5/7 Saturday Ride

 Memorial Day Tune-up: Ride 3

This weekend, we'll be heading up to Brunswick on a 61-mile stretch of the legs (map below--the distance on the image reflects the old starting point).

DON'T FREAK OUT!
I also have 46-mile and 53-mile loops in case you're not sure you have it in you or don't have
the time. There's even the 30-mile Freeport loop if this is your first weekend out.
Lots of bailout points, so don't worry.

Wheels roll at 8:00.
All rides depart from Payson Park, except Raymond Hills and Memorial Day.

See the Tech Tips link above for help downloading maps to your Garmin.

 

Memorial Day Tune-up Series
5 Rides to Legs of Steel!

May 7	May 14
May 21	May 28

Memorial Day

The big kahuna!

82 miles, 4,000 ft elev gain!

4/30 Saturday Ride

This weekend, we'll be heading up to Sebago Lake and back thru Gorham.
Wheels roll at 8:00.

All rides depart from Payson Park, except Raymond Hills and Memorial Day.
See the Tech Tips link above for help downloading maps to your Garmin.

 

Memorial Day Tune-up Series
5 Rides to Legs of Steel!

April 23	April 30
May 7	May 14
May 21	May 28

Memorial Day

The big kahuna!

82 miles, 4,000ft elev gain!

4/23 Saturday Ride

And so it begins...

We are six weeks out from Memorial Day Weekend, so it's time to start our annual tune-up series. We will steadily increase distance and climbing for the next five weeks, enjoy a lighter ride on the 28th, just to keep our legs loose, and arrive in Fryberg on Memorial Day with Legs Of Steel!

This weekend, let's try the OOB/Saco loop, as that will be off the table once the tourists get here. We'll plan to stop at Saco Variety for a snack along the way. The rest of the schedule is laid out below. It's a bit chilly in the morning, so let's start at 9:00 , since we'll be along the beaches.

 

April 30	May 7
May 14	May 21
May 28	Memorial Day

4/16 Saturday Ride

The weather looks to be cooperative for a morning ride: it should be about 50° at 8:00, and the rain is supposed to hold off until noon.

We'll be starting the Memorial Day Tune-up Series in the next week or two, and it's been a month since our last trip to Freeport, so let's go visit the BFI again. We have two courses: the regular, 31-mile course to Freeport, or a modified 41-mile course. Sorry, I don't have a Strava subscription, and they've closed all the route creation doorways.

Meet at the upper Payson lot; wheels roll at 8:00.

4/10 Sunday Ride UPDATE

A little rain might be sneaking in tomorrow noonish, so let’s go at 9:00 and plan of the Highland Lake loop; we can add some miles on the front end, if needed.

https://www.strava.com/routes/2821025760146153888

4/2 Saturday Ride

You know, we didn’t do Mitchell Hill even once last year—seems like we’re overdue to take on The Wall. Let’s try the traditional route, which should be about 44 miles, but we can shave a few if we don’t go to Prout’s Neck. If you cut off the tour of Cape, it will save about 14 miles. Download both routes in case you’re indecisive. FAIR WARNING: I may not be able to go tomorrow, so I need a Bunny Wrangler…

It looks like the temp will get favorable around 10:00 tomorrow, so let’s start then; remember, we’re meeting at the upper lot in Payson Park. 

FAIR WARNING: I may not be able to go tomorrow, so I need a Bunny Wrangler…

3/26 Saturday Ride

Weather is looking pretty darn reasonable for tomorrow, and a welcome change from the rain. I may not be able to make it myself, but I have one commitment for a 10:00 start. We did not go to Pineland last weekend, so I offer last week’s posted route for tomorrow. Check back here or on FB in case times change.

NOTE: We are not allowed to park at the church for now, so please meet up at the upper lot in Payson Park.

3/20 Sunday Ride

The weather is looking very bicycley tomorrow, so let's give it an early-season go!

Two choices: Freeport (about 31-2 miles): https://connect.garmin.com/modern/course/65944958

or Pineland (about 43): https://connect.garmin.com/modern/course/95478255

Download them both and meet at the church for a 9:00 start.

