Heads Up for Sat July 6th - Avoid RT 2 in the whites

[peakbagger]

There is major viral memorial motorcycle ride for victims of the large motorcycle accident in Randolph NH this coming Saturday. The claims in the press are there could be "thousands" of participants. Groups are forming all over southern NH, Mass and Maine and then converging on Laconia during the morning and then headed north via RT 16 to Gorham and then West on RT 2 to Randolph. There is no organization in charge of this event and the state police have pulled out from escorting the group due to lack of time to plan. The actual crash site is on the section of RT 2 where there is no other way to go East West except north through Groveton or south through Bartlett (barring a illegal run down the adjacent rail trail). The actual accident site has no public accommodations or any significant place to park motorcycles. I wish those participating the best of luck in their attempt to show respect for the folks who died in the crash but this is a recipe for gridlock on RT 2 for several hours. Gorham is traditionally somewhat gridlocked due to the week long fourth of July celebration so this memorial ride will most likely make things even more congested. Some of the Gorham congestion can be avoided by using Pinkham B/Dolly Copp Road but that road is not well suited for large motorcycles (or cars with low ground clearance) due to rocks popping up through the pavement

Hikers may be able to get to the trailheads in the AM but getting home may be a challenge that afternoon and evening. I expect RT 115 and the short stretch of RT 3 to Twin Mountain will also have heavy traffic but once in Twin mountain there are several options for riders to head home which should reduce the impact. I expect not a great date to dayhike out of the three Randolph parking lots and hut guests may be in for surprise.

 

[skiguy]

Thanks for the heads up but I think you meant July 6th.

 

[peakbagger]

Thanks for catching it, I edited the month.

 

[peakbagger]

A change in plan for the route. Its heading up I93 through Franconia Notch then RT3 to Twin Mountain then up Rt 115 to RT 2.

 

[peakbagger]

Looks like they have it all figured out, there are 6 porta potties that were parked at the site yesterday. The town of Randolph doesnt have a police department, they do have a constable, Gordon Lowe who I believe is in his eighties. No ambulance, and a volunteer fire department.

 

[sierra]

Looks like they have it all figured out, there are 6 porta potties that were parked at the site yesterday. The town of Randolph doesnt have a police department, they do have a constable, Gordon Lowe who I believe is in his eighties. No ambulance, and a volunteer fire department.

Sounds like a great town to pull off a bank robbery. To bad they don't have a bank.

 

[Grey J]

Better late than never but unfortunately the horse has left the barn.

https://www.yahoo.com/news/nearly-900-drivers-suspended-wake-204636369.html