🚴‍♂️💨 RIDE WEST SOUND: Gold Mountain 7-Lake Loop (Moderate)

We’ll meet at Wildcat Lake County Park (free parking), where you’ll find my white Sprinter van—your beacon for the ride (see location map above). Please arrive ready to roll at the posted start time, as we’ll begin with a required safety briefing before rollout. All riders must attend the safety briefing in order to participate.

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The Ride West Sound: Gold Mountain 7-Lake Loop is a 36-mile hilly rolling route through the forested backroads of Kitsap County, circling the flanks of Gold Mountain—the highest point on the Kitsap Peninsula—and linking seven scenic lakes in the following order: Wildcat, Kitsap, Tiger, Panther, Mission, Tahuya, and Symington. Expect approximately 2,440 feet of climbing with a steady succession of rollers, punchy rises, and very few long flat recovery sections. While no single climb is massive, the route delivers a consistent rolling grind throughout the day. We’ll regroup frequently to keep the ride together, but riders should be comfortable climbing and descending at their own pace. Some descents are fast and technical, requiring full attention and safe spacing between cyclists. 

🚴 Did You Know?
The image above looks from the north across Wildcat Lake to Gold Mountain—a quiet volcanic remnant shaped by ancient undersea eruptions. Despite its name, no gold was ever found here—just the hopeful dreams of early settlers. Today, locals say the real “Gold” is the clean water and dense Douglas fir that blanket its unspoiled slopes.

The ride will last about four hours, possibly less depending on pace. Restrooms are available at the start, and we will stop at additional restroom locations at Otto Jarstad Park (14), Bear Creek Country Store (20), and the Gold Creek Trailhead (29). We’ll pause for a BYOL stop at the Bear Creek Country Store.

Please bring:
* Water and ride nutrition
* Spare tube and flat repair tools
* Phone and photo ID
* Cash or credit card for coffee/snack stops
* Weather-appropriate layers 

As always, we’ll ride respectfully and safely around traffic, pedestrians, and fellow trail users. On shared-use paths, posted speed limits (10 or 15 MPH) and courteous riding practices will be observed.

📌 If roads are wet, full fenders with buddy flaps are strongly encouraged to help keep the group comfortable and safe.
📌 If weather conditions meet the weather cancellation criteria listed in the Weather Status, or if unforeseen hazardous riding conditions or unexpected events arise, the Ride Leader may cancel the ride.
📌 If canceled at least two hours before the start, Ride Leaders will not be present at the start location. Please check ride status updates before departing for the ride.

We hope you can join us for a strong day rolling through West Sound! 😅
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