The temps won’t make it to 30° until after 1:00 tomorrow and Sunday looks much the same, so I think we should take a pass this weekend. I will be out of town the last two weekends of this month, so next weekend will be the last chance for a Saturday ride. Stay tuned!
Tomorrow's temps are going to be... crisp. Add in the brisk wind, and temps aren't going to feel more than 30°; Saturday is even worse. I'm going to stick with tomorrow and stick close to home: let's do the Mitchell Hill/Ash Swamp route. The base route with Cape and a loop around Back Cove is 45 miles but we can take a shortcut home on Highland Ave and drop it to 33 miles, so we have an out if we're just not feeling it. We will have a tailwind on the way home, so we've got that going for us, but dress for success.
Wheels roll at 9:00.
We're going to join our cycling brethren this weekend in Cyclemania's annual Doppio Ciclo (double cycle) ride, and celebrate together another great year behind bars while helping our neighbors with donations for Preble Street!
There are two versions this year for your cycling pleasure. The first is the traditional 54-mile double loop of the Cape ride. Things will be neutral across the bridge and to the top of Anthoine St to get everyone safely through lights and corners, and will regroup and go neutral after the 1st Hut sprint until the Highland Rd/Anthoine St intersection. Expect a spirited pace, but safety first!
The second option is the Doppio Sociale, a 38-mile route featuring one loop around Cape and an inner loop along Sawyer, Wells, and Spurwink roads. This is a conversational ride, so fewer miles, more smiles!
There will be coffee and treats afterwards at the shop, so plan to enjoy a warmup and some socializing après ride.
The Doppio Ciclo starts at 7:30 (that's Adam time, not Bron time), and the Sociale starts shortly afterwards, so no sleeping in this weekend! Get there early, and remember to bring something for the good folks at Preble Street.
Looks like we're going to be sunny but chilly tomorrow, so let's head inland and stay out of the sea breeze. We'll go visit Salmon Falls and keep mileage around 45. It's going to be about 35° at 9:00, but not appreciably better until we're on the way back in, so let's stick to a 9:00 start time.
Well, it looks like it's going to be a lovely day out there, so how about we go check in on Old Orchard Beach? The morning temps will be comfortable by 8:00 but the roads may still be wet, so let's stick with our November start time of 9:00.
We tried the Middlejam route a few weeks back only to find the bridge was out, which put quite a kink in our plans, so I found a couple ways around it.
Base route (46 miles):
Visiting the covered bridge (45 miles):
Something totally new (50 miles):
I have two variations on a theme for tomorrow: a shortened version of Roads Less Traveled (48 miles) and a MORE shortened variation of 40 miles.
Yes, ok, it's October--we can start the rides later now. Tomorrow heads out at 9:00 when the temps should be about 43-44°, but next weekend could be later still--it all depends on the temps, so be flexible.
Once again, what are you looking here for?? The real ride is up in Brunswick around Merrymeeting Bay!
But, since I can't go, maybe you can't, either. I have both time and distance constraints this weekend, so I'm doing a short ride tomorrow morning. If you'd like to join me, wheels roll at 8:00.
I have to admit, I have no idea what's been ridden and what hasn't over the last few weeks, but I know you could only ride one of these from the 27th, so how about we ride the other one? Load them both and we'll sort it in the morning.
It's going to be a cool start, so dress for success. Wheels roll at 8:00.
Bruce has volunteered to lead tomorrow and, as you know, the leader gets to pick.
Bruce has Wild Oats on the brain and it's been about a month since our last visit, so let's go!
As usual, many shorter loops if you don't have the time or legs for the full course, so don't let that stop you from enjoying good company. Pick a loop that works for you and be ready to ride at 8:00.
 | Wild Oats 66 Strava | Garmin Little Dog 64 Strava | Garmin Maquoit Rd 57 Strava | Garmin Highland Rd 51 Strava | Garmin Freeport 34 Strava | Garmin |
Well, we should all know the Saturday ride is out in Oxford at 9:00--what are you thinking looking here??
But, since you have, maybe you need a local ride. I have no set leader for tomorrow, but it should be a lovely day for a ride, so I'll drop two option here, one 35 and one 45 miles, and you can pick in the morning. Be sure to hit the Strava I'm in button so others will know they'll have company.
Ride leaves at 8:00.
