Saturday Ride Needs Leaders!

For the next two Saturdays - July 25 and August 1 - both Bron and I are unavailable to lead the Saturday ride.

Is there someone out there willing to step up and lead the ride in our absence? As most of you probably recognize, leading the ride is pretty low-key. You just need to keep the group together and do your best to maintain a fun atmosphere.

Please email me or submit a comment using the link below if you would be willing to help us out.

Thanks!

7/18 Saturday Ride (Weather Update)

There has been a significant rise in interest for a longer ride in the 60 mile range. In order to provide this option without eliminating the normal Saturday ride, we are planning to try something different this week.

This Saturday, we will have two ride routes: a "normal" loop through Cumberland (MapMyRide Route) and a "long" route (MapMyRide Route) through Brunswick. Both rides will leave the shop at 8:00 as usual. In fact, this weekend is the Urban Epic triathlon, so we need to make sure we leave on time so we don't disrupt the bike route around Back Cove.

The two routes are identical until we hit Greely Rd. At that point, we will regroup and riders can decide which route they would like to take. The long route travels up to Brunswick and is approximately 60 miles. The normal route will head up Greely, to Blanchard, over Mill to Blackstrap and then back in to Portland for a total of approximately 32 miles.

The weather is looking like it could be a bit wet and relatively chilly, so make sure you dress appropriately. Also, eating and drinking will be extremely important. For those planning to do the longer route, please make sure you have two full water bottles and that at least one of them has some form of sports drink. In addition, you should plan on having some form of food such as an energy bar, gel packs, baked good, etc. Personally, I like to put a half bagel or some bread in my back pocket, but just make sure you have something to replace the calories you will lose.

It's worth noting that there will be two opportunities to get water on the longer route. At approximately mile 23 some of Bron's friends have graciously offered to let us stop in for water and/or a nature break. Then at about mile 40, there is a convenience store right before we get to Freeport. Do yourself a favor and throw $5 in your jersey pocket or saddle bag so that you have the option to grab something at the store if you need it.

If anyone has any comments or questions, please either post a comment below or feel free to send me an email.

See you Saturday.

Weather Update Friday Night

Rain is definitely in the forecast for tomorrow, but unless there is a thunderstorm, I will be at the shop for the ride.

No Sunday Ride

Due to the underwhelming response, there won't be a ride tomorrow morning.

7/11 Saturday Ride and Possible Sunday Ride

I'm not feeling very decisive week, so I will throw out two possible routes for the Saturday ride. We can either do the Middle/Mountain/Blanchard route (MapMyRide Route) or we can do the Mountain/Dutton route (MapMyRide Route).

For those looking to join us for the first time, check out the description of the CCCP Saturday Ride.

Sunday Ride?

There has been some talk about a longer version of the Saturday ride. I am planning to ride on Sunday morning and would be happy to lead a 50-60 mile ride. My inclination is to head up toward Brunswick and, given the extra length, I am open to starting a bit earlier than usual - say 7:00.

If people are interested, please give me some indication by leaving a comment or sending me an email. I'm not wed to either the start time or the route, so if you have other ideas, let them be known. If there will be a Sunday ride, I will add a post here with the details by noon on Saturday.

Trivia Question

Question: Does anyone remember who won the Yarmouth Clam Festival last year?

Answer: Justin Spinelli

This is a very good article on Mr. Spinelli and his previous accomplishments:

http://www.pezcyclingnews.com/?pg=fullstory&id=7161

I highly recommend also checking out his blog: http://sveltecycles.blogspot.com/

Who knows, perhaps he'll be on the start line again this year.

6/27 Saturday Ride

This week the Saturday ride will be exploring a few more hills. For those that have been with us during the past few weeks, you've gotten used to heading up Mountain Rd. Well, this week we are planning to include Dutton Hill Rd. as well. This is a great local ride that should be a fun way to get some additional experience going uphill (and downhill for that matter).

For more detail on this week's route or for a description of the Saturday ride check out:

MapMyRide Route

CCCP Saturday Ride Description

Saturday Ride Goes Long!

