12/9 Saturday Ride

After a pretty chilly week it looks like we'll get a little warmth tomorrow. I don't usually like to start a ride as late as 11:00, but we should hit 40° by then and I would hate for everyone to be grumpy about riding in the cold when there was an option. So let's go for it--it might be our last chance this year, as winter seems to have found us.

I think short and sweet: the Freeport loop should do the trick, but I could be talked into the 40-mile Pineland loop, if you'd rather. Anything, really, as long as we don't plan more than 40 miles.

Garmin  |  Strava

12/2 Saturday Ride

Well, it appears as if the rain will stop in the wee hours and stay away most of the morning, but the temps won't get much above 42°, so how about we try a shorter one close to home? Let's try the Highland Lake loop, starting at 10:00. Please be sure to click the button in Strava or comment on Facebook if you plan to ride.

Garmin  |  Strava

Black Friday Ride

It's time for the Turkey Burner!
Don't shop—you know you hate the crowds—let's ride bikes!

It looks to be a bit chilly on Friday, so we'll plan to start from the Westbrook Public Parking Lot at 10:00. I have 42- and 52-mile variations of the course. We'll plan on the 42 and decide whether or not to tack on the extra 10 when we hit Saco Rd at mile 14. If the lot is full, people can park at my house just up the road. See you at 10:00!

Garmin 42  |  Strava 42
Garmin 52  |  Strava 52

11/19 Sunday Ride?

It is not looking at all good for tomorrow, sports fans: if it's not raining when we get up, it looks like it most certainly will be before long.

I will post a tentative ride for Sunday at 10:00, but I can't guarantee I can make it. If you want to ride then, be sure to click the I'm In button on Strava or respond on the FB post so other people will know if they'll have company.

Garmin  |  Strava

11/11 Saturday Ride

Looks like we have a chilly day tomorrow, but it won't be too bad if we start at 10:00 (40°). Let's head up up Pineland (hilly or not)--that way, if anyone decides it's too cold after all, they can wait inside for a ride. 

It is entirely possible that the rest of us will mock them while congratulating our own stoicism with warm beverages; I can't make any promises.

Oh yeah: if you're an A rider and want to bring friends, you can travel at your own pace--we don't mind!

Garmin  |  Strava

Garmin  |  Strava

11/4 Saturday Ride

It looks like tomorrow is going to be fine, so let's ride bikes!

It doesn't look like anyone did last week's ride, so I will tentatively plan that one. If people did do it, or just prefer an alternative, I'll also offer up the Buxton/Bar Mills Kidney loop.

It's finally cooler in the morning, so let's go at 9:00.

Garmin  | Strava

Garmin  |  Strava

10/28 Saturday Ride

It's Oxbow Metric Weekend!

So, yeah, I'll be off doing that. For any looking for something local, I will leave you with this one or your choice from the Route Library. If you have Strava and plan to ride, click the button so others know you'll be there. It's going to be a great day, so get out there!

Garmin  |  Strava

10/21 Saturday Ride

Well, I'm not sure if it's Tammy's fault or not, but I don't even see a bump-day possibility this weekend--it's just going to be wet.

As long as there's nothing we can do about it, let's look ahead to 10/28: we're planning to do the Oxford Hills ride next weekend, so BOLO for an email with final dates, and think happy thoughts!

10/14 Saturday Ride

Tomorrow is the annual Merrymeeting Metric Century ride, leaving Flight Deck Brewery at 9:00--so you know where I'll be. However, I know not everyone has time for that ride, so I will post something here and ask for a leader or, at least click the I'm In button on Strava so others know they will have company if they want to ride, too (that's a handy button, that is).

I'll leave you with two choices: the Highland Lake loop (33 miles; the Strava route is a tad shorter, turning at Merrill Rd instead of Lunt) or Windham-Gorham (44 miles). Load them up and choose in the morning. If you choose Windham, take a peek down Middlejam Rd and see if they've repaved the top section yet.

Garmin  |  Strava

Garmin  |  Strava

10/8 Sunday Morning Ride

Clearly, there will be no Saturday Morning Ride tomorrow--so what about Sunday?

