Mt Washington ride

[DE OPPRESSO LIBER]

[SIZE=14pt]UPDATE Aug.7:[/SIZE] The ride will be ending at the bottom of Mt Washington after the descent. For those who wish to have lunch together following the ride, I plan on going to Mr Pizza in Gorham, ten minutes up the road. Mr Pizza The time we leave to start Monday's ride will be determined by the group on Sunday. I recommend starting no later than 9.

So just looking to see who may be interested in this ride. I know many folks have to be somewhere else, but for those peeps coming from far off lands, it might be a good way to stretch your riding vacation another day!

Now I ain't FredW, but will do my best to emulate some of his mad skills in putting this little side trip together! Some useful information to me in planning this ride would be:

-who's interested

-is anyone planning on spending Monday night back at the Fireside (for return mapping purposes)

-anyone absolutely against riding on small section of gravel/packed dirt

-how many miles/hours do folks want to put in (obviously with the option of peeling off as required)

I will do my best to post a link to the current mapping plan, but like I said- I ain't Fred!

Highlights of this trip include some of the roads that will be travelled on Saturday such as Bear Notch Rd and the Kancamagus, but also includes some of the best riding in eastern NH IMHO. This includes the Mount Washington auto road, Hurricane Mountain Rd which is kinda like a rollie-coaster, and the beautiful scenic Rt 113 just over the border in western ME.

If you're into Italian food, I have just the spot! And if you like great American food, I got that covered too!

American food:The Common Man

Italian fare (the seafood Fra Diavlo is outstanding!):Fratello's

Woodstock Inn- great place for lunch

Mt Washington ride planning short version

Mt Washington loop mapping with return to Fireside

[SIZE=18pt]Will post more links and info by updating this first post[/SIZE] instead of shotgun pattern sorted throughout the thread should it become lengthy (such as thread high-jacking by people like Aroostook :assassin: )

Looking forward to this ride and sharing another day with some good peeps and characters- you know who you are.

This message will self-destruct in three, two, one . . . . . .

 

[Fred W]

As I posted previously, I'm be interested in rejoining the group on Monday AM. But I'll probably want to catch up with you somewhere along the way, as I won't be staying at the Fireside on Sunday (or Monday) night.

Also, just curious: Have you ever ridden the section between points B and C on your route? I may be wrong, but I think that may be a bit more than a "short section" of dirt there. In other words, I'd want to meet you at point B!! :lol: :yahoo:

Interesting that you picked Common Man and Frattelo's. Did you know they are owned by the same people?

 

[DE OPPRESSO LIBER]

Actually, no, I didn't know they were owned by the same folk. No wonder why their food is so dang good!

I've ridden that section before a few times, but it's actually not too bad. The dirt doesn't begin until after Stinson Lake and is only about seven miles IIRC. Some gravel but find that staying in the tire tracks makes it easier going. The road opens back to pavement and there are some nice views and turns both before and after the dirt section! But, certainly have alternate planning readily available for those that would prefer not to. I'm flexible to what the groups needs are, I'm a sensitive kinda guy.

 

[TheAxeman]

COTA, me and the SO's did the Mt. Washington Auto Road a few weeks ago. 90 degrees at the bottom, 55 degrees at the top. 0-5 mph winds at the bottom, 45-50 mph winds at the top. The gusting wind on the way down was actually more of a sphincter pucker than the steep drops on the way up.

THE AXEPEOPLE, Chris and Michelle

The COTA's, George and Marcia

 

[DE OPPRESSO LIBER]

Awww, that's awesome!! I love going up there! Forrest Gump's mom was right, ya never know what yer gonna git!

Looking at the extended forecast for this days ride shows warm, a mixture of clouds and sunlight with a chance of rain, sleet, snow and possibly windy :blink: !

Y'all have a nice day!

 

[Fred W]

High probability of sunlight at some point during the day... :blink:

PS - Stinson lake road sounds like fun. :thumbsup:

 

[DE OPPRESSO LIBER]

High probability of sunlight at some point during the day... :blink:

PS - Stinson lake road sounds like fun. :thumbsup:

It is. . . . I led a group over it last year and we all did fine. The first time I road it WAS a little nerve wracking at first because the FJR is a pig for those not used to dirt or gravel. But, once I got a mile or two under my belt and added some speed, the bike stabilized nicely and was able to relax and enjoy the ride!

