New Old Jerseys

Still watching the weekend weather for a ride opening free of ice and snow. Meanwhile, as a follow-up for ordering the "old-style" KVBC jersey (if you missed out the first few go-rounds, or want a different size, or color, or sleeve-length, or whatever) Champion System is offering us a 20% discount for a club order before the end of the year. Thus the less-expensive Tech Lite jersey (normally $44) would be $35.20, and the more-expensive Tech Pro jersey (normally $54) would be $43.20 [unless my math is wrong]. Here's a link to their current sizing charts: https://champ-sys.com/sizing-guide. They also claim to have a 3-week turn-around, and they offer crash replacement jerseys - they even offer to send you a smaller size if your increased cycling boosts your fitness level so that your jersey no longer fits. (They don't offer to send you a larger size if your increased cycling range causes you to stop at more pastry shops, alas.) So let me know if you are interested, and we may also arrange for another round of ordering the new-style jerseys as well.

Eleven of 'em

The weather forecasters have been throwing the S-word around this week (and we're not talking "sunny").  Haven't seen anything yet, but it sure feels like it.  This weekend still looks pretty good, with conditions a bit warmer on Sunday, so we'll try for another November ride, this time in Mount Vernon and Chesterville - 29 miles with a shorter 14 mile option.  Plus a potential stop at the cafe in Mount Vernon at the ride's end.  Once again, I'll bring along the new KVBC jerseys for those of you still waiting for yours.  And if you are hankering for one of the original KVBC jerseys (as someone asked about), let me know, and if there's enough interest I'll see about placing another order.  Stay warm, and see you Sunday!

Sunday, November 10th - MOUNT VERNON

"Eleven Ponds" - a tour past many of the hidden ponds and lakes in Mount Vernon, Fayette, Chesterville, and Vienna.

START:  10:00 AM, Mount Vernon Post Office, just off Rt. 41 on Main Street in Mount Vernon.

DISTANCE:  14 and 29 miles.

TERRAIN:  Rolling with a few good hills (and one memorable one).

HIGHLIGHTS:  rural back roads winding through many small ponds and lakes, and across the top of the Chesterville Esker.  Possible post-ride get-together at the cafe in Mt. Vernon village.

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

LINK to RIDE MAP: http://gmap-pedometer.com/?r=6799293

 

Kennebec Valley Bicycle Club rides are open to members and to the cycling public.  Helmets are required of all riders at KVBC events.  In case of severe weather, scheduled rides may be postponed or designated as "show & go" rides at the discretion of the ride leader.  For ride updates and reports, check out the KVBC blog at http://postedroads.blogspot.com or follow us on Facebook.

Industry Up or Down

Has this dreary, drizzly, wet weather got you down? We may have the antidote - an early November ride in bright sunshine! The weather looks great for this weekend, so let's meet in Farmington on Saturday for a ride out to Industry and Clearwater Pond. We'll even throw in a possible stop at Java Joe's in Farmington. And if you haven't collected your new KVBC jersey yet, I'll have them with me at the start. See you Saturday!

Saturday, November 2nd:  FARMINGTON

"The Ups and Downs of Industry":  a ride through the picturesque hills and hollows of Farmington, New Sharon, and Industry.

START:  10:00 A.M., at the Hannaford Plaza on Rt. 4 in Farmington, about a mile south from the junction of Rt. 4 and Rt. 27, towards Wilton.  Park near the entrance to the shopping plaza.

DISTANCE:  25-30 miles.

TERRAIN:  rolling to hilly; approx. one mile of gravel along the Sandy River, and 3 miles of cinder on the Rail Trail (optional)

HIGHLIGHTS:  quiet back roads along the Sandy River, spectacular panoramic views from the ridgetops of New Sharon & Industry, Clearwater Pond at Allens Mills, a possible stop at Java Joe's in Farmington, and an optional run along the Whistlestop Rail Trail.

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

LINK to ROUTE MAP: http://www.gmap-pedometer.com/?r=6874732

 

For more information on the Kennebec Valley Bicycle Club and its rides contact Jim Merrick, 293-3784, hjmerrick@gmail.com, or check out the KVBC blog, "Posted Roads" at http://postedroads.blogspot.com.

Wayne is Wicked But Only on Saturday

Due to the forecast for rain and cold, wet conditions on Sunday, we will move up the KVBC ride in Wayne to SATURDAY, October 26, at 10:00 am as we close out October with our semi-traditional Halloween tour of the cemeteries around Wayne.  We will also have the new KVBC jerseys and caps to hand out! Meet at the Wayne Elementary School, 48 Pond Road.  Costumes optional - do remember helmets and avoid any loose, chain-catching accessories.  And dress warmly!  See you Saturday!

Saturday, October 26th - WAYNE

"Wicked Wayne" - a Halloween ride featuring some historic cemeteries along some quiet back roads (maybe too quiet). 

START: 10:00 AM at the Wayne Elementary School, 48 Pond Road, Wayne.

DISTANCE: about 20 miles.

TERRAIN: moderate, creepy in spots.

HIGHLIGHTS: at least five local cemeteries, including the circular Wing family cemetery and the Kent family cemetery; the Apple Shed on Kents Hill, a notorious, unsolved historic crime scene, and other local haunts. 

