Augusta, ME riding??

[BikeMomma]

Mainerider -

Wow! What a wealth of info from you and from everyone thus far! I truly appreciate the help, suggestions, and well wishes, too.

How far and easy is it to get to Kennebunkport from Augusta? I think I'll probably get a hotel in Augusta, because it seems to be central to all the places that I'll be going. I'll be sifting through all of this during the week, making plans, room reservations, & such. The idea of talking to someone in the Augusta area (Jeff Miller) sounds promising.

Thanks anyway for the thought about your other bike Mucho appreciated! Yea....a 50cm frame would be way to small. Me and my long legs! Hopefully I can find the right size/type (56cm/road) to rent.

I probably won't be able to make the Sunday ride, depending on what time it starts (?). My flight leaves Augusta just after 2:00pm, and then I should get there early, etc. It would just be too much to fit into the morning (wish I could, sounds like a great ride!).

After a stressful Friday, though, Saturday would be perfect...get a ride in, then get ready for a busy day seeing more of my Dad, grandmother, & all the uncles, aunts, cousins I've never met, too. Hard to believe I'm doing this!

Thanks again, so much!
-BikeMomma

[traveller_62]

I second the motion to try and get in touch with Jeff Miller. He is an awesome guy and does a terrific job of promoting cycling in the state of Maine. He is a very enthusiastic person and always willing to help out a fellow cyclist!

traveller

[BikeMomma]

Thanks, Traveller....I printed out the contacts page from the bikemaine.org site. It has his email on it, and a phone number. I'll find a moment from work tomorrow to give him a call.

I called my Aunt today, spoke to her for the very first time ever. Very emotional for both of us, and I still have to speak to my Uncle (my dad's brother). She offered to have me stay at their place in Scarborough...just south of Portland. So I'll be closer to Kennebunkport than I would have been staying in Augusta. She says Kennebunkport is about a half hour drive from Scarborough...not bad at'all!

Mainerider -- this is looking like more and more of a possibility, joining the ride at Cape Able bikes on Saturday the 15th. As far as ability level, I'm pretty experienced, so you shouldn't need to show me anything; I can do pacelines, etc. if your group does them routinely. My average speed on rides is usually somewhere in the 16/17/18 mph range (total ride average speed), depending on the headwinds, of course, and I do like to step it up to a lung-ripping pace of 24-26mph, too... ....and I can handle a good 50 mile course, if you've got one. But, the road is wide open, so to speak, because really, I'll just be glad to get out on a bike, period...so any ride will be a welcome one. Plus, my head will probably be doing alot of swiveling, looking at the scenery and all, too! The shop's website shows a couple bikes that look promising for me, as well. Hopefully they have my size available, and I'll bring my own pedals if the shop doesn't have Speedplay Zeros (do they?). Already, I can't wait to ride out with you gals. I was checking out the message board on the site...sounds like a good group. Do you still do the pastries afterwards? Yum!

Thanks again, and just a warning....I'll probably be thanking you many many more times in the near future.
-BikeMomma

[BikeMomma]

The ride at Cape Able is a "for sure" now....I called the shop and reserved a 54cm Cannondale R900 for Saturday. They didn't have a 56cm, but Brandon (?) at the shop said they'll put a longer stem on it, if needed. Awesome, sounds like a nice bike.

Now if the rain would stop over there....geez. Looks like I'll be bringing my rain gear, too. Cold, wet, and deliriously happy to ride.

See ya Saturday.....
-BikeMomma

[mainerider]

Unfortunately the weather doesn't look great for Saturday. Hopefully it will be better than last weekend (over 5 inches of rain on Saturday and I don't know how much more on Sunday). If it isn't really nasty I'll show up.

[BikeMomma]

Unfortunately the weather doesn't look great for Saturday. Hopefully it will be better than last weekend (over 5 inches of rain on Saturday and I don't know how much more on Sunday). If it isn't really nasty I'll show up.

Maybe I'll PM you tonight with my cell number, so that you can call me if you're not going. Will anyone else show up even if you don't? I've been watching the forecasts for the area. If it's a light rain, I might still do it. Otherwise, I'll have a pretty rental bike to admire for a nice fee.

[BikeMomma]

Hey gals,

A few of you have expressed interest in my pending trip report, and I just want to say "it's coming!"....but I have been sooo busy since getting back to California, and then I have a mid-term in my Philosophy class tomorrow night that I am -- uh -- supposed to be studying for (at this very moment), another mid-term in another class, and then a paper to write for another. I've posted to other threads since getting back, but I've been putting off the trip report for a time when I have a few extra moments to spend on it, because I want to take my time and post some pictures with it, too.

Thanks for your patience and interest...
-BikeMomma