Happy New Year!

 Happy New Year! May the New Year bring you the best in cycling adventures wherever you may ride!

Once More Around the Pond

 We had a nice crisp, Fall day for our not so Wicked Wayne ride last Saturday - much nicer weather than the previous weekend.  This was followed by some superb Fall days earlier this week which were a tantalizing prospect for further late season riding.  This weekend also looks nice, if a bit cooler, so we will meet Saturday at the Belgrade Community Center for a circuit around Great Pond, perhaps with a stop at Hello Good Pie in Belgrade Village.  Hope you can join us!

November 13th, Saturday:  BELGRADE LAKES

"Great Pond Go Round" - a November tour through Castle Island, Belgrade, and Rome.

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:  23 miles.

TERRAIN:  rolling to hilly.

HIGHLIGHTS: views of the Belgrade Lakes, some roller coaster hills, Castle Island, and Blueberry Hill - possible post-ride stop at the bakery in Belgrade Lakes Village.

LEADER:  David Chiappetta, dlchiappetta@aol.com.

LINK to ROUTE MAP: https://ridewithgps.com/routes/37985825
 

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.  

Water Destroys Wickedness

 Last weekend was pretty much a wash-out, even though the sun made a brief appearance right at 10 am, Sunday's scheduled ride start in Wayne.  This weekend looks much better (so far) so let's try it again.  We'll shoot for Saturday at 10 am, with a rain date for Sunday (you can still come in costume if you like).  Hope to see you Saturday!

Saturday, November 6 - WAYNE

"Not So Wicked Wayne" - a post-Halloween ride featuring some historic cemeteries along some quiet back roads (maybe not quiet enough). 

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

DISTANCE: about 22 miles.

TERRAIN: moderate, maybe creepy in spots (no promises).

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: https://ridewithgps.com/routes/37867944

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.    

All Hallows on Falloes

 

We had a rather cold, gray, overcast day for our ride from Farmington to Industry on Saturday, but the roads were dry and the winds were calm, and the 8 brave souls who turned out had a fine ride. We are hopeful that the monsoons this week will clear out in time for our annual Halloween/Cemetery ride in Wayne on Sunday - please note the 10:00 am start. As in past years, costumes are optional - just remember to include helmets and clothing appropriate for the weather, and bring a mask if you are stopping in stores.  Hope to see you on our last scheduled ride of the year, and perhaps into November if the weather holds out!

Sunday, 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 22 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: https://ridewithgps.com/routes/37867944

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

Industry still has Clearwater

 It was a bit damp for the start of Sunday's KVBC ride in Waterville.  We had a brief shower as we headed out, but it stopped about ten minutes later and we did see quite a bit of sunshine.  Our thanks to David for leading and to the lucky 13 riders who turned out.  This Saturday we will meet at Hannaford's in Farmington for a ride out to Industry and Clearwater Pond.  We will add an optional route along the Whistle Stop Rail Trail, and we may check out the new trail in Farmington.  Hope you can join us!

Saturday, October 23:  FARMINGTON

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

START:  9:00 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.

Sorting out the Sortie

 We had beautiful Fall weather and colorful foliage on our ride from Wayne last Saturday. There were roads with nice new pavement and roads with nice smooth gravel. Many thanks to Fritz for leading and to Susan and Holly for riding sweep and keeping the 19 riders (mostly) on track. This Sunday we will venture north from Waterville to Canaan for what promises to be a nice foliage tour through Somerset County. Keep masks on hand should you need to use them, and dress yourself and your bike to stand out to motorists who may be distracted by the seasonal colors. Hope you can join us!

Sunday, October 17 - 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.

DISTANCE: 33 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: https://ridewithgps.com/routes/37739372

Way out of Wayne

 

Our thanks to Brian and Denise, our ride leaders on the Wire Bridge Ride that was rescheduled to last Sunday. I personally regretted missing their ride and the Cadillac Challenge, but I've been telling everyone for the last year and a half to stay home if they are feeling sick, so I thought I had better practice what I preach, so to speak.  I am definitely ready to ride this weekend (I hope) and I hope to see everyone there!

Saturday, October 9th - WAYNE

"Which Way to Wayne?" - an early Fall tour from Wayne to Fayette, Livermore, Leeds, and Winthrop.

START: 9 am at the Wayne Elementary School, 48 Pond Road, Wayne. 

DISTANCE: 37 miles.

TERRAIN: flat to moderately hilly; with perhaps an optional route with some gravel riding.

HIGHLIGHTS: scenic back roads with some great views. 

LEADER: Fritz Onion, fritzonion@gmail.com

LINK to ROUTE MAP: https://www.strava.com/routes/4011324

For more information on the Kennebec Valley Bicycle Club, contact Jim Merrick at 293-3784, hjmerrick@gmail.com, or check out our club blog, "Posted Roads" at http://postedroads.blogspot.com, or keep up to date via our Facebook page.