Jason's Cycling Blog: 4 Notch and a Pass Loop Starting and Ending in Lincoln, NH

One of my favorite Jack London novels is "Burning Daylight" which was a nickname given to the main character. He was called this because he hated to waste or "burn" daylight. He wanted to make the most use of what was allotted to him. Yesterday I feel I used the daylight to its full potential by completing the 4NaaP ride in the White Mountains of NH. This ride hits four notches - Kinsman, Franconia, Crawford, and Bear - and one pass, the Kancamagus. When done clockwise, that pass is the final and toughest climb.

I had done this loop once before but yesterday's ride was more of a smell-the-roses event as I stopped to take photos. I don't really like to stop much because it breaks up the rhythm of the ride but I think it was worth it to document the route and the sights. The day turned out as forecast with light wind and no rain but it was much hazier than I expected. I later read that New England is being somewhat affected by wildfires in the western part of the country.

I had one of my fastest trips up to Lincoln making it in just under two hours. I didn't drive that fast but hit no traffic. I stopped at Subway for a six inch sub and then proceeded back to the White Mountain Visitor Center to kit up. It was a little chilly to begin at only 58 degrees. The ascent of Kinsman Notch helped warm me up. This was the first time I had done it using a compact geared bike. I find that if I have the lower gears, I'll most likely use them. I have done this ascent using a 39X27 ratio in the past but this time went considerably lower. Not sure if this is a good thing. The grade tops out at 12.8%.

After stopping at the top to take some photos, I descended down the gentler (though still 9%) other side and then took the right onto 116. There are some rollers here. I then took the right onto Wells and then Kerr before getting on route 18 for the Franconia ascent. This road has been nicely repaved and I'm looking forward to descending this way in the future. I had descended this way once before and the pavement was not good for it.

After passing Cannon Mountain, I got on a short stretch of bike path that I had all to myself. I then took route 3 over to Twin Mountain where I refueled on a ridiculous amount of less than stellar food. I had Fritos for their salt content, a blueberry muffin, some M & M's, and Pepsi. I took a double Snickers bar to be consumed later.

I continued taking the right onto 302 some of which had been repaved. I was a little disappointed at the poor views over to Mount Washington as it was really hazy. I then stopped at the Highland Center at the top of Crawford Notch which has excellent water and facilities as well. I consumed the Snickers bar here. I made sure to top off both water bottles to add some weight for the coming descent of Crawford Notch - the crown jewel of the ride. There was some construction going on but nothing that impeded my way. I threw myself into the pedals, passing the 13% grade sign, until I spun out and then got in a very low tuck. There were no cars behind me nor in front of me so I comfortably took the whole lane. There were also not many tourists around by the waterfall so I wasn't worried about people crossing the road and not seeing me. I had done this descent three times previously and had a bit of headwind but I didn't have that today and I think it helped me achieve my highest speed for this descent - 54.86 MPH. That produced a nice adrenaline spike. I stopped a couple of times further down on 302 to take more photos.

There is a strong downhill bias all the way to Bartlett where I took the right onto Bear Notch Road. I was feeling pretty good at this point. The ascent of Bear Notch is almost a moving meditation as it's so constant. You can really just get in a climbing groove. I stopped at one of the overlooks before descending the other side coming out on 112 and taking a right.

The climb to the top of the Kanc is not the steepest of the ride - Kinsman and Franconia are both steeper - but it's the longest and it's unrelenting especially at this point in the long ride. I just ground it out and didn't stop until I got to the two overlooks at the top where I took more photos. The descent on the other side is fun with its twists on what is now good pavement. The first turn especially is nice as it can be ripped at around 45 MPH. There wasn't much wind but what there was was against me so it slowed my final descent into Lincoln a little. Still, it's a nice way to end the ride with almost all downhill. I could empty my remaining energy stores. I arrived back at the Visitor Center with just over 92 miles ridden. It was slightly longer than my last time because I went into some of the overlooks.

Here is the RideWithGPS track for the route:
https://ridewithgps.com/routes/28436117

The captions on the photos add a bit more detail below.

On 112 approaching Kinsman Notch. It doesn't get really steep until that corner in the distance is passed. Perfect new pavement.

Looking behind at what I just had ascended.

Another shot of it with the 12% grade sign. This makes for an amazing descent going this direction.

This is the pull-off just past the Beaver Brook trailhead. Beautiful views are to be had in every direction.

The top of Kinsman Notch with that lake behind me reflecting the mountains.

On 116.

This is the corner where Kerr joins route 18. I don't know if there was a bike race up here before but the road had many markings for encouraging riders. Big ring - yeah right! Compact gearing for me.

At the top of Franconia Notch looking over to Cannon Mountain. That's route 93 below.

This is where the bike path begins.

I had the bike path to myself.

I refueled at the intersection of route 3 and 302. I almost never drink soda but that Pepsi really hit the spot!

On route 302 heading towards Crawford Notch with the Mount Washington hotel in the distance. You can barely make out the Presidential Range further back through the haze. Notice the nice new pavement on this section of 302.

At the Highland Center at the top of Crawford Notch. This is a convenient place to refill water bottles particularly with the coming descent just ahead.