The Road Not Taken (kinda gets taken)

So, every summer my company has an outing at the Mount Washington Resort in New Hampshire.  This year I gave very strong consideration to bicycling to the outing from my home.  It would have been about 180 miles -- over two days.  In the event I did a lot of miles in May and June to get ready, but I thought it best not to attempt the ride.  Although I think I could have done it, I think I would have been too tired from the effort to be any fun over the weekend.

The historic and grand Mount Washington Hotel

I did bring my bike however and I took the opportunity to ride down Crawford Notch a bit.  This would have been the culmination of my trip from Boston to Mount Washington and I wanted to see what it was like.  Even though I've been bicycling for many years -- 28 years as an adult -- I've never ridden a mountain pass like Crawford Notch.  

Time for a gut check

A few pleasant miles into the effort I came to the sign that really marks the descent -- a 13% grade with a pretty narrow shoulder.  I pulled off into the scenic overlook to take stock.  Well, I thought.  This is it.  I took a couple photos and headed down.  It was kind of nerve wracking -- particularly since there was a bit of construction at the edge of the road.  I got through it, feathering my brakes along the way.  I still hit about 40 mph!

After seven miles or so I got to the historic Wily House.  I'm not sure what made it historic, but it seemed like a good place to turn around.  It would make for a short ride, but I did have a dinner reservation I had to get to and I wasn't sure how long it would take me to climb back up that 13% grade.

Wile E. Coyote House? I'm an ignoramus.

Looking back up the way I came.

I passed a number of happy hikers coming in the opposite direction and waved hello.  It was a steep long climb.  I've ridden up Mount Wachusett in central Mass and done some very long climbs in the Berkshires, but this seemed -- more like a classic mountain pass.  I looked around and realized it really looked like the kind of road that professional racers ride on.  Sweat dripped off me as I ground my way up in the easiest gear that my road bike offered.  I got into a good rhythm during the ride up.  The scenery was amazing and the drivers were courteous for the most part.

I got to the top of the climb far faster than I thought I would.  It felt great!  Settling into the drops I hammered back to the hotel, feeling kind of sorry that the ride was so short.  I got back on time to get ready for dinner feeling like the ride from my house to Mount Washington is doable.  

Feeling good, wishing I could have gone further.

Training Ride Leader Safety speech checklist

Training Ride Leader Safety speech checklist

• 1. Safety is my number one priority today. I want everyone to arrive safe and sound at the finish.
• We will be obeying all traffic laws, e.g. red lights and stop signs
• Signal turns and stopping, verbally for the latter. Demonstrate signals
• Point out obstacles. Yield to crossing pedestrians, make room for joggers
• Ride outside the door zone. It's OK to take the lane.
• Call out cars in intersections, but do not call out "clear". Every rider on every turn has to assess if it is safe. The situation changes rapidly.
• Call out bad potholes and such.
• Do not run yellow lights. If the group is split by a light we will stop and wait. No one gets dropped
• Appoint a sweep rider. No one rides behind the sweep.
• If you leave the ride before the finish, let me know ahead of time & contact me when you get home so I don't worry.
• Have fun on the road!  Bobby Mac said the training *is* the event and the ride is the cherry on the sundae, so make sure you have a good time today.