CAMDEN— The outdoor lover’s perfect Happy Hour just started at Camden Snow Bowl on Wednesdays this summer. Picture a free bike ride courtesy Sidecountry Sports, then after, sipping a cold one and having a great bite to eat at a serene, quiet spot on the spacious deck with views of Ragged Mountain.

This summer, Camden Snow Bowl has teamed up with its official concession stand, Big T Snack Shack, to offer light snacks, cold beers and ciders each Wednesday evening from 6 p.m. to 8 p.m.

Not only that, but Sidecountry Sports, which is to be contracted to be the Snow Bowl’s year-round mountain ski and bike vendor, is offering free bike rides from beginning to expert levels, starting at 5:30 p.m.

“We started this last year with a women’s beginner ride and it just took off,” said Sidecountry Sports’ co-owner Andrew Dailey. “The weekly ride expanded to both men and women after that. We take people on the trails at the Camden Snow Bowl based on their experience level with a ride leader and a sweeper.  The regular mountain bikers go off and do their own thing.”

Dailey said since they began this meet-up in May, it has averaged around 50 people, depending on weather, with roughly 70 percent men and 30 percent women. With 18 bikes available to beginners, there are multiple opportunities for people to practice using a mountain or fat tire bike, as well as owners of new bikes to fine tune their trail techniques. He said the ride is intended primarily for adults or experienced teens, but that starting June 18, Sidecountry Sports be offering youth ride demos.

Dailey said approximately 80 kids have already signed up for that ride.

“This isn’t just for the bikers and hikers,” said Mark Senders, owner of Big T Snack Shack, Camden Snow Bowl’s official food concession, which fires up at around 6 p.m. when many of the bikers are just coming in from the trails. “We want everyone to feel like they can swing by and enjoy the outdoors and Baxter on draft and canned beers and cider, along with a small plate menu, which, we will switch up week to week.”

One week, the menu might offer made-to-order quesadillas and fresh chips and salsa. Another week, it might offer chicken sandwiches, burgers, and veggie burgers.

It’s also an ideal ‘Mountain Hour’ for people hike, kayak or paddle on nearby Hosmer Pond or who just want to wear shorts and t-shirts to Happy Hour, and take in the fresh air and great views.

Senders said they’ll be out on the deck with the portable grill on sunny days; likely not when it’s raining, unless there is a demand, and then they’ll move back to the indoor kitchen.

For more information on the weekly rides, visit Sidecountry Sports Events page or stay tuned to their Facebook page for weather updates.

Related: Camden Snow Bowl to contract with Sidecounty Sports for mountainside ski and bike business

Kay Stephens can be reached at news@penbaypilot.com