Crawford Notch to Appalachia by bike

[DreamFarmer]

Anyone ever do this or can guess how long it would take ?

I'm watching for an opportunity to re-try the Traverse and it'll be a last minute solo deal.

 

[David Metsky]

Are you doing this before or after the Traverse? Are you planning on going over Jefferson Notch Road?

 

[DreamFarmer]

I would go over Jefferson Notch Road.

It would be after the hike, and only if I couldn't maybe "luck out" and get a ride back.

It appears I'd miss the AMC shuttle and scheduling with another provider might be difficult and costly so a bike ride may be "just the ticket" (maybe take 3 hours if there's a lot of hills ?).

I was thinking that riding that stretch would be something commonly done ?

 

[Little Rickie]

You're nuts!

 

[mookie]

what he said!

"You're nuts! "


i wouldnt want to do that after that traverse, thats for sure!
should be pretty dark by the time you get out da woods and on da road.
i would rather hitch or coordinate something before i go.

 

[Quietman]

(maybe take 3 hours if there's a lot of hills ?)

Have you checked a topo map of you proposed route? Looks to be about 18 miles with 1,000'+ climb to Jeff notch. And the notch road is a dirt road with logging trucks and lots of narrow places.

 

[bcborder]

Sweet Ride

I've biked over Jefferson Notch Road on a mountain bike. Nice riding but I wouldn't recommend it without relatively fat tires and a good granny gear. A front shock wouldn't hurt either. You can hook up with the Presidential Rail Trail at the north end of Jefferson Notch Road which will take you right by Appalachia. That is, you can ride from the Crawford Path trail head to Appalachia entirely on dirt and mostly without cars or traffic.

 

[jniehof]

The NHDOT map pretty much recommends 302-3-115-2 (although 2's brutal through that stretch and carries an appropriate warning...I'd probably take the PRRT despite the rough surface.) That route's about 28 miles and via Jefferson Notch is about 18. I personally suck on hill climbs and, since the rough surface wouldn't let one get it back in descent, would probably take the long way around. But I haven't done it, and haven't talked to anyone who has...the Kanc-Bear Notch-Crawford-Franconia Notch loop is the classic.

 

[DreamFarmer]

Thank you all for the education !
Looking forward to getting up there ASAP.

 

[bikehikeskifish]

the Kanc-Bear Notch-Crawford-Franconia Notch loop is the classic.

What?? No Kinsman Notch?!?

My favorite loop ("4 notches and a pass") starts at Loon, heads west on 112 over Kinsman Notch, north on 116, East on Wells / 18 / 141, north on 3 (essentially Franconia Notch) to Twin Mountain. 302 through Crawford Notch (55mph+ descent here!!!!) Bear Notch to the Kanc, and back to Loon.

About 92 miles and 6100' of climbing.

Tim

 

[bikehikeskifish]

There are numerous versions of the ride on mapmyride.com. Here is the one posted by NEBC (my racing club back in the days...)

http://www.mapmyride.com/ride/united-states/nh/lincoln/270637102

Enjoy,
Tim

 

[Hampshire]

DreamFarmer,

I have a scouting trip planned for this weekend. Starting in Bowman, up the Castle Trail (scouting for this winter) to Jefferson and Washington, backtracking to the Jewell Trail down to my stashed bike at the junction of the Boundary Line Trail and Jefferson Notch Road.



I'll let you know how it goes.

 

[DreamFarmer]

Thank You Hampshire !
It looks like I will be making the ride after my hike.

 

[Little Rickie]

Thank You Hampshire !
It looks like I will be making the ride after my hike.

You are one tough old goat.

 

[DreamFarmer]

Right back at ya !

 

[snoshoovt]

Bike over Jefferson Notch

Jefferson Notch is a wonderful way to get back to Appalachia after a traverse, especially if you've spent the night at Crawford Notch, surprisingly easy just a long slog to the top but not too steep then a long sleighride, a very comfy ride in the woods on a MT bike. If you're a skinny tired roady I'd recommend Rt 3 etc.
Enjoy!
John