Archive for New Hampshire

NH Recap and Photos

Posted by Andrew on June 12th, 2009 - No Comments;  

Kancamagus Pass looks like a beast on the elevation profile, but I didn’t find riding it (from the east) to be too terrible.  The last few miles were rough, but not impossibly steep.  It was a nice day too, which certainly helped things out a bit.

NH Day 1: Fryeburg, ME to North Woodstock, NH. I stayed at Maple Haven Resort and Campground (emphasis on the campground, no emphasis on the “resort”), and tented under a tent.  A lot of hikers come through the area, so the owners set up a party tent near the road - works out well, it’s cheap, and you don’t have to deal with a wet tent if it rains, which was good…

NH Day 2: North Woodstock, NH to West Hartford, VT.  Woke up to intermittent rain, which changed to steady rain as soon as I got out of my tent (of course).  I have never been so cold in my entire life.  I rode up route 112 into Kinsman notch into more wind and rain, then down the other side at 45 mph with rain stinging my face the whole way.  Odd tradeoff: go faster which is painful, or draw out the cold misery.  The rain  finally let up in Haverhill, NH, and I eventually regained the feeling in my toes.

Had a great night in West Hartford, VT after visiting RSG in WRJ, VT; great end to an otherwise lousy day.  Staying in West Hartford was fun - I used to live out there and the house is right on the AT.  I don’t remember the house from my hike, but I do remember breakfast just down the road.  After a several year hiatus, the Village Store is open again, which made for a great 2nd breakfast.  Thatcher, Julie, Kev - the shower, dinner, and fire were fantastic, thanks!

Welcome to NH!Kancamagus Pass, NHBring on the KancThe Whites, NHKancamagus Pass, NHmeme
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I like to think that I learn quickly…

Posted by Andrew on June 8th, 2009 - 7 Comments...  

2 days, just over 100 miles down, 4,200 to go.  Things I’ve learned:

  1. Watch out for mailboxes, especially the ones placed way out into the road or hanging (keeps them away from the snowplows).  Almost got beaned by one of those yesterday.
  2. The sun is intense, especially going up the Kancamagus Highway without a cloud in the sky.  My gloves have a hole in the back of the hand, and I’ve got brown spots there now.
  3. Blackflies seem to be impervious to wind.
  4. Eat more and always order the large - doesn’t matter what it is, just order the large.

Sitting in the library in Lincoln, NH right now using the Internet ($2 for 30 minutes, maybe I should have told her I’m a resident).  The Kanc wasn’t as bad as I expected - top top 2-3 miles were rough, but otherwise it was a fairly pleasant ride.  Nasty headwind coming down into Lincoln, so I only made it up to around 35 mph.

Oh yeah, I have a new “goal” for this trip: sampling cookies across the country.  I was working on a giant chocolate chip cookie from Hanaford yesterday and realized two things, why on earth did I get a cookie from Hanaford instead of one of the dozen bakeries I passed, and I think I should look for the best cookie on my travels.  No rules, any type of cookie is eligible, and I’m the only judge.

cookie 1:  Hanaford giant chocolate chip cookie: tasty, big, soft in the middle, plenty of cookie for the $$, but I don’t want to know what’s in it.  I’m always wary of cookies that can sit out for days and remain soft, just doesn’t seem like a good thing.

Staying at a campground in North Woodstock tonight, the on to West Hartford, VT tomorrow night.