I am sure that quite a few have done this ride.

I rode from Carlisle PA to New Durham NH where my mom still lives. Went to Laconia 13 June-18 June.

Took the scenic route up to NH via 81N to 88 in NY to 91N to 9E through Vermont and NH. Other little roads in between but for the most part a nice peaceful ride.

From my mom's house in New Durham I took some back roads to 75 up to 16 and then up the auto road. Rode on the 16 June and it was a motorcycle only day on Mt. Washington.

The roads getting to the mountain are ok. Some are better than others and some have some bad ruts and washboard heaves in them.

The scenery the whole way on the ride was beautiful.

Got lucky with the weather up top and the winds were mild for Mt. Washington.

Road up the mountain is 85% paved and 15% dirt. Very short dirt area. They ask you to stay under 25MPH while riding up and down the road. There is a good reason for this. The road is narrow and very tricky with grooves cut in the pavement. Also no guard rails.

Took about maybe 30-40 minutes to go up. Before we went up I meant to time our ride but once we got going and saw the scenery I forgot all about it.

If you plan to do this ride I recommend you go on a motorcycle only day and go early. We go there at about 9:30 and there was very little traffic on the road and no waiting to go up.

Got to the top and there were about 40-50 bike already up top. We passed maybe 5-6 going down while we were going up.

Stayed up top about an hour or so and coming down there were many more bikes going up. When we got to the bottom there were hundreds of bikes lined up waiting to go up.

Point is go early to avoid waiting in line.

The ride can be hairy at times so be careful and take it slow. Especially if it is your first time. Better to be safe then dead!

Hopefully when you go to Laconia you will take in this ride and get the T-shirt.



The summit at Mt. Washington.




View from observation deck.

 

Well worth the trip, really good experience. Yes, go on the motorcycle only day, we did it once when there were cars, that is sketchy. Cars coming up the road, scared driver driving in the middle, not wanting to move over for the bike, not cool.

PS this ride is not for you friend that just starting riding this season or those scared of heights, not kidding.

 

Looks like you had a beautiful day. I've been up there when it was nice and when it wasn't....much more fun when it was nice

 

Nice ride and nice views!
When i was younger...we climbed these mountains alot and had great times. I have summited mt washington three times on foot including once in winter.
Well worth doing any way you can.
Your bringing back great memories...lol...the amc huts in the mountains seemed to always have nice earth girls working there...very friendly earth girls...nlol...
Any way you can go do it.

 

You are absolutely correct in your last statement. I almost stated something similar in my post but I didn't want to discourage anyone. But it is good you mentioned it.

Especially if there is wind blowing up there!

 

Is that you on the auto road in your sig pic?

Hard to tell but it looks like it.

 

You know I am originally a native of NH. Born and raised in Dover. Even though as a kid growing up and going to the White Mountains every year, I never went up Mount Washington. Strange how you miss things in your own back yard.

I have gone up Pikes Peak in Colorado both on a bike and hiking which is more than twice the size (14,114 feet) of Mount Washington but not as scary because the road is better and bigger or so it seemed.

 

Quick questions, are the drop-off steep or gradual...total lack of guard rails? Switchbacks ?

 

You're right it is! I forgot I used that pic.

 

The drop-offs in most areas higher up are steep. More gradual at the bottom.

No guard rails at all! There are switchbacks and they are sharp and steep!