Riders and Volunteers Wanted! Mt. Washington Century Ride and Mount Washington Auto Road Bicycle Hillclimb

Riders and Volunteers Wanted!

New England’s Most Challenging Century Ride

Registration Open for Mt. Washington Century Ride to Benefit Tin Mountain Sat, July 29, 2017

The 46th Mount Washington Auto Road Bicycle Hillclimb,

Conservation Center Sat, August 19 (Weather Date: Aug 20 )

Come join hundreds of cyclists at Tin Mountain Conservation Center’s Annual 16th Mt. Washington Century Ride on Sat, July 29 and, or the 46th Mount Washington Auto Road Bicycle Hillclimb a benefit of Tin Mountain on Sat, August 19th (weather date: Aug 20 )

The Mount Washington Century is known as the most challenging, and best supported Century in New England; and, the Mount Washington Auto Road Bicycle Hillclimb is known as the toughest hillclimb in the world, bragging inclines of 21 percent grades.

Hundreds of cyclists are already preregistered for each event, yet there is still an event bib waiting for both charity bike events. The Hillclimb tops at 625 riders, and the Century remains open for registration including the morning of the event.

Tin Mountain Conservation Center has been presenting the Mt. Washington Century for the past 16 years with the average number of riders hovering at 250. Each year, more than 25-30 volunteer members of Tin Mountain staff five aid stations, ride support vehicles, prepare and serve meals, and check-in riders.

The 109 mile route traverses four notches, fragrant spruce-fir and majestic northern hardwood forests, across pastoral farm fields, and beside sparkling streams. The Century Plus route leaves the Albany/Conway area on the Kancamagus Highway, climbs over Bear Notch Road to Bartlett, follows Rt 302 through Crawford Notch to Rt 115 in Twin Mountain, along Rt 115 to Rt 2 past Jefferson Notch and into Gorham before heading south on Rt 16 past the Mt. Washington Auto Road and over Pinkham Notch. From Pinkham Notch the route drops into Glen and back to the Conway area via Rt 16 and the scenic West Side Road.

The abbreviated, 44- and 88-mile routes also provide scenic rides. All Century riders are benefitted by aid stations, ham operators, and a bike repair vehicle. Five manned, aid stations are provided for the 109 mile course, three for the 88-mile, and two for the 44-mile. Ham radio operators patrol all routes, as well as a bike repair support vehicle. The first 325 registered cyclists receive an event T-shirt. A fabulous meal awaits all returning riders at the Tin Mountain Nature Learning Center, where riders can relax and stroll on the 138-acre sanctuary, or tour the beautiful “green” solar, photovoltaic facility. A therapeutic sport massage will be on site.

The Mount Washington Auto Road Bicycle Hillclimb, according to The VeloNews is a “Ride of a Lifetime.” Known as The Toughest Hillclimb in the World, this 7.6-mile uphill race to the summit of the highest peak in the northeastern United States is the biggest annual fundraiser for the Tin Mountain Conservation Center. In this event up to 635 elite professional and amateur cyclists will have the chance to cycle their personal best. For those that can break an overall record $5,000 will be the grand prize; and thanks to Cadence Wealth Management, the fastest female and male rider to the 1 mile mark will receive $750. Over 100 volunteers including Ham radio operators and EMTs help make this event possible.

For the privilege of pedaling up the unrelenting grades, cyclists in both the Century Ride and the Hillclimb pay an entry fee and have the opportunity to raise pledges, which in turn supports Tin Mountain’s great work promoting an appreciation for the natural world while instilling the bedrock principles of sound stewardship and sustainable lifestyles.

If riders are daring enough to sign up for the Mountain Washington Auto Road Bicycle Hillclimb AND the Century+, your passion for pushing yourself to your upper most limits puts you in a rare breed of cyclists. By signing up for both, there will be a 50 percent discount coupon that can be applied towards the registration of the Mount Washington Century+.

For more information, and to register, The Tin Mountain homepage provides detailed information about routes, registration, pledge sheets, and other useful information: visit www.tinmountain.org and click under events: TMCC Mt. Washington Century or Mount Washington Auto Road Bicycle Hillclimb. If you are interested in volunteering for both or either events call (603) 447-6991.

This years bike event sponsors include: Cadence Wealth Management, Quad Cycles, BikeReg.com, Destination Cycling, BKool, The Valley Originals, Pearl Izumi, BikeTag, MartiShea Coaching, AMC, Valley Originals, Finish Line, Landry’s Cycles, Exposed Seam, Sap Hound Maple Company, MT Washington and Coos Cycling Clubs, and the local media, and many dedicated volunteers.

Tin Mountain Conservation Center is a 501 (c) 3 non-profit environmental education program that promotes an appreciation of the natural environment among children, adults, and families through hands-on programs in the schools, at camps, and in the community and demonstrates responsible stewardship of natural resources through land protection, research, sustainable forestry, agriculture, and energy.

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