Brenda and I ate at “The Common Man” restaurant; I liked the unusual name. The restaurant has been in business since 1971 (the first year I rode a bicycle 100 miles); They have a very large menu. I ordered Bison Meat Loaf (excellent); Brenda had a small steak and sautéed shrimp. I think it was the best dinner of the trip so far. There weren’t many breakfast choices but the bagel shop had several gluten free choices so we ended up with a good breakfast. This was needed; we knew what was ahead of us.
Yesterday Brenda stopped at a sandwich shop on the way into town. The clerk advised her NOT to ride up the Kancamagus Road – “there is a mile of 18% grade.” And our map advised “Kancamagus Hwy is a long winding road with very steep grades. No services are available for 33 miles.” So where did our route take us? To Kancamagus Pass. A 13 mile climb right from the hotel, a total of 2,000 feet of climbing. As I climbed I did notice one positive thing, the road was unusually smooth and the shoulder was wide. Of course this didn’t last all day. I also notice as I climbed that the miles were clicking off faster than the elevation gain. This could only mean that it got steeper at the top. 18%? I made mental calculations of what the last two miles could be. But the fears did not materialize; a road sign confirmed that the last 3.5 miles of the climb were 9%. We were at the top earlier than projected. The other thing not mentioned is the beautiful scenery. Going up one grade by a road barrier, there were many red trees on my right. An ideal picture but I knew that if I stopped, I’d not be able to get back on the bike; the grade was too steep. By the way, on the original ride 50 years ago, this was some riders’ favorite day.
Left photo: A pass? A gap? A notch? It depends on where you’re from. In Vermont, it’s a gap; in New Hampshire, it’s a notch. What is it in Maine. And why was today’s climb to Kancamagus Pass? Third photo: We were in the National Forest most of the day and there were no services. We know that Dr. Graves group had a picnic lunch 50 years ago. I imagine they all bought them in Lincoln and carried them in their handlebar bags. We had better service; Ida brought picnic supplies to us at Sabbaday Falls – see photos below.
The last 1/2 mile to the inn was a SIGNIFICANT CLIMB, one you think you can’t make. But walking it is no better an option. Is this our 18% grade?
BRENDA’S BIOS
Rick Hill
Rick has spent most of his life in Oregon, from Portland to Salem to Seal Rock where he currently lives with his wife of 44 years, Mary. They have 1 son, Ryan. Rick spent his career as the Director of Oregon Youth Authority. I guess his background makes handling BAC business seems easy! Rick is currently the Chairman of BAC and his term will expire February, 2015.
Other hobbies include kayaking and hiking. Rick does volunteer work with a bike coop and does bike repair work but also teaches at-risk kids the skills to repair bikes.
Jim and Ida Nystrom
Jim and Ida have been married for 45 years and have 3 daughters, Elizabeth, Sarah and Lindsey. Only their eldest daughter has picked up their love of bicycling.
They live in Holden, MA and spend their summers in the Adirondacks at a log cabin that was originally purchased by her great grandfather. It is quite the family meeting place during the summer months. Ida has a degree in American Studies from Mt. Holyoke College and spent her career as a museum teacher, a career she pursued after her children were in school. Jim received his undergraduate, Masters and PhD in Mechanical Engineering from Wooster Polytech. He worked 15 years for Wooster Polytech and when Alden Research Lab was spun off from the university in 1986 he and some colleagues bought the company from Wooster. He was partner in Alden from 1986-2007, when he sold out and retired.
Ida is currently on the BAC Board Of Directors; has been Lead Tour Reviewer for the past 2 years and plans to remain in that position for her final year on the board. Other hobbies include hiking, skiing and snow shoeing. Jim’s favorite ride is in New Zealand and Ida’s is Cooperstown, which she has and will lead again. The upcoming rides they are leading are Cooperstown, and 2 back-to-back rides in Scotland.
TODAY’S RIDE
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