Tomorrow is supposed to be perfect: mid-70s, low humidity, partly cloudy. I feel like we should go inland while it's cooler, but have this feeling that there might be interest in Freeport/Brunswick, so I'll post a pair and we can pick in the morning. See you at 8:00.
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I’m a little indecisive today, so I’ll offer a couple of options. First choice is a quick loop toward Highland Lake (@ 32 miles) or up to Sebago (@ 45). Or overrule me--whatevs. See you at 8:00.
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It's been a week. Someone asked how my day was going and I answered, "Well, my hair's on fire and my ass is catching, but the creek's still rising, so it still might all work out."
I will post the Buxton-Bar Mills kidney but freely state that I am highly susceptible to peer pressure--if you want something different in the morning, feel free to say so then.
I will be riding in the Bike MS event tomorrow, so Bruce has volunteered to take the lead again. We have a new one for tomorrow—some sections you know, some are new, and there are a number of shortcuts if anyone needs to reduce mileage. It’s going to be a warm one, so have two bottles and some snacks, but there are a few refueling spots along the way to help. Wheels roll at 8:00.
Sorry, friends: I just got done at work and can finally call and end to a completely craptastic Friday. I have no energy left for thought, so tomorrow is officially Spontaneous Saturday! Think about where you’d like to ride and we’ll take a vote in the morning. See you at 8:00.
🥱
First and foremost: The Four Notches Ride is also this Saturday, starting from the Attitash Ski parking lot in Bartlett, NH, rolling at 9:00. FMI, contact jatabb66 at yahoo dot com.
For those not making that selection, we have a sojourn out to Salmon Falls. It's 45 miles, and a little under 2000' of climbing, but it will be hot, so be sure to have two bottles and sunscreen. Bruce Jacobs is going to take the reins this weekend--thanks, Bruce! Remember: OUR wheels roll at 8:00.
Wow--do you realize we haven't gone for coffee since May 7th? I say it's high time (plus, with the Four Notches coming right up, we could use a good stretch of the legs)!
The current trip to Little Dog Cafe logs in at 61 miles, but there are plenty of smaller loops; if you turn back at:
But what about the Yarmouth Clam Festival?
Already got it handled! Spoke to the Yarmouth PD and they aprove this route, turning onto High St thence to 88--it's all good.
See you at 8:00!
Saturday looks to be cooler and have lower humidity, so let's head inland. We'll head out towards Sebago lake and roll back thru Gorham, for 44 miles. If anyone is short on time (or miles in the legs) they could cut across on Albion Road and get a quick 31-mile loop.
See you at Glickman Academy; wheels roll at 8:00.
Well, that was a big nothing-burger. 😑
We have just one request for a route, and it's a revisit of our newest one; wheels roll at 8:00:
Let's try something a little different. 52 miles, climbing front-loaded, and a few pathways we don't normally visit.
Wheels roll at 8:00.
I tried--I did--I wanted to come up with something new, but it's been a hell of a week, So the official post will feature the Highland Lake Loop that we never got to, but I am feeling susceptible to peer pressure if the group has other thoughts by morning.
Wheels roll at 8:00.
We are back to normal days, friends--the mountains were calling, and we went, but now we're back, and I need a break from hills! So how about we go out to Salmon falls? There are two options for the day, one is 49 miles and one is 43 (the start point keeps getting farther away, so the miles increase). We follow the same route for 32 miles, so you have a good 90 minutes to decide.
We start from 587 Ocean Ave; wheels roll at 8:00
I only got two replies, so there is no official ride this weekend. I will leave this available for anyone who wants it.
Monday, however, is looking simply wonderful for our mountain ride! It was pointed out to me that I was only publishing the Hurricane Bypass route; allow me to correct that error; here is the extra 600' of climbing on a Cat 2 hill:
| Hurricane Bypass | Hurricane Road |
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Memorial Day Tune-up Ride 5
This weekend we have the ever-challenging Raymond Hills loop, featuring six Cat-5 climbs totaling 4000' of climbing. The temps look to top out around 86° in Raymond, but the breezes will increase with the temps (at press time, @ 10 mph). Plan well, as refueling stops are few and far between. The Intervale Market at New Gloucester Rd and the Dunkin before we climb White Oak Hill Rd (small detour down Rte 26) are the best options I have.
You May Now Freak Out
Ok, not really. This is a destination ride (we have to drive there), so I don't have vetted alternate routes, but this appears to be a possibility. It is untested and offered without warrantee, either expressed or implied, but it offers 44 miles, 2200 ft of climbing, and you still get to tackle Valley Road.
Be sure your phone is charged—I have no idea what's out there (Outlet/Quarry Rds).
If you have not been with us on our recent series of longer and hillier rides (or just want something shorter/flatter this week), you should take a look at the rides we did in May/June 2015--there are a lot here (in old-school MapMyRide format), and something should spark your interest.
Wheels roll at 8:30 from Mabel Wilson School in Cumberland Center.
See the Tech Tips link above for help downloading maps to your Garmin.
Memorial Day Tune-up Series
5 Rides to Legs of Steel!
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