It's still unclear when the rain will stop on Sunday, so this is by no means a solid plan, but I thought I'd put it out there. We still have a pair of options, one west (N Windham/Gorham Hook up to Sebago Lake) and one north up to Pownal (Roads Less Traveled).

So far it looks like a 9:00 start should be dry, but it will be breezy. Enjoy the extra hour of sleep.

.

Garmin  |  Strava

Garmin  |  Strava

9/30 Saturday Ride

The Cadillac Challenge is this Sunday, so I will be headed to Bar Harbor on Saturday. Paul, however, will not, so he is more than willing to be our bunny herder tomorrow.

He is particularly fond of the Saco/Boom Rd ride and missed it a couple weeks ago. If you missed it then, he'd love to see you Saturday. If you didn't miss it then, he will concede to Door #2, which is the N Windham/Gorham Hook up to Sebago Lake. Of course, if no one did the Roads Less Traveled last weekend, that would be an option, too. Then again, if you don't fancy any of these, you know where to find more.

Load them up and choose in the morning. We may start leaving later as October wears on, but it should still be above 50° by 8:00, so ride leaves at the usual time tomorrow (which is 8:00...). 

.

Garmin  |  Strava

Garmin  |  Strava

Garmin  |  Strava

9/23 Saturday Ride

==UPDATE==

In a surprise to practically no one, I'm an idiot: the bike segment of the Dempsey is on Saturday this year and I will be unavailable tomorrow, so don't wait for me. 😕 

9/17 Sunday Ride?

Clearly, Saturday is a washout, but Sunday is looking pretty darn fine, so far. Wouldn't it be great to do a little riding, say Mitchell Hill way, and down over Ash Swamp Rd, and then go catch the surf at Higgins Beach? Put a baggie on your phone to protect it from the spray, and let's go take a peek!

Adam is still looking to add some miles, so he may tack on a course going north once we get back to Glickman--if you want more distance, there should be company.

Garmin Route

Strava Route 

(excludes Prout's Neck, but you know the way)

9/9 Saturday Ride

Labor Day has come and gone and so have the tourists, so let's see if we can get down into Old Orchard Beach! The weather looks a little unsettled now so we'll have to watch how things develop, but I think we can get it in before we get wet. There are a couple of ways we can turn back short if needed. It will be sticky, but we should have a tailwind on the way home.

9/2 Saturday Ride

It looks like it's going to be beautiful day tomorrow, so let's put a little distance in. It looks to be all-sun, a little breeze, and a possible 15° temperature swing (60°–75°), so get the right layers.

I offer two options tomorrow: Brunswick and its variations, or Roads Less Traveled and its shorter loop. Load them both and we'll choose in the morning.

See you at 8:00.

Brunswick-Little Dog 61 Brunswick-Maquoit 53 Brunswick-Highland 47 Freeport Loop 31

Roads Less Traveled

8/26 Saturday Ride

I'm back, and I need a nice day in the countryside. Who's up for something new? 

I admit up front, I'm not sure I've ever done this ride before, even though I mapped it a long time ago, so how about a little adventuring? Most roads we've done at some point or other, but they're tied together in a unique way here. If anyone knows of any road work we should be aware of, be sure to speak up.

The roads will likely be wet when we start, but the skies should be dry for the duration. See you at 8:00.

8/19 Saturday Ride

Bruce Jacobs says he'll take the lead on this SMR (hopefully the last one I'm conflicted out of—I miss you guys!).

He'd like to take a pedal out to Salmon Falls, (49-miles), staying on the eastern side of the river this time. 

Ride leaves at 8:00.

8/12 Saturday Ride

Tomorrow looks fine as frog hairs: 65°-75°, just a whisper of wind, and a few of Bob Ross' happy clouds. I will be very sorry to miss it!

I will post the Highland Lake loop and leave it to you to choose either this or one from earlier--I don't know the last time the group rode, so last week may still be valid. Of course, you can always select from the library if something else suits better.

8:00 start.

