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I decided a couple of weeks ago that I wanted to do my last big ride of the season riding the roads of Vermont, New Hampshire from Montreal, my home town. I had driven numerous times to the White Mountains region, Mount Washington more precisely, the highest point in eastern North America at 6,288 ft. It’s also known as home of the world worst weather, having recorded a wind gust of 231 mph in 1934, still a record to this day. I always thought that riding those beautiful roads would be awesome.

So bright and early on Sunday morning 28 Oct, I climbed on my trusty red RR. Destination Mount Washington Hotel & Resort in Bretton Woods NH. It was chilly to say the least but I was convinced it would be fine. It was 4 Celsius outside, or about 39 degrees Fahrenheit. Packed chocolate chip cookies, water, brand new GPS, we are good to go...




The empty road waits.




Did I tell you it was chilly? I was thinking of all the threads revolving around heated vests and jackets, thinking I don’t need that... Yeah right... Four layers on top and four layers at the bottom and still not enough... Next turn in 106 km, that’s what I like to see.




Standing in the middle of the road. It’s quiet on a Sunday morning. It was freezing but I was so happy, I did not care. The plan for today: ride as much as I want!




Arriving in Bethlehem NH, one of the nicest little towns I know. “The Devil came on Horseback”... You got that right...




The Mt Agassiz Trading Company , the best antique shop I know. I have done a lot, being a diehard Coca Cola collector, always on the lookout for new acquisitions. Roland the owner is one of the nicest gentlemen I know. Very knowledgeable, his shop is full of treasures. Always a pleasure to visit, every time I come to NH. Surely there must be a way to fit one more collector item in those System Cases...http://agassiztrading.com/




Now that would be a cool project... Flxible Co. was founded in 1913 in Ohio and went belly-up in 1996. I believe this one is from the late 40’ early 50’. There is even a website dedicated to rescuing those great buses...




Here we are, Mount Washington Hotel. It was built in 1902 and it one of the last Grand Hotel of New England. The World Bank was established there at a conference held in 1944. In the background sits Mount Washington, as always wrapped in inclement weather. As far as I could tell, there was a bit of snow on top. It snowed three or four times getting there. Hopefully that Z4 / Z6 combination would keep the bike upright.



Matching colors... The wooden structure and the Spanish style make this hotel truly remarkable. Alas, time to go back. Vermont is next!




A couple of miles from Whitefield NH on route 116, this is Petrol Head heaven. There must have been 25 beautifully restored old Wayne, Tokeim, Bennett and Gilbarco pumps. Old visible, clockface as well as more modern pumps. I’m the proud owner of a 1955 Gilbarco myself that I have yet to fully restore... Maybe some inspiration here...




The trip takes me back to Montpelier. Ring my wife, kiddo is sick and just threw-up for the third time. Got to head back, back to reality. On to Burlington in a flash then up we go. Still freaking freezing but somehow, I got to get home quick. Made it home safely, after 636 km (395 miles) of riding that day. All on the stock seat I might add... Thank god though for heated grips.

Great report. MLW & I were in the Adirondaks a few weeks ago and your report reminds me a little of that area. I prefer colder weather over hotter weather; but 39F gets pretty cold after blasting through it @ 65 for hours on end.

Thanks for taking the time to post the report. The pics are very cool and it makes me feel a little closer to our wonderful corner of the world.

Regards,

DLS

Sounds like a nice trip. Thanks for sharing. I don't have any heated clothing either and I usually keep my rides to less than an hour! You are Hardcore!

Thanks for the report. That big ol' hotel looks great and the ride looked like fun, despite the cool.
I hope the kids ok too.

Did anyone else think about 'The Shining' there?

Nice ride & great photos for a 395-mile day, I don't usually get that much time to stop - must be the 'quiet roads' eh?

Thanks......Great report and pictures...and nice looking red roadster..

DJ

Thanks for all the comments. The baby is fine. He started daycare a couple of weeks ago so he is catching everything.

My wife had the same comment about the Shining hotel. As grand as it is, it also look kind of creepy... For the longest time it was also closed for winter due to lack of insulation. I wonder if they had people tending to it during that time...

I like riding in the cold. I feel it makes you more aware of what you are doing. I'm at the point now where I'm wondering at what point are the tires going to lose traction? They felt pretty sticky at 39 degrees but I figure it must take a while now for them to warm up.