Records to beat from 2025: 37s (Sandy Sweet & Riley Dunn), 46s (Rebecca G), and 23 open-field laps in an hour (Rob Legge). Read the ’25 recap.
If you’ve been to Slake Brewing, you know about their driveway. It can’t be that hard, right?
We think it’s a worthwhile challenge, and a top contender for the best Strava segment in the region. On Sunday, November 8, 2026 we’re back at Slake Brewing for the fifth annual hill climb up the segment called the Slake Snake 🐍. Tickets are $40, and the Open Field is free to ride if you just want to give it a go.
Slake Brewing, 181 Mowbray Rd, Picton — check-in at 10:00 AM, rain or shine.
Race it or ride it
Sunday, Nov 8 · Slake Brewing, Picton · Check-in 10:00 AM
Race it
$40- Your times count on the leaderboard
- A shot at the knockout, The Twenty and the records
- Prizes for fastest, Most Laps and more
- Slake drink token, sticker pack and a bonus in the bag
- Free access to the sauna and cold plunge, courtesy of Starboard Sauna
- Keeps the Open Field free for everyone
Riding with a friend? 2 for $60 when at least one rider is a woman or non-binary — add it at checkout.
Ride it
Free- Ride as many laps as you like
- No timing, no pressure
- First time on the Snake? You’re in the Hatchling draw
- Stay for tacos, a pint and the Sunday Soul DJ Set
Spectating is always free — no sign-up needed.
How it works
10:15 – 11:30 AM
Open Field
Climb the Snake as many times as you like. Your best time seeds the knockout. Going for laps? Start The Twenty any time before 11:10.
12:00 – 12:30 PM
Knockout
The 8 fastest go head-to-head from a rolling start — quarters, semis, final — with the crowd lining the climb.
1:00 PM onward
Celebrate
Prizes for fastest, Most Laps and more, called at the top. Then Rebel Taco, a pint and the Sunday Soul DJ Set.
Our field is the whole community: parents with toddlers on board, dogs in trailers, and a few experienced racers who make the knockout extra fun to watch. Wave to the spectators or put the pedal to the metal — it’s up to you.
Good to know
Come watch
Slake has one of the best views in the County, with indoor and outdoor spots to cheer from. Spectating is free — bring a cowbell.
Any bike, any rider
Gravel, mountain, touring, hybrid — even a tandem. Kids, grandmas and first-timers welcome. Refuel after with Rebel Taco and a Slake brew.
Rain or shine
It’s November in the County. Bring layers you can add and shed, whether you’re riding or cheering.
Swipe for more →
The Slake Snake Hill Climb is here to provide your last dose of outdoor cycling adrenaline before spring.
WHY PAY WHEN I CAN RIDE FOR FREE?
You can. The Open Field is free, and we mean it — come do some laps, ring a cowbell, grab a taco. Register for free so we know you’re coming.
A $40 ticket puts you in the race. Your times count, and you’re in the running for the knockout, The Twenty, the prizes and the records. It comes with a Slake drink token, a Slake Snake sticker pack, free access to Starboard Sauna’s sauna and cold plunge, and a little bonus in the bag.
It’s also what keeps the free part free. Your ticket covers the event insurance, the prizes and the DJ. Every year this happens because enough of you decide it’s worth $40 to have a hill climb in the County in November.
Race it or ride it. Either way, come up the Snake. (Not a beer person? We’ll hook you up with something else at the top.)
IS THIS A REAL RACE?
No and Yes. Each year brings different riders who change the dynamic of the knockout challenge. Sometimes the challengers are really fast and make for a heat that feels like a race. However, most riders arrive with a mix of abilities, making for a bunch of fun heats to watch and cheer on.
HOW DOES A KNOCKOUT HEAT START?
Rolling. Both riders roll up side by side from a cone a short way back, and the race starts as you cross the line. It’s the same kind of start you had in the Open Field, so the heat is won on the climb — not on a slipped pedal in loose gravel.
