Roadside Assistance

Well, isn't this a rare ray of sunshine in the world of support for cycling? There are a few roadside assistance options for those days when the glass and thorns outnumber your tubes and CO2 cartridges. This, of course, is why I always carry a pump, but here's yet another reason for me to keep my AAA! Click below:

5/30 Saturday Ride

Well, that was fun: another successful jaunt around the Maine/NH boarder, climbing like billy goats! I think my legs are recovered now, so should we climb some more (did *I* just say that?)? I was thinking Pinelands via Dutton Hill. I have two options, one with Depot Road (42 mi) and one without (via Long Hill, 45 mi). I recall hearing that Babbage is a bit broken up, so I avoided it. If people are done with big hills for a while, we can head over to Westbrook (38 mi) instead.

The Randonneurs are also planning on Dutton Hill (38 mi), but by a slightly more circuitous route. This pace will be about 13.5 mph with the regular SMR group doing about 17.5.

Wheels roll at 8:00.

5/23 Saturday Ride

It's the last ride before Memorial Day, so I'm looking for something a little flat for tomorrow. Freeport would be ideal except that we're starting to wear out the pavement up there, so I wondered about doing Prout's Neck? It may be one of the last times we can do that loop without the thundering hordes on 77 (though there will be more drivers tomorrow than last week).

Andy and the Randonneurs will be heading out to Standish for 59 miles of bucolic, rolling, wonderful. If there are any concerns about the Cape Elizabeth tomorrow, I could be talked into 40 miles of Andy's ride, limiting ourselves to the loop around Westbrook/Gorham.

5/16 Saturday Ride =UPDATE=

The Rando ride will be going to Cousin's Island, averaging 13.5 mph; for those SMR riders who are not meeting at Mable Wilson School, leading the way to Cousin's with the faster riders is not a bad option. If you're looking for a different route, some of our typical ones can be found here, but I suggest something familiar, like Freeport or the Prout's Neck loop.

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One weekend until the Memorial Day Ride, so it must be time for the Raymond Hill Loop. There are six Cat5 hills on the route, so be prepared for some climbing and a lot of rest the week after! We'll meet at the Mable Wilson School on Tuttle Road right near Cumberland Center; please be ready to roll at 8:00 sharp.

THAT SAID, if there is anyone not planning on the Memorial Day ride (and therefore not interested in 6 climbs in 60 miles), I need a bunny wrangler who would be willing to manage the regular SMR from the shop. All you really need to do is get people rolling and not get lost; I am happy to post the favorite route of whomever volunteers. Just drop me an email or leave a comment.

5/9 Saturday Ride

When did it get this late? I just looked at the calendar and realized we have two weeks left before the Memorial Day Ride, so we're going to need to get some miles in!

I think we should plan on going to Brunswick this weekend (65 miles, or you can turn back at Freeport for 35) and get ready to do the Raymond Hills next weekend. This has six Cat 5 climbs in it over 52 miles, so be prepared with adequate hydration and snacks. We should meet out in Cumberland for that one, so be sure to plan.

Andy will be leading the Randonneurs on a trip around Forest Lake at about 13.4 mph

Vermont Gran Fondo

The Vermont Gran Fondo is Saturday, June 13th, and Bruce would really like some company!

For more information you can visit their website or their Facebook page. Feel free also to leave a comment here to get in touch with Bruce.

5/2 Saturday Ride

PINELANDS!

Saturday looks to be a lovely day, so off to Pinelands we go! The Randonneurs will be joining us again, averaging 13.5 mph, and will be headed to Pinelands along Greely and Cumberland/New Gloucester: Rando map

We'll echo their course on the way out, averaging 17 mph or so but, hating out-and-back routes as I do, we'll mix it up on the way home: SMR map

Both routes will be about 43 miles, so be sure to bring adequate water and a snack. We can refill out at the Pineland Market; if you require coffee, be ready to chug it: we shouldn't be there too long!