I will be driving SAG for the Dempsey Challenge tomorrow and most of my guest bunny herders are involved, as well, so I have no set leader for tomorrow. I'll post one of our un-hilly Pineland loops but, of course, feel free to call an audible in the morning.
Wheels roll at 8:00.
Well, I was looking forward to finally doing the 54-mile Mitchell Hill lighthouse loop I put together a few weeks ago, but it turns out the actual Lighthouse Ride is tomorrow. We could still do it, but we might see some crowded roads.
We'll pick in the morning--wheels roll at 8:00.
I won't lie--I was expecting rain tomorrow and figured a shorter ride would be in order; I guess things change.
They've moved the rain off to the mid-afternoon, and it's been six whole weeks since we went to Wild Oats...
As usual, many shorter loops, so pick your poison and be ready to ride at 8:00.
| Wild Oats 66 Strava | Garmin Little Dog 64 Strava | Garmin Maquoit Rd 57 Strava | Garmin Highland Rd 51 Strava | Garmin Freeport 34 Strava | Garmin |
Tomorrow looks kinda perfect, so let's do a long one.
I don't have a Strava map for this yet--anyone with a paid account who rides it tomorrow can help me out for next time! The full route is 64 miles; if we just wave at Limington instead of actually going there, it's about 10 miles less. As usual, wheels roll at 8:00.
Limington-Hollis-Buxton
Well, we should be going north this weekend, as we've spent quite a few rides going south, so Pownal was on my mind, but the surf should be pretty darn great without a cloud in the sky--seems a shame to miss it.
So I offer up a choice: upta Pineland and northward into Pownal (65 miles for the full loop):
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Hilly Pineland-Freeport 65 Hilly Pineland-Hodgdon 53 Hilly Pineland-Sligo 49 |
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Or Mitchell Hill plus five lighthouses traveling through Cape on our way home for some surf watching (54 miles, plus a few more if we finish with the eastern prom trail). If you need to have a lobster roll, don't forget the cash! We'll pick in the morning--wheels roll at 8:00. |
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It's going to be beautiful tomorrow (finally) so a little distance seems in order, "but let's not do hills," came the request. Well, that does make it a bit tougher, but how about this? It was Theresa's Birthday Ride last year and it seemed to work well, so let's try it again.
The base map you know, but the addition down to Fortune's Rocks is the added bonus. I still have a garage to demolish, so I may take the shorter route, but let's roll at 8:00 and be ready to dodge tourists and phone zombies in OOB.
Saturday looks pretty good, if a little humid, so let's try something different--we haven't done this one for almost a year. This is 52 miles, but I have to demo my garage so, as we go by my house in Westbrook, I'm going to drop off to try to beat the heat. Sorry, no Strava map for this one, but wheels roll at 8:00.
Sorry for the late post--busy week, and I will be tied up with the Bike MS ride tomorrow, but it should be a glorious day for a ride!
I think it's a good day to head to Salmon Falls; that's 46 miles of pretty roads, or 54 or so if you tack on Cape. No specific ride leader, but wheels still roll at 8:00.
I am out of town tomorrow but Theresa isn't and, luckily, she's susceptible to peer pressure! She has agreed to be chief bunny herder for the day. As such, she gets to make the call, and that call is for baked goods. Diane, I hope you're available this time!
Fair warning, I'm tied up with the MS ride next weekend, too, so I am actively taking bunny herder applications for that--pick your favorite course and let me know!
Wheels roll at 8:00.
| Wild Oats 66 Strava | Garmin Little Dog 64 Strava | Garmin Maquoit Rd 57 Strava | Garmin Highland Rd 51 Strava | Garmin Freeport 34 Strava | Garmin |
I will be tied up with the Tri for a Cure on Saturday and still need a ride leader, but I am posting some options for the day. It looks like full sun and nice temps, so it'll be a great day to ride bikes!
On offer are the 46-mile Windham/Middlejam loop and the 45-mile Mitchell Hill/Ash Swamp/Cape loop (you can tack on a few more miles by adding in Black Point).
Be sure to click the I'm In button on Strava; wheels roll at 8:00.
Bruce really wants to do the Raymond Hills, but I talked him down for this weekend. We WILL do them in September but, if you're up for it sooner, just let me know.
For now, we'll try Hilly Pineland/Hodgdon--just right to dissatisfy everybody (not enough hills for Bruce, too many for others)--sounds just about right. 😉
It should be a beautiful day; wheels roll at 8:00.
