Mount Washington

7.6 miles, 4,678 ft of climbing, 11.7% average grade.

The crown jewel of the series and one of the hardest paved climbs in the world: 7.6 miles up the Northeast's highest peak at an average grade of 12%, with no flat, no descent, and no shelter once you leave the trees. PJAMM rates the Auto Road among the three most difficult bike climbs in the United States. Whatever your number goal is, the mountain will have an opinion about it.

Highlights

• Among the hardest paved bike climbs in the U.S., 12% average, nowhere to hide
• The steepest 5-mile stretch of road in the country
• Above-treeline finish with hundred-mile views on a clear day
• The infamous 22% final ramp to the summit line
• Home of the world's (once) worst weather, a 231 mph wind was recorded here in 1934

Must Know

• The field is capped and sells out. Register the day entries open.
• You cannot ride down. Every rider needs a driver to bring them (and a car) off the summit.
• Pack a summit bag with a full change of warm, dry layers, it can be near freezing up top in August.
• Weather cancellations are real; the mountain decides.

Lodging

The Glen House hotel sits directly across from the Auto Road base, the closest bed to the start, booked far ahead for race weekend. Gorham (10 minutes) has the motel cluster; North Conway (30 minutes) has everything else. Dolly Copp Campground is five minutes away.

Food & Views

• The post-race meal at the base is a tradition, stay for it
• White Mountain Café in Gorham for the morning coffee run
• Views: the summit observatory and museum, if the clouds allow
• Diana's Baths swimming holes near North Conway for recovery

Nearby Routes

• Road: Pinkham Notch, Evans Notch, and the Shelburne birches
• Gravel: Success Pond Road out of Berlin
• Hike: Tuckerman Ravine Trail to the summit
• MTB: Great Glen Trails' network at the Auto Road base

Resources

• Official race page
• PJAMM climb profile
• Mount Washington Observatory higher-summits forecast