Anyone riding The Summits of Bothell?
 

Summits of Bothell is 38 miles with 3250' of climbing with some 13% - 18% grades. There's even the "Ascent of Anguish" for anyone who wants to round out the ride to an even 3500'.

It's on the 24th this month. Anyone else going? I'm riding to/from the ride from Redmond Ridge to get a metric out of the day with approx. 4500' in climbing.

Holy crap, you're SAVAGE! :lol:

That sounds like fun! Might just have to look into doing this one.

I don't think it's going to be that difficult. I rode the 7 Hills of Kirkland century back in May, and my daily commute puts me over 1500' in 12 miles (minimally; I try to do about 2000' in 18 miles, 4x per week).

Dang, I'm leaving Seattle two nights before. Otherwise woulda done it on a folder :)

Hey, I've been thinking about it...if you decide to do it, let us know when you're starting and I'll look you up (assume you are still on the Crosscheck).


While I'm at it, are you doing the High Pass Challenge? (Sept. 7).

It might be my recovery ride for RAPSody, which is the day before.

I did SOB and 7 Hills on the same day last month while training for RAMROD. They cross each other at a couple of places. I think SOB is harder but that may be because I did it last. I might do SOB again on the official day, but I really don't like their "funny" t-shirts.

I did both a few years ago.

Summits is a considerably harder ride than 7 hills. Winery hill is perhaps 13% at the steepest, and there's a big difference between 13% and 18%. It's well marked, well supported, and the kind of ride you can do by yourself because there's virtually no place you'd paceline.

Here's my review from a couple of years ago:

http://blogs.msdn.com/ericgu/archive...28/728606.aspx

Now, if you want a hard ride, ride the mountain populaire in September. 70 miles, 5K of climbing, starting on zoo hill (1000', 7-14%) and ending on mountain home blvd (IIRC, 900' and 10-20%). Harder than 7 hills or SOB.

I was planning to do that but I signed up for High Pass Challenge, which is the same day. Maybe SIR will post the cue sheet.

I did zoo hill for the first time this summer on a Cascade Ramrod training ride. They stuck it in a mile 81 of an 85 mile ride. I agree that is a tough hill, worse than anything on SOB or 7 hills.

SOB is definitely harder than 7 Hills. In 7 hills you have gaps that allow you to recover. SOB just keeps coming at you.

Yes, SOB was one mean ride.

I left my place on Redmond Ridge at quarter to 6am and headed down Novelty Hill towards climb #1, over 116th from Avondale (by PCC) to 202. Then I took 202 up to Woodinville and hit the Regional Trail shunt just past Wilmot Gateway Park. This leads to the base of the final climb for SOB, so that was climb #2 (#8 on the SOB route.)

I got all my things situated and stowed (had a gel, dropped some NUUN in my bottle, had some Endurolytes, stuffed my ride t-shirt in my jersey pocket) and joked with one of the organizers a bit. He was talking about the optional 9th hill, The Ascent of Anguish, and I mentioned that I have 2 more to do on my way back home if anyone wants to follow me for #10 and #11. Then I hit the course.

The first hill wasn't so tough, but the second one... OMGWTFBBQ! It was a blacktop wall of a hill with no turns, so you could see all the way to the top, and the top never seemed to get any closer. I run a 34-32 lowest gear, and I had to stand on one pitch of this hill. I've never seen my speed drop as low as I did on this ride. On some of the hills I was only doing 3.5 to 4.0mph!
The middle 6 of the hills weren't bad; lots of rolling ups and downs, nice climbs, and one screamer descent where I hit my top speed for the year: 54.6mph! I nearly wet myself, and I don't think I want to go that fast on my bicycle ever again. I'm good with mid to upper 40s, but getting over 50 is damned scary.
The Ascent of Anguish was marked at the base by a sign stating "Are you Sure?", and boy howdy, they're not kidding. Norway Hts. Hill is steep and winding, and for me it was at the 48 mile mark for the day. 250' of gain in about a half mile, with a few steep switchback-ish turns. It sure was fun coming back down it, though. That made the climb very much worth the effort.

Oh, the strangest part of the ride: After the 2nd rest stop, there was a treadmill at the end of someone's driveway, and it had a "free" sign on it. I stopped and talked to the people, (they were out in their driveway watching the cyclists go past), and got their phone number so I can come pick it up later this week! So for the $25 entry fee, I got to take a great ride with awesome support and wonderful route markings (I didn't look at the map once!) and I got a really nice treadmill.

sounds like fun - was there a big turnout?

It wasn't crowded at all. I think that there were 15 people at the busiest rest stop, and that might have included the 3 volunteers. They only give t-shirts to the first 250 entrants, and I'm pretty sure they had leftovers. It was a very small group, overall.

Compared to my last ride (STP) it was fantastic! I'm not so keen on crowds and I think the hills keep many people away. I'm looking forward to the 100k Mtn. Pop. in a couple of weeks.