 

[toophast]

Staying at Fireside sun. nite

Will ride w/ ya Monday but may peel off after Mt Washington ---then again may not --- have to check miles to diff. places--

My plan is to head to the northeast corner of VT pick up route 100 at it's northern most point then ride it all the way through the state planning on getting back to VA late Wed.

Couldn't care less about the gravel... the old gurl does just fine on dirt roads, just gotta leave the front brake alone

eyetalian or 'marican either ok by me

 

[VanHarlan]

I'm really hoping to jump in on this . . . I won't know until Sunday evening if I can . . . the joys of being self-employed. I'll also have to secure a room as I only have a Fri-Sat reservation . . . I'll have to take off right after Mt Washington so I can make it home with daylight left . . .

 

[cota95]

Here are a couple more shots from my trip with the Axeman...

The Axeman running tail

The Axeman's Chris and Michelle

Yes, it was that windy! Which made for a very interesting ride DOWN the mountain!

 

[cota95]

High probability of sunlight at some point during the day... :blink:

PS - Stinson lake road sounds like fun. :thumbsup:

Few miles of dirt/gravel on that baby!

 

[cota95]

CJ, Fratello's has seriously slipped off the radar for good food, at least as far as Lincoln NH. The best place in town IMO is Gordi's, right on Rt 112.

 

[ALDAWG]

CJ, Fratello's has seriously slipped off the radar for good food, at least as far as Lincoln NH. The best place in town IMO is Gordi's, right on Rt 112.

+1 On Gordi's, The food is fantastic!

 

[DE OPPRESSO LIBER]

CJ, Fratello's has seriously slipped off the radar for good food, at least as far as Lincoln NH. The best place in town IMO is Gordi's, right on Rt 112.

No way!! I might just have to run up there and find out sooner rather than later!! Is this info from your experience, word of mouth or from the dining watchdog groups?! I'd really love to know. The last time I was there was in February, skiing with the wife at Loon for Valentine's day.... the food and service were both excellent, and had a truly award winning dessert. Thanks for the tip though, will try to investigate!

Haven't been to Gordi's yet, but making a mental note of it now for next time I'm up that way.

 

[Fred W]

I was mixing up my local restaurant chains. Fratello's is owned by the same people that own(ed) The Homestead restaurants. They sold off the one they had in Londonderry. It's now called The Coach Stop. It was only so-so. There are two other Fratellos besides the one in Lincoln.

Common Man owns a bunch of other restaurants too, including the Italian Farmhouse in Plymouth.

They are not related (except in the dark recesses of my mind).

 

[cota95]

CJ, Fratello's has seriously slipped off the radar for good food, at least as far as Lincoln NH. The best place in town IMO is Gordi's, right on Rt 112.

No way!! I might just have to run up there and find out sooner rather than later!! Is this info from your experience, word of mouth or from the dining watchdog groups?! I'd really love to know. The last time I was there was in February, skiing with the wife at Loon for Valentine's day.... the food and service were both excellent, and had a truly award winning dessert. Thanks for the tip though, will try to investigate!

Haven't been to Gordi's yet, but making a mental note of it now for next time I'm up that way.

Both word of mouth and personal experience. Chris (the Axeman) went there in July and did not care for the food or the service. I have a place in Lincoln and it hasn't been good for me ever. Will not go there again.

 

[DE OPPRESSO LIBER]

Wow. Uh, ok . . . .

 

[BkrK12]

I suspect it's systemic. The one in Manchester went way downhill some time ago.

 

[Fred W]

Hey Guys,

I've looked at CJ's map and it seems to be missing a few sections. I think I have it straightened out.

Take a look here: GoogleMap of Mt Washington and Hurricane Mt Rd loop

Since the plan was to ride Hurricane Mountain Rd from the Maine end back towards N Conway I also added in a visit to the top of Cathedral Ledge and then take the back way via West Rd to hook back up with the Kank at the Albany Covered Bridge. That way we can avoid the Outlet strip of N Conway.

If this route passes muster I will add it to the Whites and Greens GPS Routes when I publish those.