8/5 Saturday Ride

I have returned from the Great Midwestern Oven (Iowa), but I have to ride the Bike MS fundraiser tomorrow. Nonetheless, it would be a shame to waste a perfectly good Saturday. To that end I will post Pinelands via Winn, 231, Hodgdon and Hilly Pineland—there's just a couple of miles' difference between them, but about 400 additional feet of climbing in the latter. You can select hills or flat in the morning based on who shows. 

I will also be out next weekend and could use a bunny wrangler, so let me know if you're available. Ride leaves at 8:00.

7/22 Saturday Ride

First, the Four Notches ride is tomorrow, if you’d forgotten; click here for details.

If you hadn’t forgotten and was hoping I’d post a ride, you’re in luck. I think tomorrow is a good day for Mitchell Hill. The primary course comes back in on Highland Ave, but you can easily add some miles by continuing past Highland to the Cape loop. We do not have a set ride leader, so if you’re planning to ride, be sure to click Strava’s l’m in button so others know they won’t be the only one showing up.

Ride leaves at 8:00.

7/15 Saturday Ride--and More!

BREAKING NEWS: The Four Notches ride will be rolling out of the Attitash Parking lot at 9:00AM on Saturday July 22nd.

This is a classic loop in the White Mountains incorporating Bear, Kancamagus, Franconia, and Crawford Notches. Distance is ~ 82 miles with ~ 5,500' of climbing. The Strava route is here.

MORE BREAKING NEWS: this is the last weekend I'll be available for the next 4 or more, so I need bunny wranglers. If you're willing to be the one that says "Let's go," and try to make sure nobody gets dropped, JLMK. You can pick your favorite route from the library and I'll post, or I can pick one for you.

Without further ado: it looks like we'll be able to ride on Saturday. It's been more than two months since we've visited Little Dog, yet it seems like only yesterday. How about we head up to Brunswick this weekend? Lots of route options here, so choose what works best for you. 

See you at 8:00

Brunswick-Little Dog 61 Brunswick-Maquoit 53 Brunswick-Highland 47 Freeport Loop 31

7/8 Saturday Ride

Saturday's temps are looking fine, if not the humidity; all I know is it's not raining, so let's ride!

Bruce wanted to visit Salmon Falls, so let's head out towards Bonney Eagle and down to Bar Mills and Salmon Falls (54 miles). We'll travel down the west bank this time. There's a shortcut that will cut 10 miles off, for those in need.

7/1 Saturday Ride

Theoretically, we have a dry day tomorrow, so let's go ahead with Roads Less Traveled (53 miles) or its shortcut (35-40, depending) from last weekend since we didn't actually do it. We should stay in the mid-60s, so it should be a pleasant day.

See you at 8:00.

6/24 Saturday Ride

Tut, tut—it looks like rain... again.

Well, I have no idea what to think. I was going to suggest a visit out to Roads Less Traveled, but the threat of rain seems highest between 9:30-11:00. I'll post for the long ride (53 miles) and a shortcut (36-40, depending on if you go up to Pinelands) so there's a shorter loop for those who wish, and which we can cut even shorter if we get rain when we get out there (at least there's a dry place to wait for a ride, if needed). Fair warning: if it's raining when I wake up, I'm rolling over.

6/17 Rainy Morning Ride

It is, sadly, looking like another Zwift day, friends, and I'm not sure Father's Day will be much better. I think we'll have to wait for Monday night. 😕 

Sunday Morning Ride =UPDATE=

I'm tired of the rain. I'm tired of the threat of rain. I'm tired of every weather model being wrong. I don't know about you, but I'm 0-4 on guessing the weather this week. Therefore, I'm riding Sunday, since that's the only day in 10 without a chance of rain, and I'm taking the pup into the woods on Saturday to give her and the 29er a little fun. If Saturday's your day, you do you, but I'm going with 100% dry.

We'll try the visit out to Salmon Falls that we missed last weekend. If you need a shorter course, there's a 36-mile shortcut over Mitchell Hill, and a little something in between. See you at 8:00.

