Plan Those Rides!

Hi Folks, we will be having our annual KVBC Ride Calendar planning meeting on Monday, February 27, at 6 pm, at the Law Offices of Lipman and Katz, 5 Community Drive, Augusta (thank you to David Lipman!).  We will plan out the 2017 Ride Calendar over pizza, and discuss other possible events as we enter our 15th year.  If you cannot make the meeting but have a ride in mind that you would like to lead, please let me know so I can add it to the calendar.  I will have more details as we get closer to the meeting.

The Bicycle Coalition of Maine's 2017 Kick-Off Party is coming up Thursday, February 2, in Waterville: http://www.bikemaine.org/events-old/kickoff.  Perhaps I'll see some of you there!  If not, see you in February in any case!

Jim Merrick

hjmerrick@gmail.com
293-3784

The Bicycle Coalition of Maine's Kick-Off Party in Waterville Feb. 2

The Bicycle Coalition of Maine is hosting its annual Kick-Off Party on Thursday, February 2, in Waterville, and we'd love for you to spread the word to all of your bike club members-- everyone's invited, and we'd love to see them there! I've attached an invitation, and the additional info is below.

WHAT: 2017 Bicycle Coalition of Maine Kick Off Party

WHEN: Thursday, February 2, 2017, from 3:30-8pm

WHERE: Hathaway Creative Center, 10 Water Street, Waterville

HOW: RSVP's appreciated, but not required-- hope to see you there!

FMI: bikemaine.org/kickoff

New this year, we're added two educational sessions to the programming, that will each take place from 3:30-4:30 pm. It's a great opportunity to learn about what the Coalition's Legislative Agenda in 2017 (and how we bicyclists can help!) or learn about ongoing advocacy initiatives throughout the state, and get feedback from all of you in Maine's bicycling community! The party will begin at 5:00 with Happy Hour (cash bar), and at 6:00 we'll present the 2016 awards and draw the 2017 Super Raffle winners. At 7:00, we'll announce the 2017 BikeMaine Route!

We hope you all can join us for a night of bicycling fun! 

KVBC Ride Planning Meeting

Hope you are all enjoying the sudden onset of spring-like weather (soon to be followed by another arctic blast, no doubt). Before everything turns to solid ice again, I want to let you know that plans are underway to hold our annual KVBC Ride Planning Pizza Party!  David Lipman has graciously offered once again to let us use his office in Augusta (actually his new office, as he has moved from Water Street to 5 Community Drive).  The best available dates are during the week of February 27 to March 3.  If you would like to attend, please let me know what evening during that week would work best for you, and I will figure out the day that suits most.  The KVBC will turn 15 this year, so we may try to draw up some special rides to reflect on that milestone, or some similar lame excuse.  Ride leaders, be creative!  And meanwhile, mind the ice - I'm hoping my bones heal before the first KVBC ride, and who knows?  That might be close to our ride planning meeting!

Jim Merrick
293-3784
hjmerrick@gmail.com

Season's Greetings!

The Merry Roads of Nottingham

Welcome to December!  If the long-range forecasts are right, it appears as though December will be a lot colder and nowhere near as mild as it was last year.  So we may not have many opportunities to ride, but this weekend is looking dry, at least, with lots of sun on Sunday.  I have a 26-mile ride planned from Readfield Center that can be shortened if need be, and we'll stop at the Apple Shed in any case.  Perhaps we'll see you then!

Sunday, December 4 - READFIELD

"The Wayfarers of Nottingham" - a prelude to winter for all you merry men and equally merry women.

START: 10 AM, at the Readfield Post Office in Readfield Center at the junction of Rt.s 17 and 41.

DISTANCE: 26 miles, more or less.

TERRAIN: moderate with some hills.

HIGHLIGHTS: a tour along little-known byways, including Nottingham Road, in Readfield, Wayne, Fayette, and Kents Hill, with a stop at the Apple Shed Bakery.

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

LINK to ROUTE MAP: https://www.gmap-pedometer.com/?r=6991798

Down China Way

We lucked out with some really mild weather on last Sunday's ride in Oakland and Sidney, and we had a great group of 15 riders turn out - a welcome diversion from the turbulent week prior. Will we have further respite this Sunday in Vassalboro and China? Well we will certainly get to ride with friends! (Unless it's raining - rain cancels in November. Watch for a follow-up email on Sunday morning around 8 am if the weather is questionable.) Hopefully the weather holds and we'll see you on Sunday!

SUNDAY, November 20th, EAST VASSALBORO

"All the Tea (or Coffee) in China" - a delightful tour over the hills and dells of Vassalboro and China.

START: 10:00 AM at the Vassalboro Historical Society parking lot just north of the China Lake boat landing on Rt. 32 in East Vassalboro (not the boat landing in South China).

DISTANCE: approx. 20-25 miles.

TERRAIN: moderate, with some hills and flat sections.

HIGHLIGHTS: a selection of great, scenic rural Maine roads with great views of China Lake and surroundings, and a possible stop at the Green Bean Coffee Shop.

LEADER: Jeanine Libby.

LINK to ROUTE MAP (2015): http://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.

Falling Leaves

We had a great time riding about the local haunts on our pre-Halloween cemetery ride in Wayne on Sunday, with lots of colorful foliage and costumes. Speaking of costumes - I'm pleased to report that the second batch of KVBC jerseys have been shipped and may actually arrive in time for the ride on Saturday! The ride on Saturday? Oh, yes - we will meet at the Belgrade Center for all Seasons on Saturday for our last ride in Daylight Savings Time for the year. If the weather holds in the weeks ahead we'll check out Standard Time, too, but for those of you looking forward to KVBC long-sleeve jerseys (and the other assorted jerseys on order) this Saturday may be your lucky day! Those of you who can't make Saturday's ride, fear not - I'll get your jerseys to you one way or another. Stay warm!

November 5th, Saturday:  BELGRADE LAKES

"Take It or Leaf It" - a tour around the lakes through Belgrade, Rome, and Mount Vernon.

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:  28 miles.

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

HIGHLIGHTS:  post-peak foliage views of the Belgrade Lakes, some roller coaster hills, Castle Island, Blueberry Hill, and a possible stop at the cafe in Mount Vernon.

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

LINK to ROUTE MAP: http://www.gmap-pedometer.com/?r=6796306

 

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