Sat., July 15, Bicycle Rally Race at Fields Pond

Event: Bicycle Rally Race at Fields Pond
Distance: 10 Miles
Date: Saturday, July 15, 2017
Time: Two Races. 9AM-11AM (2 Hours), 12 Noon-2PM

On Saturday, July 15, there will be Curran Homestead Village's first bicycle race. The impetus for this is the organization's recent acquisition of an antique bicycle collection that includes among many gems from the 19th century a circa 1859 velocipede. This bicycle was reputedly made by the Kimball Brothers of Portland, Maine during an era when increased popularity of these two wheeled vehicles inspired many carriage makers to get in the act. This velocipede is very much the product of carriage makers as it includes wooden spokes and felloes as well as iron tyres. The frame of the bicycle was forged from wrought iron.

The second iconic bicycle is our collection, among others, is the Ordinary or what was more commonly known as a high wheeler or penny farthing characterized by usually a 52 inch front wheel and a considerably smaller back wheel. These were not easy to ride as one of the issues with them I learned very quickly was that in leaning into the front wheel the back wheel can lift and then scissor the whole back half of the bicycle causing all to go awry. The other issue is the brake which is limited to the front wheel via a hand control, and this too can result in going head over heels. The penny farthing will be on exhibit at Pat's Bicycle Shop, 373 Wilson  St. from June 26th.

The race is from the Curran barnyard to the Center Drive School on Center Drive in Orrington, ME and back. The circuit is exactly 10 miles, 5 miles to the school and 5 miles back to the Curran farm. There will be two races. One that starts at 9AM and ends 11AM. The other starts at 12 Noon and ends 2PM. Bikers are welcome to participate in both. Register one or both races at the Bangor Letter Shop, 99 Washington St., Bangor, ME or Pat's Bicycle Shop, 373 Wilson St., Brewer, ME.

The registration fee is $20 which entitles you to a t-shirt that commemorates the bicycle event. Specify your size on the registration form. Please register by July 10th so we can produce your t-shirt. The fee also includes a donation to the nonprofit museum. Visit: curranhomestead.org/bicyclerallyrace

The route travelled is from in front of the Curran Barn at 372 Fields Pond Rd. going West (Right turn from the Curran property. Peddle approximately 2.5 miles to Bob's Cozy Corner Market. Peddle up Johnson Mill Rd. Continue on Johnson Mill Rd. to the intersection with Center Drive. Turn right onto Center Drive. The Center Drive School is located on the left hand side of the road. You have completed 5 miles of the race at this point. Return the same way you came to complete 10 miles.

Checkpoints will be at the Orrington Fire Department on Johnson Mill Rd. and the center Drive School Parking Lot where water and first aid will be available. Bikers will return the same way they came stopping solely at Bob's Cozy Corner Market on the return. There will be people patrolling the route to insure safety and in cases of emergency.

Bicycle Rally Race Prizes for Both Races.

• 1st, 2nd, & 3rd Place Finisher Ribbon and Prize for 12 and Under.
• 1st, 2nd, & 3rd Place Finisher Ribbon and Prize for Ages 13-17.
• 1st, 2nd, & 3rd Prize Finisher Ribbon and Prize for Ages 18-54
• 1st, 2nd, & 3rd Prize Finisher Ribbon and Prize for Ages 55 and Above.
• Best Vintage Bicycle in Race (Older than 25 Years and less than 100 Years Old)
• Best Antique Bicycle in Race (100 Years Old or Older)
• Best Unusual Bicycle in Race
• Best Children's Bicycle in Race