Best Side Cycling Summits #1: Somerset, Montreux and Zoo Hill (Brisk)

Welcome to the Best Side Summits: the funnest, steepest social group ride you'll encounter. I have a guilty pleasure of climbing and the idea of these rides is to share that joy with all of you. You don't need be a fast climber to join this ride (we will regroup after each incline) but know that all the hills we encounter will have 8%+ average gradient and pitches into the teens. You need to have well-tested brakes and be able to descend steep hills in a controlled way.

For this first edition, we will feature Somerset, Montreux and the infamous Zoo Hill (which a majority of these rides will end with). We will be treated with some great sights while climbing and you'll be more than ready for Chilly Hilly the following day. 

Let's meet at the Newcastle Beach Park by the Restrooms at 10am. Be there, ready to go at the time listed above. We will start with a required safety briefing, and roll out when that's done.  All riders must attend the safety briefing to participate. 

The pace of the ride for the flat sections will be Brisk (16-18 MPH on the flats). There will be faster and slower climbers but the point of the ride is to encourage everyone to get to the top safely! I highly encourage each of you to download the GPS beforehand and I'll do my best to make sure everyone stays on track. 

Restrooms are available at the start. We will stop along the way at Starbucks at Mile 13 for restrooms and water. The ride is contingent on sunny weather. (A little dampness of roads is okay.)

Bring a spare tube and tools to fix a flat, just in case. Other things to bring: phone; ID; cash and/or credit card; ORCA card; water and a small snack. Please have full fenders if the roads are wet, or you may be asked to ride at the rear of the group.

Note: If weather conditions meet the weather cancellation criterion listed above or if there are unforeseen hazardous riding conditions or other unexpected events, the Ride Leader will cancel the ride and all registered riders will be sent a notification email. If the ride is cancelled at least two hours before the start, Ride Leader(s) will not be at the start location. Please check before leaving for the ride.