Merrymeeting Wheelers Bicycle Club

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Tell us about your 2008 adventures or anything else on your mind relative to cycling.

Thursday 6/13 – Posted by Rick S

On Wednesday’s ride, we had a very large crowd which is great news for our club especially given the new riders. It was a nice evening for a ride as the heat and humidity of a few days earlier wase long gone.

The ride was great except for one minor incident that could have been a major one. It reinforces our need to stay on our guard at ALL times and help keep each other safe. A large blue Ford SUV “buzzed” several of us on Route 24 and didn’t move over an inch even though no cars were coming and the road was clear. Upon our return, we learned that this happened to others in the club as well, same vehicle.

As Bob says, the car wins no matter who is right, but PLEASE keep your eyes and ears open even when you are in your comfort zone.

We finished the evening with our usual stop at Pedro with 20 of us present. Our group was so large we were split into two sections. Sounds like we may need to reserve a larger block which is a nice problem to have. Be safe.

Sunday 6/8 – Posted by Rick S

I always look forward to the ride around Merrymeeting Bay as it is a scenic ride with some hill challenges and stretches with minimal auto traffic. The ride started with 16 people which was great given it was a Sunday morning versus our normal Saturday ride.

Before the ride a few of us were talking about the upcoming MS 150 ride in August. One of the riders was Kim who had a challenging ride at last year’s MS 150, finishing the course on a mountain bike. She received a standing ovation from her fellow MS riders as she finished the course as the “sweep”, arriving as the last rider of the day. She didn’t quit so we were very proud of her that day and was glad I was able to meet her. This year, she bought a road bike, smart idea.

We spoke of the ride challenges ahead as we road around the bay. Sunday was a very hot and humid day so we were all happy to just finish our trek of 45 miles at 95 degrees. I can only imaging how Kim felt last year as the first day of the MS150 was 75 and it was 95 degrees and humid on her mountain bike.

Saturday 6/7 – Posted by Tom L

Every time I get the chance to get together with the kids, it is always a joy.  Bicycling together, serving others at events, spending time at their homes, eating together, advocating safe riding, or just spending quiet time sitting under trees welcoming in riders from a long ride, all a joy!  The friendships they have fostered among themselves and with new friends are second to none. Some of these friendships have blossomed into loving committed relationships and some now even have their own kids. I cannot even begin to express how proud I am of them and how much I love them all.  Although I do not get to see them as often as I used to, my heart and desire to be with them on the bicycles and elsewhere is always there in spirit. I know this blog is kind of sweet in nature but I do not know how else to put it into words. 

Great resources of information at the website and reflects a beautiful bicycling family / community.  Keep on bicycling!

Love ya all,

MWBC Dad   

Wednesday 6/4 – Posted by Bob B

This past Sunday I decided to go for a ride.  I was at Louise's house in South China so I decided to ride around the lake.  As I rode through Vasselboro I noticed a yard sale with a 17 foot Sea Kayak for sale.  The price was right.  I contemplated this throughout the ride.

It was a nice day and I was looking around at the countryside.  I noticed an old cemetery at the side of the road.  I had been by it many times but I never noticed it.  I stopped to look and found the Lt. Benjamin Williams died and was buried in 1822.  That brought many more questions to mind that I may follow later. When I got to the Neck Road, which runs down into the lake, I noticed new pavement.  It was irresistible.  It was an easy and pretty ride to the end and back.

There were a lot for fishermen/women at the head of the lake relaxing and trying their luck.  I decided to go up on Pleasant View Ridge to get some climbing in.  There are two tough hills involved.  The climb to the top of Parmenter Hill required a stop and look.  The Western Mountains were laid out in front of me.  What a beautiful view.  It certainly rewarded me for the hard work climbing the hill. The ride through Weeks Mills took me past women working in their flower gardens and men mowing their lawns.  When I returned to Louise's I was tired but completely relaxed.  I had been out for a little more than two hours.  I was ready to deal with the rest of my life.  What a great way to spend a Sunday afternoon

Sunday 6/1 – Posted by Rick S

On Saturday, I enjoyed helping out at the Bike Rodeo with a few fellow “Wheelers”. It was great to hang with the young kids, especially when I got to ride a vintage 1976 Schwinn with Banana seat!! My attempts to teach a 6^th grader how to ride a wheelie failed as this model was built for someone a two feet shorter but it brought back fond memories just the same.

