Bangor to Monpelier

I downloaded the SPOT tracks to a Google Map so you can follow my tracks on the way home. The link is here.

Today was going to be a fun day since the ride will include the  Kancamagus Highway (112) in New Hampshire. This designated as one of the scenic highways in the US because it travels through the White Mountain National Forest, which includes Mt Washington, the highest peak in the Eastern states.
Got on the road early at 9 am and arrived at Conway, the gateway to 112 by 3 ish. It was clear from the roads leading to Conway, that the White Mountain area contains a large number of roads that would provide excellent motorcycle fun. During the trip out, we followed highway 2, which skirts the northern edge of the White Mountains but there are numerous roads that traverse the park in several places.

Kancamagus Info

112 is very similar to the Blue Ridge Skyway with twisty,hilly sections and lush mountain forest - following creek bed sections. I was following a pair of Harley riders when suddenly they made a right turn onto a paved road. They were locals so I though, Hmmm, wonder where they are going. That was a good choice. Turns out the road, which is barely marked on maps, Bear Notch Road (closed in winter), is a well paved road that snakes through a pass and connects to hwy 302 in a town called Bartlett. WOW. I turned around and on the way back, got behind a slow moving vehicle so when the first dirt road came along, turned on to it. These roads were marked on the GPS as unpaved and created a network of side roads through the mountain forest. Another great discovery that put the GS through it's paces. The uphills were steep enough with switchbacks, that any loss of momentum would create a difficult situation trying to restart the bike on such a steep section. The near bald Pirelli Scorpions managed to keep sufficient traction on the steeper sections that in the end, it was nothing. Fully loaded, the suspension had no problem keeping up with the ruts and rocks. Good thing the area was so remote, cause anyone hearing me whooping it up the hills would that thought a nut case was let loose - just like Cipi hollering down the Dragon's tail. Imagine my surprise, when hitting the peak of a steep section, bumping into a Honda Odessey slowly inching down the road. I stopped to ask the driver if he was lost, and no, he planned to take this road - does it get any worst than this?. After advising him that he was on the easy section and about to hit the steep stuff, his jaw dropped and I left him to decide whether to proceed or back up - a tough decision. The road signs do say that the roads are usable by vehicles and motorcycles. They should have been more clear to specify all wheel drive. I would take an all wheel drive jeep or subaru on that road, but not a family van.

Got back to the main highway for a spectacular drive to Lincoln, which marks the end of the 26 mile section. The remaining section of 112 had some good altitude and several interesting side roads (116), but it was getting late and I did want to get to Lake Placid if possible. Made it to Montpelier by 6 and used the dinner break to plan next steps. Cell coverage returned and Julie SMS's me that her mom was in the Hospital with breathing problems. So by the time I got all that straightened out (after several days, Doctors decided that change her heart medication), I decided to stay in Montpelier. Lake Placid was 3+ hours away, and I wasn't keen to drive the mountain roads at dusk, when the deer come out.

Conclusion: This section of New Hampshire and Vermont are spectacularly beautiful. The entire region deserves more time to explore and enjoy - certainly with the riding buddies for a 3-4 day weekend, or with Julie. Perhaps trailer the bike to a resort and then explore a bit each day.