Worlds Record Set by HTTA at Fall Rally
The evening before we'd gotten consensus, the Kancamangus Highway in the New Hampshire White Mountains it would be. A sunny day with temps reaching the mid 70s was forecast and 8:30 would be departure time. Friday morning after a hearty breakfast we were ready for the six hour ride. It was a bit cool initially, but except for the five miles of fog and cold approaching the Connecticut river valley the riding was comfortable. With a fair distance ahead of us, spirited riding was the order of the day. Flying low across Vermont by many family farms on Rt 302 and into New Hampshire at Woodsville, we turned onto Rt 112 through the mountains. The twisty road traced a rocky river for part of the way, into the National Forest. The road surface improved and the riding was exilarating. Traffic? What traffic? The road was ours for the most part. Down into Lincoln's magic mile of tourism and a coffee stop at Dunkin Donuts. It was only 10:30, so Dave and I suggested that we could include the summit of Mt Washington if there was any interest. There was, and off we went, past the kilted traffic controllers at the Scottish Highlander event, up to Kancamangus Pass through the twisting eastbound route, then down the sweepers on the other side to the turn onto Bear Notch Pass, another fantastic mountainous road with virtually no traffic. Cruising up Rt 16 to the Mt Washington Auto Road we had numerous views of the 6,200+ ft summit ahead of us. The auto road is very twisty and a bit narrow at places. Also gravel for a ways up high. Eight miles of up, up and away! Not for the faint of heart on a motorcycle I might add. The day was crystal clear, not an easily assumed condition at the top of the highest peak in NE USA. While there it occured to me that two CX650 Eurosports had undoubtedly never been at the summit at the same time before! Clearly World Record material I thought. Another first by the HTTA! Incidently, all five of the bikes on this ride were 650s! A CX650C, two GL650s and two CX650Es. After a half hour at the summit it was down, down and more down with the engines faithfully restraining us for the eight miles to Rt 16. Looping around on Rt 302 in NH through more National Forest then south through Franconia Notch and back to reverse Rt 112 toward Vermont. Goodbye to the White Mtns and their beautiful motorcycle roads. Another pleasant trip half way across the Green Mountain state into the low sun which did cause us some difficulties, a few more twisty roads and then back to the cabin. Several more members had arrived in our absence and had taken some in-state rides under the guidance of local talent name of Gandalf. There having been no serious damage to riders or machines, a few bottles and cans were opened and the tales began to unwind while the cook tortured dinner. A fine day by all accounts, and another waiting on tomorrow's dawn. Rich, Ernie, Dave, Kevin and Bill from CT, Paul from NY, Jim from NJ, Steve and Joe from PA and Gandalf from Vt. It's a shame more riders from MA, VT, NH and ME weren't there, it was a one tank ride for many members.