On Sunday after 45 years in Maine, my first visit to Pineland. A small group of us took the road and arrived around lunch time. Good weather and wow, what a sight when we arrived at the botanical garden. Lots of hills; love the hills as it builds character. 45 miles later, we returned and although a bit tired, that was my longest run of the year so it felt good.

Sunday 5/25 – Posted by Jenn B

Saturday we had a beautiful ride to York Beach, about 22 miles total. There were a total of nine riders (Bob, Kirk, Ed, Charlie, Elly, Ellen, Fred, Marsha and myself) and Louise drove the support truck for us. It was a gorgeous day with lots of beautiful sights to see.

May 24, 2008, Saturday – Posted by Mark W

Popham Beach Ride—35 miles round trip from Woolwich. We had eight riders. It was an ideal day for cycling with ideal weather and very little traffic. Two stragglers, including the ride leader, Mark Wheeler, got lost in West Bath and got some bonus miles. We had a refreshing shower on the return trip, but not severe enough to seek shelter. A good time was had by all.

Saturday 5/24 – Posted by Jenn B

We had nine show up for the Saturday ride (Paul, Abbie, Rick, Kirk, Mike, Scott Elly Jody & myself) and had four others meet up with us along the way (Maggie, Anne, Joan & Larry). We rode out to Bowdoinham and back, some turning at different points throughout the ride. It was just Scott, Mike Kirk Jody and I who finished the whole ride, totaling about 30/31 miles. Rick had to leave us at the store once he remembered he left his backpack at the Mall in Brunswick, fortunately it was still there. We stopped for breakfast at the Broadway deli afterwards, a well earned treat.

MAY 21, 2008, WEDNESDAY—RIDE OF SILENCE – Posted by Mark W

This ride was one of many held nationally to commemorate bicyclists who have been injured or killed. Tony B did all the promotion and advertising and police contact work. This year we had about 20 riders, starting in the Gazebo in Brunswick, then riding single file through downtown Brunswick, across the swinging bridge into Topsham, through the Highlands, then returning on Rt 196, onto the bike path, then up Federal Street, through the Bowdoin campus, out McKeen Street to Stanwood, and back to downtown via Pleasant Street. The cyclists were silent, had head lights, and wore black arm bands. The police in Brunswick and Topsham were very helpful in directing traffic.

Wednesday 5/21 – Posted by Jenn B

Tonight the club had an abbreviated ride as we wanted to be sure we got back in time for the Ride of Silence (ROS). The ROS, organized by Tony Barrett and led by Mark Wheeler went off without a hitch. We had about 20 people show up and give their support to riders who had been injured or killed by motorists while on their bikes.

Monday 5/19 – Posted by Jenn B

I showed up for the women’s ride tonight feeling unsure as the wind had really picked up and it looked like the possibility of rain. Margaret, Toni & Angela had showed up. We discussed whether or not we might venture out and eventually decided to give it a shot. We ended up having a great ride, going about 9 miles, which was fine with all the wind.

5/17/2008 – Posted by Rick S

Today we had a great Saturday morning ride. The weather cooperated and the rain left the area prior to our departure. We headed out to Lower Mast Landing and Bartol Island Road via Pleasant Hill Road. We joked about how there was nothing pleasant about hills. At the top of the first major hill on Pleasant Hill Road, we stopped to catch our breath and met two ladies from NYC who were doing the same. They were working their way up the coast to Camden and taking road trips along the way. It just so happened they were going on the same route as us, so we helped them find their way and struck up some great conversation.

We stopped at Tidebrook Conservation Trust which is a beautiful spot to take a break. We returned via Flying Point, Bunganuc and Maquoit. Jenn kept assuring our guests that there was only one more hill. Some sort of reverse psychology I think…  I actually like hills, see them as a challenge and hope there is a rapid descent on the back side.

We saw quiet a few riders out today which is great to see. The cars seem to be getting used to our presence, but never let your guard down. It felt good to get some miles in today…

5/16/2008 – Posted by Rick S

Welcome to The Blog, a place to share your 2008 adventures or anything else on your mind relative to cycling or the bicycle club. Send Rick your postings.