Cadillac Challenge Century Recap

A great time was had by all in Bar Harbor. Here are some photos to prove it:

This was our entertainment for the evening - a local bagpiper who plays Saturdays across from The Colony on a ledge overlooking the ocean:













Then it was time to grill some food, drink some beer and tell some stories. I think here Russ was explaining that he wouldn't be using a cue sheet for the ride the next day, but using his extraordinary powers of direction through the use of the celestial bodies. How did that work out for you, Russ??













Consider this eating by candlelight:













The morning of the ride was chilly, as you might deduce by the jackets worn by the riders. It was a hilly ride so thanks to the sun and the climbing, we all warmed up pretty quickly.













A few members approaching the first CCCP rest stop where the century riders and metric century riders would part ways:

























Here are the metric century riders at their first official rest stop in Northeast Harbor:














Richard and John at the second rest stop for the century riders Northeast Harbor:













And the last few remaining riders at the top of Cadillac at the end of the day:













I think I speak for many when I say the the weekend was perfect - good food, friends, weather and scenery. What could be better??

Let's hope we can continue these fall rides starting this Sunday. Anyone up for a ride Sunday at 10am from the shop? (Weather permitting of course.)

The Bike Shop to Close up Shop

If you haven't already heard, The Bike Shop will be closing it's doors due to lack of funding:

http://news.mainetoday.com/updates/033771.html

A shame really. For any of you who know Matt, he's done wonders for these kids. I'm sure they are all going to truly miss him and this wonderful program.

Thanks to all of you who helped to make Matt's program a success over the years, either by volunteering or through donations.

Bar Harbor Bar-b-que

For those of you going to Bar Harbor Saturday and staying at The Colony, we will have hot dogs and hamburgers, chips, peanuts and beer. I will make a cole slaw to go along with the BBQ items. I invite you to also bring a dish or dessert to share if possible.

The weather looks great for a terrific ride Sunday. The sun will be shining, the temperatures cool and comfortable, and the leaves will be colorful.

See you this weekend!

Dana

Sunday Ride Cancelation

Due to Kyle's predicted path it doesn't look good for the ride tomorrow.

I guess I'll have to clean my house instead.

Dana

Reminders

CCCP End of Season Party

Scheduled for Wednesday, 9/24, at the home of Shannon and Rick Goduti, 20 Middle Road, Falmouth. There will be balloons on the mail box, making it easier for you to locate. The club will provide burgers/hot dogs/chicken, chips, and beverages. We ask everyone to contribute a salad, side dish, or dessert. All club members and friends of the club are invited. Party starts at 6pm and runs until approximately 9pm.

All Fall Mid-Week Rides

All mid week rides now start at 5pm. This applies to Monday and Thursday nights. The women's ride has been discontinued for the season. Saturday morning rides still depart at 8am.

Cadillac Mountain Challenge

We have about 20 club members planning to ride the Cadillac Mountain Challenge on October 5th, a 100-mile or 72-mile route in the Bar Harbor/Mount Desert Island are that include the climb up Cadillac Mountain.

If you are interested in riding it, the club is staying at The Colony in Hulls Cove Saturday night, less than a mile from the start/finish of the ride. Some are staying Sunday night as well.

Portsmouth Crit

Don and I made the drive to Portsmouth to watch the crit Sunday. All the races were great, especially the men's Pro/1/2/3. We managed to take some great pictures, including this one of the local boys after the race:


(Jeff, Ralph, Ben, Chris, and Jurgen.)


And this photo of Cody Harris in action:


(Cody actually won the first prem available that day. Great job!)


Feel free to check out all the photos on our flickr page:

Men's Cat 4 race: http://www.flickr.com/photos/dmcewan/sets/72157607423041171/detail/

Women's race: http://www.flickr.com/photos/dmcewan/sets/72157607419691756/detail/

Men's Pro/1/2/3: http://www.flickr.com/photos/dmcewan/sets/72157607421421754/detail/

Dana

Cadillac Mt. Training Ride

Anyone interested in a "training ride" for the Cadillac Mt. Challenge? I thought perhaps a ride to Brunswick might be in order. How about Sunday, 9/28 and depart from BBB at 10am? Anyone is welcome and hopefully this will also include many of us that are participating in the Bar Harbor Ride. Please let me know if you might be interested. This could also be the start of the Sunday morning rides. If I don't hear from anyone then I'll assume there is no interest and I'll go do some hill work on my own.

Thanks!