Plus, a reminder about the Trek Quick-Release recall: the Trek dealers have these in stock, so it's a quick in and out.
http://www.cpsc.gov/en/Recalls/2015/Trek-Recalls-Bicycles-Equipped-with-Front-Disc-Brakes-to-Replace-Quick-Release-Lever/

4/25 Saturday Ride

I will be driving back from Missouri Saturday morning, but the group will be heading out at 8:00 along with Andy's Rondonneur Ride. We will not be traveling together this week, but here are the options for the morning:

The SMR will feature 32 miles, heading out Middle Road and over to Mountain and Blanchard, averaging 17-18 mph. There is always the option to break off and add Dutton Hill if people want: http://www.mapmyride.com/routes/view/689782186

The Randonneurs will travel west to Stroudwater/Westbrook St for a 32-mile loop out in Buxton, at around 13-14 mph: http://www.mapmyride.com/us/westbrook-me/deeper-buxton-loop-route-203186458

Trek Quick-Release Recall

Public Service Announcement. If you have a Trek with disc brakes, get thee hastily to a Trek dealer for a replacement: http://www.cpsc.gov/en/Recalls/2015/Trek-Recalls-Bicycles-Equipped-with-Front-Disc-Brakes-to-Replace-Quick-Release-Lever/

4/18 Saturday Ride

This Saturday looks to be a lovely 50° at 8:00, so I think we should go ahead and start at the usual time. I am on vacation, enjoying some actual warm weather (80°), old friends, and mountain biking. That said, I think we should plan on the Freeport loop, giving people the option to expand into Brunswick. Andy will be joining us again this week with the Randonneurs, and they plan to head out the same direction.

4/11 Saturday Ride

Well, it's supposed to be about 46° at 9:00 on Saturday and it should have stopped raining around midnight, so we should be good to go this week! Andy and I have decided to combine the Saturday ride with the Randonneur ride to share some camaraderie and provide an intro for new riders to both groups .

Andy proposes this flat Yarmouth-Falmouth ride which heads out Middle, and I think that we can split once we get out to Yarmouth or around to Blanchard to offer some rollers and hills for the ride home.

Please feel free to use the comments to offer route options for after Yarmouth. It's still early, so we should try to stay around 35 miles or less.

SMR Begins April 4th at 9:00 a.m.!

==UPDATE==
Cold is one thing, wet is another: cold and wet together are dangerous. I don't think this morning's ride is the best of ideas, gentle riders. I think we should hold off for a better day.

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Yeah, yeah, I know: it's snowing again...but I have to have hope! The official start for CCCP club rides is Thursday, April 2nd, so we will follow suit and plan for the first Saturday after. We'll start at 9:00 until we get a little more warmth in the morning.

Assuming it will be the most beautiful of days, sunny and windless, where shall we go? Have a look at the SMR rides group for some reminders of past routes and leave a comment here with your suggestions (let's keep it to 30-35 miles, please).

Car-Free Acadia!

Mark your calendars, folks: Acadia National Park will be holding two car-free days this season: May 16th and September 26th. The park loop road will be officially open to cyclists. If you missed the Cadillac Challenge two years ago during the sequestration, it was one of the mast wonderful experiences ever! If you have a chance to take advantage, you should.

Summer Dreaming

Now that it is clear that winter is upon us, dreams of summer seem more than appropriate, and it's never too early to plan! A friend shared the video below from last year's BikeMaine: he's ridden it twice and cannot recommend it more highly. I'd like to add it to my list... anyone else?

Here's the long version:

Winter Project

Sooner or later we all regard the trainer as a winter necessity. Personally, I have been thinking about getting a set of rollers, hearing how much they improve handling and pedal stroke. Then I found this, and was filled with wonder--and dread!
http://velonews.competitor.com/2014/12/video/video-make-rollers-indoor-riding_354827