park in the far end of the lot away from the store entrance.

DISTANCES: 26, 50, 63, and 96 miles.  The longer three routes are out-and-back, so the distances can be shortened or lengthened if desired.

TERRAIN: rolling to hilly, especially near Camden.

HIGHLIGHTS: very nice back roads with some beautiful scenery, especially in Appleton and Camden; riding end-to-end on a single numbered route.

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

LINK to ROUTE MAPS:

QUARTER CENTURY: http://www.gmap-pedometer.com/?r=6922171

HALF CENTURY: http://gmap-pedometer.com/?r=6922166

METRIC CENTURY: http://gmap-pedometer.com/?r=6922173

CENTURY (Outbound): http://gmap-pedometer.com/?r=6921825

CENTURY (Inbound): http://gmap-pedometer.com/?r=6921832

Sunday in Bowdoinham

We had a nice, smooth ride last Saturday, most of which on fresh new pavement, from Farmington north to Strong and New Vineyard. Little traffic and great mountain and river views - a real Maine tour!  Many thanks to John MacDonald and his "crew" for a great ride.  This Sunday we will revisit a club favorite as we ride from Gardiner to Bowdoinham.  As always, we hope you can join us!

Sunday, July 31st - GARDINER

"Back Roads 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 new 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.

LEADER:  Joe Renda.

LINK to ROUTE MAP (2015): http://www.gmap-pedometer.com/?r=6654861

 

Kennebec Valley Bicycle Club rides are open to members and to the cycling public.  Helmets are required of all riders at KVBC events.  It is also recommended that you bring with you on KVBC rides:  a map of the area in case you stray off route; tools for simple roadside repairs, especially a tire pump, spare tube and/or patch kit; water bottles or hydration systems; personal ID and a small first aid kit; and money for purchasing snacks & drinks en-route.  In case of severe weather, scheduled rides may be postponed or designated as "show & go" rides at the discretion of the ride leader.

 

We welcome suggestions for improving our rides and encourage active participation of all members.  For more information, contact Jim Merrick at 293-3784 or hjmerrick@gmail.com, or follow us on Facebook.

New Vineyards and White Elephants

We had a great ride last Saturday from Norridgewock, thanks to Brian and Denise. A most enjoyable route over roads many of us had not traveled, passing through towns we hardly knew existed.  It was hot in the sun, but we had some occasional cloud cover and some shady roads.  The ride was not without some unintended drama, as we had some odd electro-mechanical problems, posing a high-tech challenge solved by some low-tech ingenuity (read: sticks and stones) and some gritty single-speed riding by one of the ride leaders.  We all made it back OK, in time for a splendid ice cream social which really topped off a fine day.  We have another northern excursion this Saturday, heading up the Sandy River from Farmington to Strong and New Vineyard.  And Sunday is the BCM Lobster Ride in Camden. Some fine riding ahead!

Saturday, July 23 - FARMINGTON

"Sandy River Ramble" - an all-new tour from Farmington to Strong and New Vineyard.

START: 9 am at the municipal parking lot adjacent to the Gazebo on Rt.s 4 and 27 just north of Farmington Center.  The parking lot is on the left, north-bound.

DISTANCE: 22 or 27 miles.

TERRAIN: flat to moderate with one long hill.

HIGHLIGHTS: views along the Sandy River, a stop at the White Elephant in Strong, and a possible post-ride stop at Gifford's in Farmington.

LEADER: John MacDonald, stmac237@gmail.com.

LINK to RIDE MAP: http://www.gmap-pedometer.com/?r=6902582

Remember that the BCM Lobster Ride is Sunday, and if we have a large enough KVBC contingent we will qualify for a small rebate or discount off the registration fee.  So far I have heard from Ken Louis, Tammy Jones, Joe Lacroix, Bryan Griffin, Jim Floyd, Lynn Mitchell, Scott Bennington, and Fritz Onion.  If I don't have your name on the list and you want to join us, please do!  And let me know once you are registered - thanks!