KVBC Ride Planning Meeting Postponed Again

The Winter weather is not being kind or cooperative, and with another storm heading in on Thursday and a number of people saying they cannot make the scheduled meeting that night, we are once again postponing the KVBC Ride Planning Meeting.  Our meeting has been rescheduled for Wednesday, February 27, at the same time and place, 6:00 pm, Miller Library Room 208, at Colby College.  Sorry for the shifting of dates - let's hope that "third time's the charm" and hopefully we'll see you on Wednesday the 27th.  Meanwhile here is a very tentative, preliminary ride calendar of 2019 events, from what we know (or think we know):

2019 Potential Rides and Other Club’s Events

March 23/24: Maine Maple Sunday, Oakland/Sidney

April 14: BCM Bike Swap, Portland

April 21: Wake Up the Earth Ride, Belgrade (tentative)

May 11: Maranacook Meander, Readfield (tentative)

June 1: Velo Vassalboro, Vassalboro (tentative)

June 8: Millinocket 100, Millinocket

June 9: Colby Loop, Norridgewock

June 14-16: TREK Across Maine

June 15: Jefferson Jaunt, Jefferson (tentative)

June 22/23: Property Pedal Tour (joint ride with Kennebec Land Trust)

June 29/30: Greenville Bike and Boat

July 6: Independence Ride, Sidney

July 13: Drafting Through Damariscotta, Damariscotta (tentative)

July 20: Tour de Whitefield, Whitefield (tentative)

August 10: Which Way to Wayne?, Wayne (tentative)

August 10/11: Bike MS

September 7: Maine Lighthouse Ride

September 8: Pedal Penobscot

September 7-14: Bike Maine

September 14/15: Boothby’s Apple Ride, Livermore Falls (tentative)

September 20-22: Seacoast Century

September 28: Share the Road with Carol, Windsor (tentative)

September 28/29: Dempsey Challenge

October 6: Cadillac Challenge

October 12: Three Peaks and a Pontoon, Chesterville

October 19: Bicycle Repairman (TBD)

October 27: Wicked Wayne, Wayne

KVBC Ride Planning Meeting Postponed to Thursday Feb. 21

Due to the forecast of snow, sleet, and what-have-you on this Wednesday, we have decided to postpone our Ride Planning Meeting until the following week.  The meeting has been rescheduled to Thursday, Feb. 21, at 6:00pm - same location: Colby College, Miller Library, Room 208.  My apologies for any inconvenience, but travel on this Wednesday does not look good, and there may be parking restrictions due to snow removal.  So we will meet the following Thursday when the room is available again.  Once again, if you cannot make the rescheduled meeting but would like to lead a ride, please let me know the particulars and I'll work it into the calendar.  And if you would like to participate in the meeting remotely, let me know and I'll set up the conference call. Also, if you might be interested in a new KVBC jersey, let me know.

KVBC Ride Planning Meeting

Spring will be upon us before you know it, so it is time to start planning our ride calendar for 2019!  Our annual Kennebec Valley Bicycle Club Ride Planning Meeting is scheduled for  Wednesday, February 13 at 6 pm.  We will meet in Waterville, at Colby College, Miller Library, Room 208 (also known as the second floor conference room, if you are asking for directions at the main desk). Directions: http://libguides.colby.edu/c.php?g=98548&p=638088.  The best parking will be in the Roberts Lot, near the Colby Art Museum.  If you cannot make the meeting in person but would like to take part via a conference call, let me know before the meeting and I will send you the phone number and opt in code.  And if you would prefer to just send me your ride information - date, start location and start time, distance, and any features of note (ice cream, pastry shops, etc.) - I'll be happy to take it down.  All are welcome at the meeting, and we will likely order pizza to help with the planning.  Hope to see you Wednesday!

Happy New Year!

Happy New Year! May you have fair winds, good roads, and great company! [Image: after "Focus" by Will Geddes (2108)]

Just Dandy

The other day I was reading a year-end compilation of significant anniversaries, and the author mentioned the invention of the Draisine in 1818. Can't let the year go by with our two-wheeled forerunner unheralded, even though some might argue that it was actually invented in 1817 and only officially patented in February 1818. And some would argue that it's not a bicycle at all, as happened at a bicycle history conference in Boston I attended years ago, with some of the speakers focusing instead on who "invented" the bicycle in the 1860s. Until in the midst of this argument one of the panelists quietly disagreed, saying simply that he had a Draisine, and that when all was said and done, when he rode it he felt like he was riding a bicycle. Not one to scoff at 200-year-old technology, if it's "just like riding a bicycle," that's good enough for me.

Manchester in Moderation

The weather forecast for this weekend seems to be holding up (at the moment) with Saturday looking quite favorable: sunny and on the high side of 40. So we will roll the dice and try to get in one more ride before the end of the year.  We'll meet at 10:30 am at the Manchester Elementary School for a 19 or 23-mile ride out to Wings Mills.  Last year it was a very exciting ride with police standoffs, swat teams, emergency road closures - very festive with all the flashing lights. Who knows what this year's end-of-the-year ride will bring?  Note: if it brings any rain or snow, we will cancel.  Hope to see you there, and if not, Happy Holidays!

Saturday, December 15th - MANCHESTER

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

START:  10:30 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: 19 or 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, hjmerrick@gmail.com, 293-3784.

LINK to ROUTE MAP: https://www.gmap-pedometer.com/?r=6761462

Spin! Spin!

A message from Jeanine (one of several spin instructors in our club) regarding the spin class she is leading that starts tonight (!) in Waterville:

Hello to all my biking friends,

I've been working with Champions Fitness Center located 30 Elm Plaza in Waterville on running a spinning class that will be starting this Tuesday, November 13 and run through to March.  I'm gearing the class like riding on the road. So if you have never taken a spin class - this would be a good place to start.  We will build strength and endurance through the season. You will need to purchase a punch card for $75 for 10 classes.  The card will be good all season and if you want to share a card with a friend, you are more then welcome to do that.  If you are a member of Champions Fitness Center it's free.  Class will be 1 hour long beginning

at 5:30 p.m. ending at 6:30 p.m.  Champions has 10 bikes, you will need to call and reserve it prior to class so you will be sure to have a seat. The number is 207-872-0571.  This class is open to anyone - please invite your friends.
Champions has locker rooms and showers.  The bikes have regular pedals on one side and SPD clips on the other side.  I would suggest wearing your biking shorts - the seats are hard.  Also, bring a towel and water to class. 
If you have any questions, please call my cell phone at 207-858-5500.

See you Tuesday,
Jeanine