Mt. Washington Auto Road Assault - October 20, 2012

[thfraser]

All,

Me and another S10 rider are planning an assault on the Mt. Washington Auto Road the last weekend it is open. Barring totally crappy weather (i.e. snow, ice, excessive rain), we are dedicated to make this happen!

We are still working the exact time for when we will try to go up it, but we are shooting for about noon to 1pm for our attack on the mountain.

I'm calling this a sticker run - I plan on getting one of those stickers that said you climbed Mt. Washington to put on one of my pannier's!

Let me know if you are interested and we will start getting this organized.

Mt. Washington Auto Road is in NH, in the wonderful New England area.

Some details on the Mt. Washington Auto Road can be found here: http://mtwashingtonautoroad.com/

 

[Wanderer]

Howdy,
Yes; it is worth the trip. I try to do it at least once every season. Here's a shot from last Aug., 65 degrees at the top. No matter how many times I've riden up I still get a rush each time I do it. Unfortunately I work a w/e shift and can't join you. Not sure which way you're coming up but if you're looking for any suggestions on roads let me know. This is my back yard. Can throw in some dirt for you too if you're looking for it.
Later,
Norm

 

[thfraser]

Norm,

Thank for the feedback. I've never been up there, so Chris and I are going to be heading up there from the DC area. We will probably spend the night in northern NY, up in the Finger Lakes area. Then head over in the morning and try to get there about 12 to 1pm.

I can't wait to get up there.

Yes, if you have some good roads up there, let us know. I'd like to get a chance to see some roads up there that are off of the beaten path!

 

[TeneRI]

Sounds like a great idea. When you have figured out your route let me know. ::008::

 

[thfraser]

Sounds like a great idea. When you have figured out your route let me know. ::008::

We will do that! I'm very excited about this Mt. Washington road trip!

 

[Wanderer]

Hi,
Me again. At what point do you plan on crossing Vt.? Once in the area check out Hurricane Mtn. Rd in Conway, Evans Notch (Rt 113), cutting across NH from Vt. Rt. 112 is very nice. For dirt look for Tripoli Rd. off of Rt. 175 in Woodstock, NH and Sandwich Notch Rd. off of Rt. 49 in Waterville Valley, NH.
Later,
Norm

 

[Dirt_Dad]

I envy you guys. Wish I could join you. I absolutely love that road. Just wish I could talk them into closing it for me so I could rip up that wonderful road as fast as my nerves would allow. What a blast that would be.

I need them to close the road so I can avoid people like the woman at the 23 second mark in this video. I came around that corner and found her with a death grip on the wheel and feeling entitled to most of my lane. She was terrified.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5bVoQ4fDBKU

 

[thfraser]

Dirt_Dad - It's still about two weeks out, come on you can join us. > We both live in the same basic area (NOVA).

This will be my first time, and something I can cross of my bucket list!

Wanderer - Thanks for the road names, hopefully you can join us. We will most like be coming in from NY and crossing VT and NH to get there. We will probably do it twice, once on the way there, and once on the way back. As of the moment, we don't have the times nailed down. My goal is to start the ascent at about 1pm on the 20th. Then we will have the rest of the day to run the local roads, then will probably head back the next day.

This will be an adventure to take it as it comes!

If I have a bunch of fun on this, perhaps we can make it an annual event! :lamp:

 

[Dirt_Dad]

Dirt_Dad - It's still about two weeks out, come on you can join us. > We both live in the same basic area (NOVA).

This will be my first time, and something I can cross of my bucket list!

Love to. Not a lack of desire, just a lack of available time. Enjoy.

If you have the time a nice ride up through the Adirondacks is always good. Take the ferry in Plattsburg, NY then head through Smuggler's Notch in VT, up to the Kancamagus Highway, then to Mt Washington. It will take time, but oh so worth it.

 

[Checkswrecks]

Looks like fun!
::020::


But am on call...


::010::

 

[thfraser]

Checkswrecks and Dirt_dad - I absolutely know what it is like to not have the time to do a ride! I had one last weekend I wanted to go on, but due to other committments, I couldn't.

I still hope to see other S10 riders up there on Saturday October 20th!

Checkswrecks - Thanks for the advice on some riding in the area. Getting some great feedback and totally enjoying it!

 

[johnpitts01]

I am interested......

Depending on your route and timing north from NOVA I might join you in PA or NJ somewhere on Friday.

I am subscribed to the thread.
Or you can PM me to open the discussion.

I am in the Philly area, in New Jersey.

 

[thfraser]

Excellent, we would be happy to have you join us. We will be working out the details this weekend. But right now we are thinking of heading up mid day Friday. The route will be hammered out over this weekend. We will be sure to post the route and the plans, and the anticipated times! I'm psyched to do this Always wanted to do this, and this is my chance!

 

[sail2xxs]

I'm totally stoked about this trip Tom! Getting the valves checked for the 2nd time on Monday morning. Dirt Dad - you are totally right about the Kancamagus. Love that road!! We should have the route and timing figured out by Sunday night or so. Any more suggestions for dirt would be awesome. I wandered around in the Green Mountain National Forest for a couple days the summer before last and had an awesome time.

Chris

 

[thfraser]

Bump! Barring "Nasty" weather this trip is a go.

Agenda at this moment:

Take 270 out of DC, Hit Route 15 go North, slide onto 81, then 84 then 91....

Map: http://goo.gl/maps/z79in

Idea is, ride, and ride on Friday, October 19th. When it starts getting dark, or sometime around 10pm start looking for some inexpensive lodging.

Saturday, October 20th, get up, eat, hit the road, attempting to get to the Mt. Washington Auto Road somewhere around 10am. Then head west with the destination Senaca Falls, NY.

Sunday, October 21st, drive around the great lakes area. Probably end up taking 15 home from that area. I need to be back at my home base at around 7pm, so I will need to pull out of the Finger Lakes region around noon or so.

Lot of miles to be had, and I hope to hit some good side roads during this trip. Especially some of the roads that the others have mentioned. They sound excellent.

Join us if you can! ::26::

 

[johnpitts01]

I am out.

Fly to Romania on Friday night 19 October.

Have fun!

 

[TeneRI]

Bad news.
http://www.mtwashingtonautoroad.com/

 

[thfraser]

Bad news.
http://www.mtwashingtonautoroad.com/

I just looked at that today too. Oh well, I'll still head north and visit some friends and run around alot. I'll still call them at that number and give them the big "WHY?"

 

[Siseneg]

From the website:

"Open Daily, Weather Permitting
We are extremely dependent on the weather this time of year and our operating status changes throughout the day. Please call us before you visit (603) 466-3988. We are closed to motorcycles for the summer season."

Dangit .. I was just thinking I could pull this off next weekend ... figures.

 

[Dirt_Dad]

Damn, that really sucks. I had no idea they closed it to bikes. Although it would be best by bike, taking the train up would probably still be a cool ride. Even a van is better than not doing it. If stuck in the van sit on the right going up and left going down.

Not to rain on your parade even more, but finding "inexpensive lodging" up along that route will be challenging. Summer time is expensive, leaf peeping season it probably worse. Brace yourself for it costing way more than it should.

All that considered, I'm sure you can still get a beautiful ride out of your plan. I grew up in the Finger Lakes region and it really is gorgeous up there, cold, but gorgeous.

Good luck.