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Newton's Revenge on Mount Washington
Wx and the City
By Ann Posegate
If you've never been to Mount Washington in northern New Hampshire, I recommend going at least once -- if not for the famed weather, then for the challenge of hiking, climbing, running or biking up to its 6,288-foot summit. Yes, I said biking. This past weekend, over 190 cyclists took to the 7.6-mile Auto Road in an attempt to defy the Law of Gravity and reach the fog-shrouded summit during the Newton's Revenge race (and I complain about biking up Porter St. on my way to work).
They lucked out with mild weather...the 2007 race was cancelled due to the mountain's typical winds (over 70 mph), rain and fog. The racers gained over 4,000 feet from the base to the peak. The winner, a 29-year-old from Colorado, finished in less than one hour. I think all the participants should be called winners just for trying.
By
Capital Weather Gang
| July 16, 2008; 1:00 PM ET
Categories:
Posegate, Wx and the City
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Posted by: Huntington Mark | July 16, 2008 1:47 PM | Report abuse
Nah. Every rider must have a driver who goes to the summit before the race. If a driver can take two riders, their car goes up for free. Otherwise, $20 per car plus $7 for each passenger. The thrill of riding up a mountain is usually surpassed by the ride down. Not on this one. The challenge which makes it tough going up, few straights, 12% average grade and many sections of 16-18% (and 22% at the top) make it too dangerous to descend. But the accomplishment of reaching the summit is more rewarding than any fast ride down. I never enjoyed a slow ride down the mountain in a car so much. -- Barry, Woodbridge VA
Posted by: BarryS | July 22, 2008 6:59 PM | Report abuse
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I hope they got to ride back down after that! (Kidding.)