autonomy

Want to tap into the collective wisdom of experience here. Anyone ride the Kancamagus from the Lincoln side? What's the best public place to park for 4-5 hours? I found some public rides on RWGPS starting at the WMNF Gateway Visitors Center so I gave them a ring, but they said it's better to park in town as long as it's not overnight. I found on Street View some municipal parking in a shopping area, but for some reason I'm not too thrilled about it. Maybe I just want to avoid riding through Lincoln - what about parking at Loon, is that not cool? This picnic area off the main lot seems like would be an OK place to park, no?: https://goo.gl/maps/tRFNwQPAdiN3MVeMA
Guess it's my city parking anxiety speaking out.

Steve B.

There's a Price Chopper on Main St., it's large lot, post office, movie theater, etc... I'm certain you could leave a car in a corner of the lot all day. It's NH, nobody is going to bother it.

indyfabz

Fond memory of racing up the Kanc while crossing the country back unsupported back in ‘99. Battled two others (One is a member of this forum.) in the group. I eventually got dropped near the summit. It was a cold, rainy day in August. Rain stopped before the summit but picked up again during the descent of the east slope.

autonomy

Yeah, good point about NH.

So, I ended up parking at the Loon 'day use area' for an out and back to the pass: https://goo.gl/maps/tRFNwQPAdiN3MVeMA. There is just a sign saying 'no overnight parking, no fires, camping, or alcohol' and that's it. It was a nice, quiet place to get ready and I avoided biking through town. Saved me 4mi round trip, which actually resulted in the ride being quite short - under 22 miles.

Gosh, I would not feel safe descending there on a wet road!

autonomy

Oct 2021 update: disappointingly, this lot is now gated off with plenty of 'no parking' signs around it. I drove to the White Mountains Visitor Center and parked in the lower lot that's further away from the building. I asked inside and they said it's totally fine to park and the lower lot is exactly the place, but just to make sure I don't leave the car overnight (I saw a lot more 'no overnight parking' signs everywhere than before)

Foliage is in full swing up there.

Pratt

Nothing specific to add, but if I were in your place, I would also try to contact local cycle clubs, and nearby bike shops for local knowledge.
Good luck.

rumrunn6

impressive ride you have planned! fwiw - proposed to my Wife on top of Loon

Attilio

Thank you for the suggestions going to be doing this very soon with some friends!

hose

Never biked up there but last hike i did was Flume - up the flume slide as found on 4000fters - holy moly thats a workout

rumrunn6

"The Kancamagus Pass, on Route 112, was blanked with snow on Monday morning, as the New Hampshire Department of Transportation shared on social media."

https://www.necn.com/news/local/snow...gland/2590257/

autonomy

Dang, I beat it this time! Never know when the snow is going to show up. BTW, I did a '3NaaP' version of this:
https://bikenewengland.com/2017/06/2...new-hampshire/ where I returned through Franconia notch via the bikepath. It was tough, 80mi and 5.5Kft. My longest ride and probably as or more difficult as D2R2 100K.

I also want to do 2 gravel loops in 'that area', Tripoli Rd/Waterville, and Jefferson Notch/Old Cherry Mtn. I hear they are fantastic to do when the gates are closed to motorized traffic, late fall or early spring.

rumrunn6

wow, quite an accomplishment! you beast! late fall / early spring, huh? good luck w/ that! (we need a snow flake icon)

indyfabz

I did the 100K route of D2R2 in 2012. Something like 8,000’ of climbing that year. Killer. But it was fun visiting my old stomping grounds. I was a four-year “Deerfield Boy.” Not all that many after me as the school west co-ed a few years after I graduated in ‘83. Rode through campus again last month during a two-week tour home from St. Albans, VT.