12/4 Saturday Ride

I know there's at least one hearty out there who wants a ride, so we're on for tomorrow. 

Let's start at 10:00, and we can choose from the Highlands ride, Pinelands, or Freeport. I got a booster shot this morning, so I make no performance guarantees, and each of these rides offers an easy out if I just don't have it.

Black Friday Turkey Burner

==BUMP TO SUNDAY==

Overnight snows and 17 mph winds (gusting up to 30mph) coming WNW—meaning headwinds for the first hour—leave me concerned for both road and temperature conditions tomorrow. Let’s bump to Sunday

==UPDATE==

It appears the gods would prefer we have more turkey tomorrow instead of a ride: 80% chance of rain by 11:00, and I don’t like the idea of being 15 miles out when a cold rain starts. Let’s bump the ride to Saturday (or Sunday? Less wind). Plan to ride Saturday at 11:00 (unless I hear votes for Sunday by Friday at 5:00).

We traditionally start this ride out in Westbrook so we don’t waste miles in uncertain weather just trying to get to the good part!

Let’s meet behind the Westbrook CVS for an 11:00 start.

The Turkey Burner course varies a bit year to year, so this year I have a 41-mile loop out towards Bonnie Eagle HS, with a bonus 10-mile addition around the river if the weather decides to play nice. If it doesn’t, we’ll be right by the Frog and Turtle for brunch.

11/20 Saturday Ride

Let's get the bad news out of the way right off: I have cooties. The good news is it's cooties with a small "c," not a big one. Regardless, I don't need to be sharing this with you, so I am out of any group riding this weekend.

The good news is that the PVC Fondo Pace Double Loop is happening tomorrow. The details go something like this:

We leave CycleMania at 7:35 am, just after the "racers." Coed. Feel free to forward to others.  Should be clear, low wind and about 30 degrees at start and 40 by finish.

The full route is about 43 miles. Link on Strava:

https://www.strava.com/routes/2896482585729556642

We will regroup multiple times, the first re-group will be at SoPo High School on Highland Ave.  Second re-group at Prout's turn around. Depending on who shows up there may be a fast group and regular group.

Notes: Be careful at the intersection of Highland and Blackpoint in Scarbough, and in the second loop the intersection of Sawyer and 77 in Scarborough.  

First loop: "Normal" Saturday ride except that as we get back to SoPo we will turn left off of Cottage Rd. onto Sawyer Rd. - Shell Station is the landmark.  

Second Loop: Starts as we take Sawyer southwest the entire way back to Rt. 77 in Scarborough turning left onto 77 just south of the Cape line (so no Prout's on loop two). We will then ride 77 all the way back to the bridge then to the Shop (no Shore road in second loop).

Single Loop Option: Those wanting just one loop will also turn left on Sawyer, but then right on 77 (Ocean Ave) and back over the bridge. (avoiding the construction on Cottage Rd).  

Coffee, Snacks and Awards at the Shop following the ride.

11/13 Saturday Ride

After a rainy, windy Friday, Saturday appears to be mild and calm. It will be 50° at 10:00, so let's head up to Pineland. Two offerings: the ever-popular Hilly Pineland (featuring The Wall of Depot Road) and Less Hilly Pineland, (foregoing Depot and approaching via Mill Rd). Both routes front-load the climbing, so it's a nice spin home. Theoretically, the difference is 5 miles and 1000+ ft of climbing; I am unconvinced.

Either way, pick your poison and we'll vote in the morning. Let's roll from the church at 10:00.

11/9 Night Ride

Tuesday looks like a great night to get out: temps around 50 and calm winds... 26 miles, leaving the church at 5:30.

11/6 Saturday Ride

Tomorrow looks beautiful and sunny, but not until noon, so...how about we have a noon ride?

I got a special request for an anniversary ride from 3 years ago this week (has it really been that long???). 50 miles on a lovely fall day...

10/29 Saturday Ride

Well, honestly, it is not looking good for any time this weekend but, it *is* Maine, so... if I wake up to wet streets in the morning, I'm rolling over and pulling the comforter up. If it's dry (and appears it may stay that way until 10:30 or so), I'll head into town, so... meet me at the church on time, and we'll pick a path then.