---

The climatic low that’s pushing the Canadian fires’ smoke west and south (sorry, New York) is keeping us clear but wet, but that may lift by Sunday. Personally, I would really hate to come home cold and soaked from a rainy Saturday ride instead of enjoying a beautiful sunny Sunday, so I’m willing to be flexible. Let’s keep an eye on how the weather develops and pick the right day on Friday. We’ll likely do last week’s unridden course. Stay tuned…

6/3 Saturday Ride

=UPDATE=

The weather appears to be cooperating and staying dry, if unseasonably cool (shout out to Christian for sharing this weather app!). The roads will still be wet, I’m afraid, but let’s go for it. If it looks we’ll get rain again before noon, we’ll pivot to a shorter route. See you at 8:00.

Memorial Day White Mountain Ride

IT'S ON. The weekend is here and the weather looks perfect! I called the various towns to ensure Hurricane and Peaks are, indeed, open, so we are good to go. Remember: the cutoff for Hurricane comes before your legs are even warm, so make your route decisions before we start. If you haven't clicked the Hurricane checkbox yet, this looks like the perfect weekend for it, so choose your course below and you're ready for a great day! This is a self-supported ride, so have adequate snacks and come with cash/credit: we'll stop at Pinkham Notch Visitor Center for lunch where you can puchase some additional calories and a Coke. We roll out from Weston's Beach in Fryeburg, ME at 9:00 If you're not making the trip to Fryeburg but want a ride, take a peek at the new Route Library I've added—one-stop shopping for all our common rides.

Memorial Day With Hurricane Mtn Road

5/27 Saturday Ride

Our training series is now complete and our Legs of Steel are ready for Memorial Day! In the interests of keeping the legs loose (and having a ride for those not heading to the White Mountains) I offer some options for Saturday. 

Personally, last year showed that there is a fine line between "keeping loose" and "I really should have stayed on the couch," so I still have some decision-making to do. Bruce has volunteered to take the lead should I decide to pass, so plan to meet at 8:00 and pick a route for the morning, and I'll see what I'm up for. 

If you were interested in something longer (or shorter), take a peek at the new Route Library I've added—one-stop shopping for all our common rides.

Memorial Day With Hurricane Mtn Road

5/20 Saturday Ride

 Legs Of Steel, Week 5

 ==UPDATE==

To beat the rain, ride starts at 8:00

Memorial Day Tune-up: Raymond Hills

This weekend we have the ever-challenging Raymond Hills loop, featuring six Cat-5 climbs totaling 4000' of climbing. 

The temps look to top out around 70° in Raymond, and Saturday appears to be the better day of the weekend so far. Plan well, as refueling stops are few and far between:

• Intervale Market at New Gloucester Rd (mile 14)
• Dunkin before we climb White Oak Hill Rd (small detour down Rte 26 at mile 26) 
• Circle K at N Raymond Rd and Rte 26 (mile 48)

We start at Mabel I Wilson School; I don't have vetted alternate routes, but this appears to be a possibility. It is untested and offered without warrantee, either expressed or implied, but it offers 44 miles, 2200 ft of climbing, and you still get to tackle Valley Road. Be sure your phone is charged—I have no idea what's out there (Outlet/Quarry Rds).

If you have not been with us on our recent series of longer and hillier rides (or just want something shorter/flatter this week), take a scroll thru our past rides (listed in the Blog Archive, lower right)—something should spark your interest.

We will plan to start at 8:30, but I'll be keeping an eye on the weather: if Saturday's weather changes, I am willing to adjust times or bump to Sunday if that turns out to be the better day. Stay tuned.

May 27

Memorial Day With Hurricane Mtn Road

5/13 Saturday Ride

Legs Of Steel, Week 4.

Freeport via Hilly Pinelands! 

The work is largely front-loaded on this route so, if you pick one of the shorter variations, you will still get most of the climbing in on the way to Pinelands (@ 2200'). From there:

• The red route takes us out into the farmlands on N Pownal Rd before we turn south and head for Freeport
• The orange route returns via the pretty Hodgdon Rd
• The green takes 231 to North Rd, Memorial Hwy, and Sligo

There are myriad variations home from Pinelands, so pick a route and load it up. 

It's another long day so, barring a change in the weather, let's start at 8:00.

Hilly Pineland-Freeport 61 Hilly Pineland-Hodgdon 49 Hilly Pineland-Sligo 44

May 20	May 27
Memorial Day With Hurricane Mtn Road