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The theme for today is: "The Four "H's; Hot, Humid, Hills and
Headwinds".
Today we started out with an option of taking a fork towards the end of the
ride. Option #1 takes you up the steepest paved road in New England, Hurricane
Mountain Road. Option #2 takes you down into the town of North Conway.
fortunately the decision could be put off until mile 41. The mileage today was
either 60 miles or 63 miles depending on which route you took.
We left early again today (6:45) because breakfast was 5 miles away in the
town of Bethlehem at the
Bethlehem Country Club.
The climb to breakfast was really pretty steep. We got there by 7:30 and were
back on the road by 8:15.
The challenge for today, was to climb to
Crawford Notch.
Marianne has told us that from the 'Notch to Gloucester, "it all down hill",
we'll see. On the way to the 'notch we passed the
Mt Washington Hotel.
We didn't have time to stop, but it looked beautiful from the road.
By 9:15 I was at the 25 mile mark and it was already getting hazy and
humid. It was going to be a hot one today!
We pulled into the picnic stop by 12:15 at the 38 mile mark. We were
all fueled up and ready to hit the road by 1PM. Just a mile down the
road was the Attitash Ski Area, where
for $10 you can ride the Alpine Slide. I thought that the slide was even
more fun that riding the Bob Sled in lake Placid, NY.
At mile 41 the choice had to be made. Option #1 steep climb to Hurricane
Mountain Road or take Option #2 an drop down to
North Conway. I took option #2, however some other folks, including
Erika, took the steep climb option. I heard later that everyone made it
over the top, but it wasn't easy!
At mile 54 on option #2, I came across the second covered bridge. It's
called the
Swift Bridge. This bridge no longer carries traffic, but I stopped
and walked over it. It was well preserved.
At mile 61 I crossed into Maine. We were staying at the fair grounds in Freyeburg.
After dinner a bunch of us took off in the dark with our headlights and
taillights to find ice cream. On the dark roads of Maine, it was quite an
adventure, but worth it.
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