KVBC Ride Planning for 2020

The Kennebec Valley Bicycle Club 2020 Ride Planning Meeting is scheduled for Wednesday, February 12 (snow date Feb. 26). We will meet at the Alfond Youth and Community Center, 126 North Street, in Waterville to plan out the KVBC Ride Calendar for the year. Jeanine Libby has offered to lead a free spin class to all interested members from 5 to 6 pm, followed by pizza and our ride planning meeting from 6 to 8 pm. To top it off, Jeanine will give us all a tour of the AYCC following the meeting. All are welcome, and if you cannot make the meeting but you would still like to lead a ride, please let me know all the details (if you have any).  Hope to see many of you there!

KVBC Ride Planning for 2020

Greetings to all!  With the weather turning a bit milder of late, indications are that it is time to start planning the 2020 KVBC Ride Calendar.  In years past, we have met in February to sit down over pizza and lay out rides for the coming year.  For the past couple of years we have met in Waterville, at Miller Library at Colby (where I work), and I can certainly arrange for a meeting room there again.  I know that for some people, Waterville is not convenient, so I am open to suggestions for another meeting place.  I'd also like to know what weekday evening or weekend works best for people who would like to attend.  As always, if you cannot attend and would still like to sign up to lead a ride, please feel free to contact me with the date(s) and ride info, and I will reserve a spot for you.  In addition to arranging the ride calendar, I'd also like some feedback on route mapping as best appropriate for GPS navigation.  We are probably not going to dispense with paper maps right away, but I do note that some other bike clubs have decided to stop marking routes altogether, now that many riders have access to GPS units and digital maps.  I am also happy to discuss any other matters members would like addressed.  Let me know your preferences for meeting times and places, and don't forget the upcoming ride (weather permitting) on Leap Day, Saturday, Feb, 29, in Hallowell.  Think Spring!

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

Happy New Year!

Happy New Year! May everyone have a great year of cycling ahead!

Merry Christmas and Happy Holidays!

Happy Winter Solstice!

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.