This is a fun, beautiful, challenging, yet phenomenal ride to kick off the summer. We guarantee you will ride stronger and better after this one, plus you can brag that you rode the infamous Hurricane Mountain. The ride is partially supported and concludes with a post-ride meal at the best Belgian beer garden in New England. In other words, it’s a perfect day.

Hurricane Mountain: We will ascend Hurricane Mountain early in the ride while our legs are still fresh (within the first 5 miles actually, so be prepared). If you’re not up to the infamous 17% grade (Category 2 climb), there is an alternate route around Hurricane through North Conway. It adds a few miles but is flatter, easier, and a bit quicker than Hurricane. Both groups will rendezvous at Mountain View rest area.

Route Map:

Route including Hurricane (80.37 miles, 5696ft of climbing, two Cat. 2 and 1 Cat. 3 climbs)

Hurricane bypass (82 miles, 4688 ft climbing, one Cat 2 and one Cat. 3 climb)

Meetup: We will meet at Weston’s Beach on the Saco River (Rte. 113 just West of downtown Fryeburg) at 8:30 am; wheels roll at 9:00. Fryeburg is about 50 miles from Portland but figure 1:15-1:30 travel time. There is no fee to ride, but all riders must please check in at the SAG truck to sign the waiver and fill out your Rider Contact Info. Swimming feels great after the ride, so bring a towel and suit for a nice dip in the Saco river.

Support: The ride is partially supported with a SAG vehicle carrying repair essentials, water, snacks, and the lunch you dutifully packed at home. Please have your name and phone on anything you put on the truck and remember to pick it up at the end of ride. Cell phone reception in the White Mountains is pretty spotty, so it is best to be self sufficient and to come prepared for all contingencies. If you drop out of the ride at any time, be sure to communicate that with SAG or other riders. Telephone numbers will be provided.

Rally points: There will be three regrouping stops throughout the ride:

1. Mountain View rest area at the end of Hurricane Mtn Road. Both Hurricane and Alternate Route groups will reunite at this first rest area. This is a brief stop with public bathrooms available.

• If riding Hurricane, take left at end of Hurricane Rd onto Rte 302; the rest area is on the right about 200 meters down

• If taking the alternate route, rest area will be on the left just north of North Conway.

2. Pinkham Notch Info Center at top of Pinkhan Notch on the left. This is our longest regroup and our lunch stop. Bathrooms and cafeteria are available.

3. Top of Evans Notch This is a stop at the side of the road with no facilities but a beautiful view. SAG wagon will have water, fruit and snacks to refuel. Mosquitoes live here, so it will be brief. The Basin Recreation Area is your reward at the bottom, complete with bathrooms and water.

Cautions:

1. Coming down Hurricane Mountain Hurricane is narrow, steep, and has sharp switchbacks. Ride slowly and alternate your front and rear brakes, especially if you have rim brakes, so your tires don’t overheat, or even stop to let your rims cool down.

2. Railroad tracks just east of Gorham, NH on Rte. 2. These are at an oblique angle to the road; be sure to slow down, alert others, and cross as close to 90° as possible.

3. Evans Notch has a very dangerous and steep right-then-left sweeping blind S-curve about a mile after you start descending. The decline is steeper and the curve sharper than they look and have caused crashes over the years, so exercise due care.

4. Dress in Layers: weather is quite variable in the mountains and rain is common

Post-Ride: We will end the ride back at Weston’s Beach in Fryeberg, swap stories, cool off in the Saco River, then head up to Ebenezer’s for food, fun, and merriment. Ebenezer’s is about 12 miles north of Fryeberg on Rte 5 just past Lovell Center. Look for Lake Kezar Country Club and Golf Course on the left side of road then take very next left down to Ebenezer’s Pub.

Ride details can vary from year to year so be sure to check the Strava Club rides calendar and/or Subscribe to the Forest City Cycling Email Newsletter for the most up to date information.