I'm looking for a tough century in Northern New England...

[GLC1968]

If you're looking for a really good century + with lots of climbing (12,000 ft or so), do I have a route for you! We did this on our own last year, and it was tough, but the sense of accomplishment was terrific.

The ride starts in Gorham, NH and climbs up over Pinkham Notch (past Mt. Washington). Down into N. Conway, out West Side Rd (and another right hand I can't think of the name of..) to the Kancamangus Pass. Take this up to Bear Notch road, and it's up and over your second notch. This will put you in Bartlett, NH, and from here you head UP 302 on a gradual 12 or 13 mile climb that ends in a VERY STEEP climb up Crawford Notch. This will bring you alongside the Mt. Washington Hotel. From here, continue on Rte 302 to Rte 3 and take that up to Rte 115. This is a very "rolly" section with some good elevation gain still. Take this to Rte 2, and climb your way back up into Gorham. Total mileage is somewhere around 108.

This took us about 7 hours with minimal stops. There are logical stops for food/beverage along the route, which helps. Let me know if you are interested, and I can send along more details on the actual loop!

BTW - we nicknamed this the Dirty Dozen ride .

SheFly

Oooh, that sounds really cool! I'm familar with that area (we spent a lot of time up that way when I was in HS) and it sounds like a beautiful ride. I would love more detailed info! That would be a wonderful way to 'celebrate' my husband's graduation...with a tough, self-supported century!

[SheFly]

Oooh, that sounds really cool! I'm familar with that area (we spent a lot of time up that way when I was in HS) and it sounds like a beautiful ride. I would love more detailed info! That would be a wonderful way to 'celebrate' my husband's graduation...with a tough, self-supported century!

Let me search around - I may have this on the GPS.

Park in Gorham, NH at the park (we park on the street BEHIND Main street, next to the trains).

Travel Rte 16 over Pinkham Notch. Once you crest and pass the visitor center, there is a natural spring on the right side if you need water before the descent.

Descend Rte 16, down through Jackson and into Bartlett. There is a gas station/store on the way down if you need drinks/food. At Rte 302 (traffic light), turn RIGHT. Follow 302 towards Attitash. You will pass through Bartlett. As you cross the railroad tracks, take a LEFT hand turn onto West Side Road This will wind you along the river.

Follow this for quite awhile, until you see a sign for Echo Lake State Park. Take a RIGHT to stay on West Side Road. This is a fairly flat section of the ride, enjoy it while you can . You will follow West Side Rd for quite awhile before taking a RIGHT hand turn onto Passaconway Road. Stay on this road - this will bring you out to the Kanc.

Turn RIGHT onto the Kanc and follow to Bear Notch Rd. Take a RIGHT, and go up and over. This will bring you back down to Rte 302. There is a store at the corner for refueling.

Turn LEFT onto 302 and begin the long climb up to Crawford Notch. After you pass the Mt Washington Hotel, watch out for the DIAGONAL train tracks. Swing WIDE here. There is a store right beside Fabyan's restaurant for refueling - this will be one of the LAST stops before Gorham, so stock up here.

Continue on 302 into Twin Mountain. Turn RIGHT onto Rte 3 (at traffic light). Follow Rte 3 to 115 and take a RIGHT onto 115 (at the flashing light). Now you will hit some pretty good rollers. Follow this until it intersects with Rte 2.

Take a RIGHT onto Rte 2, and back into Gorham, climbing the last LONG hill of the day. Turn RIGHT at the traffic light to head back to your car after an excellent ride!

If I find the GPS map of this loop, I will post it here as well. Let me know if you decide to do this one!

SheFly

[anakiwa]

I don't know of any centuries in June, but there is a hillclimb race up Whiteface in mid-June http://whitefacerace.com/bikeraceinfo.html (it's not quite in New England but it's close). I did the run last year- it was great!

For challenging rides http://www.northeastcycling.com/NE_Climbs_main.html is a great webside. It compares all the major NE hillclimb races with elevation profiles etc (I did the Equinox race last summer and am planning on going back). The Gap ride section of the website is also really helpful. I can recommend doing part or all of the Vermont 6 gap ride. So far I've only done the App Gap- Middlebury Gap loop but I really enjoyed it and would love to do the 4 gap or 6 gap ride sometime.

Have fun!

[short cut sally]

If you're willing to come to New York in September, there is a gruelling century called the Highlander. Its turned into a big event, time trials Friday evening, Mtb bike race and the road event is on Sat. and they've incorporated a marathon with another town for the next day. they have 2-centuries, one is 14,000+ and the other is 6,000 elevation I think. I did the 6,000 elevation one and that was plenty for me. For the 14,000+ they have one hill that they have a bagpipe player and officers at the top of the hill to direct traffic (along with a towtruck-adds amusement). The scenery is beautiful, the rest stops are like every 15 miles. I plan on doing it again this year, if you're interested, my house is always available for company.