Dana
dmcewan@maine.rr.com

It's Almost that Time

Wednesday Night Ride

If you typically ride Wednesday nights from the South Portland High School, please email Tracey. She's looking to move the ride to 5pm but would like your feedback.

Thanks.

New Discussion Board

As good as the Blog is for posting information to keep all our members and non-members up-to-date with rides and events, I thought it was time to start a discussion board.

We have talked about this for a while now but it's never come to fruition for a couple reasons. Our intent was to make this blog a way for people to comment on news and information but it doesn't seem to be working that way.

The discussion board is for all riders to communicate more effectively with other members and perhaps non-members. Please feel free to use this discussion board to post news items or rides you'd like to organize. However, it is our intent that this be a positive form of communication. We are a community club and we want to make sure we keep that spirit in mind when posting.

There are a couple ways to stay informed of posting on the discussion board:

1.) Use the RSS feed in Google Reader. This is most effective and is updated readily with all your subscriptions. (I use this to digest a lot of sites throughout the day and it's very effective and efficient.)

2.) Subscribe through email notification. This isn't quite as effective but it will notify you once a day (midnight I think) on new messages that have been added to the site.

3.) Keep checking back regularly.

Keep in mind that this blog is not being replaced by the discussion board. This blog will still be updated regularly with pertinent information, newsletters. So don't forget to keep checking back here - or better yet, add it to your Google Reader if you haven't done so already!

Now, go look at the discussion board. You can find it here:

http://disc.yourwebapps.com/Indices/241638.html

Thanks!

Dana

End of Season Party - September 24th

Yes, we know there's still plenty of more riding left in the season but we thought we'd try having the end of season party a little earlier this year than last year's.

So please mark your calendars for Wednesday, September 24th at 6pm. We are fortunate that Rick and Shannon Goduti have agreed to host this event and their home is located at 20 Middle Road, Falmouth. (This is right before the Rebecca Way granite sign when headed north on Route 9 from Portland to Falmouth. Everyone should know this from the group rides.)

The club will provide beverages (beer, wine & sodas) and burgers/hot dogs/chicken/veggie burgers. We request that everyone attending bring a salad or dessert to share.

Whether you are a club member or a friend of the club, all are invited to attend.

We do, however, respectfully request you reply to either Kris Clark or Dana McEwan so we can anticipate how many will be attending.

We look forward to seeing you all there!

Kris Dana
kris@gwi.net dmcewan@maine.rr.com

Lance's Return to Cycling

With the recent buzz regarding Lance Armstrong's return to cycling, we have created a new poll for you to chime in on. Check it out on the right ----------------------------------------------->

Bike Crash

Did anyone watch the US Pro Championship over the weekend? If so, you probably saw this crash. It was an odd crash with the rider on his right sneaking up on him and catching him off guard. I have to say, that probably would have happened to me.

SUNDAY HILLS RIDE

SUNDAY HILLS


Greg Fisher and I announce the SUNDAY HILL ride for tomorrow, Sept 7. This is scheduled to start just after the deluge ends. Meet at the Back Bay shop at Noon, with bike in vehicle. We will car pool and drive to the Park and Ride area at the Gray turnpike exit. We expect to leave that park area on bikes between 12:45 to 1PM. We head to the Raymond hills, then Poland, E Poland, New Gloucester, Pownal, N Yarmouth and end back in Gray; see http://www.mapmyride.com/ride/united-states/me/gray/1205846035
If link doesn’t work, the route is mapped at Map My Ride under RussB rides labeled “Portland Velo Raymond Loop to/fr Gray Maine”. The ride is 51 plus miles, and hilly; no long climbs, but lots and lots of ups and downs, and some sweet steep spots. We regroup constantly.

Kris Clark, last fall, called this one of the best rides of 2007. For weather updates, questions, advice call Greg at 232-6871, or Russ at 807-6267. Ride, and start time, may be delayed for rain let-up.

Russ

Group Ride Time Change Reminder

Just a reminder that all mid-week rides now leave at 5:30pm from Back Bay Bicycle on Forest Ave. This includes the Monday night ride, Tuesday night women's ride, Wednesday night recovery ride (this one leaves from the South Portland High School on Highland Ave and follows the Prout's Neck loop ride), and the Thursday night ride (Dutton Hill).

Saturday morning rides will still leave at 8am.

The apres ride events have come to a close so post-ride consumption of recovery drinks (beer and wine) will return to Forest Gardens.

There are many club riders interesting in participating in the Cadillac Mountain Challenge in Bar Harbor on October 5th. If you are considering joining the club for this event, please email Kris Clark (kris@gwi.net).

See you on the road!