Happy New Year!

 Happy New Year! We met the challenges of the past year with a extraordinary group effort - kudos to you all! The new year will bring further challenges, but let us hope to conquer those as well. Hope to see you on the road real soon!

Turning Another Leaf

After a string of chilly rides in October it is a welcome treat to have temperatures climb up into the 60s again, and we'll gladly take advantage of it this Sunday in Belgrade Lakes. We are regrettably beginning to see a surge of COVID cases in the state, so be extra cautious, bring masks and use them when near others, keep up with distancing, and stay home if you have a temperature or other symptoms. We may not see too many more days for riding than those predicted for the weekend, so we hope to see you Sunday!

November 8th, Sunday:  BELGRADE LAKES

"Take It or Leaf It" - a tour around Great Pond 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 Hello Good Pie in Belgrade Lakes.

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

LINK to ROUTE MAP: https://www.gmap-pedometer.com/?r=7509613

 

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

It has been getting chilly, but fortunately we had some nice sunny conditions for fine late Fall riding as we did last Sunday in Farmington. They are predicting more of the same for this Saturday's ride in Wayne, for our annual Halloween ride around the cemeteries of Wayne, Kents Hill and Fayette.  As in the past, costumes are optional, if you can work in helmets and masks and avoid any chain-catching accoutrements.  This is our last scheduled ride of the season, but we may have some impromptu rides ahead if the weather is favorable.  I, for one, am really looking forward to the day I don't have to add a reminder to bring masks and use them in close quarters, maintain social distancing, and please stay home if you are feeling sick.  You have all done very well this year, and deserve credit to yourselves.  Hope to see you Saturday! 

Saturday, October 31st - 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.

Industrious Ventures

The weather started to turn frosty for our ride Sunday from Waterville to Canaan.  We did have some bright sunshine, some beautiful Fall colors, and a fine group of 18 riders to take it all in.  Many thanks to David for leading the ride, and to Camille for scoping it out!  This Sunday we will meet in Farmington for a ride to Clearwater Pond in Industry.  By now you should know all the COVID-19 protocols: please bring a mask and use it when in close quarters, maintain social distancing, and please stay home and get well if you are feeling sick.  Hope to see you Sunday!

Sunday, October 25th:  FARMINGTON

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

START:  9:30 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.

Sorting Out Somerset

We got a taste of the late Fall approaching, with crisp, cool weather and some impressive headwinds on the ride from Winslow last Sunday. Despite a somewhat frosty start, we had a sparkling clear day with lots of sunshine, some very pretty roads and good company. Many thanks to Tom for leading! This Sunday we will start in Waterville for another popular ride up to Canaan and vicinity. Please remember to stay vigilant in the current pandemic - bring masks to wear in close quarters, spread out at the ride start and when regrouping on the route, and please stay home if you are feeling unwell. Hope to see you Sunday!

Sunday, October 18 - WATERVILLE

"A Somerset Sortie" - a scenic tour through Somerset County in peak Fall season.

START: 9:00am at the Alfond Youth & Community Center, 126 North Street, Waterville.

DISTANCES: 29 or 39 miles.

TERRAIN: moderate with some hills.

HIGHLIGHTS: country roads along the Kennebec and inland from Canaan to Benton, with some fine ridge-top views.

LEADER: David Chiappetta, dlchiappetta@aol.com.

LINK to ROUTE MAP (Short Ride): https://www.gmap-pedometer.com/?r=7528326

LINK to ROUTE MAP (Long Ride): https://www.gmap-pedometer.com/?r=7528330

Winsome Lose Some

 We had a nice, adventurous gravel ride last Saturday from New Sharon.  Despite the recent rains, most of the roads were in good shape.  It was a good opportunity to get off the beaten track and explore some little-traveled roads in foliage season.  On Sunday, a record number of 12 of us did all or parts of the Cadillac Challenge, the only Century ride in Maine this year.  This Sunday we will return to the pavement for another pretty ride on the roads east of the Kennebec through Winslow, Benton & Clinton.  There has been a recent spike in Covid cases (including you-know-who), so pandemic precautions are still in order: bring masks and use them when you can't distance, stay well apart, and stay home if you are feeling unwell.  Hope to see you Sunday!

Sunday, October 11 - WINSLOW

"Winsome Winslow" - a Fall tour around Winslow, Benton and Clinton

START: 9 am at the Winslow Elementary School, 285 Benton Avenue, Winslow

DISTANCE: Approx. 28 miles

TERRAIN: Moderate with some hills

HIGHLIGHTS: Back roads of Winslow, Benton, and Clinton

LEADER: Tom Michaud, sdnytom@yahoo.com

LINK TO RIDE MAP: https://gmap-pedometer.com/?r=7526680

Don't Grovel on Gravel

 

Fall has arrived with a sudden explosion of color!  We had some spectacular riding last weekend on Saturday in Livermore and Sunday in Norridgewock and Madison.  Our thanks to John, and Brian & Denise, for leading  a pair of great rides.  We are going to kick off October with a (mostly) gravel ride from New Sharon exploring the back roads of Vienna and Chesterville.  The route can be done on 28mm tires, but be sure to bring bikes with good rubber.  Even though we will be off in the woods away from civilization, please remember to bring masks, maintain pandemic distancing, and stay home if you are feeling sick.  Hope to see you Saturday!

Saturday, October 3rd - NEW SHARON

"Sandy River Gravitas" - a mostly gravel ride on back roads around New Sharon, Vienna, and Chesterville.

START: 9:00 am at the junction of Rt. 2 and Rt.134 in New Sharon. Park along the old bridge access road (now a dead end) that parallels Rt. 2. Additional parking a short distance up Rt. 134 at the Congregational Church.

DISTANCE: 20 miles, approx. 12.5 gravel and 7.5 pavement.

TERRAIN: varied with some moderate climbs and fast descents.

HIGHLIGHTS: a sampling of local gravel roads, ranging from delightful to decrepit, and lots of Fall foliage up close. Paved alternatives abound to avoid some of the gravel.

LEADER: Jim Merrick, 293-2784, hjmerrick@gmail.com.

LINK to ROUTE MAP: https://www.gmap-pedometer.com/?r=7528273