Laconia Week - Mt Washington

[Doug H]

Anyone planning on riding Mt Washington during bike week? The auto road will be open to motorcycles only on Monday and Thursday that week.

This year is the fifth year, I did the ride the first year they had this, it was fun, lots of bikes and great ride up through Pinkham Notch if it is a nice day.

I am going to be watching the weather to see what might be the best day and take one of the days off to do this ride again.

Thursday is the official Ride to the Sky and the local HOG club sponsors a cookout at the base of the auto road.

[Boomer99]

A few of us in Mass plan on making the ride. :lol: We will be leaving from my place in Orange and a few more from other places. What time are you gona be there?

[btalon]

Keep us informed on the plans, I went up last year and set up observatory tours that didn't pan out due to lack of turnout. I had a nice tour of the fog and rain. Was pretty cool even though. We'd be interested in meeting up with a group for the summit ride.

[Boomer99]

I think we plan on leaving here early, it is about 1.5 - 2 hours up. Depending on how often we stop. Haven't heard from anyone else as of this posting, but I will post as soon as I do.

Keep the rubber down... 8)

[bookem1]

I'll be heading up on Monday ..... no idea what time, playing it by ear. Staying at Pine Hollow Sat thru Tues.

[pgallacher]

Hi,
I just found this board but I was at Laconia two weeks ago and did the Mt. Washington ride :) Too bad I hadn't found this sooner or maybe we could have met and rode together. I had a great time and the weather was perfect!!!! It was my first road trip on the new bike and it was awesome!

Pat

http://bigbikeriders.com/photopost/data/503/6263100_1080-2-med.JPG

[XNE]

Hey Doug H
I just saw your post w/ Mt Washington in the title and it caught my eye. How are the roads up there by you? I was planning on turning north at Boston and going through Conway on my way back to Miane. It's the first time I've ridden through the White Mountains and am looking forward to the detour, I just hope it won't lead to alot more.
Thanks Rich

[btalon]

XNE - I can jump in and help you on roads if you need any info. I'm assuming you'll head up over the kanc from lincoln if you head north and back through conway?

The roads are pretty good, getting busier with the summer tourist season, if you go across the kanc, they are replacing guardrails on the lincoln side, as of a week ago I know they were still there, but not sure when they will be done. Minor traffic delays due to it. On the Conway side they are doing work on the side of the road, the road wasn't torn up when I've been going through it, just another delay, although it usually is minor. They did pave a section last year and it is still nice and smooth. The ride is an awesome one and you won't be disappointed by the views, I sometimes drive the kanc 4-6 times a day and always see something new each time.

If you need more info or specific info let me know.

[XNE]

Thanks for the report, it helps. I'm just starting to plan. I was thinking - Lincoln, over the kanc, to Conway then north. What's a "must ride" while I'm in the white mountains?
Tnanks Rich

[btalon]

Thats a wide open question - lol. Depends on how long and how much time you have. My suggestion is if you were heading north, to head over bear notch road off of the kanc. The pulloffs on that road are awesome views that you'll never get sick of. You'll end up on 302 and can head right back towards conway or left and go towards twin mountain. I believe you said you were heading to maine, so right on 302. The whole part of downtown North Conway is torn up with construction and it's getting old quick!! What route are you looking at after the Kanc? I'm not sure where you will be jumping into maine, but can give you a heads up if you will hit major construction along the way if I know of it!

[XNE]

A couple of nights in NH at least. If bear notch road in#9 on my map ending in Bartlett, avoiding the road construction of North Conway would be a bonus. I'm going to head east on 2 out of NH and across Maine. So either up 16 from Glen, and (ride?)Mt Washington or west on 302 then north on 115 to 2.

[btalon]

If that's the case, either way you decide to go after bear notch is excellent. If you go up 115 to route 2, you'll go right by my house, I live at that intersection (in the woods though). I like crawford notch, but I also like pinkham notch too. Both have nice views, I think the waterfalls on Crawford are nicer to look at, if you don't want to hike into glenn ellis falls in pinkham notch. If you do Crawford notch, when you get to the Mt. Washington hotel it's a good photo op.

Let me know when you plan on doing the trip, I can also try to help you out with places to stay if you are planning on parking overnight around here. I might even be able to hook up and give you a tour if the timings right!

[Doug H]

Sorry, just caught this thread.

I recommend Bear Notch also. Bear notch is better on the kanc side, the bartlett side is rougher.

Take 302 to route 16 through Pinkham Notch, those roads are nice, my wife an I rode Pinkham Notch recently and roads were great.

If you come to North Conway look for North South Road or West Side road to get around construction. I was on 16 yesterday (not by choice) and my bike was tracking all over the place due to construction. Go into Fryeburg and take 113 into Evans Notch up to route 2 to get to Maine.

Have a good trip. If you need recommendations on lodging or restaurants let me know (part of my job for Mt Washington Valley).

[btalon]

Doug, what color X do you have. I've seen a black X sitting at a business down there on a regular basis and keep thinking I'm going to stop and say hi. I've seen alot of X's while driving around down there. It's killing me to see all the bikes lately while I'm stuck in the cage!

[Doug H]

Silver 04. Located right in North Conway Village for Work. At home it is under cover.

The black one- is it at Muddy Moose that you saw it? My daughter works there and some there owns one also.

[btalon]

Nope - the black one - it's a 1300R parked in conway just down from white mountain tattoo at a real estate office. I see it there all the time, makes me jealous I can't ride mine to work. I've been trying to locate a place down there I can park the cage overnight and ride down in the morning and leave my bike, swap to the cage, then ride the bike home after work. Plenty of places I can park the cage, but worried about leaving the bike unattended for the day on a regular basis. I'm still working on it though.

[XNE]

If the tornados and hail stop,,,I'll be picking up my wife @ BOS in the early afternoon on Tuesday and then we'll go on to Manchester or Concord, or some place not too far to spend the night. Then a night in the white mountains and head home, or if everthing goes well, a second day of sight seing and a night on the Maine side of the white mountains. Any suggestions on where to stay would be cool, (views, and near good food and drink a +). And other good places to eat along the way:) and as always avoiding construction, long detours, and bad roads, would make for a happy passanger.
Thanks for the help, Rich

[Doug H]

Depends on price. White Mountain Hotel on West Side Rd is nice with a good restaurant and bar. Kearsarge Inn is great, on Seavey St, park there and walk to the village/ Horsefeathers for food and drink. Or walk over to Maestros for food on Reporter Court in North Conway Village.

I am heading to the coast of Maine myself this weekend with my wife on the bike.

[XNE]

Thanks for the info, it helps alot.
Have fun on the coast, I'll be also going also to take the kiddies down to play in the surf.
If you make it as far out as Rockland, swing the bike by the Harbor and ride by for a listen to the North Atlantic Blues Festival (outdoors).
Sounds like it'll be hot & humid, but clear.
Ride safe, Rich

[XNE]

Doug H, thanks alot, my wife loved the Kearsarge Inn. Great Room (suite) with great price, stayed a couple of days. Maestros was great, a little hard to find but worth it, and the drinks at Horsefeathers were cold and strong. Great Riding, and wnet around most of North Conway's construction.