Silly Summer Solstice Ride!

Our silly solstice rides have been a tradition since 2013!

First riders will show up at 4:30am; but riders are welcome to join at any time and “only” riding a metric century (60-odd laps) is also fine!

The early start will help riders get back to their Father's Day obligations.

As no coffee shop will open at 4:00am, the meetup location is at the petting zoo/parking area (near the finish crosswalks) just before 4:30am.

A few basic guidelines: 

1) bring charged lights and ride safely (ride carefully around wildlife, pedestrians, cars, and each other); 

2) ride together at a sustainable pace; 

3) make sure you have enough food and drink to keep yourself going and that you have a spare tube, levers, and air; and 

4) avoid leaving a solo rider at the end.

There are no fast and slow groups for this ride. It’s one of the few times we can ride safely in one big flotilla of 40+. It's a social ride. Everyone rides together at a pace sustainable for everyone (don't start too fast and don't ramp up the pace when you hit the front). Riders who aren't sure of their legs should spend extra time on the back out of the wind.

The group speed-dates with modest turns on the front. Since it's typically a big group, it's very important that riders call hazards up and down the line and that everyone keeps alert to peacocks, walkers, cars, etc...

For those considering doing the Big Loop Ride this year, this is a *great* way to get in a long training ride in preparation for that even longer ride. Unlike a meandering ride up the Peninsula or out to East Sooke, you can pull the plug on this ride at any point and be close to home. It's just about the easiest 100 mile ride you can do — though the 10m elevation gain per lap does add up surprisingly quickly. If 100 miles is a psychological barrier for you, this is the place to break it.

Here's what the club GoPro got pointed at during last years Silly Summer Soltice Ride: Tripleshot Silly Solstice Century (Summer 2022) on Vimeo

Keep on eye out for the Spond signup.

See you out there!