In response to rising demand, we are planning a long (approximately 60 mile) version of the Saturday ride. The goal will be to maintain the inclusive atmosphere of a normal Saturday ride while adding some additional miles to help folks get experience with longer ride and exposure to some new territory.

We are open to suggestions for routes, starting location and timing, so please use the comment option below to chime in and provide your 2 cents.

As a starting point for discussion, here are three potential route options:

Raymond Loop (from Cumberland Center)

Brunswick Loop

Saco/OOB Coastal Route

Feel free to provide your thoughts on these routes or to submit a route of your own. If you suggest a route, please map the ride using MapMyRide and provide a link so that we can check out the details.

Finally, we need to pick a date. Potential options are Saturday July 11 or 18, Sunday July 12 or 19, or possibly Friday July 3.

Please provide comments, questions and/or thoughts by using the comments link below or emailing Sean.

6/20 Saturday Ride

This week's Saturday ride will be heading through Falmouht and Cumberland again this week. For more detail on this week's route or for a description of the Saturday ride check out:

MapMyRide Route

CCCP Saturday Ride Description

6/13 Saturday Ride

There are showers in the forecast yet again this Saturday, but it looks like they are supposed to hold off until the afternoon so it should be a great morning for riding. This week we will be heading through Falmouth and Cumberland.

For more detailed information on this week's route or a full description of the CCCP Saturday ride check out:

MapMyRide Route

CCCP Saturday Ride Description

6/6 Saturday Ride

This week the Saturday ride will be heading through Falmouth and Cumberland.

For more detailed information on this week's route or a full description of the CCCP Saturday ride check out:

MapMyRide Route

CCCP Saturday Ride Description

CCCP Google Group

For those of you who are not aware, we have created a Google Group for the club:

http://groups.google.com/group/community-cycling-club-of-portland

This is a great way for members to post ride info, start a discussion, and upload photos and files. It's free to join. Anyone can view the messages on the group without becoming a joining. However, only members can post messages. Keep in mind that you don't have to be an official CCCP member to become a member of this group - anyone is welcome.

We do request that, since this is a community site, you keep any negativity and profanity out of this group.

There are a few options for notifications when you do join the group:

1.) You can receive emails as soon as something is posted to the group;
2.) You can receive a daily abbreviated version of the day's postings; or
3.) You can receive no email notifications and just check the site when it's convenient for you.

These options can also be changed at any time and you also have the option of unsubscribing or leaving the group altogether if you'd like. Although we hope it will become a useful tool for those impromptu rides or when you are looking to put together a ride group.

We hope you'll consider joining!

New 2009 CCCP Jerseys, Jackets and Bibs are Here!

The new kits have arrived from Italia and they look great. New logo, different shoulder color and three new club sponsors - thank you Cornerstones, Goduti/Thomas Architects and Forest Gardens.

Kris will be at bike shop early (5:30 pm) before today's Monday ride (6pm) for anyone who wants to pick their order up toute de suite. Please bring your checkbook or cash (no credit cards) if you owe a balance on your order and please leave order sheet even if you are fully paid up.

Kits can be picked up at shop later in the week, but ask for the politburo (Kris) when you come in.

There are some extras kits, not many, that will be available but not until preorders are picked up. Talk to Kris in a week or two.

5/30 Saturday Ride

This week the Saturday ride will be tromping around Falmouth.

For more detailed information on this week's route or a full description of the CCCP Saturday ride check out:

5/30 MapMyRide route

CCCP Saturday Ride Description

6th Annual CCCP Memorial Day Ride

The weather was almost perfect for the 6th annual CCCP Memorial Day ride in the White Mountains. A lot less wind would have made the ride a lot more enjoyable and a lot less arduous.

Photos and videos can be found on our Flickr page:

http://www.flickr.com/photos/dmcewan/collections/72157618708163943/

Enjoy! (Please, if you use the photos on another site, credit to Don McEwan is greatly appreciated!)

Dana

5/23 Saturday Ride

We are going to try to post the route for the Saturday ride here on the blog by Thursday so that people know where we will be heading each week.

This week, we are heading over to Cape Elizabeth and doing the Prout's Neck loop (map via mapmyride). As always, we will be leaving from Back Bay Cycles at 8:00 am.