Mount Washington Auto Road Race

[Biking Chef]

Hello Everyone,

I haven't posted in a very long time, but I wanted to share a great experience with you girls. Last Saturday I acompolished a goal of mine. I live up here in New Hampshire & there is a bicycle hill climb up the Mount Washington Auto Road. The road ranges from 12%, 18% & 22% grades. I trained for this race for about a year. Well race day came & I was excited. My goal was not to win the race, because the experts do it in under an hour. The total milage is 7.6 miles. My goal was to simply make it to the top.

Well I did it!!!! I made it up in 2:00:17, despit the 60-70 mile an hour winds gusts & the fog, clouds & rain at the top. It was a truly wounderful experience & I can't wait to do it again next year!!! It feels so great to have acomplished this goal!!!

Well thanks for listening & never stop reaching for your goals. Have a great day. Happy biking!!!

Deb

[chrisanna]

Great job!!!
That year of training is worth the effort when you can accomplish a goal like that!
(WIND -I think I'd rather be wet that ride in it... hope you didn't have much of it until the summit.)

Chrisanna

[Veronica]

Well done! I grew up in Maine. I know what that road looks like and how nasty the weather can be at the top. Fantastic job!

Veronica

[Biking Chef]

Hello Veronica,

I also grew up in Maine untill I was 11 then we moved to Mass. What part of Maine? I was in Bangor.

Deb

[Veronica]

York County - a little town called Hollis Center. Most of my family is still there, my husband's parents too.

Veronica

[mainerider]

Hi. I'm new to the forums. They have been interesting to read. I have picked up some useful info especially about my new Look pedals. Now I don't feel it's all my fault that it has taken me 6 weeks to get used to them and I'm still struggling at times.

It's a small world Veronica. I now live in Dayton, the next town over from Hollis!

Congrats Deb on finishing the Auto Road race! Where and how did you train for it? My friend has suggested we do it. I'm not real strong on hills. I've ridden Bear Notch road, the road up to the Cog, and the Notch leading to the Mt. Washington Hotel (did have to dismount at one point - need to try and tackle it again this fall).

Maureen

[Biking Chef]

HI Maureen,

I was a little nervous when I first signed up for the MT Washington Race, but then I just put it in my head that I could do this & was going to make it up the hill!! I kept a very positive attitude during the entire time I was traing & the day of the race.

So as far as training, I logged many miles on my road & mountain bike. I got in as many hills as possible. Also during the winter I took spinning classes four times a week & did some weight training. I really did not get in as many hills as I wantd to but I was a much stronger rider over all due to spinning classes in the winter. Some people say that the classes do not due anything for them, but they helped me. When I got the chance I also rode with my husband & a friend of ours, riding with the guys made me faster.

I really enjoyed the MT Washington race & I'm now looking forward to going back next year & breaking my time. I have also had a great year in Mountian BIke racing. I'm first in my age group, so all of my hard traing throught the winter has paid off.

How is the weather in Maine? It is gettign cool here in NH. Wellt ake care & happy biking.

Deb

[aka_kim]

Conratulations Biking Chef! I'm not familiar with the climb, but just saw this article on Velonews and thought you might enjoy: Segway crawls to success atop Mount Washington (http://www.velonews.com/news/fea/4892.0.html). Score another point for human-powered vehicles.