New Year's Ride

UPDATE

Just when everything was going great, I had to pick up bronchitis as an extra Christmas present. I'm afraid my throat and chest won't do well tomorrow. Bruce wants to ride at 11:00 and, with the likely freezing tonight, I can't disagree. So meet at the shop by 11:00, and ride safe.
Happy New Year!

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I was going to see if anyone was interested in a Day Before New Year's ride (one last chance to get your miles in before the end of the year), but the weather is looking icky for Saturday. So how about Sunday, and what time? The football game is at 1:00, so I'm leaning towards a 10:00 start. Any takers? Comment or send email to bron@cyclemaine.com.

The temperatures are cooling off and the holidays are heating up: I'm thinking the season may finally need to come to a close, but let's make one last start time at 9:00.

I think a New Year's Ride is a moral imperative, but since the football game is on at 1:00 on Sunday, how about a New Year's Eve ride? A noon start time from the shop on Saturday should be post-cold and pre-hangover, right? Provided we aren't fighting rain, snow, or freezing temps, do folks want to ride?

If we get lucky enough to have more freakishly warm weather after the New Year, be sure to check in to see if we call an impromptu ride. If you plan to ride, we're happy to advertise it here; just email sean@cyclemaine.com or bron@cyclemaine.com.

4th Annual Reindeer Ride

December 2nd for the First Friday Art Walk
Meet at Back Bay Bike at 5:00
(for costuming)
Ride starts at 5:30

11/26 Saturday Ride

Well, it could be an interesting weekend, beyond the weather. Could I get a show of hands from those who think they'd like to ride this weekend? If everyone's going to be out of town, I might as well be, too. Please leave a comment.

Also, let me know if you think we should keep going or wind down for the season. If we do wind down, but you want to ride some weekend, you can simply email me at bron@cyclemaine.com and I'll put up an entry to help find ride buddies.

Let me know what you think, on both counts, and have a great holiday.

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UPDATE: It looks to be a lovely day on Saturday, and Bruce's suggestion of a later start seems a fine idea. Let's plan to leave the shop at 9:00. See you there!

11/19 Saturday Ride

Saturday looks to be sunny and clear, so the riding should be fine. Unfortunately, I will be in NJ enjoying the riding there. We will maintain our default routes for the day, regardless (Falmouth, Mountain Rd., Blanchard, Rte 88 [MapMyRide route]; or Mountain, branch off to Dutton Hill, Hunts & Long Hill, Sligo, Rte 88 [MapMyRide route]). I'm counting on someone to step up to lead. We should also discuss starting the ride a little later (9:00?) to let the chill burn off. Please post a comment or email bron@cyclemaine.com

American League of Cyclists Petition

This blog is usually devoted entirely to ride details, but every now and then we have other issues that crop up.

For those of you who are politically minded and interested in maintaining cyclists' right to use the roads, the American League of Bicyclists has created a petition directed to a draft of the Senate's transportation authorization bill. In short the draft bill would introduce a mandatory sidepath law in National Parks and other Federal lands.

Currently, cyclists are not required to use bike paths and may elect to ride on the road. This bill, if passed in its current form, would end that policy on Federal land (including areas such as Acadia National Park). If you have a minute, check out the Bike League's petition and decide for yourself whether you want to sign.

11/12 Saturday Ride

If you post on Friday at 10:00 will anyone read it? Who knows...

There will be a ride tomorrow for those looking to get out and enjoy the crisp fall morning.

10/22 Saturday Ride

Now that we are through the fall century rides and looking at winding things up as fall turns to winter, we are going to switch things up from our traditional Saturday rides. Rather than varying the route, for the rest of the season, we are going to have a regular ride and a long ride that will start together and then break off.

The routes are well-known to ride regulars. The regular route will head out to Falmouth, up Mountain Rd., over to Cumberland and then back into town via Rte 88 (MapMyRide route). The longer route will also head up Middle Rd, but will branch off to do Dutton Hill, Hunts and Long hills and then Sligo before also returning to town via Rte 88 (MapMyRide route).

If you have any questions or suggestions, please feel free to drop me an email.

10/15 Saturday Ride

The ride will leave the ship at 8:00 am tomorrow. Bring suggestions for a route.

10/8 Saturday Ride

Sorry for the delayed post. I got sidetracked traveling to meet my new niece.

Since I'm out of town and Bron is riding the Dempsey Challenge, I will leave it up to the group to pick a route. If you want a suggestion, the Freeport ride (MapMyRide route) would be one option.

10/1 Saturday Ride

This Sunday is the Cadillac Challenge, so we are going to have a relatively short ride up toward Freeport (MapMyRide route).

For those not riding on Sunday and wanting a few extra miles before the Dempsey Challenge, fee free to break off when we hit S. Freeport Rd. and travel on up to Brunswick.

9/24 Saturday Ride

We need some help this weekend. Bron is tied up with work and I remain in the throws of a series of weddings, so we need a leader for this week's ride. Please drop me an email if you are willing to take the reins.

The weather looks like it may be a bit on the wet side, but I know there are people targeting the Cadillac Challenge and the Dempsey Challenge, so I am happy to throw out a 60+ mile route if folks are interested. Once I get some feedback from a leader and get a sense of where he/she is interested in heading this weekend, I will post a route.

9/17 Saturday Ride

First, a final pitch for riders to head up to the Loon Echo Trek. The weather looks to be absolutely perfect for the ride this year and includes some classic stretches of New England roads. For those of you still building toward other rides, like the Cadillac Challenge or the Dempsey Challenge, the 50-mile ride is a nice route and the turnaround point is pretty much at the base of Evan's Notch. If you wanted to add a few more miles and a lot more climbing, the 50 mile loop with a trip up and over Evans Notch might be a good choice. You would head up the steep side and then have the option to cruise down and come back over again on the more gradual approach.

As for our Saturday ride, we are going to take another shot at last week's route, which didn't pan out too well since I didn't realize that the Lobsterman Tri would have the roads closed. The route will head up Mountain Rd., over to Cumberland, down the new pavement on Tuttle and then split. Those looking for a short ride can simply head back to town via 88, and those looking to get extra miles for the Cadallac and the Dempsey can head out toward Brunswick for a loop that will end up being about 65 miles (MapMyRide route).

9/10 Saturday Ride

The fall century rides are basically upon us. The Loon Echo Trek is next weekend, Sept 17, the Cadillac Challenge is October 2 and the Dempsey Challenge is October 9. To help folks get some additional miles with the group, we are going to head out on a longer ride this week. The route will head up through Falmouth and then loop over to Freeport and toward Brunswick (MapMyRide route).

For those riders not inclined to do the full 65 mile ride, there is a fairly natural split point when the group hits the end of Tuttle Rd. and turns left to head out toward Freeport. Anyone interested in keeping the ride closer to 30 miles can simply head straight to 88 at this turn and follow 88 back into town.

9/3 Saturday Ride

This week the ride will head out over Mountain Rd. and Dutton Hill (MapMyRide route).