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

LINK to ROUTE MAP: http://www.gmap-pedometer.com/?r=6976062

For more information about the Kennebec Valley Bicycle Club contact Jim Merrick at hjmerrick@gmail.com, 293-3784, or check out the club blog at http://postedroads.blogspot.com.

Cemeteries Shaped Like Wheels

We had a great late Fall ride from Tom's Bike Boutique in East Winthrop last Saturday - a beautiful, sunny day on fine roads and an excellent turn out searching for Bicycle Repairman! Our thanks to Denise and Brian for leading and the post-ride brownies (!), and to Tom, for providing bottled water and opening up his shop for us. This weekend we close out October with our semi-traditional ride around Halloween in Wayne (and if luck holds out, we may have the new KVBC jerseys to hand out - keep your fingers crossed). Meet at the Wayne Elementary School on Pond Road.  Costumes optional - do remember helmets and avoid any loose, chain-catching accessories.  And dress warmly!  See you Sunday!

Sunday, October 27th - WAYNE

"Wicked Wayne" - a Halloween ride featuring some historic cemeteries along some quiet back roads (maybe too quiet). 

START: 10:00 AM at the Wayne Elementary School, 48 Pond Road, Wayne.

DISTANCE: about 20 miles.

TERRAIN: moderate, creepy in spots.

HIGHLIGHTS: at least five local cemeteries, including the circular Wing family cemetery and the Kent family cemetery; the Apple Shed on Kents Hill, a notorious, unsolved historic crime scene, and other local haunts. 

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

LINK to ROUTE MAP: http://www.gmap-pedometer.com/?r=6976062

For more information about the Kennebec Valley Bicycle Club contact Jim Merrick at hjmerrick@gmail.com, 293-3784, or check out the club blog at http://postedroads.blogspot.com.

Bicycle Repairman! But How?

We had a rather cold, dark, and drizzly day for the Belgrade Lakes Harvest Festival ride last Saturday, but the Fall colors brightened the day (and the hot food at the many vendors in the village also hit the spot). Thanks to Ellen Wells for helping set up the ride and getting us outside! This Saturday marks the 50th anniversary of the classic Monty Python sketch, "Bicycle Repairman," and if you missed it 50 years ago, here it is again: https://dai.ly/x2howud.  See you Saturday!

Saturday, October 19th - EAST WINTHROP

"Bicycle Repairman" - If only we knew where to find him! Or her. A ride along the shorelines of Lakes Maranacook, Annabessacook, and Cobbosseecontee, in search of some Monty Pythonesque heroes.

START: 10:00 AM at the parking lot of Tom's Bike Boutique, 2208 Rt.202 in East Winthrop, across from D.R Struck's Nursery.

DISTANCE: 25-30 miles.

TERRAIN: moderate with some hills.

HIGHLIGHTS: Celebrate the 50th anniversary of Monty Python's "Bicycle Repairman" with some nice lakeside runs along back-roads in near peak Fall foliage through Winthrop, Monmouth, and Manchester, and ending (where else?) at a bicycle repair shop.

LEADER: Brian Bowker, 485-6793, bbowk321@yahoo.com; and Denise Crowell, 213-8336, denisemcrowell@gmail.com.

LINK to ROUTE MAP: https://www.gmap-pedometer.com/?r=6799677

 

For more information on the Kennebec Valley Bicycle Club, contact Jim Merrick, 293-3784, hjmerrick@gmail.com, follow us on Facebook or check out the KVBC blog at: http://postedroads.blogspot.com.

Belgrade Bikes!

We had a fine ride to Boothby's Apple Orchard from Livermore last Saturday on a rather frosty morning. Many thanks to John Lanoue for leading and providing an "apple shuttle" to carry purchased apples back to the start, and a tip of the helmet to all of his weary friends who ventured out and rode with us. This Saturday we will return to Belgrade Lakes for a joint ride with the Friends of Belgrade Lakes Village to celebrate the town's new official 'Park & Bike' locations, as well as a stop of the many activities and venues of the Belgrade lakes Harvest Festival, including Winterberry Farms and Hello Good Pie! Note: since it has turned rather chilly in the mornings (and to time our arrival at the festival) we will start this Saturday at 10:00 am. Hope to see you then!

Saturday, October 12 - BELGRADE LAKES

"Belgrade Bikes!" - a tour in and around the Belgrade Lakes bicycle 'Park & Bikes' with a stop at the Belgrade Lakes Harvest Festival

START: the 'Park & Bike' at the Belgrade Town Office, 990 Augusta Road, Rt. 27

DISTANCES: 10 or 30 miles

TERRAIN: flat to hilly

HIGHLIGHTS: a stop at Winterberry Farm and the Belgrade Lakes Harvest Festival, arts & crafts, cider pressing and other samplings, Blueberry Hill and some fall foliage.

LEADERS: Jim Merrick (for KVBC), 293-3784. hjmerrick@gmail.com, and Ellen Wells (for Friends of Belgrade Lakes Village)

LINK to ROUTE MAP (long): https://www.gmap-pedometer.com/?r=7416124