walshconor

Me and a couple friends were thinking of heading up to the White Mts to ride the "kank." I hear its about 10 miles to the top of the pass with about 2400' of climbing. We were thinking of starting near Loon, climbing to the apex then riding back down towards Lincoln.

Anyone done this?
Any thoughts?

Thanks

Vermont22

I haven't ridden it, but I've driven it numerous times. Definitely gonna be a good climb. Great scenery.

trl19

https://www.lakesregionbicycling.com/...t/view/106/67/


https://www.active.com/page/Event_Det...0-57f3ea95ffe7

patentcad

I've climbed the Kancamangus Hwy. Very long, very gradual climb. Figure like a 3-4% average grade for ten miles, it kicks up a little right at the end, I don't recall any grades over 5-6%.

Hammertoe

All the information you will need on the climbs in the Northeast...

Look around, lots of information on the Kanc and others...

https://www.northeastcycling.com/NE_Climbs_main.html

adriano 

its funny to see a thread about this. i was just thinking about a winding stretch of route 309 in north east pennsylvania that is only 2.5 miles, but climbs 1000 feet.

FormerBMX'er

I rode it last year, riding it again in two weeks.

We (The Group) start at Loon and go over the Summit and then down to the ranger station for water. We reverse course and then take a right turn up and over Bear Notch. There use to be a store at the end of Bear in Bartlett, but it burned down.

From there we would reverse course again head back over Bear Notch to the Kanc. We take a right on the Kanc and climb back up to the Summit, break for a photo-op and then race back to Loon.

Basically a "T-Shape" route roughly 80~85 miles or so; this year we'll mix it up since th store burned down. A lot of climbing for sure, but nothing much greater than 10% at any given point.

-Fbmxer

Rollstone Rider

From Lincoln it's fairly steady, and not too bad overall. About 10 miles, 2000' from Loon to the top. The first 5 miles are about 2-3%, building to 4-6%, with the last mile having very small portions hitting 8-10%. I've done many smaller climbs that are more difficult than this one, and the views are much more rewarding at the top of the Kanc! The approach from the east (Conway) is twice the length with the same climbing, but almost all the climbing is in the last 5 miles before the top.

KevinF

When did the Bartlett store burn down??? I was riding up there last Fall, and it was there then. That store was located in a great spot for cycling in that region; sorry to hear that it's gone.

adam

Have done Kancamagus many times and all the climbs in the local area. I wouldn't call that my favourite - but there are so many within so close of each other. Fantastic area for cycling.

We usually do a trip once a year down there and hit Evans, Pinkham, Bear, Crawford, Jefferson Notches, Hurricane Mtn. Rd and Kancamagus.

Have been going down there for the hills for over 15 years and still keep going back. Love it.

If you're interested in some good routes, let me know and I can get you the maps.

FormerBMX'er

Fairly recently I suppose, there are a few guys in my group who make it up that way often enough. It was a nice little spot to re-fuel, we'll need to re-route our annual ride this year

-Fbmxer

patentcad

We did a 100 mile ride through the hills there in the Fall of 1993 that started with Franconia Notch, then went onto Crawford Notch, the Kanc Hwy and a couple of others. Lots of climbing. It was a blast. Fantastic ride. We pedaled back into town and it started raining on mile 99. Our timing was perfect.

adam

I had a few PM's about this, so figured I'd post it here as well.

>>>
Here's some of the routes we do. We vary it up a bit as well, but these are some of the staples. Fantastic cycling in NH in case you've never been.

We stay in North Conway and do most of our routes from there. If you're looking for a good challenge, we like to add the Hurricane Mtn. Road onto the back of one of the routes as well.

------------------
NH Cycling Routes
------------------

North Conway - Evans Notch - Pinkham Notch
https://www.mapmyride.com/route/us/nh...24637454669778

North Conway - Pinkham Notch - Crawford Notch
https://www.mapmyride.com/route/us/nh...24637485932062

North Conway - Kancamagus and back
https://www.mapmyride.com/route/us/nh...24637510238609

North Conway - Pinkham Notch - Crawford Notch - Bear Notch
https://www.mapmyride.com/route/us/nh...24637526476565

Gorham - Grafton Notch
https://www.mapmyride.com/route/us/nh...24637538573561

Add Hurricane Mtn. Road to any of the North Conway routes
https://www.mapmyride.com/route/us/nh...24637550374421

Tristan86

How is climbing Hurricane Mtn Road on a road bike? I have done it on a mtn bike to ride down the Red Tail Trail (awesome btw). I am curious how it would be with road bike gearing

Hammertoe

Very slow...

How is your muscular endurance and are you good at turning the pedals over at a 45 cadence...



I have done Hurricane Mtn Rd and it was tough but that was with a road bike with a 26/34 low gear...

adam

Hurricane Mtn Road is a good slog, but it's definitely worthwhile. I've never attempted it from West to East.

Guys on our last trip had varying gearing from 39x25, 39x27 and 34x25.

Hammertoe

I went both ways over Hurricane Mtn Road a day after climbing Mt. Washington....

I was cussing and at the time felt Hurricane Mtn Road was harder...

rufus

Plus, the descent is just as hairy as the climb up is tough. I can't imagine how it must be to descend down the side into N. Conway, what with all the hairpin turns.