Mount Washington

[SF48]

Every year I try to get up to the Mount Washington Auto Road and have a go at the mountain.  Sometimes it's beautiful, other times it's downright nasty.  I've been up in high 30 degree temps, pouring rain, 60mph winds, and even a couple of times it's been warm and clear!     Everytime though, it's absolutely worth it.  There's just something about this road to me.  This bike currently has four "this bike climbed..." stickers under the seat.  If I have my way I'll keep puttin' 'em under there till the cows come home.   

My brother and his brand new V-Strom, with my NH at the summit;



Looking out over the parking area.  We got lucky with the view this time;



The view to the north;



Riding down;



The road snaking over a knoll;



Looking down on the base visitor center from about halfway down the road;

[happycommuter]

That's quite a view, and looks like a fun road to get there. 

I can't say I'd enjoy any mountain road (especially one with no barriers) during high winds, but the memory is usually worthwhile.

I'm totally stealing that 'stickers under the seat' idea.

[SF48]

Thanks happycommuter!  It's nice to have found an active forum for NH's...special thanks to coffee-brake for putting the link to this site in another forum that we're both members of.

I hear you on the high winds thing...some of the worst moments I've had on bikes have involved bad winds.  The time I ascended Washington (last year) in that high of a wind, at least the mountain offered some protection in spots, and where it didn't at least the wind came from a consistent direction.  Gusting and shifting winds...  

[luckylindy]

  Nice pics.  I would like some of that MT Washington cool right now as we have been hammered by 100+ temps in Texas lately.

[JWBrockman]

Yea, but I'm sure you don't want the nearly daily rainstorms we've been having up here for the last couple months.

This looks like a fun ride. I have been up in a car, but I'll have to try it on a bike sometime, maybe next summer.

[Deadly]

I love the mountain views!   

[Uncle Fester]

SF48,
Wow, those are awesome views! Being a New Hampshire-ite, and an aviation professional that deals (well, dealt) with weather on a daily basis, I can say that Mt. Washington is world-reknown as having the worst weather on the planet, and is the site of the highest straight line (non-tornado) winds ever recorded!  I attempted the Mt. Washington Auto Road one summer, when my sister was visting.  My sister turned more white as we passed the tree line, and then I finally chickened out, as well.  I turned the car around at one of the few turnaround spots, and headed back down.  Good thing I did, too!  As I started back down, my car gave out!  I pulled over again, and waited...  Well, just under 4,00ft, where I stopped, and it worked again.  I guess the altitude confused some of the sensors in the EFI, I'm not sure!  The most embarrassing part was going to get a refund, and giving back the CD with the audio tour on it! 
Again, way to go!  Beautiful shots!    I'll stick to Hogback Mountain, though!  lol! (at least on wheels)
-Rick

[Maxx]

Yup, Great pics. Just avoid those pot holes.


To Uncle Fester, Just avoid Brokeback mountain...lol

I'll stick to Hogback Mountain, though!  lol! (at least on wheels)
-Rick

[Scotty13]

My grandma lives in Jackson NH,  I love it up there but have never been in the summer.  I am usually there skiing at either Bretton woods or wildcat.  on nice days there is some really gorgeous views up there!   I know my parents  skied down the auto road one year but left my brother and I at cross country ski camp < I was PISSED> 

maybe some time next summer the hawk will take a trip up the auto road!

[Bumblebee]

I can't say I'd enjoy any mountain road (especially one with no barriers) during high winds, but the memory is usually worthwhile.

Which is worse? Hitting a barrier or going over the side?

I think I'd rather bounce down a slope for a short bit than to come to an abrupt stop by slamming into a stationary barrier post.

As long as the wind isn't horrific, just ride slow and you'll be ok.

[SF48]

Thanks for the comps uncle fester!  It interesting that you mentioned how intimidating that road can be.  My brother, the one in the pictures, was pretty nervous about it.  He had tried it the previous year with me, and turned around at about 4K feet.  This year we took a little different approach, and it worked out well.  I took the lead and made sure I took it really easy, and I told him if he starts to get distracted by the dropoffs or whatever, to just focus on my rear wheel and we'd get it done.  Sure enough this worked for him, and his excitement at conquering the mountain road was evident for hours.  It was a great day on the bikes for both of us!