Pontoon or Poutine?

We had a beautiful Fall day for the ride last Saturday from Winthrop to the Monmouth Apple Fest. Crisp temperatures, bright sunshine, and some superb apple pie, doughnuts, and other treats at the festival in Monmouth. And the ride wasn't too bad, either!  Hopefully we'll have more of the same this Saturday as John will take us into October with another great ride in Chesterville.  Hope to see you Saturday!

Saturday, October 1st - CHESTERVILLE

"Three Peaks and a Pontoon" - an early fall foliage tour of the ponds and ridges around Livermore, Fayette, and Chesterville.

START: 9:00 am at the Sand Pond Parking Lot; from Chesterville Center (by the Chesterville Corner Store at the junction of Ridge Rd, Dutch Gap Rd, and Zions Hill Rd) take Zions Hill Rd north for 1/4 mile, turn left on Borough Rd for approx. one mile, then turn right on Sand Pond Rd; the parking lot is about 1/2 mile in.

DISTANCE: 30-35 miles.

TERRAIN: moderately hilly with several good hills.

HIGHLIGHTS: some fall foliage viewpoints on scenic back roads including the famed Ridge Road along the Chesterville Esker, and a post-ride gathering at the ride leader's camp, followed by a potential pontoon boat ride on the lake.

LEADER: John Lanoue, john.lanoue@avid.com.

 

Here’s the route: http://bikeroutetoaster.com/BRTWebUI/Course/728937

 

For more information on the Kennebec Valley Bicycle Club find us on Facebook, or contact Jim Merrick at hjmerrick@gmail.com or 293-3784.

Apple Fest!

We had a great ride on Saturday in Livermore that featured a stop at Boothby's Apple Orchard. Many thanks to John Lanoue for leading the ride and arranging for an "apple shuttle" to carry bags of purchased apples back to the start. Sunday's ride ventured out to the Wire Bridge in New Portland, where we were treated to cider and apple cake thanks to Diane & John Macdonald, and we were all pleased to see John up and about just a week from his accident. Thanks also to Denise & Brian for another great ride! We continue with the apple theme on this Saturday's ride which a stop at the Monmouth Apple Festival - apple pies, apple turnovers, apple donuts, apple everything! Hope you can join us!

Saturday, September 24th - WINTHROP
"Monmouth a la Mode" - a tour through Winthrop to the Monmouth Apple Festival.
START: 9:00 AM at the Winthrop Town Boat Landing on Maranacook Lake, near the gazebo on Coady Street, off of Memorial Drive. If the boat landing parking lot is full, there are additional spaces around the corner on Summer Street, lakeside.
DISTANCE: 18 or 24 Miles.
TERRAIN: Rolling, with a few stiff hills.
HIGHLIGHTS: Back roads beside rolling orchards, lakeside summer camps, small hidden hamlets... and the Monmouth Apple Festival: a great little small town festival devoted to celebrating all things pomological in one of Maine’s classic apple towns. The festival features lots of hot, baked apple pies and other apple treats, yard sales and open houses, fun and games, and self-guided tours of the Monmouth Historical Society’s many unique museum buildings and shops.
LEADER: Jim Merrick, hjmerrick@gmail.com.
LINK to RIDE MAP: http://www.gmap-pedometer.com/?r=6721791

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

An Apple a Day - Wire Bridge in Play

We had another fine day for a ride on Saturday in Rome. We saw many of the legendary hills (maybe seven) of Rome, and even a miniature Stonehenge. The ancient aspects to the scenery were tempered by a mid-ride accident that was unsettling but could've been worse. I'm glad to report that John is back home recovering, with some new metal hardware in his hip. Get well, John! This weekend we have a doubleheader planned to coincide with the Great Maine Outdoor Weekend: Saturday we will have a 40-mile ride from Pike's Oasis to Boothby's Orchard (circa 1865) in Livermore, and Sunday we will venture out on a 65-mile ride from Norridgewock to the Wire Bridge (circa 1866) in New Portland. Hope you can join us!

Saturday, September 17th - LIVERMORE

"Boothby"s Apple Ride" - a tour of the ponds and ridges around Livermore and Chesterville, with an apple orchard stop.

START: 9:00 am Pike's Corner Oasis at the junction of Rt.s 106, 133, and Campground Road in Livermore.

DISTANCE: 40 miles.

TERRAIN: moderately hilly with several good hills.

HIGHLIGHTS: great back roads with numerous scenic views, and a stop at Boothby's Orchard, a family-owned farm for seven generations going back to 1865. We plan to have a vehicle at the orchard to transport any apples you buy back to the start! 

LEADER: John Lanoue, john.lanoue@avid.com.  

LINK to GMOW EVENT LISTING:  http://www.greatmaineoutdoorweekend.org/event/boothbys-apple-ride-livermore-falls-sept2016/

Sunday, September 18th - NORRIDGEWOCK

"The Wire Bridge Metric" - a Fall Foliage Metric Century plus, along the scenic Carrabassett River, through Norridgewock, Madison, Anson, New Portland and New Vineyard.

START: 9:00 AM at 434 Fredericks Corner Road, about two miles from the junction of Rt.2 in Norridgewock.

DISTANCE: approx 65 miles

TERRAIN: moderate with some hills

HIGHLIGHTS: Fall foliage along the Carrabassett River, and the historic Wire Bridge in New Portland, a civil engineering landmark built in 1866, perhaps the only one of its kind still in existence.

LEADERS: Brian Bowker, bbowk321@yahoo.com; and Denise Crowell, denisemcrowell@gmail.com.

LINK to GMOW EVENT LISTING: http://www.greatmaineoutdoorweekend.org/event/wire-bridge-metric-century-norridgewock-sept2016/  

 

 

For more information on the Kennebec Valley Bicycle Club contact Jim Merrick at 293-3784, hjmerrick@gmail.com, and check out the KVBC Facebook Page.

Roaming Around Rome

We had a terrific ride Sunday in Wayne - great weather, great turnout, great route - and a top notch post ride gathering at the ride leaders'. Our thanks to Fritz and Susan for a special day! There are a lot of cycling events going on this weekend, with the Tour de Farms and the Maine Lighthouse Ride on Saturday, and Pedal the Penobscot and BikeMaine highlighting Sunday. We will venture out to Rome on Saturday for a scenic tour that is shorter and hillier than usual. You may lose count of the hills, but there are at least seven, and seven is an auspicious number. So they say. See you Saturday!

Saturday, September 10th: ROME

"The Seven Hills of Rome" - a roadside tour of the many hillside trails through Rome and Belgrade.

START: 9:00 AM, Rome Town Hall at the corner of Rt. 225 and Mercer Road, about 0.3 mi from the junction of Rt. 27 and Rt. 225.

DISTANCE: 20 miles.

TERRAIN: Moderately Hilly to Hilly.

HIGHLIGHTS: the route passes 5 trailheads, Blueberry Hill and the Kennebec Highlands.  There is an optional short hike up French's Mountain to a spectacular scenic vista.

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

LINK to ROUTE MAP: https://www.gmap-pedometer.com/?r=6800281

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.