Here are some details - - -
The trek is about 81 miles long and traverses four mountain gaps in the heart of NH's White Mountains. The Four Gaps are Kancamagus Pass, Bear Notch, Crawford Notch and finally Franconia Notch, in that order. There is about 5,000 feet of total climbing. See the details on Page 2. In past years, we've stopped several times along the way. We (well, some of us) are finding this amount of stopping and the long day in the summer sun a bit tough. So, there is some thought of not stopping as much. That way we can spend more time basking at the Pemigewasset River (The “Pemi”) swimming hole and feasting at the Woodstock Inn after the ride.
For now, let's say that we will meet at the Hobo Hills Miniature Golf parking lot in Lincoln, NH. The parking lot is near to and just east of the I-93 Exit to Rte. 112. We will plan on starting the ride at 9:00 AM and ending the scenic loop with the long descent from Franconia Notch southward along the Franconia Notch Bike Path, back into Lincoln. We should be completing the counterclockwise loop anywhere from 2 PM to 3 PM. That will allow us time for the soothing dip in the “Pemi” before we settle in at the Woodstock Inn for a well-earned feast at about 3:30 to 4 PM. Oh yeah!!!
We always have riders of varying abilities for sure. The "Four Gapper" ride is not a race by any means. It is a recreational ride with lots of discussion, at least during the earlier part. As the ride progresses, some of us get more quiet for some reason or other. It is good to point out that the ride is demanding and at day's end, we are always quite tired and quite inspired. The stop at the Woodstock Inn is a tradition and is clearly optional, of course. Sometimes people have to get back home and leave right after the ride.
Please let me know if you want to be removed from this e-mail list for the remaining notifications this year. If you want, I will put you back on the list for next year’s 2008 Kanc Ride in June and the Four Gapper in August. Just let me know.
Give consideration to the above and let me know (jose777@aol.com) if you are planning or contemplating this year’s Four Gapper.
Joe Anthony
P.S. – On the day prior, the 16th, the 2008 Mt. Washington Hillclimb will be held. This is a great event to watch. Let me know if you’d like to see it. I will be up in NH from Friday through Sunday and I’m thinking of going to the “Hillclimb” as a spectator. There are no Anthonys in the race this year, but for me, it’s a fun event regardless. There are even some ”Hillclimbers” on our Four Gapper notification list.