Jump the line and we restart. Jump it twice and the heat goes to your opponent.
WHO GETS TO ENTER?
You and your friends and everyone else.
CAN I ENTER ON THE DAY OF THE EVENT?
Yes. Anyone can show up and ride the Open Field for free — registering ahead (also free) just helps us plan. If you’d like to be scored and eligible for prizes, grab a $40 ticket — online ahead of time is easiest, and we can sort you out at check-in if you leave it to the day.
WHAT IS THE MINIMAL KIT I NEED TO CARRY?
We recommend you bring layers. The weather can be chilly, but the riding gets you running hot. Bring layers you can add and remove to keep yourself dry and warm.
WHAT TYPE OF BIKE CAN I ENTER WITH?
Any bike you’re prepared to use on a gravel hill climb. Most cyclists bring a gravel bike, but more casual riders bring whatever they have. In 2025 we had riders hunting gains on road bikes, a couple doubling up their power on a tandem, and a pack of Salsa fat bikes from Doug’s Bikes crushing the loose stuff. This year the most unlikely bike on the Snake wins the Strange Steed prize — costumes earn bonus points.
WILL I GET A RECORD OF MY TIME?
You record your own ride on Strava or RideWithGPS. The segments are saved to both apps so that after the event, we can access the top times to seed into the knockout challenge.
HOW DOES THE TWENTY WORK?
Pick your moment any time during the Open Field and write your start time on the whiteboard. Then ride as many laps as you can in 20 minutes. A lap is up the Snake and back down again, and we count them from the distance on your Strava or RideWithGPS recording, so keep it running. Last start is 11:10 AM so everyone finishes before the 11:30 cutoff. Descents are controlled, so ride them easy — the laps are won on the way up.
Tied on laps? The rider who covered more distance takes it. You can go for The Twenty and Most Laps. Ticket holders are scored; Open Field riders are welcome to have a go.
ARE THERE PRIZES?
There will be prizes for:
- Fastest Time of the Day
- Most Laps
- Most Laps in 20 Minutes (The Twenty)
- All Knockout Challenge Participants
- Knockout Challenge Winners (KOM/QOM)
- Strange Steed: the most unlikely bike on the Snake (costumes earn bonus points)
- Hatchling Award: first time on the Snake? Finish one lap and you’re in a draw just for first-timers
- Snake Eyes Draw: every lap you finish is an entry, slow laps count too
… and more!
All categories are for race-ticket holders, except the Hatchling Award, which is open to every first-timer — free riders included.
Thanks to Starboard Sauna (a pair of passes to steam this season), Doug’s Bikes (service and gear) and Beacon Bike + Brew (your caffeination station) for supporting this year’s prizes, plus something spicy from us. 🌶️
Race it or ride it
Sunday, Nov 8 · Slake Brewing, Picton · Check-in 10:00 AM
Race it
$40- Your times count on the leaderboard
- A shot at the knockout, The Twenty and the records
- Prizes for fastest, Most Laps and more
- Slake drink token, sticker pack and a bonus in the bag
- Free access to the sauna and cold plunge, courtesy of Starboard Sauna
- Keeps the Open Field free for everyone
Riding with a friend? 2 for $60 when at least one rider is a woman or non-binary — add it at checkout.
Ride it
Free- Ride as many laps as you like
- No timing, no pressure
- First time on the Snake? You’re in the Hatchling draw
- Stay for tacos, a pint and the Sunday Soul DJ Set
Spectating is always free — no sign-up needed.
Thanks to our partners
The Slake Snake happens because these folks show up for it.
Supported by
Fine Print:
Participants should be aware that the route is comprised of loose gravel and a consistent grade. Be prepared for any weather and surface conditions, including the potential for mud if the week has been rainy! Helmets must be worn by all riders. We are not able to provide cancellations or refunds for no-shows.
More questions? Email Laura
