Conference noted::bicycle

    I don't know the route #'s but I've done century rides which loop
    over Appalachian Gap and Middlebury Gap.  It's the nicest riding I've
    ever done.  I started near Warren Vt. and I think part of the ride is 
    on Rte 100, but if you look at a map you can probably figure out the 
    route.  The road surfaces were for the most part excellent, light 
    traffic, and terrific scenery.
    
    Regards,
    Phil

    RE:0
    
    You better like hills/steeps to do the gaps.

If you're in for 100mi in the mountains give this route a try.  I completed it
this spring and it was the most enjoyable ride I've ever taken.

Start in Lincoln NH and head north on RT3.  When you get to the Flume Visitors
center take the bike path which will get you through Franconia Notch.  The path 
10mi long and a real nice warmup for the ride.  At the end of the bike path you
will hit RT3 again.  Stay on RT3 until RT302.  RT3 is where you can really pick
up some speed.  It's a real nice ride.  Then take RT302 south towards Bartlett.
This will take you through Crawford Notch the fastest downhill ride I've ever
taken, 53mi/hr (hope to beat that this fall).  Follow RT302 to RT16 and take
RT16 south into North Conway.  Have lunch somewhere here and take a short :^)
break.  Continue south on RT16 until just outside of Conway where you what to
head east on RT112 (the famed Kancamagus Hwy).  Now for some torture you'll
climb to the top of the Kancamagus pass then take an exciting 11mi downhill 
into Lincoln to finish off the ride.

Cheers,

...Ed

    Wouldn't it be better to cross the Kancamagus from west to east?
    The hairpins turns are on the west, but the east is a
    straight run out.

    -Jeff

    
    I've done basically the loop Ed describes in reverse, thus
    crossing the Kanc west-to-east (as recommended in .-1).
    I've also done the Kanc east-to-west (without quite as much
    of a warm-up).  
    
    Counterclockwise is probably better, but either way is a
    beautiful and challenging course.
    
    -john

    Take 93 to exit 32 (rte 112) park at the vistor information center at
    the exit.
    
23.5   R on 112 E
 8.9   L on Bear Notch Road
22.7   L 302 North
11.7   L 3 South
 4.8   R 18 N
11.0   L 116 S
10.4   L 112 E
    
The route is known as 4 notches and a pass.  My apologies that it is less
than 100 miles.  Next time the glaciers recede I'll see if they can be more
accomodating to the Centurions.

ed

    Thank you all for your replies.  I looked at the map last night and we
    plan to do some variation of rt 100/4/103... out of Ludlow VT. 
    Probably up to Killington, maybe over to Rutland or Woodstock.  I hear
    Woodstock is 'postcard VT'.
    
    Now I have to plan another weekend for NH!!!!
    
    Thanks again.
    
    -John

Re .4, .5

I usually do the Kancamagus from west to east but for this course it would mean
climbing Crawford Notch.  This is a very steep climb.


Cheers,

...Ed

    
    That's true.  Climbing Crawford Notch from the south is long
    and at times fairly steep (13% posted, I believe).  It was 
    certainly tiring.
    
    -j

"climbing Crawford Notch.  This is a very steep climb."
    
    Yes, it is.
    
    ed

    
    I should point out, in case readers haven't gathered, that it
    was Mr. Fisher who originally got me to do this circuit, and 
    it has influenced me since.  :-)
    
    -john

    And counter clockwise is the easier direction for this, else one must
    climb Kinsman and Franconia (via rt 18) as well as The Kanc from the
    East.
    
    The earlier route posted here, which does not go over Kinsman is a fun
    route also but only has 2 notches and a pass.
    
    Is also have a 144 miles route called 4 notches and two passes if
    anyone desires same.
    
    ed

>>    I also have a 144 miles route called 4 notches and two passes if
>>    anyone desires same.
  
    	Aren't you guys getting a little macho...I'll see your two
    notches and raise you a pass....the guys in Colorado must be
    getting a kick out of this :)
    					_Jerry

    Well, Jerry, since you're so interested:
    
	Cue sheet - 4 notches and 2 passes

 at    go    do
	     Starting from Hatch Plaza on 3A & 25 in Plymouth
 0     1.4   R on 3A North
 1.4    .2   BR to US 3
 1.6  19.8   L on 3 North
21.4  23.5   R on 112 E
		35.2 Summit 2855 ft
44.9   8.9   L on Bear Notch Road
		48.7 Summit
53.8  22.7   L 302 North
		68.0 Summit
76.5  11.7   L 3 South
88.2   4.8   R 18 N (Summit here)
93.0  11.0   L 116 S
104.0  8.4   L 112 E
		108.8 Summit
112.4 12.9   R 118 South
		117.9 Summit
125.3  8.9   L 118 & 25
134.2  7.5   Straight to stay on 25 South
141.7  2.3   Go around rotary to 3a North and 25
144.0        R Hatch Plaza
    

    Thanks Ed,
    
    	This must mean that I have a leg up on the
    rest of the club since I now have time to study
    the cue sheet *before* the GSW Mt. Washington 
    weekend ride.  See you in the Whites.
    
    				_Jerry

    Well, as I recall, they don't like to offer this C for the MtWVW
    because
    they do not like the traffic on the Kanc.
    
    I will not be (was not?) there so can have no influence on the
    decision.
    
    ed

    This seems like a good place for my question.
    This weekend (note: need this info quickly!), we'll be meeting some
    friends at Winnisquam lake. Rather than miss a Saturday ride, I
    thought it would be nice to ride up from home in Manchester, NH.
    I'll be riding unfamiliar roads, so I'm wondering if I could get
    some suggestions on routes.
    I'd prefer somethin flat, with little car traffic, good pavement,
    wide shoulders, and if you could make sure it doesn't rain, or get
    too hot, that'd be nice also... :-)
    
    John

    I'd go up 3-106.  106 will have shoulders and be flat to rolling with
    moderate traffic.  Now if you want some hills and  scenery, there's a
    detour through Loudon and Canterbury up to 140 in Belmont just after
    the dog track.
    
    ed

    RE .-1
    That's what I wound up using. I enjoyed the ride, thought it would be
    hillier, actually. Next time I'll try the detour you suggested.
    
    Thanks
    John

    My wife & I just finished a 314 mile 6 day ride through NH/VT. An excellent
    ride except f Hurricane Bob rain on day 2. Started in Claremont, NH
    (bus). RTE 3 North to Stewardston, NH. Followed RTE 114 along Canadian
    border (VT side) to RTE 111 & 105 into Newport VT..from then on it was
    the standard beautiful ride (I like cows) along RTE 100 to Weston, VT..
    
    We had done the standard end-to-end from Newport to Brattleboro a
    couple of times but found the last day or 2 to be more traffic and
    suburban like than we wanted so decided this time to go West toward NH
    (we live in Hollis, NH)..There is a road just outside of Weston (don't
    know name) but heads West toward Chester (beautiful country
    ride)..takes you to RTE 103 and Bellows Falls (nice downhill
    ride)..crossed into NH at Bellows Falls and followed RTE 123 to
    Greenville NH (lots of uphill but low traffic)...RTE 31 to
    Milford/Wilton and home to Hollis...great 6 day ride..if you like the
    VT/NH countryside as I do..stayed in Country Inn's all the way..