Mt. Washington Auto Road Bicycle Hillclimb

[Mr Sinister]

I was wondering if anyone here has ever done this race. And if so I havea couple of questions for you...

1. What are the road conditions like?

2. Do you ride you bike back down to the bottom after, or get a ride on the rail/car(whatever)?

3. How is the start? Is it all at once, or one at a time?

I am curious as I am thinking of maybe trying this, this year.

[Mr Sinister]

Forgot the link to there site...

http://www.tinmtn.org/mwarbh/page.cfm/About-This-Race

[flatlander_48]

I do not wish to ride up the mountain, but I have driven my car up there. Last June my wife and I did the MINIs On Top event and driving up to the top is the high point of the weekend. 2 comments:

1. There is often a MAJOR change in the weather from bottom to top.
2. The road is not completely paved. There is a hard dirt/gravel section, but I don't know how long it is.

Bottom of Mt. Washington...

Our MINI at the Top of Mt. Washington

We went from essentially no wind at the base to about 55mph at the top. Temperature at the base was mid-80's. I would guess that we lost at least 30 degrees at the top.

[FixdGearHead]

I did it back in...hmm i think it was '07 or '08. That year I lucked out, the weather was beautiful all the way up and nothing more than a subtle breeze. About 30 minutes after I finished, the sky turned dark and began to rain/sleet/hail. Felt bad for the folks who were just about nearing the summit.

No riding back down the mountain. When you register, you have to confirm that you have a licensed driver with you to take you back down. There are stretches of dirt/gravel roads. If it's wet, it'd be a pain in the a**, but if the conditions are dry, then no problem at all.

People go in waves. Probably 100 or so in each wave.

If you're thinking of doing it - try and get as much steep climbing done as you can. I did the Mt. Equinox race (not sure if that's still around or not) which was a few weeks prior to Mt Washington and is an excellent way to gauge how you'll do (I actually felt more pain on Equinox than i did on Washington).

[freighttraininguphill]

I did the Mt. Equinox race (not sure if that's still around or not) which was a few weeks prior to Mt Washington and is an excellent way to gauge how you'll do (I actually felt more pain on Equinox than i did on Washington).

It's still around. One of my YouTube subscribers has videos of last year's race on his YouTube channel. It's raw footage recorded from his bike, so you get a good idea of how difficult it is.

[FixdGearHead]

It's still around. One of my YouTube subscribers has videos of last year's race on his YouTube channel. It's raw footage recorded from his bike, so you get a good idea of how difficult it is.

Ah good deal; his vid of the last km or so - yeah I blocked that out. I dont think I could see straight for a good 5 minutes after I crossed the finish line. Man i hate that mountain.

[freighttraininguphill]

Ah good deal; his vid of the last km or so - yeah I blocked that out. I dont think I could see straight for a good 5 minutes after I crossed the finish line. Man i hate that mountain.

Sounds like the kind of climb I would like-as long as I didn't have to race up it, that is!

[berner]

I have hiked and backpacked extensively in that part of New Hampshire. Mt. Washington is big enough to generate it's own weather. Even when the weather is relatively consistent top to bottom, temps at the top will be about 20 degrees F cooler at the summit. http://www.mountwashington.org/weather/ The link from the observatory shows this as well as a very useful 3D map where the turns are and other info.

[flatlander_48]

I have hiked and backpacked extensively in that part of New Hampshire. Mt. Washington is big enough to generate it's own weather. Even when the weather is relatively consistent top to bottom, temps at the top will be about 20 degrees F cooler at the summit. http://www.mountwashington.org/weather/ The link from the observatory shows this as well as a very useful 3D map where the turns are and other info.

Without wind chill, depending upon the summit temperature...

[Mr Sinister]

Thank you guys. This gives me more info on what I am thinking. As of now I am kind of training for it, but with winter and all I can only do it kind of half assed.

My training:

Using a trainer to do 1 to 2 hours a day between 22 and 35 MPH. Eating less (225# guy) plus eating better (less fat and carbs).

When it warms up I will still use this, PLUS riding outside about an hour or 20 miles a day. Mainly roolinf hills around where I live ( south shore of Ma.)

Then late May, early June I have use of a place in Maine I can go on weekends and try to do some real hill work. 2 to 4 times on the weekends.

[FixdGearHead]

Here's a website I stumbled upon while prepping for the Hill Climb back a few years ago: http://northeastcycling.com/

[Salmosebago]

Where in Maine? I may be able to give you a few training hills to consider. Never climbed the rock pile myself but have buds that have; sounds challenging to say the least. Heard of 1 gent that added 2 miles doing the " paperboy weave ".

Thank you guys. This gives me more info on what I am thinking. As of now I am kind of training for it, but with winter and all I can only do it kind of half assed.

My training:

Using a trainer to do 1 to 2 hours a day between 22 and 35 MPH. Eating less (225# guy) plus eating better (less fat and carbs).

When it warms up I will still use this, PLUS riding outside about an hour or 20 miles a day. Mainly roolinf hills around where I live ( south shore of Ma.)

Then late May, early June I have use of a place in Maine I can go on weekends and try to do some real hill work. 2 to 4 times on the weekends.

[Mr Sinister]

Where in Maine? I may be able to give you a few training hills to consider. Never climbed the rock pile myself but have buds that have; sounds challenging to say the least. Heard of 1 gent that added 2 miles doing the " paperboy weave ".

Franklin Me.

I also plan on bringing my mountain bike and going to Acadia NationalPark. I can try climbing Mt. Cadillac. Not sure if I should use my roadie, or the mountain bike for that.

Would you know if the roads are paved all the way up that Mt. Cadillac???

[Salmosebago]

Yes - road up Cadillac is paved and a good climb. Some of the carriage trails have some pitch and would be good for the mtn. bike. Cadillac Mtn. Sports is on your right as you come into Ellsworth - they could probably help with mtn. bike trail info. http://www.cadillacmountainsports.com/site/index.php Cad. is worthy of doing before sunrise just to watch the sun come up - beautiful! I I don't ride over that way often (I'm closer to the western mtns.) but I do fish over there. MDI has a lot of rolling hills with Cad. being the best. If you're a fly fisherman you're close to some very good fishing and you're in the heart of blueberry country. Popovers at the Jordan Pond House are killer breakfast food! If you head to the western part of the state drop a note, I'm a lot more familiar with this area. Good luck - have fun!

[berner]

I've been hunting for video of Newtons Revenge, (the Mt. Washington hill climb) and found it today. This is the link for one but there are several videos that have been put up. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=AOHfx...feature=fvwrel

[mtalinm]

I signed up. Holy cow I am scared.

[berner]

More Mt. Washington hill climb info. Good source on how to prepare the mind, the body and the bike. http://www.northeastcycling.com/hillclimb_handbook.htm