What’s going on this weekend + May beginner clinics

Over 35 riders came to our Spring Kickoff Ride this past Tuesday — thanks for joining (and to Rob Campbell for the photo)! Now for what’s next on your spring calendar…

Sunday May 4th, starting at 9:00: Gorham Bike & Ski Bike Swap — We’ll be tabling alongside the madness, and Gorham Bike & Ski will be helping the cause by giving away FREE bike gear to anyone who signs up for a GPNEMBA membership at the event. Get more details on the bike swap here and check out great deals the shop is offering!

ALSO Sunday, May 4th at 5:30 at Libby Hill: 1st ride of the GPNEMBA Women’s Ride Series — This ride is designed for women-identifying riders who bike singletrack trails occasionally to regularly and are comfortable with moderate climbs, occasional roots and rocks, and opportunities for downhill descents. Connect with fellow riders and explore the trails!

Our partners at Bicycle Coalition of Maine (BCM) are putting on a host of beginner & intermediate mountain bike courses this spring. These classes are designed to lay a foundational functional range of motion of your bike so that you can ride more varied and uneven terrain as you improve your bike balance.  In addition to fundamentals, students will be given functional drills, and trail practice, to encourage all participants to learn and develop their riding skills. Courses are $50 each — consider for yourself or for the beginner rider in your life who’s needed a foundation to get out there and have a ball!

• Saturday May 10th, 5:30-7:30 @ Weeks/Moody’s in Gorham
• Wednesday May 14th, 5:30-7:30 @ Weeks/Moody’s in Gorham
• Saturday May 24th, 2:00-4:00 @ Weeks/Moody’s in Gorham
• Wednesday May 29th, 5:30-7:30 @ Weeks/Moody’s in Gorham

BCM is also hosting an intermediate MTB clinic Saturday June 21st from 4:00-6:00. We’re grateful to them for putting on these clinics in support of riders just getting this radical sport.

Finally, we’re saddened to share about the passing of one of our community members, Mike Scholl of Brunswick. As was noted in his obituary in the Press Herald, “His trip on this earth was filled with mountain biking, cooking, fly fishing, skiing, concerts, camping, hunting and surfing. Mike was an amazing cook. If he was making a meal, you wanted to eat it. Those who knew Mike would say he was a unique character with a zest for life who loved deeply. Those who were loved by him knew they were loved. He was an unwavering source of support for the people he held close.”

While I did not know Mike personally, it sounded like he lived a large life full of adventure, and left an indelible impression on everyone he met. We are sad to hear the passing of anyone in our community, and grateful to his family for directing donations our way in his honor.