Newcastle-Cougar Mountain and Montreaux from Lewis Creek Park - # 2 (Moderate)

Let's meet at the Lewis Creek Park - Visitor Center parking lot. This is near the top of Lakemont Boulevard. If you are not familiar with this location, please use Google Maps to find it. 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. 

This ride is designed for cyclists that are working to get better at climbing, although proficient climbers are welcome. They may have to be patient at crests and regroup points. There are 5 substantial climbing segments on this ride! These will include Newcastle, Newcastle Golf Club Road (but not up to the Golf Course) and Cougar Mountain, to the summit, as well as the Hilltop Neighborhood to the Summit Neighborhood, and finally the Montreaux Hill. If this route looks familiar, it is. I had posted it for May 18, but decided to omit the “stair-step” climb returning on 60th Street. But I do plan to include it on for next Sunday. If you are able do this ride, the Puyallup Hill on the STP will feel like a “speedbump”! Maybe a very long one, but “doable”. 

We will climb and descend hills at our own pace, and we will regroup at the top of the major climbs, and prior to the start of most substantial climbs. We'll also limit our speed on any multi-use paths to the legal maximum (usually 15 MPH).

Restrooms are available at the start. We will stop for restrooms/water at Lake Boren Park (Newcastle) at 5 miles. We will stop for coffee/snacks at the mid-ride point (mile 17.8) at the Starbucks in Lakemont Village.

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 steady rain, the Ride Leader will modify or 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, the Ride Leader will not be at the start location. Please check before leaving for the ride.

I hope you can join us! Although this ride will NOT be a pleasant jaunt around the lake, if you are able to complete this ride, you will have a profound sense of accomplishment to balance out the feeling of complete exhaustion.