Well, I was going to be out on an island visiting my brother, but now I'm stuck fixing a refrigerator. 😟
Either way, Bruce has agreed to take the reigns and he'd like to head out to Salmon Falls. This is a 53-mile loop--wheels roll at 8:00, and I will miss it. 😭
Since we have the Four Notches ride this weekend, there is no planned SMR. If you're not headed to the mountains, feel free to pick a ride from the Route Library above. If someone wants to take the lead, I can advertise a route for you for Sunday.
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Wild Oats 66 Strava | Garmin Little Dog 64 Strava | Garmin Maquoit Rd 57 Strava | Garmin Highland Rd 51 Strava | Garmin Freeport 34 Strava | Garmin |
This week we'll take our bowling balls up north to Roads Less Traveled. A full frame is 58 miles up to pretty North Pownal Rd. We could shave a few miles coming straight down Middle Rd (or a half a dozen other ways), or we can shoot back south from Pineland on North Road for 45 (no Strava route for this one).
Wheels roll at 8:00.
Hear me out: Bruce suggested that if we called it something inside-oriented, maybe the rain gods would make it sunny just to spite us. I figured, since nothing else has worked (rain dances, sage-burning...), what the hell.
Take tomorrow to clean the house and we'll go bowling on Sunday.
We'll go bowling in OOB.
Here are the directions.
I know we don't normally head down this way after Memorial Day, but it's early still, and if we promise to be really careful on Grand Ave, we should be all right. Clearly, we need to do a lot more seizing of the day this year. It's 51 miles as recorded, 53+ if we loop around the east end when we finish up.
Wheels roll at 8:00.
Well, for pete's sake--if this isn't the soggiest, coldest spring I've seen in years! While I might risk dodging raindrops when temps are in the 70s, I am decidedly disinclined when it's 50°. That means we need to bump to Sunday, which looks to be fairly nice.
Unfortunately, those of us doing the Memorial Day ride will likely be equally disinclined to do any substantial mileage just a day before. So I propose a course with options.
Everything is based on the OOB ride, which is about 51 miles--more than I have to give, I'm afraid, but don't let me stop you. We can meet at 8:00 and pick the route that suits.
Option 1: Mitchell Hill-Ash Swamp-Highland (33)
Option 2: Mitchell Hill-Ash Swamp-Cape (41)
Option 3: OOB-Boom Rd Backwards (51)
New plan, sports fans: we were supposed to do Raymond Hills this weekend but, absent divine intervention, I don't see any time window dry enough for that to happen safely. Saturday is another complete washout and Sunday's rain is due to start around 2:00, so we need to pivot.
In order to get us more climbing and some distance options, I think we go back to Pineland via the hilly route and hope to do the long route home that takes us to West Durham and Freeport after, but I think we may well need to take the Rte 231/Cumberland/Longwoods shortcut home to stay dry. We'll check the weather once we hit Pinelands.
Wheels roll at 8:00
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Memorial Day  |
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We can't seem to catch a break, can we? Saturday looks like another complete washout. I don't see any choice but to bump to Sunday. That said, being Mothers' Day, I'd like to schedule for later in the morning, so as not to ruin any breakfast plans.
The goal is Wild Oats but, as you know, there are many shorter options, so pick your poison. If someone has Strava maps for the courses below that are missing them, share a link with me and I'll add it.
Wheels roll at 10:30
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Wild Oats 66 Strava | Garmin Little Dog 64 Strava | Garmin Maquoit Rd 57 Strava | Garmin Highland Rd 51 Strava | Garmin Freeport 34 Strava | Garmin |
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Memorial Day |
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The rest of abbreviated schedule is laid out below. If you have any different thoughts/alternatives, feel free to let me know.
Wheels roll at 8:00.
Well, we went from a half-wet weekend to "haul out the hip waders" in a hot minute! 😕
Suffice to say there is no ride on Saturday, but I keep checking the weather outlets and it seems like some of them think there might be a break Sunday morning. Maybe. Being foolishly optimistic, let's register a hopeful 8:00 on Sunday morning, and we'll choose a route if that dry window appears.
If nothing pans out, maybe this is the weekend to do that bike maintenance you've been putting off? Here are some helpful links. Come Monday, there should be no more squeaking in the paceline!
